September 28-29, 2025
Doubletree Somerset Hotel and Conference Center
Somerset, NJ
We look forward to having you join us at the New Jersey School Counselor Association Conference!
We hope to see you next year!
Lead Presenter: Yesenia Rivera-Carney
This session examines the urgent need for flexible credit recovery options for seniors facing academic setbacks. With rising graduation and post-secondary demands, students need accessible pathways to stay on track. We’ll review current models, barriers, and supporting data, while highlighting innovative approaches—such as evening, summer, hybrid/virtual learning, and Adult High School partnerships—supported by case studies from the Morris Hills Regional District.
Lead Presenter: Marshall Nagy
Looking for resources and activities to incorporate with your elementary small group lessons? Join us as we model a variety of methods and resources to make your small group instruction engaging and meaningful for students. We will emphasize methods for fostering connections as we share practical ideas. You will leave with ideas and resources to take back to your school and use immediately!
Lead Presenter: David McNair
Developing career navigation skills are essential competencies that empower students to pursue their ideal profession. The New Jersey Career Assistance Navigator (NJCAN) 360 supports alignment of students’ interests with rewarding careers whether they enroll in college, earn an industry-recognized credential, or join the military. Learn how to use this valuable free resource to support post-secondary education awareness and planning for middle and high school students!
Lead Presenter: Elizabeth Schopfer
In an ever-changing world, there is an increased need to provide culturally competent care. During this breakout session, participants will explore the intersection of the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies and school-based crisis assessment. Attendees will understand evidenced-informed practices, analyze case studies, and evaluate practical tools and practices.
Lead Presenter: Sarika Agarwal
This program gives caring adults practical strategies to empower them to start a mental health conversation with the youth in their lives. Audiences will leave this presentation with a deeper understanding of:
Lead Presenter: Molly Mulhern
You get a call from the office: three students need mediation after a lunchroom conflict. Or your team just committed to Bullying Prevention Month and needs sequenced materials – fast. What do you do? You turn to Lenny. In this hands-on session, you’ll use Lenny to build customized, evidence-based lessons for small groups, 1:1 support, or school-wide initiatives, and leave with resources you can implement with students right away. No Lenny experience required.
Lead Presenter: Delfina Manocchio
Move beyond outdated college and career planning systems to a modern, student-centered approach. Learn how students can build a Personalized Learning Plan that puts the focus on student achievements and fosters meaningful career connections. Learn how to extract meaningful data, identify trends, and create compelling narratives that highlight student progress, engagement, and post-secondary outcomes. Post session, you’ll feel equipped with an actionable plan, and guide to ensure success.
Lead Presenter: Christine Sullivan
Attachment is a building block for regulation and social skills. This presentation will guide educators to explore the connection between efforts made to improve student relationships and classroom behavior. Topics discussed will include declarative language, polyvagal theory, coregulation, observation, and reflection.
Lead Presenter: Jessica Smedley
In this workshop, we’ll explore how using music and song lyrics can help kids (and adults) process their feelings, promote self-expression, and relate to others. Learn how you can incorporate utilizing music and lyrics to help students as a part of your tiered supports. We will also explore how to use music to co-regulate with students and staff members. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite playlist or song titles to try it out for themselves!
Lead Presenter: Veronica Ortiz
Learn the tools and knowledge needed to better support students who experience any type of loss.
Workshop Objectives:
-Define loss, grief and mourning;
-Recognize the different types of primary and secondary losses that we may experience and the impact of these losses;
-Understand the importance of mourning and also learn what happens when mourning doesn’t occur; and
-Learn how the Companioning Model can be used to support those who are grieving.
Lead Presenter: Steve Zaharakis
School counselors light the way for student success, yet much of their impact remains unseen. This session provides a framework for leveraging data to enhance advocacy and storytelling, strategies to make contributions visible and valued, and techniques to engage leadership with clear, student-centered evidence. State-specific trends and success strategies will help participants highlight their vital role in whole-school success.
Lead Presenter: Aaron Johnson
Are you spending more time managing your college and career platform than supporting your students? Join us to learn why districts across New Jersey are choosing SchooLinks—the modern, time-saving platform designed for today’s counselors and students. From college applications and FAFSA tracking to internships and course planning, SchooLinks streamlines post-secondary readiness so you can focus on what matters most: guiding students toward success.
Lead Presenter: Doreen Consulmagno
This interactive workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of Motivational Interviewing (MI)—a collaborative, person-centered approach. Participants will explore what MI is (and what it’s not), gain insight into the spirit and principles that make MI effective, and practice key techniques to support students in navigating ambivalence and moving toward positive change.
Lead Presenter: Nancy Willis
This session will highlight the findings of the largest-of-its-kind national survey, The Girls’ IndexTM, which delves into the thoughts, behaviors, and perceptions of 17,000+ 5th-12th grade girls. More specifically, 55% of girls reported they don’t like coming to school. In this session we will look at the impact of confidence, school climate, relationships and social media on girls’ school attendance.
