Registration for this event will open March 3rd and close May 2nd. Click here to register!

Breakout Sessions

For College and High School Students

In Their Shoes: Teen Dating and Relationship Violence

This is a classroom-based simulation that explores how to recognize patterns of violence in teenage relationships. Participants learn to identify harmful patterns and intervention strategies that support young people. They walk through the stories of six teens experiencing violence, making decisions about their paths. This training provides a deeper look at dating violence through the lens of the social determinants of health.

Location: Barrington Student Union, Room 202 (Fireside Lounge)

Presented by Bryn Donovan. They are the Program Manager at Northern Area Health Education Center (NAHEC). They are passionate about community education on the opioid epidemic and social determinants of health. Bryn is a graduate of Ithaca College and works to reduce healthcare workforce shortages in rural areas through education programming. Bryn is a former rugby player and has a cat named Cassian.

Snap, Post, Prevent: Using Social Media to Raise Awareness on Substance Use

Students create, design, and film content for social media surrounding the dangers or statistics of substance use among teens in St. Lawrence County. Statistical information will be readily available for them to utilize and examples of past media creations. Student work may be advertised as prevention messaging upon their permission.

Location: Barrington Student Union, Room 204

Presented by Samantha Robitaille. She is a Data Coordinator and Health Educator at Seaway Valley Prevention Council for their Unity for Massena Youth Coalition, and Horizons Youth Clubhouse. She works to empower youth and families by using data-driven strategies to reduce substance use and promote positive choices. Through collaboration, outreach, and impactful messaging, she helps turn community data into meaningful action.

Collaborate & Create: Building Strong Communities for Lasting Health Impact

Effective public health initiatives rely on strong community and stakeholder engagement. This session will explore best practices for building successful consortiums, conducting impactful focus groups, and developing action-oriented plans that drive meaningful change. Led by experts in the field, participants will gain insights into fostering collaboration, gathering valuable community input, and translating engagement into sustainable public health initiatives. Whether you want to strengthen partnerships or enhance your outreach strategies, this session will provide practical tools and real-world examples to support your efforts.

Location: Barrington Student Union, Room 205

Presented by Hillary Rabel. Hillary Rebel is a dedicated public health professional currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) at SUNY Potsdam. She also serves as a NYS Public Health Fellow III with the Onondaga County Health Department’s Maternal and Child Health Division, where she works to improve health outcomes for families and communities. With a background in political science and a passion for health equity, Hillary focuses on reproductive health, harm reduction initiatives, health policy, and program planning. Her work is driven by a commitment to addressing health disparities and creating sustainable public health solutions that empower underserved populations. Through her expertise and advocacy, she strives to foster systemic change and promote community well-being.

Speaking Up: Write for Youth Protection & Marketing Limits

Students write letters to the editor advocating for marketing restriction laws in St. Lawrence County to limit youth exposure to tobacco marketing. Statistical information will be readily available for them to utilize and an outlined example. Student work will be sent to officials or advertised as prevention messaging.

Location: Barrington Student Union, Room 203

Presented by Advancing Tobacco Free Communities (ATFC).

Sarah Barr

Sarah is a passionate Community Engagement Coordinator with 2.5 years of experience dedicated to making communities healthier. She thrives on building partnerships, empowering local voices, and driving initiatives that create lasting change. With a strong focus on tobacco use prevention, Sarah works to educate, advocate, and implement programs that reduce tobacco-related harm and promote healthier lifestyles. Whether organizing events, collaborating with stakeholders, or sparking important conversations, she’s committed to making a smoke-free future a reality—one step at a time!

Rico Dobbs

Rico is the Program Assistant for the Advancing Tobacco Free Communities Grant out of Seaway Valley Prevention Council in Ogdensburg. He has been a part of this grant in various capacitates since 2021, with over 3 years of experience facilitating presentations to both youth and adults in the tri-county area about tobacco and e-cigarettes. Rico specializes in educating youth on the manipulative and deceptive marketing techniques of the tobacco industry. In addition, he is responsible for more than 50 Smoke-Free policies being passed in St. Lawrence, Lewis and Jefferson Counties at the local parks, beaches and playground. Rico also works with Landlords and elected officials to reduce the impact of second-hand smoke in our communities. In 2023 he received the "Kelly Johnson-Eilola Award" from the St. Lawrence Heath Initiative for his excellence with advocating for youth and being a champion in the community. Rico graduated with a BA in Sports Management from SUNY Canton in 2021, and now coaches at the local high school where he strives to inspire youth to make healthier decisions in life.

Travis Jordan

Travis is a Program Coordinator for the Advancing Tobacco Free Communities grant at the Seaway Valley Prevention Council in Ogdensburg. He has been a part of the grant in various capacities since 2018, with over 7 years of experience facilitating presentations to both youth and adults in the tri-county area about tobacco and e-cigarettes. He is also the head of the “Reality Check Program” for St. Lawrence, Lewis and Jefferson County, where it’s mission is to reveal the tobacco industry’s manipulative and deceptive marketing and advertising techniques, and to educate teens, the community, and legislature about Big Tobacco. His team has been recognized for assisting organizations in establishing their own tobacco free policies such as SUNY Potsdam, Jefferson Community College, local fairs and festivals, and much more. Travis graduated with a BS in Community Health from SUNY Potsdam in 2016, and now has also returned to become a coach at his alma mater, and has been working to help his local communities strive to live a healthier lifestyle every day.

For Agency and Staff

Agency Roundtable Discussion

In the field of public health, data plays a crucial role in shaping policies, guiding interventions, and evaluating outcomes. But what happens when access to databases is restricted, or the data we need simply isn’t available? This roundtable discussion will bring together local public health professionals, organizations, and partners to explore innovative ways to leverage data, navigate limitations, and adapt in data-scarce environments.

Key discussion points include:

How organizations are currently using data in public health initiatives
Strategies for making informed decisions when data access is restricted
Collaborating across agencies to share insights and resources
Real-world examples of overcoming data barriers in local public health efforts

This session will be an open dialogue, encouraging participants to share their experiences, challenges, and solutions. Join us as we connect with local partners, including a potential collaboration with local health organizations, to strengthen data-driven public health practices in our region!

Location: Thatcher Hall 2nd Floor

Facilitated by the SUNY Potsdam Public Health Department

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