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

4:00pm PDT

Compassionate Learning Spaces: Practical Strategies for Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools

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

In Riverside Unified, specialists in crisis prevention and staff wellness partnered to create a workshop series for site teams, entitled “Compassionate Learning Spaces.” The series presents evidence-based practices for creating and developing trauma-informed schools. This presentation highlights the intentional steps taken to empower educators, lessons learned during implementation, and plans for sustainability, with the ultimate goal of creating a community of educators who are champions of trauma-informed practices.

Speakers

Suzanne Beran

Crisis Prevention & Intervention School Psychologist, Riverside Unified School District

Suzanne has worked as a School Psychologist for over 20 years, completing special education evaluations and providing evidence-based interventions primarily for preschool and elementary-aged students. In 2022, she welcomed the opportunity to move over to RUSD's Department of Wellness... Read More →

Veronica Martinez

Crisis Prevention & Intervention Psychologist, Riverside Unified School District

Veronica Martinez is a Crisis Prevention and Intervention School Psychologist with the Riverside Unified School District. She has over 15 years of experience as a school psychologist in California schools, working with students spanning all grade levels. She has served as a trainer... Read More →

Diana Twiss

Teacher on Special Assignment, Riverside Unified School District

As a former classroom teacher, I deeply understand the many demands that come with working in this human-centered profession. As a certified Transformational Life Coach, certified Gallup Strengths Coach, certified yoga instructor, and Arbinger facilitator, I work to support the... Read More →

Wednesday October 9, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
212A

Mental Health Policy & Advocacy

8:30am PDT

Trend of Mental Health incidence in schools and impact on student learning: Perspective of High school students

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

212A

At the end of the presentation, participants will 1. comprehend the trend of mental health in school contexts 2. Recognize the impact of mental on students learning in post war country 3. acquire practical knowledge and skills to deal with mental health incidences in school

Speakers

Johnson Tekay Hinneh

Director, School Health, Ministry Of Education

I am Johnson Tekay Hinneh. I am health education specialist and currently served as director for school health, Ministry of Education, Republic of Liberia

Thursday October 10, 2024 8:30am - 9:30am PDT
212A

Student and Community Mental Health

12:30pm PDT

A Roadmap to Effective School Based Mental Health and Wellness

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

212A

Sacramento County Office of Education is partnering with County Department of Health Services to bring sustainable, no-cost mental health and wellness services to schools across Sacramento County. Our model, transforming schools into Centers of Wellness, has demonstrated impact on over 1500 students by integrating mental health supports into the fabric of the schools. Participants of this session will walk away with tangible toolkits and roadmaps for multiple student-facing roles, as well as an understanding of how to lead for change and encourage collaboration across roles, in order to replicate the Schools as Centers of Wellness model.

Speakers

Christopher Williams

Executive Director, Mental Health and Wellness, Sacramento County Office of Education

Dr. Christopher Williams is the Executive Director of Mental Health and Wellness at the Sacramento County Office of Education. He leads a team intent on bringing the health and education systems together as partners to create a continuum of care for mental health and wellness. The... Read More →

Thursday October 10, 2024 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
212A

School & District-Wide Leadership

3:30pm PDT

Empowering Marginalized Students: Elevating Support for Underserved Students

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

212A

Discover actionable strategies to empower marginalized students while prioritizing their mental well-being for academic success. Gain practical tools and insights to effectively guide their educational journey, recognizing the vital connection between student well-being and achievement. Join us for a transformative exploration of inclusive support practices, equipping you to advocate for and empower every student on their path to success.

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn practical tools to support marginalized students, prioritizing their mental well-being for success.
2. Understand the link between student well-being and academic achievement, empowering effective advocacy and guidance for marginalized students.

Speakers

Angélica Ceja

Academic Advisor, Recovery Education Institute

I am deeply committed to empowering and motivating BIPOC students to achieve their utmost potential. As an academic advisor at Recovery Education Institute (REI) in Orange, CA, I am dedicated to offering all-encompassing, personalized academic guidance. Additionally, I am honored... Read More →

Thursday October 10, 2024 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
212A

Student and Community Mental Health

10:15am PDT

The State of Student Wellness - California Fiscal and Policy Update

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

212A

This presentation will provide a fiscal, legislative, and policy update on actions at the state level related to student mental health and wellness and will demonstrate the importance of building and maintaining a presence as not only an expert on student needs and well-being, but also as a consensus and coalition builder. Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of why relationships matter - both locally and at the state level.

Speakers

Lee Angela Reid

Partner, Capitol Advisors Group

Has served as a partner with Capitol Advisors Group since 2017. She previously spent 23 years in the State Capitol working on K-12 education issues, including serving as a consultant on state and federal education issues in the Senate Office of Research, providing analysis and advice... Read More →

Friday October 11, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
212A

Mental Health Policy & Advocacy

1:45pm PDT

With an Alarming Trend in Mental Health Concerns, One Team is Seeking Answers...and Solutions

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

212A

The Wellness Team at LJCDS along with their partner in Rady Children’s Hospital, are working to shift traditional mental health interventions to focus on preventing the alarming statistics that have impacted our youngest generation and the behavioral healthcare system.

The benefits of school-hospital partnerships

Developing a program rooted in early and preventative mental healthcare

Strategies to enhance the school-community-family partnership with an emphasis on family engagement

Speakers

Nicholas Chan

MD, UCSD and Rady Children's Hospital

Dr. Nicholas Chan is board certified in both adult and child/adolescent psychiatry. Prior to attending medical school, Dr. Chan worked as a 5th grade teacher in the Bay Area. Dr. Chan attended Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, then completed psychiatry residency and... Read More →

Michelle Hirschy

Director of Wellness, La Jolla Country Day School

Wellness Together Conference 2024 pdf

Friday October 11, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT
212A

Student and Community Mental Health

3:00pm PDT

The Power of Relationships: Building effective Parent-Staff Partnerships in Special Education

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

212A

Parents play a crucial role in the special education process. The complexity of student needs and high conflict situations can deteriorate parent-staff relationships. Participants will gain an understanding of effective approaches to build effective parent-staff partnerships. Topics will include (1) a framework for building resilient partnerships with parents (2) communication approaches and (3) recovering after high conflict situations

Speakers

Dr. Vivian Rodriguez-Eads

SELPA Liaison, Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program

Dr. Vivian Rodriguez-Eads has served youth as a school psychologist and program administrator for over twenty years. She worked as a bilingual school psychologist in Long Beach Unified School District supporting students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (EBD). Dr. Rodriguez... Read More →

Friday October 11, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
212A

School & District-Wide Leadership

Wellness Together's 8th Annual Student Mental Wellness Conference