Lead Presenter: Izzat Jarudi
75% of students feel lost about their postsecondary plans. Neuroscience offers lessons for how to engage students for better outcomes like mental wellness, attendance and academic performance. Building on these insights, AI can then personalize guidance to enhance student agency and promote better student-counselor relationships. Led by a cognitive scientist and counseling leader, this session will discuss how these lessons were put into practice in a Dept of Ed-backed pilot at Highland Park.
Lead Presenter: Richard Freccia
This workshop will discuss meaningful and positive approaches that students can utilize as they embark on the College Admission Decision Making Process in order to reduce stress and lessen anxiety and find joy in their College Search. There will be important ways discussed that secondary school counselors could implement in order to make this transition period for students a positive and learning experience. This workshop will also discuss current and controversial College Admission issues.
Lead Presenter: Deanna Finizio
It’s Real: Teens and Mental Health for Middle/High School
The two modules are intended for middle and high school classes or community settings with groups of teens, It’s Real: Teens and Mental Health is a 45-minute presentation that provides young people with mental health education and resources. The program raises awareness about mental health issues, how to start a conversation about mental health, the importance of self-care, and how to reach out for help.
Lead Presenter: Lisa Ashraf
Why are Peer Leadership groups so important in middle school? What should the goals be in a year-long program for these positive school leaders? This presentation will provide you with the information you can bring to your administration to show how this program will benefit your school and community. You will also be provided with ideas you can use each month with your group.
Lead Presenter: Justin Hajek
Schools are uniquely positioned to make a lasting impact on students’ mental health. However, many U.S. school counseling programs are struggling to support this increased need due to lack of funding or staff. Our expert will provide insight into current trends surrounding teen mental health, present actionable strategies schools can take to help, share state and federal resources available for support and lead a collaborative session for peer discussion groups.
Lead Presenter: Jennifer Basilone
The session will provide research-based strategies to identify trauma-related school avoidance, differentiate it from other behavioral or motivational concerns, and implement supportive, student-centered interventions. Emphasis will be placed on fostering safety, trust, and connection within school communities to reduce avoidance behaviors and promote resilience.
Lead Presenter: Samantha Ariza
Building upon our deep relationships with school personnel and valuing their unique challenges, participants are invited to:
Lead Presenter: Hugo Carvajal
“Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College” is an engaging, no-cost workshop that helps families understand how to pay for college without going broke. Designed for all income levels, it covers financial aid, tax strategies, and creative funding tools. A valuable program for school counselors looking to support parents with practical, jargon-free guidance on college planning. For 2025, learn how recent legislative changes will impact your parent community.
Lead Presenter: Dana Karas
In today’s changing educational environment, empowering students with leadership skills is essential for academic success, personal growth, and community engagement. This interactive workshop provides a framework for how SPSD designed and implemented a student leadership program tailored to their school’s goals, “Tiger Tails”. Participants will walk away with strategies and best practices that promote meaningful student voice, foster responsibility, and encourage long-term student involvement.
Lead Presenter: Mark Kiselica
Recent research confirms that restorative practices are more effective than harsh disciplinary policies for reducing problematic student behaviors. Drawing from evidence-based initiatives, this session will explain how school counselors can use restorative practices with aggressive and oppositional students that holds them accountable for their transgressions by helping them make amends for the harm they have caused and learn communication, conflict resolution, and self-control skills.
Lead Presenter: Chad Ragland
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) provides a structured framework for promoting positive behavior through clear expectations, consistent reinforcement, and data-driven decision-making. Human skills programs help students develop the skills and mindsets they need to succeed in school and life—for example, skills like responsible decision-making and relationship skills. While PBIS and human skills programs are great on their own, they’re even better when implemented together!
Lead Presenter: Jasmine DeLaPaz
Join two elementary school counselors (who are also Licensed Professional Counselors!) for a fun and practical session on using CBT and DBT strategies with our tiniest thinkers. You will walk away with playful, engaging, age-appropriate tools to utilize with your students. Use tools like glitter calm down jars, “thought detectives,” and coping skill charades – all embedded into NJTSS tiers. Learn how clinical knowledge meets classroom magic to support PK-5 students’ big feelings and small wins.
Lead Presenter: Nicole Del Duca
Discover how the Nurtured Heart Approach can revolutionize the way your school supports students and staff. This presentation explores practical strategies to shift energy toward positive behaviors, build stronger relationships, and create a culture of emotional safety and empowerment. Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or support staff, you’ll leave with tools to inspire growth, strengthen connections, and ignite the greatness in every child and adult within your school.
National Center for Youth Issues
ATTN: NJSCA
P.O. Box 22185
Chattanooga, TN 37422-2185
