November 9-10, 2023
Tinley Park Convention Center
18451 Convention Center Drive
Tinley Park, IL 60477
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November 9-10, 2023
Tinley Park Convention Center
18451 Convention Center Drive
Tinley Park, IL 60477
November 9-10, 2023
Tinley Park Convention Center
18451 Convention Center Drive
Tinley Park, IL 60477
We hope to see you next year!
Details to come.
DialCare is a virtual and telephonic counseling service. You can give your students ages 11 and older access to mental health assistance no matter where they are. Members can use their phone, tablet or computer for sessions with mental health professionals from the comfort of their home or on the go. Let our mental health professionals help give you peace of mind.
For more information contact Becca Bean, Assistant Vice President at beccab@dialcare.com.
Hatching Results partners with Study Smart Tutors to provide professional learning packages focused on the Use of Data and Postsecondary Readiness. Our accredited online courses allow school counselors to earn CEU’s, PD units, and other certifications, while also offering school districts comprehensive ASCA-aligned PD packages anchored by and through these courses.
For more information please contact Jack Friedman, Founder at jackf@studysmarttutors.com or (818) 457-1728. .
A FREE SERVICE FOR YOUR HIGH SCHOOL-Helping high school students discover college & career opportunities
NextGrad places digital screens and vinyl posters inside high schools FOR FREE that allow colleges and universities to connect with high school students and share information that will help them on their path towards higher education. Our goal is to introduce students to new schools, programs and opportunities that they might not have known about or even considered pursuing after graduation
Joining the Guard gives you more than just the pride of serving your local community. Soldiers earn exceptional education benefits, to include 100% tuition assistance to any state-funded Illinois college or university. Students can attend college or pursue a vocational certification, all while serving part-time.
For more information, please contact Melissa Miller Kincart at (801) 336-5220 and at melissa@nextgrad.com..
ROX trains female school counselors & educators to deliver evidence-based programs to girls in grades 5-12. The ROX Program for Girls is a co-curricular experience with a 20-lesson curriculum that has been proven effective with more than 40,000 girls since 2006. Curricula focus on: Girl drama & bullying, healthy relationships, social media, body image, stress and coping. 90% of participants report that ROX is the thing they like best about School. Partner with us to empower your girls with ROX!
For more information please contact Nancy Willis, Program Director at nancywillis@rulingourexperiences.com. or (614) 783-1058 .
SchooLinks is a modern college and career readiness platform that supports districts’ implementation of a comprehensive curriculum and framework to prepare students for the post-secondary pathway of their choice. Containing more than eighty interactive student experiences from interest discoveries, academic planning, and soft skill development – SchooLinks offers internship matching, career mentorship, industry partner management, and more to help districts support holistic postsecondary readiness. Our unified solution helps to align the state PaCE standards and provide districts with access to convenient reporting on equitable outcomes.
For more information please contact Jamie Gorski, Account Executive at jgorski@schoolinks.com or (651) 890-9783.
SCUTA is used by school counselors and school districts to develop a data-driven, evidence based school counseling program. It follows the ASCA National Model® recommendations and offers confidential, comprehensive documentation and use of time analysis system. It is an invaluable tool for School Counselors who want to do best practice, keep accurate records and develop a data driven school counseling program.
School Counselors using SCUTA, have the ability to clearly illustrate the nature of their work and school needs with supervisors and stakeholders.
For more information please contact Kathy.
Superior has over 60 years of providing professional transportation services to partnering hospitals and communities. Services include, but are not limited to, basic life support (BLS), advanced life support (ALS), critical care transport (CCT), and aeromedical transportation. Superior’s dedication to training, safety, and customer service is unparalleled.
For more information please contact Martha Augustine, Director of Education at maugustine@superiorambulance.com. or (630) 518-6185 .
