Middle and High School Supplemental Counseling Program
Cliff Rudnick, Administrator, Learning Support & Partner Division, California DOE, CA; Brian McKibben, Administrator for School Support Services, Oakland USD, CA

This session will provide a short overview of the Middle and High School Supplemental Counseling Program established in the 2006–07 Budget Act, along with an opportunity for discussion of effective implementation practices in light of the recently released California Results-Based School Counseling and Student Support Guidelines.

Strand: NEW!, Best Practices
Grade Level: 7–12

Response to Intervention (RTI) & Comprehensive Student Support
Jim Anderson, Intervention & Team Coordinator, Health & Human Services, Los Angeles USD; Judy Magsaysay, Principal/Field Colleague, Pio Pico Elementary School, Santa Ana USD, CA

How will the new federal IDEIA legislation affect your CSS program? This session will cover the history behind the legislation, how other states are interpreting the law, and how California is making plans to implement it. This informative and exciting session is designed to help you better understand RTI philosophy and how you can use RTI to strengthen your CSS program.

Strand: NEW!, Best Practices
Grade Level: K–6

Welcoming Diversity in Our Schools: Acknowledging and Supporting Students of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Parents
Arielle Rosen, Family Services Manager, LA Gay & Lesbian Center; Jen Durham, Family Advocate, CA

This interactive workshop will address the unique issues facing students with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBT) parents, outline specific strategies and best practices for creating safe and welcoming classrooms and schools for all students, and provide space for educators and parents to explore their own fears, challenges, and concerns about incorporating LGBT families into existing diversity curriculum.

Strand: NEW!, Engaging At-Risk Students
Grade Level: K–12

Differentiating for English Learners in Content-Matter Classrooms
Rose Mary Vilchez, Staff Development Specialist; Michelle Mitchell, Instructional Support Specialist; Riverside District Office, CA

Participants will experience and participate in interactive strategies that provide students with opportunities to engage in content matter and academic language. Interactive strategies serve as a scaffold to support students’ language and content learning.

Strand: NEW!, Instructional Strategies
Grade Level: K–12

Finally…Time to Teach! We Don’t Pay Students to Behave
Melanie Lattimer, Teacher, Park Hill Elementary School, San Jacinto USD, CA

In this session, you will walk away with powerful, proven, and practical strategies to eliminate 90% of low-level misbehavior today! Educators everywhere are using these strategies K–12 because they are time-tested, research-based, and they work. Not just theory for thought, these are the tools of tomorrow…giving you more time to teach!

Strand: NEW!, Instructional Strategies
Grade Level: K–12

Preventing Violence and Raising Academic Achievement
Dr. Joseph Marshall, Jr., Cofounder and Executive Director of the Omega Boys Club/Street Soldiers, CA

This session will help administrators, counselors and teachers make lasting and effective connections with youth. Learn about the life-changing strategies that the Omega Boys Club has successfully used to assist youth.

Strand: NEW!, Safety and Violence Prevention
Grade Level: K–12

California Education Collaborative for Children in Foster Care: Promising Practices for Data Sharing
Speaker Name - Coming Soon

Session Description - Coming Soon

Strand: NEW!, Foster Youth
Grade Level: K–12

Fit for Learning
Steve Berta, CSS Field Colleague, Health Ed & Safe Schools/Faculty, San Jose State Univ. and Director, Santa Clara COE: Health Ed/Safe Schools, CA

The Fit for Learning program was created to help children develop habits of fitness while they’re young. This award-winning program provides easy-to-use and effective lessons and resources that tie health and fitness into the other disciplines. Come learn how Fit for Learning is making an impact in our elementary schools and how you can bring it to your school.

Strand: NEW!, Safety and Violence Prevention
Grade Level: K–6

Foster Youth Special Education Issues
Van Vu, Attorney, Best Best & Krieger LLP, CA

This presentation will cover various issues related to educating foster youth, including identifying who has the right to make educational decisions for the child, what information is confidential, what role the child’s social worker or court appointed attorney play in the educational process, and what rights foster youth have related to their education that is unique to their population.

Strand: NEW!, Foster Youth
Grade Level: K–12

Using the SST Process to Effectively Address Behavior Problems
Jim Anderson, Intervention & Team Coordinator, Health & Human Services; Susan Morris, Behavior Specialist, Los Angeles USD, CA

This educational and interactive session will use Geoff Colvin’s seven-phase model for describing acting-out behavior, incorporate proactive strategies for each of the seven phases, and teach how the SST process can support teachers, administrators, and students with challenging behaviors. Participants will have fun while learning effective methods through sharing and a variety of activities.

