October 14-16, 2026
Embassy Suites & Hampton Roads Convention Center
Hampton, VA
We hope to see you next year!
Details to come.
Our mission is to improve the lives of the people we serve.
Focused on health for over 25 years
We’re more than just a website and phone number. In Virginia, we:
*Work with over 25,000 doctors, hospitals, and specialists statewide.
*Are the largest Medicaid plan.
*Serve more than 750,000 Medicaid members including state-wide Foster Care coverage.
For more information, please contact Anthem HealthKeepers Plus at (800) 901-0020.
Harmony Academy supports school counselors with flexible, evidence-based digital and print resources that foster belonging, strengthen relationships, and support whole-child success. Counselors can use ready-to-use lessons, activities, discussion prompts, and community-building practices for classroom guidance, small groups, student supports, and schoolwide initiatives. Harmony also extends support to families through Harmony at Home and offers professional learning, coaching, and Belonging Together resources to help build safe, connected, and inclusive school communities.
For more information, please contact Joshua Lawrence, Account Executive at (804) 947-3802 or jlawrence2@nu.edu.
Welcome to Old Dominion University – an institution known for its ideal location, excellent education, and affordable tuition! ODU is Virginia’s forward-focused public doctoral research university with more than 24,000 students, over 90 academic programs, and an energetic residential community.
Our waterfront campus is located in the vibrant city of Norfolk, VA. From internship opportunities, shopping and dining, to beautiful beaches and historic sites, there’s always something to discover.
For more information contact Hadley Deputy at hdeputy@odu.edu or 757-683-6437.
QuaverReady brings readiness skills to life for students. Our curriculum equips students with the skills necessary for success
in school and beyond. Our engaging, fully digital, and standards-aligned Pre-K–8 curriculum program ensures students are
ready to face the challenges and opportunities ahead.
For more information, contact Colleen Storey at (629) 702-7060 or ColleenStorey@QuaverEd.com.
RethinkEd helps districts turn whole child and whole educator frameworks into everyday practice. Through one connected platform, essential supports come together with actionable insights – reducing reliance on siloed, fragmented solutions. Rather than treating academics, behavior, mental health, and educator support as separate efforts, we bring these areas into a unified system designed for consistent use across schools. Curriculum, interventions, professional learning, and data work together to support students’ academic, behavioral, and emotional growth while strengthening educator capacity and confidence. Built by educators and grounded in evidence, our platform aligns with trusted standards and research-based best practices used across K–12 education. Districts partner with RethinkEd to extend the strong work already happening in their schools and build sustainable systems where students thrive and educators feel supported. Explore what’s possible at rethinked.com.
For more information, please contact Corinne Bishop, Director of Sales at corinne.bishop@rethinked.com or (347) 797-4756.
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 South Carolina’s initiatives for improved student outcomes and postsecondary readiness.
For more information, please contact Adam Frillman at adam@schoolinks.com.
SCUTA (School Counselor Use of Time Analysis) equips school counselors and district leaders with clarity, evidence, and a common language to develop high-impact, comprehensive school counseling programs. Aligned with national and state standards, SCUTA transforms daily work into meaningful data that increases visibility, improves alignment, and supports student-focused decisions. Using confidential documentation tools and precise use-of-time analysis, SCUTA helps counseling teams demonstrate the scope of their work, advocate for appropriate roles, and identify opportunities to improve services and close gaps. For leaders dedicated to best practices, accountability, and equitable outcomes, SCUTA offers an efficient way to monitor program implementation, support counselors, and communicate results with confidence and accuracy.
For more information, please contact Alani Staples, Director of Outreach and Engagement at alani@myscuta.com.
The Barry Robinson Center provides a holistic environment that sets military-connected youth and their families on the path to healing. Our staff includes qualified and compassionate therapists, teachers, counselors, doctors, nurses, and more. Our beautiful, open, college-like campus provides a safe and serene setting for programs designed to help military-connected youth and their families overcome emotional and behavioral difficulties.
In addition, we offer several community-based services.
For more information, please contact Lauren De Simone,
Regional Director of Military Relations at (757) 347-0123 or LDeSimone@barryrobinson.org.
Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is in almost 1,000 colleges nationwide. It is an elective course that provides unrivaled leadership and management training. It allows students to maintain a regular academic schedule like any other college student while participating in ROTC training both in and out of the classroom. After graduation and completing the ROTC requirements, students will become an Officer serving full-time or part-time while still pursuing a civilian career.
For more information, please contact Ben Rogan, Recruitment Operations Officer at (434) 924-7101 or benjamin.j.rogan4.civ@army.mil.