The College Funding Coach® was founded in 2002 to teach parents how to EFFICIENTLY pay for college without destroying their retirement nest egg! The College Funding Coach is the only national organization brought into elementary, middle, and high schools to teach parents how to pay for college without going broke! For 20 years, The College Funding Coach has worked with counselors and school administrators across the country, educating parents through our nationally acclaimed free parent workshop, “Little Known Secrets of Paying for College. With significant changes to the FAFSA and the reduction of financial aid at many colleges and universities, The College Funding Coach has never been more needed for parents looking to reduce their out-of-pocket costs for their children’s college education.
For more information contact Demetrius Doss at ddoss@thecollegefundingcoach.org or at 703.340.6911.
The U.S. Army provides state-of-the-art education and skill training in a multitude of career fields from Culinary to Aviation to Medical and Engineering to name a few. Learn about free education resources the Army offers to students and teachers. Connect with the Education Services representative who can provide presentations on these resources, ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP), March 2 Success test prep course and Army benefits to you, your parents, or your school!
For more information please contact Dawne Divine at dawne.c.divine.civ@army.mil.
Xello is an engaging, online program that helps K-12 students define their future goals and transform their aspirations into actionable plans for success. The program puts students at the center of their college and career planning experience. It helps them build self-knowledge, explore their options, create a plan, and develop the 21st-century skills needed to thrive in the world of work.
Olivia Carter
Brian Coleman
Olivia Carter and Brian Coleman
Keynote Speaker
Friday, November 10th | 8:00 a.m.
ABOUT THIS SESSION:
What do school counseling, professional wrestling, and hockey have in common? They all require a level of intention, strategy, and passion! Brian Coleman and Olivia Carter, 2019 and 2021 ASCA School Counselors of the Year, will use their somewhat surprising athletic fandoms to help you upgrade your advocacy efforts in support of your students! Game on!
Participants will:
SPEAKER BIOS:
Olivia Carter is a junior high school counselor in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts in School Counseling from Southeast Missouri State University. Prior to her current role, she was the elementary school counselor at Jefferson Elementary in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where she developed a counseling program that promoted positive, trauma-informed changes throughout the school. Olivia is currently serving as Past-President of the Southeast Missouri School Counselor Association. She also serves on the Missouri School Counselor Association Board of Directors, Programming Committee, and has been recognized as an Emerging Leader. In 2019 she was recognized as the Missouri School Counselor of the Year, and she is honored to have been recognized as the 2021 School Counselor of the Year by the American School Counselor Association. In her eleven years of working in public education, she has written for Forbes, collaborated with Education Week, and served on panels for the Office for Civil Rights and the U.S. Department of Education. Being a mother to two young children has ignited Olivia’s passion for equity-centered, trauma-informed comprehensive school counseling programs.
Mr. Brian Coleman was the 2019 National School Counselor of the Year and the first African-American winner of this prestigious honor. He was also a 2019 Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Upstander Award recipient for his commitment to LGBTQA+ youth advocacy. Coleman has spent the last year traveling the country as the cartwheeling “Unicorn Counselor” speaking on issues ranging from comprehensive sexual health education and counseling program design to counselor identity and engagement strategies within the school community. He is in his ninth year with Jones College Prep where he has served as Counseling Department Chair for five years. At Jones, Mr. Coleman has overseen counseling programming for seniors and freshmen, sophomore sexual health education, JCP’s student mentorship program, and the school’s LGBTQA+ student organization JonesPride. In recent years, he has also participated in DePaul University’s “Here We Do” and McDonald’s “Black and Positively Golden” promotional campaigns. He has also contributed to pieces for CNBC, Forbes, Teen Vogue, and NPR among others. Coleman is a proud graduate of Northwestern University as well as DePaul University where he was named the College of Education’s 2019 Alumni of the Year (and, recently, became an Adjunct Instructor!) He also serves on the Educational Advisory Board for Responsibility.org and as the President of the Illinois School Counselor Association. He enjoys all things unicorn, most things theatrical, and a good amount of professional wrestling!
