September 10-12, 2025
Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa
Lexington, KY
We hope to see you next year!
Details to come.
ABC’s all-inclusive Kentucky solutions meet 100% of the Kentucky Academic Standards. Our content prepares students for the KSA assessments and we guarantee our products will improve student scores. All workbooks include free access to our digital platform, CourseWave, with eBooks and CourseWave Online Testing.
For more information, contact Aaron Gamblin, Account Executive at (888) 264-5877 or agamblin@abck12.com.
CharacterStrong is a Multi-Tiered Solution that provides vertically-aligned, researched backed curricula and training at the Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 level PK-12 to increase belonging, well-being, and engagement for students and staff.
For more information, please contact Dary Vann at info@characterstrong.com or (253) 234-7043.
Dialogue by DialCare is designed to provide students, ages 11 and up, with a safe, secure and private means of seeking virtual mental health assistance from licensed mental health professionals (LMHP). This unique program offers an app-based interface, connecting students with our LMHPs over the phone or video session. LMHPs are standing by to assist students with conditions such as depression, anxiety, grief, relationship problems and more.
Contact Becca Finnegan, DialCare Sales Manager, at beccaf@dialcare.com or (817) 308-5665 today!
Milton Hershey School is one of the world’s best private schools, where qualifying students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade live on campus. Students receive an exceptional educational experience, nurturing home life, college and career readiness support, and comprehensive health and wellness care, including medical and dental services, food, and clothing—with all costs covered.
For more information please contact Sara T. White at 859-517-4811 or whitesa@mhs-pa.org.
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 supports district initiatives for improved student outcomes and postsecondary readiness.
For more information contact Mike Sandridge at msandridge@schoolinks.com
College and Career Readiness Guide
SCUTA is a technology platform designed specifically for school counselors to develop a data-driven, evidence- based school counseling program. Offering confidential, comprehensive documentation, and use of time analysis system, it is an invaluable tool for school counselors who want to utilize best practices, keep accurate records, and develop a data-driven school counseling program. With SCUTA, school counselors will achieve the characteristics of a high performing school counseling program and can clearly illustrate the nature and impact of their work to their supervisors and stakeholders.
SCUTA was initially designed for school counselors; however, we have recently expanded services to include utility for school social workers. Additionally, the functionality for school counseling district supervisors, regional coordinators, and state directors includes reporting at individual, school, district, and state levels. These managers can access real-time data reflecting students’ needs, including how they are being addressed by the school counseling program, and school counselor use-of-time. This valuable insight can inform professional development and advocacy efforts.
We look forward to supporting your schools, districts, and states in having a positive impact on student’s needs.
For more information, please contact olivia@myscuta.com.
The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science offers bright and highly motivated juniors and seniors in Kentucky a chance to start college while finishing high school at Western Kentucky University. This residential STEM program allows students to participate in college coursework full-time, pursue faculty-mentored research, study abroad, and thrive in a supportive community. With scholarships covering tuition, housing, and an unlimited meal plan, students can explore their interests in STEM.
For more information, please contact Lynette Breedlove, Director at (270) 745 6565 or academy@wku.edu.
For busy school counselors and district administrators, Xello is the only K-12 software that genuinely engages every student in creating a plan for future success. With a program students love to use, Xello helps educators work more efficiently, effortlessly meet college and career readiness goals, and easily equip kids with the skills and knowledge to be future ready.
Learn how you can help every student, regardless of background, ability, or pathway, build their plan for future success!
For more information contact Meghan Foster, Director of Sales at (800) 965-8541 or meghanf@xello.world.
Opening Keynote Session
September 11, 2025| 8:30 a.m.
This session will give strategies to provide a space for students to develop a positive perspective on their formal education. This interactive session will provide educators with real-world insight into how shifting their own perspective on their students, can transform the educational process. By taking a deep dive into what shapes students’ perspectives, educators can better understand the beliefs, values, and experiences of students who have been labeled as “troubled” or “at risk.”
This session will also allow participants to see the importance of being able to build trust with their students.
Dr. Tommie Mabry grew up in one of Jackson, MS roughest neighborhoods. He was suspended or expelled from several schools due to his behavior. Things started to change for Tommie when he joined an AAU basketball league that traveled around the world. He received a full basketball scholarship to Missouri State University-West Plains and later received a B.A. cum laude in Education from Tougaloo College and his M.A. in Child Development. After his undergraduate studies, Tommie was hired as a teacher by the same Jackson Public School District that had suspended and expelled him many times during elementary and secondary education. He went on to get a Doctorate Degree – an Executive Ph. D. from Jackson State University in 2020 where he majored in Urban Higher Education. Tommie now travels the world sharing his story to motivate and inspire others.
Click the session to title to learn more
Awards Luncheon
September 12, 2025| 11:00 a.m.
Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman is scheduled to appear
Jacqueline Coleman is the 58th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky. She is a life-long Kentuckian, educator, basketball coach, writer and founder of a nonprofit. She is wife to Chris, mom to Evelynne, adopted mom to Emma, and a bonus mom to Will and Nate. Her family lives in Frankfort.
Public service is a way of life for Jacqueline and her family. She was raised on a farm in Burgin, where her family owned a small business for five generations. Her upbringing, including her father’s tenure as state representative, taught her to help those in need and, as a result, she has devoted her personal and professional life to service.
After graduating from Mercer County High School, Jacqueline attended Centre College, where she majored in history and secondary education and played on the basketball team. Basketball has always been part of Jacqueline’s life and instilled values in her like attention to detail, discipline, and teamwork. Her grandfather, Jack Coleman, Sr., was the University of Louisville’s first 1,000-point scorer, a hall-of-famer, and two-time NBA champion. Jacqueline earned her master’s degree in political science from the University of Louisville and served on the women’s basketball coaching staff. As a high school basketball coach, she appeared in the 2017 KHSAA Sweet 16 and was named regional coach of the year in 2015.
As the state’s highest elected teacher, Jacqueline is a vocal and passionate advocate for public education. She believes education is the key to providing Kentuckians opportunities for transformational change that can create new cycles of success. She began her career as a high school civics teacher in her hometown at Burgin High School. Jacqueline also taught at East Jessamine High School and, most recently, served as an assistant principal at Nelson County High School. She is currently completing a doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Kentucky.
Her experience in Emerge Kentucky inspired her to found her own nonprofit, Lead Kentucky, in 2013. Lead Kentucky ensures Kentucky’s college women are prepared, encouraged, and empowered to seek leadership positions on their campuses and later in their professional lives. Since its inception, Lead Kentucky has empowered students on more than a dozen college campuses.
Jacqueline remains focused on the challenges Kentucky families face. During her first term, through the Team Kentucky Student Mental Health Initiative, she worked with student leaders to secure more than $40 million in federal funding to increase student mental health resources in schools across the commonwealth. In January 2020, she led the charge to waive the testing fee for adults earning their GED. Since then, more than 8,100 Kentuckians have earned a GED and changed the trajectory of their families’ futures. She revived the Kentucky Commission on Women after its office was shuttered and funding was removed during the previous administration. As a rural Kentuckian, she aims to ensure Kentucky’s booming economy reaches every zip code.
Click the session to title to learn more
Pre-Conference Learning Session
September 10, 2025| 2:00 p.m.
Join Russ for an insightful keynote presentation that delves into the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the context of school counseling. This engaging session is designed for school counselors seeking to comprehend the fundamentals of AI and its application in their profession. Dr. Sabella will equip school counselors with the knowledge and insights needed to leverage AI effectively, fostering a future-ready approach to school counseling. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the transformative potential of AI in shaping the future of your work.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their laptops to practice using AI during the session.
Dr. Russell Sabella is currently a Professor of Counseling in the College of Health Professions & Social Work, Florida Gulf Coast University and President of Sabella & Associates. He is well known for his Technology Boot Camp for Counselors workshops conducted throughout the country. Dr. Sabella is Past President (2003-2004) of the American School Counselor Association. He has trained and consulted with thousands of school counselors, educators, parents, and organizational leaders throughout the country. Russ is the co-author of two books entitled Confronting Sexual Harassment Learning Activities for Teens and Counseling in the 21st Century: Using Technology to Improve Practice. He is also the author of the popular SchoolCounselor.com, A Friendly and Practical Guide to the World Wide Web as well as GuardingKids.com, A Practical Guide to Keeping Kids Out of High Tech Trouble.
Russ will also be presenting one breakout session.
Pre-Conference Learning Session
September 10, 2025| 2:00 p.m.
The need to inform and educate others about the role of the school counselor is ongoing. It’s even more critical to be able to show relevance and share evidence of how students benefit from their school counseling programs. Prepare to engage in a lively discussion about local, district and state level advocacy and the many possibilities for success in this effort when done the right way.
Objectives:
Deirdra Williams is the Director of Programs and Advocacy for the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). Prior to joining the ASCA staff in 2021, she served high school students for over 20 years as a school counselor and Dean of Counseling and Student Services in one of the largest school districts in North Carolina. She is also a past Government Relations chair and as well as past President for her SCA.
Deirdra developed a passion for advocacy while serving as her SCA’s Government Relations chair and President. Her advocacy work expands from local, to state to national work and now supporting advocacy efforts of state leaders. Deirdra also coordinates the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP). She uses her own experience of earning RAMP, and providing trainings to school districts to further advocacy efforts by supporting school counselors seeking to earn RAMP for their school. Deirdra encourages use of the ASCA National Model for school counselor advocacy, especially at state and local levels.