Consistent with Virginia Tech’s land-grant mission, institutional motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), and InclusiveVT initiative, the College Access Collaborative aims to increase academic preparation, access, affordability, and degree attainment for first-generation and low-income college-bound students.
For more information, contact Dr. Karen Eley Sander at (540) 231-4925 or kasande1@vt.edu..
Click the session to title to learn more
Opening Keynote Session
October 15, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.
In a world that changes so quickly, how can educators remain relevant and up-to-date on current trends when our plates are already so full? And as we strive to learn about innovative practices how can we remain resilient? This keynote session will provide inspiration as well as some practical ideas as we explore both the quest for learning and the need for self-care.
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Lisa has worked with students developing and using innovative practices as a school counselor for 20 years. She has won numerous awards in her district and presented her programs at local, state and national conferences. Lisa has authored seven books including her latest book, Be Your Own Hero. Her other books include Mindset Matters, Integrating Growth Mindset In Schools, Academic Advisement Program, Teaching Career Essentials and How to Create A College Day. Lisa attended Tufts University for her undergraduate degree and Georgia State University for her graduate degrees. She lives in Marietta, GA (Atlanta suburb) with her husband and daughter.
Lisa will also be presenting a breakout session.
Closing Keynote Session
October 16, 2026| 12:00 p.m.
When you throw a stone into a pond, sometimes it simply sink – “plop.” However, if thrown just right, the rock skips. Instead of the singular “plop”, the skipping rock reaches more water, leaving ripples on the surface – and this energy changes the entire pond. As educators, we throw the stone. In this dynamic opening session, educators will learn simple ways we create ripples in the school setting that positively impact the students we serve.
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Dan St. Romain is a national independent educational consultant who provides staff development and consultative services to educators and parents working with children at all developmental levels. Dan is passionate about helping individuals shift their perspective on discipline, understanding the best ways to provide support given the challenges posed in today’s society.
After receiving his master’s degree in education, Dan worked in both private residential and public school settings, as well as at the Region 20 Education Service Center in San Antonio, Texas. His work as a selfcontained behavior unit teacher, educational diagnostician, behavior consultant, and director of a learning resource center has afforded him experience at all levels, in both general and special education settings. Dan is now enjoying semi-retirement after having worked in the school system for the past 30 years.
Dan’s overwhelming strength is his skill as a presenter. Although his sessions are exceedingly interactive, his greatest asset lies in his ability to offer participants rich insight into the connectedness between educational practices and student behavior. He is the author of Lessons from LaRoux: How Needs Shape Behavior in Developing Brains, Teach Skills and Break Habits: Growth Mindsets for Better Behavior in the Classroom, Positive Behavior Principles: Shifting Perspectives and Aligning Practices in Schools, and several resources for teaching social skills, featuring his chameleon, Juan Pablo.
Dan will also be presenting a breakout session.
Pre-Conference Session
October 14, 2026 | 2:00 p.m.
When young people are in pain or struggling, caring adults naturally want to make things easier and solve the problem, yet real meaningful change begins when students feel understood and empowered. In this engaging session, Dr. Loren shares Motivational Interviewing strategies to support students who seem stuck or resistant. Learn how to reduce power struggles, build trust, and spark genuine motivation that moves young people toward true growth and healing.
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Once an at-risk youth, Loren Dittmar, PhD, is now a nationally recognized speaker and consultant specializing in school mental health, suicide prevention, and the well-being of the adults who serve youth. He partners with schools and organizations nationwide to expand mental health supports, strengthen staff resilience, and build cultures where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to live authentically.
With over 25 years of combined experience in clinical and educational settings, Loren brings a rare blend of frontline insight and scholarly depth. His background includes five years in the mental health field, 18 years as a school counselor, including service as a Director of School Counseling, and 13 years as an adjunct professor. He served as a Lead Professional Learning Specialist with Hatching Results, supporting districts in implementing data-driven, ASCA-aligned comprehensive school counseling programs. He was also the lead expert for the mental health section of the international resource covid19k12counseling.org. Loren has held various leadership roles within multiple state school counselor associations and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Palmetto State School Counselor Association.
Through courageous conversations and healthy vulnerability, Loren equips audiences to ignite purpose, inspire change, and transform the way they lead, live, and connect.
Loren will also be presenting a breakout session.
Pre-Conference Session
October 14, 2026 | 2:00 p.m.
Counselors often find themselves in situations where they seek interventions to best meet the needs of children and adolescents. When assisting children and adolescents, feelings and behaviors can change very quickly and many children and teens are already equipped to solve minor and routine behavioral problems. Solution Focused Brief Counseling ( SFBC) has proven to be a great tool for anxious children and teens as they learn to manage challenges at school and home. This interactive presentation will introduce creative and effective SFBC techniques counselors can use in both individual and group counseling, with an emphasis on helping anxious children and teens.