Strand: NEW!, Engaging At-Risk Students
Grade Level: K–12

If These Halls Could Talk: A Program to Deal with Bullying in Our Schools
Lee Mun Wah, Founder and Director, Stir Fry Seminars & Consulting; John Boiano, Founder and Director, Pulse Integration/Diversity Conversations, CA

This workshop will discuss the effects of cultural and personal bias on bullying behavior and how to effectively implement a safe school environment and attitude. Through interactive exercises and scenarios drawn from teachers’ real classroom experiences, the workshop focuses on building positive social skills, role modeling, and exploration of stereotypes.

Strand: NEW!, Marketing Session, Safety and Violence Prevention
Grade Level: K–12

The DREAM Project: Developing Resiliency through Education, the Arts, and Mentoring
Kate Bishop, CWA Coordinator/CSS Field Colleague, North Sacramento District Office, CA

Are you ever frustrated by the lack of sports, art, music, and other enrichment programs in impoverished schools? Kate Bishop and a dedicated committee of school employees and business partners have raised over $100,000 in three years to benefit students. Learn how to raise funds to provide the programs your students need to become bonded to and excited about school.

Strand: NEW!, Family and Community Collaboration
Grade Level: K–12

California Youth Connection Youth Recruitment & New Chapter Orientation Process Workshop
Jonathan Pearson, Legislative & Policy Coordinator, California Youth Connection, CA

California Youth Connection (CYC) staff will explain the process of developing a CYC chapter in a county that does not have an existing one. In addition, CYC staff will also present techniques on ways to get youth more involved with CYC in counties that have existing chapters. Workshop participants will be provided with the information needed to start a CYC chapter in their home counties.

Strand: NEW!, Foster Youth
Grade Level: K–12

Governmental Relations Update & Crafting Your Message to get the Legislative Support You Need
Xavier Del Buono, Educational Consultant, Del Buono & Associates, OK

Join Xavier Del Buono, for an update on how the legislative efforts on behalf of the CSS program are proceeding. Xavier will share what messages are key to communicate to your legislators at this time and what legislative initiatives are on the horizon that could help or hinder your program. Learn how to best contact, communicate and connect with your legislators so you win their support. School Leaders and Program Advocates won't want to miss this session which will include time for questions and answers from our program's founder and writer of the original SB65 Legislation.

Strand: NEW!, Family and Community Collaboration
Grade Level: K–12

Add RTI to Your Educational Alphabet Soup
Terry Metzger, Principal, Marengo Ranch Elementary, Galt Union ESD, CA

This session will discuss the basics of Response to Intervention (RTI) legislation, goals, and models, as well as possible steps for implementation of an RTI model at the school level. A focus on blending SST, COST, and RTI will help participants effectively provide services to at-risk students.

Strand: NEW!, Best Practices
Grade Level: K–6

I Get it! Lessons in Comprehension
Patrice Stanzione, Teacher SDC/SLD, Nelson Elementary School, Hacienda La Puente USD, CA

One key to opening the doors of academic success is the knowledge of words. Increase vocabulary, increase comprehension, increase academic success. Whether your student is designated ELL, SPED, or “at risk,” chances are high that they are vocabulary-limited. Learn simple ways to let words, their meanings, and their relationships to other words empower your students’ lives.

Strand: NEW!, Engaging At-Risk Students
Grade Level: K–6

The CalServe Initiative: A Pathway to Student Success
Terry Shorey, Ph.D., Education Program Consultant, CDE: Learning Support & Partner Division; Bette Weinberg, Volunteer Service Director, Volunteer Center Orange County, CA

Participants will learn how to design service-learning initiatives that will improve student achievement and increase attendance and graduation rates. This session will identify resources to create and stimulate high-quality service-learning programs in school districts. Tool kits show how to recruit partnerships, parents, and community members to benefit the school and the community. Resources include tips on funding.

Strand: NEW!, Family and Community Collaboration
Grade Level: K–12

“My People Are…Youth Pride in Mixed Heritage”
Jilchristina Vest, Tarah Fleming, Co-Directors, Multiethnic Education Program, CA

This workshop uses the 20-minute film “My People are…Youth Pride in Mixed Heritage,” which features young performers sharing their pride in culture, history, and ethnic roots through theater, spoken word, interview, dance, rap, and song. The Action Booklet that accompanies the film features interactive activities that explore the issues raised in the film.

