22nd Annual Youth at Risk Conference Agenda

We have confirmed the following CEUs for the 2022 conference; EEC - .5, NASW - 5, LMHC - 5.5, CAFL - 5, LMFT - 5

Endicott College Interactive Map

10:15 - 11:45 AM // Morning Workshops

11:45 - 1:00 PM // Lunch and Networking

1:15 - 2:45 PM // Afternoon Workshops

1B * Identifying and Supporting Child and Adult Survivors of Domestic Violence - This workshop will review dynamics of abusive relationships, including common tactics of people who use violence, vulnerabilities faced by survivors from marginalized groups, and an interactive exploration of why survivors stay in abusive relationships. The presentation will cover the impacts of domestic violence on all family members, with particular care and attention paid to  the many hardships faced by children whose parents are abused.

* Eligible for MAAEYC CEUs, “Partnering with Families and Communities”

Eli Adler-Roth, LICSW - Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center

2B * Trafficking of Minors: What Youth-Serving Providers Need to Know to Recognize and Support Systemically Excluded Youth - This workshop will explore fostering group safety within a trauma informed context as a core means to cohesion and engaging participants. We will explore techniques, skills, and personal facilitator approaches which impact group dynamics so to increase participation, connection, self-awareness, and peer relationships, to foster sharing, learning and opportunities for growth.

* Eligible for MAAEYC CEUs, “Partnering with Families and Communities”

Stephanie Bandoo - The Center for Hope & Healing Adriana Reyes - The Center for Hope & Healing

3B Fostering Group Cohesion: Leading Effective Groups and Classes for Pre-teens and Teens - This presentation explore techniques, skills, and personal facilitator approaches which impact group dynamics so to increase participation, connection, self-awareness, and peer relationships, to foster sharing, learning and opportunities for growth.

Robin DelNegro, Founder - WholeHealth Transformations

4B * COVID 19 and Schools: Promoting Behavioral Health Wellness - During the COVID-19 pandemic students and teachers have been faced with unprecedented stressors that continue to influence the reality of in- person learning in school buildings today. This presentation highlights the importance of providing multiple layers of support to promote behavioral health wellness in schools through a structured tiered prevention model.

* Eligible for MAAEYC CEUs, “Partnering with Families and Communities”

Jessica Caron, LICSW - Director of Student Behavioral Health, Raymond School District

5B * Immigration Basics and Best Practices for Working with Immigrant Youth - This session will provide an overview of U.S. immigration law and cover common forms of immigration relief available to immigrant youth, such as Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, asylum, and statuses for immigrant survivors of domestic violence and other similar crimes. In addition, there will be a discussion on best practices when working with immigrant youth, and any applicable updates on any recent and relevant changes to U.S. immigration law.

* Eligible for MAAEYC CEUs, “Partnering with Families and Communities”

Alissa Weinberger, Attorney - MetroWest Legal Services

6B Education Law: Hot Topics 2022 - Cat and Tim, two experienced education law attorneys will discuss recent developments in education law that affect at risk youth, including recovery from pandemic-related issues; discipline; school attendance and school avoidance issues; MADESE guidance on SEL concerns, and selected case discussions.

Tim Sindelar, Senior Counsel - The EdLaw Project Catherine Lyons, Attorney - Lyons and Rogers

7B * Supporting Transgender and Queer Youth - This session provides tools for envisioning a future of queer-inclusive and gender-expansive schools where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive. An Act Relative to Gender Identity, which became effective in 2012, protects students from discrimination based on gender identity, as well as sexual orientation. This workshop will provide a thorough introduction to the laws, policies, resources, and best practices for supporting LGBTQ students. Participants will leave with strategies to immediately use in their work.

* Eligible for MAAEYC CEUs, “Partnering with Families and Communities”

Landon Callahan, BS - Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students

8B Keeping Families Informed When They Aren't the Client: From Engagement to Crisis Planning - Participants will explore what makes young adult services unique and how to navigate challenges that arise within families. This workshop will introduce engagement tools for young adults and families and walk participants through supporting families in the treatment process from engagement to crisis planning to discharge/graduation of services while also respecting the young adults autonomy and freedoms as a "new adult".