Evisha Ford
Jenny Franz
Nancy Mullen
Mark Salisbury
Carolyn Wahlskog
MAKING CONNECTIONS; USING “TOYS” IN THERAPEUTIC WAYS
Jenny Franz
Featured Breakout Speaker
Thursday, November 9th
ABOUT THIS SESSION:
Diving into the physiology of stress, anxiety and the nervous system can be engaging, interactive and fun! This workshop will review Counseling Theories you are familiar with (and some that you aren’t) as they relate to the nervous system and the counseling techniques you use as a counselor. We will review the hows and whys of the tools in your office to better understand the ways fidgets, squishy’s, games, rubix cubes, calming jars, zen gardens, coloring books and simple rocks can be used therapeutically. This will be an engaging, interactive, tactile experience with tangible takeaways!
Session Objectives:
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Jenny Franz, LCPC, MSW, NBCT has been a School Counselor for 24 years, currently working at Downers Grove South and is a National Board Certified Counselor. She is a Certified Mindfulness Instructor through Mindful Schools. Jenny is the current President of the DuPage Counselor Round Table, a chapter of ISCA.
REIMAGINING SELF-CARE: DEVELOPING A CULTURE OF WELLNESS
Dr. Evisha Ford
Featured Breakout Speaker
Thursday, November 9th
ABOUT THIS SESSION:
Educational leaders deal with so many things daily: budgets, compliance, hiring, & conflict resolution, etc. These tasks are overwhelming. This presentation is designed as a reminder that in addition to the daily tasks that make a school/department function, leaders also have to ensure an environment for teachers & students that is a positive, caring one. This clears the way for the real work to occur which is preparing students for the future.
This workshop is grounded in the most recent research on trauma informed care. The presentation applies the principles from these models to leadership strategies. This session will prepare educators to apply research to decision making.
Session Objectives:
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Evisha Ford, LCSW is the Founding Executive Director of iCan Dream Center, a therapeutic school in Illinois that serves neurodiverse learners and their families. She began her career serving inner-city homeless youth in Chicago. She is a former Assistant Superintendent, Director of Special Education, and Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership. She specializes in trauma-compassionate leadership and organizational wellness. Dr. Evisha is the author of Benches in the Bathroom: Leading a Physically, Emotionally, and Socially Safe School Culture.
RETHINKING COLLEGE COUNSELING TO FIT THE REALITIES OF SCHOOL COUNSELING TODAY
Mark Salisbury
Featured Breakout Speakers
Thursday, November 9th
ABOUT THIS SESSION:
The dramatic increase in mental health issues and SEL needs among students since the pandemic has demanded substantially more time and energy from school counselors. Already significantly constrained by outsized caseloads, this increased demand on counselor’s time has further highlighted the need to rethink many of the other responsibilities historically expected of school counselors. One aspect ripe for a rethink is college planning guidance.
This highly interactive workshop will demonstrate how reframing the intended outcomes of college planning – for students as well as for high schools – in light of the now critical importance of financial fit and affordability, and applying a Solution-Based Therapy framework to college counseling, can dramatically improve the effectiveness and efficiency of college planning guidance for school counselors, students, and families.
The workshop will begin with a brief overview of the flaws in traditional college counseling approaches and an introduction to the underlying premises and prior applications of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (or review, for those who might already be familiar with SFBT). Then workshop participants will engage in a series of role-playing scenarios, followed by small group debriefs and larger group discussion, to examine how prioritizing outcomes that account for financial fit and affordability while applying an SFBT framework can better empower students and families while improving the quality of college guidance provided across large caseloads.
Session Objectives:
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Mark Salisbury is a nationally-renowned author, speaker, and educator whose work focuses on student success, college admissions, and price transparency in higher education. His work has been featured by the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Forbes, NBC, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and NPR. He is also co-founder and CEO of TuitionFit, a crowdsourcing platform that enables the public to create a database of real college prices. In addition, he regularly conducts professional development for school counselors and college access organizations on rethinking the college planning process to ensure that all students enroll at a college that fits their financial circumstances. Mark earned his PhD from the University of Iowa and holds additional degrees from the University of Minnesota and the University of Kansas. Before launching TuitionFit, he was the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Director of Institutional Research at Augustana College in Illinois, and a Board member for the Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium. Over his 25 years in higher education, Mark has also held positions as a university instructor, student advisor, admissions counselor, and soccer coach.
