Wellness Together's 8th Annual Student Mental Wellness Conference: Full Schedule

4:00pm PDT

Transforming School Counseling: Navigating Policy Changes, Workforce Growth, and New Standards in California

Wednesday October 9, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Speakers

Dr. Loretta Whitson

Executive Director, CA Association of School Counselors

Dr. Loretta Whitson is the Executive Director for the California Association of School Counselors and has devoted her life’s work to advancing the school counseling profession in California. She works closely with state leaders, legislators and journalists, clarifying complex... Read More →

Dr. Jami Parsons

Deputy Executive Director, California Association of School Counselors (CASC)

As the Deputy Executive Director for the California Association of School Counselors (CASC).Dr. Jami Parsons oversees professional development and LEA outreach, and supportsadvocacy efforts for the school counseling profession. Prior to this role, she served as aDirector, Educational... Read More →

Wednesday October 9, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
210A

about Dr. Loretta Whitson is the Executive Director for the California Association of School Counselors and has devoted her life’s work to advancing the school counseling profession in California. She works closely with state leaders, legislators and journalists, clarifying complex educational issues and champions policies and practices to support school counselors in California. For over twenty years Dr. Whitson was Director of Student Support Services in Monrovia USD where she oversaw school counseling, as well as several district-level operations. Between 2015-2017 Dr. Whitson served as Chair of the Educational Counseling Program for the University of La Verne and was a visiting professor for 10 years at California State University Northridge.

8:30am PDT

A Restorative School: The Transformation Process Using Student Voice

Thursday October 10, 2024 8:30am - 9:30am PDT

210A

When we look at school transformation, we must incorporate all aspects including teacher skill and buy-in, family partnership, and overall policy work. And all of these parts of the process must incorporate student voice. By beginning with education, voice, and buy-in for staff, students, and families, we lay the groundwork for a school where restorative practices can thrive. This work is ongoing, especially the layers of staff skill-building. The policies must join this transformation process, leading just a hair ahead of where the buy-in lies, creating a behavior matrix and policies that are in line with restorative values, utilizing the voice of all stakeholders. And students must be invested in and nurtured in playing a pivotal role in the implementation of restorative practices through the development of a Peer Restorative Justice Program. This workshop will walk participants through this process, providing key resources to walk away with.

Key Takeaways
1. Transforming a school to restorative practices must involve an education, buy-in, and true sense of agency. 2. Peer Restorative Justice programs are a key element of empowering students to take the lead in this work. 3. All policies must be examined and shifted through the lens that reflects restorative values.

Speakers

Deb Brill

Thursday October 10, 2024 8:30am - 9:30am PDT
210A

School & District-Wide Leadership

12:30pm PDT

Thriving in Community- Normalising Mental Health Conversations

Thursday October 10, 2024 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT

210A

There remains a degree of stigma attached to mental health difficulties, teachers, parents feeling helpless and ill equipped to help 1 in 6 struggling teenagers.

What if a student opening up about their suicidal thoughts was celebrated? What if it was viewed as a brave request for help and every neighbour, friend, had a toolbox of skills that could be used to help.

I’m gonna share some fun ways I’m opening up conversations about mental wellness and I may share a song or two

Speakers

Ebi Oginni

Paediatrician, Paediatrician

I’m a mental health advocate A wife and mum of 2 boys aged 6 and 9 More introverted than extroverted Touring contemporary gospel/soul singer-songwriter A paediatrician A Coach An Author of the book - Pursue Your Passion, Uncover Your Calling Podcast Host of the Harmony... Read More →

Thursday October 10, 2024 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
210A

Student and Community Mental Health

3:30pm PDT

What's Their Why?-Function-Based Analysis of Behavior

Thursday October 10, 2024 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT

210A

Designed for educators and mental health professionals working within school environments, this resource aims to enhance participants' knowledge and skills in behavioral analysis, focusing on strategies that support:
• Defining Behavior in Observable and Measurable Terms
• Identifying Environmental Factors Influencing Behavior
• Recognizing Antecedents and Consequences
• Determining Functions of Behavior
Participants will be equipped with practical strategies to effectively define, assess, and intervene in student behavior, ultimately promoting a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.

Speakers

Amy Becker

Coordinator- Behavior Intervention and Mental Heal, OCDE

Amy Becker is an accomplished education professional with a robust background in psychology and behavior intervention. Throughout her career, Amy has held pivotal roles in school districts throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. Most recently, Amy has served as the Coordinator of... Read More →

Thursday October 10, 2024 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
210A

Student and Community Mental Health

10:15am PDT

A school district's approach to student and staff well-being

Friday October 11, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

210A

Riverside Unified School District’s Department of Wellness and Engagement supports
students demonstrating social, emotional, and/or behavioral concerns impacting their
ability to fully participate in daily instruction, school activities, or their overall educational
experience with licensed therapists, school psychologists, and prevention assistants. The
program focuses on developing supports for students facing non-academic barriers to
their learning. The department also supports a thriving structure for enhancing employee
well-being.
Participants will gain knowledge about:
RUSD’s innovative program that includes 42 licensed therapists, 8 school psychologists,
20 prevention assistants, and a teacher on special assignment.
Consider how attendees might implement a similar structure for counseling, behavior support, and the well-being
of employees.
These structures work within the Multi-Tiered System of Support framework.

Speakers

Dr. Katarina Roy Schanz

Director, Riverside Unified School District

Dr. Katarina Roy Schanz serves as the Director of Wellness and Engagement for the Riverside Unified School District. In her previous roles of school counselor, assistant principal, and school principal, she saw the clear need for supporting the overall well-being of students and staff... Read More →

Friday October 11, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
210A

Student and Community Mental Health

1:45pm PDT

Mind Out Loud

Friday October 11, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT

210A

Speakers

Alexa Southall

Mary Mora

Frankie Chu

Friday October 11, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT
210A

3:00pm PDT

Effective Youth Engagement For Wellness Planning and Policy

Friday October 11, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

210A

Sharing the strategies and results of collaborative efforts for engaging youth in discussions about wellness needs and policy. Focusing in on collaboration for youth forums to garner critical insights, youth voice and perspectives to be used for future planning and strategies for addressing the wellness needs of youth in rural communities.
Learn a model for planning effective youth summits.
Effective wellness insights that can be gathered from such forums.

Speakers

Ahmadreza Bahrami

Division Manager -Planning and Quality Management, Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health

Ahmad Bahrami is the Division Manager of Public Behavioral Health for Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health. He is responsible for the county's Mental Health Services Act, Suicide Prevention, Cultural Competency/Health Equity and Community Engagement and Outreach. Ahmad has... Read More →

Friday October 11, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
210A

Mental Health Policy & Advocacy

Wellness Together's 8th Annual Student Mental Wellness Conference