The current COVID-19 pandemic has shaken our traditional educational system to its core. The sudden shift to remote learning has been traumatic for students, staff, and parents. For many students, adverse childhood experiences such as this can negatively impact their attention, decision-making, and response to stress. Likewise, the return to in-person learning may also be a difficult adjustment for many. Participants in this session will be introduced to key elements in developing a comprehensive SEL plan for reopening schools. Specifically, participants will recognize signs/symptoms of stress among staff and students, learn strategies to help students and staff identify, understand, and manage their emotions and identify resources that prioritize relationships and human connections to meet the existing and emerging mental health needs of students.

This workshop is designed to enhance participants existing knowledge base about trauma, grief, loss, and mourning. Participants will increase their levels of comfort in dealing with trauma and grief, better understand the differences between normal and complicated grieving, and learn intervention strategies to address both. Participants will also achieve a better understanding of factors that influence grief and mourning, and develop specialized skills for helping children and adolescents cope more successfully with these intensely felt emotions.

Youth who demonstrate behaviors consistent with a conduct disorder are often seen as socially maladjusted, impossible to reach, and are often prevented from accessing specialized supports due to not having an “emotional disability”. This presentation will compare and contrast behaviors consistent with conduct disorder and complex trauma to better understand the etiology of their challenging behaviors. Participants will better understand how complex trauma impacts behaviors, social-emotional development, academic achievement, and the ability to connect with others. The negative outcomes of ineffective interventions will be highlighted and interventions on how to more effectively reach these students and address the underlying complex trauma will be shared.