Deirdra earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in French Language & Literature from NC State University, Master of Arts degree in School Counseling from NC Central University and a Master of Arts degree in School Administration from East Carolina University.
Deirdra will also be presenting two breakout sessions.
Pre-Conference Learning Session
September 10, 2025| 2:00 p.m.
Join Abby Piper and KSCA’s legislative experts from the Piper-Smith lobbying firm along with our KSCA advocacy team for a deep dive into recent legislation affecting school based mental health professionals. This session will consist of in-depth and practical explanation of bills passed during the last five years but will also feature a time for school-based teams to work collaboratively on implementation steps and to ask questions in a round table format. All professionals wishing to better understand the law and how these can affect schools are invited to attend.
Pre-Conference Learning Session
September 10, 2025| 2:00 p.m.
Dr. Nicole Fields is the school counselor at Grace M. James Academy of Excellence in Jefferson County and the post-secondary VP for KSCA.
Click the session to title to learn more
Tentative
1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Registration & Information Center Open
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. KSCA Bookstore Open
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Exhibits Open
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pre-Conference Sessions
7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Registration & Information Center Open
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Exhibits Open
7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Light Breakfast with Exhibitors
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Opening Keynote Session – Tommie Mabry
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Break with Exhibitors
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Breakout Session 1
11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. Break with Exhibitors
11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. Breakout Session 2
12:20 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Box lunches or cold cut buffet
1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Break with Exhibitors
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Breakout Session 3
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Break with Exhibitors
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Breakout Session 4
7:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Registration & Information Center Open
7:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Exhibits Open
7:45 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. Coffee Break with Exhibitors
8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Breakout Session 5
9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Break with Exhibitors
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Grade Level Share Sessions
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Transition Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Awards Luncheon – Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman is scheduled to appear
15.5 SBEC CPE hours available (#902-466)
15.5 LPC CPE hours available (2740)
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 KSCA Conference!
Professional / Affiliate Member*
$205
Save $20 if you register by July 31st!**
Student / Retiree / Emeritus Member*
$105
Save $20 if you register by July 31st!**
Non-Member
$250
Onsite registration adds $30 to your rate, so register now! (Non-Member rate will not change.) Details on the registration form below.
Professional / Affiliate
$50
Student / Retiree / Emeritus
$40
*Your KSCA membership must be good through September 12, 2025 to qualify for these rates.
**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.
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.
CANCELLATION POLICY: If we are forced to cancel the KSCA 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 August 10, 2025. All cancellations before August 10, 2025 will be refunded less a $25 handling fee. The conference is not responsible for and cannot give refunds due to problems beyond its control such as weather or school closings. The sponsors of the conference receive registrant contact information.
On social distancing and other health and safety measures, the regulations/guidelines that apply to hotels and conference centers may change. The KSCA Conference will conform to all necessary regulations/guidelines that are in place as of the date of the conference.
Register online below using a credit card, or download the registration form and send it in with your payment.
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.
ZeroV is a proud sponsor of the 2025 KSCA Conference and its efforts to raise funds ZeroV’s Housing Program, which serves adults, teens, and children impacted by violence. All the proceeds donated through KSCA’s Conference fundraising efforts will benefit ZeroV’s Flex Funds, which provides cash assistance to survivors of intimate partner violence to help cover:
Meeting the essential needs of survivors and their children is crucial for enabling them to lead safe and healthy lives. Unfortunately, these needs often go unmet by traditional grant funding. By donating to ZeroV’s Flex Funds, you can help ensure that survivors and their children have access to the resources they need to heal from abuse.
Every donation to survivors and their children makes a positive impact on their lives and futures. Donate today to make a difference!
VENUE & HOST HOTEL
1800 Newtown Pike
Lexington, KY 40511
Reservation information coming soon.
All events of the conference will be located at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort & Spa. Standard rooms at the hotel may be reserved at a special conference rate of $170 per night, plus tax. This rate is valid through August 19, 2025, while rooms are still available.
Please note that when reserving your stay you will be charged an additional $20.00 daily resort fee on top of the nightly rate of $170 plus taxes. However, this charge will be modified to $10.00 upon check out. Guests are not charged when making a reservation.
You can also book a room by calling (800) 228-9290 or (859) 231-5100. Be sure to mention the group code COUCOUA or the Kentucky School Counselor Association.
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: KY-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 KSCA directly with all membership questions.
Sponsors receive attendee contact information.
All intellectual property rights in and to the KSCA Annual Conference (“the Event”), the content and all materials distributed at or in connection with the Event are owned by the Kentucky School Counselor Association and/or the Event sponsors or speakers presenting written permission of Kentucky School Counselor Association or the presenting speaker.