Attendees will gain a better understanding of emphasizing solutions instead of problems, learn the 12 basic assumptions of SFBC, discover strategies to implement SFBC in small and individual group counseling, and develop techniques to help anxious children with developmentally appropriate techniques.
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Dr. Natalie Spencer Gwyn is an Assistant Professor at North Carolina A&T State University. She was previously a high school counselor and student assistance counselor (SAP) for many years before moving into higher education. She received her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She later earned a doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from North Carolina State University. Dr. Spencer is the author of Mindful Practices for Helping Troubled Teens and the co-author of 15-Minute Focus: Diversity, Bias, and Privilege: Addressing Racial Inequities to Create Inclusive Learning Environments. She is also a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of North Carolina, and owns her own private practice, Natalie Spencer Counseling and Consulting. Dr. Spencer Gwyn has presented her research on the local, state, and national level.
Natalie will also be presenting a breakout session.
Click the session to title to learn more
School counselors are uniquely positioned to be front line responders to students presenting in crisis. This workshop is designed to enhance a school counselor’s knowledge on current suicide statistics, explore strategies to provide effective screening, and demonstrate how to create meaningful safety plans. Special emphasis will be placed on empowering student voice through this process.
Makenzie Perkins, MS, currently serves as the Counseling Specialist for Collierville Schools (TN). In this role she is responsible for coordinating and supervising school counseling, threat assessment, health facility transitions, and crisis response across the district. Previously she served as the Prevention Counselor at Collierville High School, where she helped students and staff navigate mental health concerns and crises at the largest high school in the state.
Makenzie is a National Certified Counselor and earned her Master of Science degree and Clinical Mental Health Specialist degree from the University of Memphis. She is also the author of 30-Minute Groups: Grief. Makenzie is passionate about training professionals in the areas of threat assessment and management, suicidality, school safety, loss and grief, and understanding the everchanging mental health needs of today’s youth.
Did you know new studies estimate 1 in 12 children will lose a parent or sibling before the age of 18? This presentation will allow school counselors to leave with creative ways to help students process their own grief journeys. A variety of expressive counseling techniques will be explored (and practiced!) that can be utilized in both individual and group sessions for all ages. Although we can’t control if a student experiences loss and grief, we can help give their grief a voice.
Makenzie Perkins, MS, currently serves as the Counseling Specialist for Collierville Schools (TN). In this role she is responsible for coordinating and supervising school counseling, threat assessment, health facility transitions, and crisis response across the district. Previously she served as the Prevention Counselor at Collierville High School, where she helped students and staff navigate mental health concerns and crises at the largest high school in the state.
Makenzie is a National Certified Counselor and earned her Master of Science degree and Clinical Mental Health Specialist degree from the University of Memphis. She is also the author of 30-Minute Groups: Grief. Makenzie is passionate about training professionals in the areas of threat assessment and management, suicidality, school safety, loss and grief, and understanding the everchanging mental health needs of today’s youth.
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Tentative
1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Registration & Information Center Open
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pre-Conference Sessions
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Exhibits Open
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. “Meet and Greet” Welcome Reception (Embassy Suites Manager’s Reception)
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration & Information Center Open
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Exhibits Open
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast (available in the Exhibit Area)
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Opening Session with Featured Speaker and Keynote Speaker – Lisa King
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Transition Break
10:15 a.m. – 11:05 a.m. Breakout Session 1
11:05 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. Break with Exhibitors
11:35 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. Breakout Session 2
12:25 p.m. – 1:25 p.m. Box Lunch (available in the Exhibit Area)
1:25 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Breakout Session 3
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Grad Student Meet & Greet
2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Break with Exhibitors
2:45 p.m. – 3:35 p.m. Breakout Session 4
3:35 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. Transition Break
3:50 p.m. – 4:40 p.m. Breakout Session 5
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Networking Social (Embassy Suites Manager’s Reception)
7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Registration & Information Center Open
7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Exhibits Open
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast (available in the Exhibit Area)
8:30 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. Breakout Session 6
9:20 a.m. – 9:35 a.m. Transition Break
9:35 a.m. – 10:25 a.m. Breakout Session 7
10:25 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Morning Break & Exhibit Area – Last Chance!
11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Breakout Session 8
11:50 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Transition Break
12:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. Awards Luncheon & Closing Keynote Speaker – Dan St. Romain
VSCA has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6066. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. VSCA is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
To receive NBCC hours you MUST complete an evaluation for each session attended via this link: https://tinyurl.com/VSCANBCChours. All session evaluations must be completed by October 31st.
