September 28-29, 2025
Doubletree Somerset Hotel and Conference Center
Somerset, NJ
We hope to see you next year!
Details to come.
The New Jersey Chapter is fueled by the mission to save lives by providing education and support to the Garden State.
The grassroots work we do focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide by: delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to suicide.
For more information contact Elizabeth Roithmayr-Clemens, Executive Director at eroithmayr@afsp.org.
Second Step® K-12 programs for human skills development give educators the tools to help students build essential human skills—like fostering empathy, problem solving, and setting goals—so they can thrive in school and in life.
For more information contact Dan Lipnitz, Education Partnership Manager at (206) 438-6692 or dan.lipnitz@cfchildren.org.
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!
The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters represent men and women who provide safe, productive work every day. We span a variety of crafts such as general carpentry, pile driving, trade show, interior design, mill cabinet and millwrights. Our state-of-the-art, no debt apprentice training sets the standard in our industry and ensures that workers have the training to operate efficiently and safely on the job site.
For more information, please contact Patty Hapanowicz
phapanowicz@cctmarketing.org or (732) 754-0561.
QuaverReady is a fully online, teacher-led curriculum designed to support essential readiness skills for school and life. We provide a full year of lessons for grades K-8 based on the 5 core competencies. Our curriculum is fully aligned to ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors. All lessons include resources for MTSS and progress monitoring. School counselors, teachers, social workers, and other supporting staff may facilitate relevant lessons on topics like Academic Achievement, Bullying, and Resilience.
For more information, please contact Nathan Wesner, Director of Sales at (615) 922-2014 or nathanwesner@quavered.com.
Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX) is the nonprofit authority on girls. ROX conducts large-scale national research with girls, delivers evidence-based programs in schools nationwide and equips adults to better support and empower girls. ROX’s mission is to create generations of girls who control their own relationships, experiences, decisions and futures. The 20-session ROX Program for Girls is in over 600 schools across 47 states, led by certified ROX Facilitators.
For more information, please contact Nancy Willis, Director of Strategic Growth at (614) 488-8080 or nancywillis@rulingourexperiences.com.
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 please contact Brian Augustine at baugustine@schoolinks.com.
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 toolfor 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 at olivia@myscuta.com.
The College Funding Coach® was founded in 2002 to help families better understand the complex strategies for paying for college and making higher education more affordable. Since that time, The College Funding Coach® team has been on a mission to help families make the college dream a reality…and still retire one day.
For more information contact Hugo Carvajal, Regional Director at (201) 212-1046 or hcarvajal@thecollegefundingcoach.org.
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 Matt Krawczyk, Territory Manager for New Jersey at matthewk@xello.world.
Opening Keynote Session
September 28, 2025| 1:00 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.
Russ will continue to “deep dive” into the session for an additional hour with all attendees after a short break.
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.
Morning Keynote Session
September 29, 2025| 9:00 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
Tentative
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration & Information Center Open
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Exhibits Open
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Opening & Keynote Speaker – Russ Sabella
2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. Break with Exhibitors
2:50 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. Deep Dive with Russ
3:50 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Coffee Break with Exhibitors
4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Breakout Session 1 with Grade Level Meet-Ups
5:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. President’s Reception
7:45 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Registration & Information Center Open
7:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Exhibits Open
7:45 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Continental Breakfast Available
8:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. President’s Welcome
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Morning Keynote – Tommie Mabry
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10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Coffee Break with Exhibitors
10:30 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. Breakout Session 2
11:20 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Break with Exhibitors
11:50 a.m. – 12:40 p.m. Breakout Session 3
12:40 p.m. – 1:40 p.m. Lunch and Door Prizes – Last Chance to visit with Exhibitors!
1:40 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Breakout Session 4
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Please visit the NJSCA website and become a member or renew your annual membership. Please contact NJSCA directly for all membership questions.
For questions about NJSCA membership please contact, Jim Lukach at jimlukach@msn.com or at 732.846.6468.
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 2025 NJSCA Conference!
Professional Member*
$159
Student & Retiree Member*
$135
Non-Member**
$199
Professional Member*
$109
Student & Retiree Member*
$85
Non-Member**
$149
*Your NJSCA membership must be good through Spetember 29, 2025 to qualify for these rates.
**If registering as a Non-Member you will receive a complimentary NJSCA membership.
***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 NJSCA 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 28, 2025. All cancellations before August 28, 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.
On social distancing and other health and safety measures, the regulations/guidelines that apply to hotels and conference centers may change. The NJSCA 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.
HOST HOTEL
200 Atrium Drive
Somerset, NJ 08873
Reservation information coming soon.
Standard rooms at the hotel may be reserved at a special conference rate of $139 plus tax. This rate is valid through September 12, 2025, while rooms are available.
You can also book a room by calling 732-469-2600. Be sure to mention that you are with the New Jersey School Counselor Association.
In your down time, make sure to take time to relax and enjoy the surrounding area. Bridgewater Commons Mall and Bridgewater Promenade Shops have plenty of options for delicious food like Maggiano’s, The Cheesecake Factory, and Fogo de Chão. Work up an appetite by walking the mall and shopping at stores like lululemon, Bloomingdale’s, and White House|Black Market. If you would like to be entertained while you eat, try the AMC Dine-In movie theater where you can experience both dinner and a movie!
Don’t feel like taking a drive? No worries, the DoubleTree Hotel has you covered with their Atrium Café that is open daily for Starbucks coffee, snacks, and pastries, and Seasonz Restaurant which serves familiar favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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: NJSCA
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 NJSCA directly for all membership questions. For questions about NJSCA membership please contact, Jim Lukach at jimlukach@msn.com or at 732.846.6468.
Sponsors receive attendee contact information.