Kelli Fowler, LICSW

9B * Reducing Stigma Through Sharing Lived Experience - In this presentation, our peer mentors will deliver stories of their lived experience with mental health challenges and recovery from a place of strength. After our peer mentors share their stories, we will hold a Q&A to review the most common warning signs of a mental health challenge, and what we can do as friends and caregivers to support someone who exhibits these signs.

* Eligible for MAAEYC CEUs, “Partnering with Families and Communities”

Nissa Bisguier, LMHC - The NAN Project Donna Kausek, LMHC - The NAN Project

10B From Perfect to Purpose: A Student's Experience With Anxiety, Perfectionism, And Substance Use - “I have a purpose, and it is not to be the smallest version of myself.” Today, that is one of Elizabeth’s favorite mantras. But this quote, from eating disorder survivor and self-acceptance advocate Simi Botic, didn’t always resonate with her. Elizabeth shares her story to help adults better understand the inner lives of youth, especially those who look like they have it all. Q&A to follow.

Elizabeth O’Neill, Mental Health Advocate, Young Adult Speaker - Minding Your Mind

11B YYA Access Centers: Mitigating Structural Barriers to Treatment - This presentation will discuss our experience utilizing the drop in center model. A portion of this presentation to be dedicated to facilitating a panel discussion with young adults who have utilized Younity’s services, specifically emphasizing ease of access as compared to more traditional mental health systems and why mitigating barriers to treatment access is crucial for ensuring the success of transitional age youth.

Kate Wise, LICSW, - Justice Resource Institute

12B The Pursuit of (lasting) Happiness: How to Thrive During Challenging Times - This workshop will focus on the pursuit of (lasting) happiness by exploring key components of resilience that have been proven to reduce stress and increase life satisfaction. Participants will feel inspired and motivated to release obstacles, turn off doubt and worry and up level their energy for a more fulfilling work and home life.

Julie McGrath, LICSW - The Joy Source

13B Promoting Permanency in Congregate Care Settings - Learn how to promote permanency in a congregate care setting to reduce re-division and achieve better outcomes for the families you serve. Families and lifelong connections are often the most important social network in a person's life and can have an enormous impact on the effectiveness of the services, treatment, education, permanency and supports a person receives and continued success after the services close.

Meredith Rapoza, LMHC - Justice Resource Institute Michelle Mahoney - Littleton Academy

14B * Away From Home:  Understanding Foster Youth's Experiences In Group Homes And Institutions - There is a growing movement calling for the reduction and elimination of the unnecessary use of group homes and institutions in foster care. In this workshop, you will hear what foster youth in Away From Home had to say about their experiences in institutions--by reading their poetry, hearing their stories, and viewing their art--and learn why youth are calling for urgent change to stop the unnecessary use of institutions.

* Eligible for MAAEYC CEUs, “Partnering with Families and Communities”

Sixto Cancel, CEO - Think of Us

15B * Risk and Resilience: Exploring the Needs of Immigrant Youth through the Lens of Afghan Evacuee Resettlement - Did you know that Massachusetts is currently in the process of resetting thousands of Afghan youth and families into communities across the Commonwealth? Join us to learn more about the refugee resettlement process, the experiences and needs of children who have undergone forced migration, and considerations when providing support to refugee and immigrant children and youth.

* Eligible for MAAEYC CEUs, “Partnering with Families and Communities”

Alexandra Weber, LICSW - International Institute of New England Caroline Rowe - International Institute of New England

16B Harm Reduction 101 - Harm reduction 101 is an introductory training on the principals of Harm Reduction, overdose education, and risk reduction.

Molly Morey - ONESTOP HRC/North Shore Health Project Brian King - North Shore Health Project

3:oo - 3:10 PM // Entertainment - Beverly High School Jazz Band

3:10 - 4:10 PM // Afternoon Keynote: Hope and Healing through Powerful Stories

* Eligible for MAAEYC CEUs, “Partnering with Families and Communities”

 4:15 PM // CEU’s Awarded