If you would like to print out a Certificate of Attendance for attending this year’s conference please go to https://dashboard.ascaconferences.org. Please note that this certificate may satisfy most division’s continuing education requirements, but does NOT meet the requirements for the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
Please visit the VSCA website and become a member or renew your annual membership. Please contact VSCA directly for all membership questions.
For questions about VSCA membership please reach out at vscamembershipchair@gmail.com.
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 2026 VSCA Conference!
MEMBER*
Professional
$50
MEMBER*
Retiree
$40
Graduate Student
$40
NON-MEMBER
$80
MEMBER*
Professional
$180
Save $20 if you register by September 14th!***
MEMBER*
Retiree
$80
Save $10 if you register by September 14th!***
Graduate Student
$80
Membership Included!**
Save $10 if you register by September 14th!***
NON-MEMBER
$250
Save $20 if you register by September 14th!***
Registration after October 11, 2026 will be onsite and will add $20 to the Regular Registration rate.***
Thursday ONLY
$140
Save $20 if you register by September 14th!***
Friday ONLY
$140
Save $20 if you register by September 14th!***
Registration after October 11, 2026 will be onsite and will add $20 to the Regular Registration rate.***
*Your VSCA membership must be good through October 16, 2026 to qualify for the discounted Member rates.
**All Grad students receive a FREE VSCA Membership. Visit vsca.org to sign up for your free membership!
***To qualify for the Early or Regular Registration discount, your registration form AND payment (copy of your purchase order, check, or credit card) must be received or postmarked by the Early or Regular 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 VSCA 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 September 14, 2026. All cancellations before then 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 VSCA 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.
VENUE & HOST HOTEL
1700 Coliseum Drive
Hampton, VA 23666
Reservation information coming soon.
The Embassy Suites, the Conference’s host hotel, has a conference rate of $165. This rate is valid while rooms are available. The price includes full, cook-to-order breakfast and evening Manager’s Reception. This rate is valid through September 12, 2026, while rooms are available.
You can also book a room by calling (757) 827-8200 or (800) 362-2779. Be sure to mention the Group Code: 93X.
OVERFLOW HOTEL
1851 Merchant Lane
Hampton, VA 23666
The Element Hampton has a conference rate of $149 per night, plus tax, which remains valid for reservations made by September 14, 2025, while rooms are available. Your hotel stay includes a complimentary breakfast.
You can also book a room by calling (757) 251-6586 or (888) 236-2427. Be sure to mention the Group Code: NCYNCYA.
OVERFLOW HOTEL
1999 Power Plant Pkwy
Hampton, VA 23666
The Hilton Garden Inn has a conference rate of $131 per night, plus tax, which remains valid for reservations made by September 9, 2024, while rooms are available.
You can also book a room by calling (757) 310-6323 or (800) 445-8667. Be sure to mention the group code VSCA24.
OVERFLOW HOTEL
1917 Coliseum Drive
Hampton, VA 23666
The Courtyard Hampton Coliseum Central has a conference rate of $119-$159 per night, plus tax, valid for the nights of Wednesday, October 18th and Thursday, October 19th. This rate remains valid for reservations made by October 4, 2023, while rooms are available.
You can also book a room by calling (800) 304-9288. Be sure to mention that you are with National Center for Youth Issues Virginia School Counselor Association Conference.
In the evening, make sure you take time to relax and enjoy the surrounding area. Visit the Peninsula Town Center, less than a mile from the Embassy Suites! At the Town Center, enjoy shopping at Bath & Body Works, JCPenney, H&M, Barnes & Noble, and many more. You can sit back and relax at the many restaurants, such as Buffalo Wild Wings, Canvas Social Cuisine, Five Guys Burgers & Fries, and Sushi King, along with others. The Peninsula Town Center has a premium movie theater with leather recliners and gourmet food, so you can finally watch that movie you have been wanting to see.
Click here to see all the fun you can have at the Peninsula Town Center.
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: VSCA
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 VSCA directly with all membership questions.
Sponsors receive attendee contact information.
All intellectual property rights in and to the Virginia School Counselor Association (VSCA) Annual Conference (“the Event”), the content and all materials distributed at or in connection with the Event are owned by VSCA and/or the Event sponsors or speakers presenting at the Event. You may not use or reproduce or allow anyone to use or reproduce any trademarks or other trade names appearing at the Event, in any Event content and/or in any materials distributed at or in connection with the Event for any reason without the prior written permission of VSCA or the presenting speaker.
