Well-Being Matters
Tuesday, March 28 | 5:45-8:00 p.m. | Valley Southwoods
Breakout Session Descriptions:
SESSION 1 OPTIONS:
Mental Health Basics
Alex Rohn, MA, LMHC, Director of Therapeutic Programs, Please Pass the Love
Please Pass the Love will provide participants a brief overview of mental health; definitions, stigma, statistics, and signs of distress. Participants will learn how to have conversations about mental health with their children and what to do in a mental health crisis.
Social Emotional Learning Strategies
Kristi Bentz, Director of Special Education and
Dr. Beth Augspurger, Special Education Curriculum Lead and Coordinator
Participants will gain understanding of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and efforts WDMCS is taking to support Social Emotional Learning in classrooms and beyond. This session will provide strategies for both home and school to support social and emotional skills.
Supporting Mental Health in Early Childhood
Kristin Rourk, WDMCS ECSE and Preschool Program Administrator;
Megan Abens, WDMCS Preschool Instructional Coach; Sarah Determan, ECSE Teacher;
Jessica Schemiser, Heartland AEA School Psychologist; and Emily Brott, WDMCS EC Social Worker
Children who learn that their world is responsive to their needs, predictable, and supportive, develop the social and emotional foundations that help them become ready to learn (Norman-Murch, 1996).
Mental Health Considerations for LGBTQ Youth
Jordan Mix (they/them), Director of Educational Programming, Iowa Safe Schools
LGBTQ youth report higher rates of anxiety and depression, and display lower academic engagement than their non-LGBTQ peers. This session will use research-based best
practices to help parents, families, and educators build supportive environments for LGBTQ youth. Participants can expect to discuss prevention and engagement strategies, develop inclusive language, and examine the relationship between environments and
LGBTQ youth mental health.
SESSION 2 OPTIONS:
Let’s Talk About Anxiety
Amanda Khader M. Ed, Ed.S, tLMHC, Child and Adolescent Clinician, Employee & Family Resources
Participants will learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of anxiety in children, teens, and adults. Presenters will teach and demonstrate a variety of coping tools and ways to manage negative thinking traps. Participants will learn more about anxiety, managing anxiety, and finding additional resources for anxiety.
Executive Functioning Skills
Karen France, MTSS Coordinator, WDMCS; Dr. Kristine Milburn, Gifted/Talented Coordinator/Program Lead, WDMCS; Jessica Johnston, School Psychologist, Heartland AEA
Executive functioning skills: the wide range of mental skills used to help us navigate everyday tasks at home, school, and work. When students lack one or more skills, they often struggle to focus and to manage everyday tasks. Through this session, parents will better understand several executive functioning skills and learn strategies to implement at home.
Preventative Behavior Strategies at Home
Dr. Beth Augspurger, Special Education Curriculum Lead and Coordinator;
Allie Mackey, Behavior Interventionist; and Angela Martin, VHS Behavior Interventionist
Participants will review how to prevent, respond, and support behavioral issues that occur at home.
Special Education and 504 Overview
Kristi Bentz, Director of Special Education and 504 Plans
Participants will gain an overview of support and services in the area of social emotional behavioral health for students’ receiving special education or 504 services. Emphasis will be on the importance of parent and school partnerships and collaboration to ensure student success.
SESSION 3 OPTIONS:
Self Care
Jessica Wear, WH Elementary Counselor, Ayla Leopold, WR Elementary Counselor
Participants will gain a better understanding of self-care and will learn tools to help children deal with stress. Youth attendees will also learn healthy habits to manage stress.
Understanding Depression
Alex Rohn, MA, LMHC, Director of Therapeutic Programs, Please Pass the Love
Please Pass the Love will provide participants a overview of depression including diagnostic criteria, what depression looks like across the lifespan, and strategies for managing symptoms.
Partnering Around Restorative Practices
Emily Burroughs, Stilwell Behavior Interventionist; Marty Stoelk, IH Behavior Interventionist; and Emily Cochran, Westridge Behavior Interventionist
Restorative Practices are a relational approach that foster belonging vs. exclusion, social engagement over control, and meaningful accountability over punishment. Participants will learn more about what restorative practices are and gain strategies on how they can incorporate restorative practices at school and home.
Waivers and Guardianship for Students and Adults Living with Disabilities
Denise Dieter, WDMCS Instructional Strategist and Work Experience Coordinator and
Genevieve Hart, Heartland AEA Family and Educator Partnership Coordinator
Participants will gain understanding about Iowa Waivers, how they can benefit your child, and how to navigate the process of applying for waivers. (Mental Health, Intellectual Disabilities, Health and Disability, Brain Injury, etc.) Participants will also learn about the purpose of guardianship and how to take next steps if this is the right option for your family.