Strand: NEW!, Instructional Strategies
Grade Level: 5–12

Foster Youth Educational Rights
Jacqueline Thu-Huong Wong, M.S.W, P.P.S.C, Foster Youth Services Program, CDE

In this training participants will learn more about the laws governing foster youth and their educational rights. Participants will be given the opportunity to share their experiences working with foster youth and learn more about the statewide efforts to ensure that foster youth educational needs are met.

Strand: NEW!, Foster Youth
Grade Level: K–12

Foster Youth Educational Rights
Jacqueline Thu-Huong Wong, M.S.W, P.P.S.C, Foster Youth Services Program, CDE

In this training participants will learn more about the laws governing foster youth and their educational rights. Participants will be given the opportunity to share their experiences working with foster youth and learn more about the statewide efforts to ensure that foster youth educational needs are met.

Strand: NEW!, Foster Youth
Grade Level: K–12

The Diploma Project—Addressing the Dropout Issue in the Los Angeles USD
Debra Duardo, NDPN Board Member/Director; Erika Torres & Michelle Hogan, LAUSD Dropout Prevention, Intervention & Recovery, Los Angeles USD, CA

The Diploma Project provides middle and high school students and their families with multiple pathways to a high school diploma through strategic counseling, adult and options school programs, and continual academic and personal support. Participants will learn effective strategies and tools they can take back to their districts and schools to help address the complicated issues surrounding dropouts.

Strand: NEW!, Best Practices
Grade Level: 7–12

Energizers Galore—A Playshop for the Not-So-Serious
Tim Burns, Educator/Author, Educare Institute, NM

Ready for some full-on fun? Want to move, play, laugh, and learn? Then attend the Energizers Galore workshop. Come ready to move, play, and participate, and leave with activities you can use in any setting. The aim of the workshop is to provide you with activities you can use immediately for the benefit of students and colleagues.

Strand: NEW!, Instructional Strategies
Grade Level: K–12

What Can You Do About Cutting and Self-Injury?
Suzanne Etheridge, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Orange County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, CA

Self-injury is a serious problem among teens. This session will help counselors and administrators recognize cutting, self-abuse and self-injury; understand the issue better; and develop effective education, prevention and intervention strategies. Discuss how you can incorporate these strategies into your current student support systems, both on and off campus.

Strand: NEW!, Safety and Violence Prevention
Grade Level: K–12

A New Framework for Understanding ADHD: Power Tools for Nontraditional Learners
Frank Kros, MSW, JD, Executive Vice President, The Children’s Guild, MD

Based on the latest research, 14 practical strategies are provided to enhance the effectiveness of your teaching, improve the quality of your therapeutic interventions, and strengthen your helping relationship with ADHD students. Highly interactive, this “learn and do” workshop incorporates brain scans, film, music, art, manipulatives, and movement to transform your thinking about and boost your skills with ADHD students.

Strand: NEW!, Engaging At-Risk Students
Grade Level: K–12

The California Community College Foster Youth Success Initiative (FYSI): Building the Bridge to Higher Education for Students from Foster Care
Timothy Bonnel, SFA Programs Coordinator, California Community College System Office; Tracy Fried, Consultant, Tracy Fried & Associates, CA

Forging partnerships to establish and support a “college going” culture for youth in foster care is critical in youth’s transition to independence and crucial to success in post secondary education. This interactive seminar will provide participants with tools and strategies for forming an effective network of collaborative partnerships between the social service and secondary and post secondary education systems. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss unique challenges and identify cooperative solutions for forging partnerships to engage youth in post secondary education.

Strand: NEW!, Foster Youth
Grade Level: K–12

Writing Measurable Objectives: It’s the S.M.A.R.T. Thing to Do!
Cliff Rudnick, Administrator, Learning Support & Partner Division, California DOE, CA

This session will focus on the development, monitoring, and evaluation of measurable objectives using the S.M.A.R.T. concept. Attendees will discuss and share how objectives in their schools and districts are monitored and evaluated within a continuous improvement model.

Strand: NEW!, Best Practices
Grade Level: K–12

From Improvement to Excellence
Doug Escheman, Principal, Covillaud Elementary, Marysville Joint USD; Donna Cummings and Rick Wise, Probation Officers, Yuba County Probation, CA

Doug Escheman has provided trainings all over the US in educating children at poverty-ridden school sites. His presentations address raising test scores, the “basic needs” theory he put into effect at his school, and the importance of a community partner base. This session will bring tears to your eyes and offer hope for all those who work at challenging school sites.