In addition to his work in higher education, Mark has been a professional musician, a stand-up comedian, an improv theater performer, and a workshop facilitator for educators on how to apply the principles of improvisation to improve teaching and learning. Mark lives in Davenport, Iowa, with his wife, two sons, and five cats (MEOW!).
SAFE AND AFFIRMING SCHOOL COUNSELING WITH LGBTQ+ STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
Nancy Mullen & Carolyn Wahlskog
Featured Breakout Speakers
Thursday, November 9th
ABOUT THIS SESSION:
Across Illinois, over 20% of students are identifying within the LGBTQ+ Community. These students have unique needs in 2023. This session will provide an understanding of LGBTQ+ terminology, current trends, best practices for implementing affirming policies and how to best support your students, parents and the community when navigating accommodations that may be needed.
Session Objectives:
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Nancy Mullen, MSW (pronouns: interchangeable) is the executive director of Youth Outlook, the first not-for-profit organization serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and non-binary youth and working to increase visibility and understanding of LGBTQ+ youth issues in DuPage, Kane, Whiteside, LaSalle, DeKalb, Will and suburban Cook Counties in Illinois. Nancy is in their 24th year with Youth Outlook, coming to the agency when it was only six months old. During their tenure, Youth Outlook has grown from a volunteer-run social group with a single drop-in center to a recognized social services agency with fourteen drop-in centers in seven counties. Nancy co-founded the first educational network for professionals working with LGBTQ+ youth in DuPage County, IL, which has since been replicated in three other counties.
A transplant to the Midwest, Nancy holds a Master of Social Work degree from Syracuse University, with a focus on family mental health. Away from the world of social work, Nancy is 10 credits away from their pastry chef degree and published their first book, Urban Tidepool, in 2020. Their second book is in progress.
Carolyn Wahlskog, LCSW (she/her) is the Director of Operations and Programming at Youth Outlook, a youth services agency that works to meet the ever-evolving needs of LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Previously, Carolyn served as the Executive Director of Housing at 360 Youth Services and launched the first LGBTQ+ transitional housing program in the state of Illinois. Carolyn works with educators, mental health professionals, and other youth workers to create safe, supportive and affirming policies and practices for working with queer and trans young people and their families. She co-chairs the West Suburban Community Network: Professionals Serving LGBTQ+ Youth and is a founding member and on the steering committee of the Illinois LGBTQ+ Roundtable, advocating for more inclusive services for LGBTQ+ youth in state care. She is a graduate of the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Tentative
7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Registration and Information Center Open
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Opening Session
8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Extended Breakout Session #1
11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Exhibits Open
.
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Exhibitor Break
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11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Lunch and Visit with Exhibitors
12:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Extended Breakout Session #2
3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Exhibitor Break
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. ISCA Social
7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Registration and Information Center Open
7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Exhibits Open
7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. Continental Breakfast
7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Welcome and Membership Update
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Keynote Address – Olivia Carter and Brian Coleman
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Exhibitor Break
9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Breakout Session #1
10:15 a.m. – 10:35 a.m. Exhibitor Break
10:35 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. Breakout Session #2
11:20 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Exhibitor Break
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch & Awards
12:30 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. Exhibitor Break
12:40 p.m. – 1:25 p.m. Breakout Session #3
1:25 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Refreshment Break with Exhibitors
1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Breakout Session #4
2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Transition Break
2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Breakout Session #5
3:35 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Door Prizes and Giveaways
ISCA through ISBE will offer Professional Development hours and Continuing Education Units. Four (4) credits can be earned for attending on Thursday, and seven (7) credits can be earned for attending on Friday. If attending both days, you will earn eleven (11) credits. However, the total credits able to be earned is still being finalized. More information to come.
Please visit the ISCA website and become a member or renew your annual membership or you may renew your membership with your registration.
For questions about ISCA membership please contact, Debbie Romano at assistance@ilschoolcounselor.org or at (312) 600-0075.
Do you need help justifying this conference to your Supervisor? Vying for a good funding source can be challenging sometimes. We have created a letter (modeled from ASCA) you can customize to support your efforts to attend the 2023 ISCA Conference!
MEMBER*
Professional / Affiliate – $250
Retiree – $250
Grad Student – $100
NON-MEMBER**
Professional / Affiliate – $300
Retiree – *290
Grad Student – $100
MEMBER*
Professional / Affiliate – $150
Retiree – $150
Grad Student – $100
NON-MEMBER**
Professional / Affiliate – $200
Retiree – *190
Grad Student – $100
*Your ISCA membership must be good through November 10, 2023 to qualify for these rates. To renew, add membership to your registration.
**Registrations include a one-year membership to ISCA.
***To qualify for the early registration discount, your registration form AND payment (copy of your purchase order, check, or credit card) must be received or postmarked by the early registration cutoff date.
The online registration portal is now closed, but we will be accepting on-site registration at the event. Please bring the Registration Form (see below to download) with your method of payment to the conference.
Please Note: If we are forced to cancel the ISCA Conference because of a “force majeure” event, such as a government restriction on large gatherings that cover the intended size of the conference, then we will issue full refunds of the registrations. Otherwise, our normal cancellation policy will be upheld: There will be no refunds after October 9, 2023. All cancellations before October 9, 2023 will be refunded less a $25 handling fee. The association is not responsible for and cannot give refunds due to problems beyond its control, such as weather and school closings.
On social distancing and other health and safety measures, the regulations/guidelines that apply to hotels and conference centers may change. The ISCA Conference will conform to all necessary regulations/guidelines that are in place as of the date of the conference.
Register below online using a credit card or download the registration form and send it in with your payment.
Advanced Registration Deadline: Monday, November 6th at noon
After the cutoff you will be able to register onsite.
To pay with a check or purchase order please download the registration form and send it in with your check or purchase order. Registrations cannot be processed without payment. Contact us with questions.
HOST HOTEL:
18501 Convention Center Drive
Tinley Park, IL 60477
Reservation information coming soon.
Even Hotels Chicago, located in the same in building as the Tinley Park Convention Center, has a conference rate of $159 per night, plus tax, which remains valid for reservations made by October 18, 2023 while rooms are available.
Enter in a one- or two-night stay with check in on November 8th or 9th and check out November 10th. Choose Group Rate from the Rate Preference drop down and enter the “ISC” group code.
You can also book a room by calling (708) 444-1100. Be sure to mention the Illinois School Counselor Association or the “ISC” group code.
In the evening, make sure you take time to relax and enjoy the surrounding area. Visit Orland Square, for great outlet shopping at places like Loft, Sephora, or Pottery Barn. You can also eat at Cheesecake Factory, Dave and Busters, Texas de Brazil, and many others. Go to the AMC Theater to watch that you movie you have been wanting to see. Or hop on the nearby Metra public transportation to go to downtown Chicago and explore Navy Pier or Willis Tower. There is so much to do, so you can work and play!
We hope this conference will educate and equip you to do your job well, and we also hope you will take advantage of the wonderful ways you can relax and be refreshed!
National Center for Youth Issues
ATTN: IL-SCA
P.O. Box 22185
Chattanooga, TN 37422-2185
Make all checks and purchase orders payable to:
National Center for Youth Issues
The Attendee will receive an email confirmation to the email address provided when their registration is processed. (Make sure to check Junk/Spam folders.) Please allow ample time for processing.
Please contact ISCA directly with all membership questions.
Sponsors receive attendee contact information.