Strand: NEW!, Best Practices
Grade Level: K–12

Meet the Youth Café
Al Rodriguez, Manager, Orange County Youth Café, CA

This session will demonstrate an extremely successful career and academic support program for high school students that pulls together the best of community and school resources to create outstanding results for the youth involved. The leaner and meaner Orange County Youth Café is the Atkins version of a One Step Center— more protein and fewer carbs. See how the Youth Café uses its protein-based Success Ladder Model to keep both older and younger youth interested, involved, and engaged. If you want to learn about dropout prevention strategies, put down the donut and attend!

Strand: NEW!, Family and Community Collaboration
Grade Level: 9–12

Overview of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Andrew Stetkevich, Staff Development Specialist/CSS Field Colleague, Riverside Staff Development Center, CA

This presentation will provide an overview of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This civil rights legislation directly affects every teacher and administrator in a public school setting. Learn how to best meet the needs of students who require a 504 plan.

Strand: NEW!, Best Practices
Grade Level: K–12

The Joel Bridgman Mentor Program
Gayle Green, Julie Marion, Resource Specialists; Sheri Graves, Oakdale Elementary School, Rio Linda Union ESD, CA

This workshop includes a multimedia presentation that highlights how to set up a successful mentor program at your school. This mentoring program is highly successful in the K–6 setting, but may be adapted to fit any school setting. Mentoring strategies will be discussed, as well as the nuts and bolts of setting up your own mentor program.

Strand: NEW!, Engaging At-Risk Students
Grade Level: K–6

Probation and School Success
Donna Cummings and Rick Wise, Probation Officers, Yuba County Probation; Doug Escheman, Principal, Covillaud Elementary, Marysville Joint USD, CA

The Probation and School Success Program (PASS) has five site-based officers who deal with over 60% of the total district student population. This preventive program focuses on violence reduction, truancy issues, child abuse reduction, reduction in referrals to the criminal justice system, and a coordination of resources at the school level.

Strand: NEW!, Family and Community Collaboration
Grade Level: K–12

Insiders vs. Outsiders: Building Successful School/Community Partnerships
Sheril Smith, Director, Office of Dropout Prevention, MS

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has found that a quality dropout prevention plan cannot be completed without developing a strong and vibrant partnership with grassroots community organizations and faith-based groups. This session will look at how the MDE was able to successfully develop this partnership and provide best practices for other states seeking to do the same.

Strand: NEW!, Family and Community Collaboration
Grade Level: K–12

Building the Social-Emotional Foundation for Success in High School
Julea Douglass, Associate Director, School-Connect; Caryn Michaels, Safe Schools Coordinator, Canoga Park High School, Los Angeles USD, CA

Many ninth grade students are unprepared for the personal and academic challenges of high school. This session will focus on three pathways linked to academic success: (1) creating a supportive learning community, (2) addressing thoughts and emotions that interfere with learning, and (3) promoting student-driven learning strategies. Special attention will be paid to models that support the needs of incoming freshmen.

Strand: NEW!, Instructional Strategies
Grade Level: 9–12

From Simple Sentences to Powerful Paragraphs: Creating At-Standard Writers
Shannon Vargas, Master Trainer, Learning Headquarters, CA

This dynamic presentation features research-based techniques to help all students develop well-written narrative and descriptive paragraphs. Learn to scaffold instruction so every student can create an at-standard paragraph that hooks the reader, stays on topic, includes vivid details, and concludes with sentences that clearly restate, not repeat, the topic. Leave with strategies, tools, and blackline masters to use immediately.

Strand: NEW!, Instructional Strategies
Grade Level: K–3

Positive Action Equals Positive Results and Success for All
Karen Wilson, Prevention/Intervention Specialist, Positive Action, Inc., CA

Research has shown that schools using Positive Action have verifiable improvement in standardized test scores for reading, writing, and math as well as reductions in violence, disciplinary referrals, and drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. Come see what 15 minutes a day can do to change the way your classroom, school, and neighborhood operate.

Strand: NEW!, Marketing Session, Instructional Strategies
Grade Level: K–12

The Internet: The Good, The Bad, The Truth
Jay Rohman, Encouraging 101 Organization, NE

Statistics show that one out of four children have been contacted by a predator via the Internet. But the Internet is also a wealth of valuable and important information that can and should be accessed by our students. This program will open your eyes and help you protect our valuable resources…our children.

Strand: NEW!, Safety and Violence Prevention
Grade Level: K–12