Agenda
8:00 - 8:20 am ET
Welcome by Ken Grotell, Spring Conference Chair
Welcome by David Oroza, WSCA President
Sponsor Address: Danielle Khoury, Assistant Director of Admissions - Adelphi University
8:20 - 9:10 am ET (Keynote Speaker)
9:20 - 10:20 am ET (Session A)
Workshop 1. The Impact of Mental Health First Aid
The presentation on Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) will cover background information on how and where it was
created; all of the available modules along with statistics for each. Exactly what the modules all cover and the impact to
the specific group. The presentation will also cover the Action Plan and the benefit of taking the MHFA training. Also,
the opportunity to receive the training for free.
Presenter: Sandra Hopkins-Ouedraogo - Community Prevention Specialist
Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT), Project Coordinator
Workshop 2. Neurodiversity 101. Connection Between Brain Function and Behavior
Part of understanding how to help neurodiverse students is by realizing that disability is a socially constructed concept.
This workshop will offer the audience tips and strategies for employing the principles of Universal Design for Learning
(UDI) in order to create a welcoming environment and equal playing field for the growing population of neurodiverse
students, or students with attention deficit disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This
is intended for those interested in learning about the natural differences in brain function and behavior in people. The
speaker is an expert in college access services and has served this population for over 10 years.
Presenter: Julie A. Yindra - Director of Services for Students with Disabilities, Hofstra University
Workshop 3. College Application Dos & Don’ts
Careless mistakes are an avoidable pitfall commonly seen in applications for college admission. This
presentation will share tips and advice to help students craft polished applications that will help them put their
best foot forward. The presenters will share examples of humorous (and sometimes cringe-worthy) errors.
Resources will be shared with all participants.
Presenters: Suzanne D. Miller, SUNY and Kate Anderson, SUNY Oswego
Workshop 4. Tired of Being Tired: What is DEI Fatigue & How Do We Move Forward in a Meaningful Way?
In the past three years we’ve all heard so much about DEI (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion). We’ve attended sessions
focused on learning concepts relating to equity, inclusion, unconscious bias, antiracism, etc. Our conversations have
largely focused on defining key concepts and opening up dialogue. So, what now? Stated simply, “DEI fatigue”
encompasses the very tangible feelings of exhaustion, isolation, frustration, and (sometimes) skepticism around driving
more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplaces and academic settings. This workshop will address how we can move
forward in a meaningful way to revitalize our DEI efforts, combat fatigue, and drive lasting and positive change on the
DEI front. Workshop will address strategies to confront our own apprehensions about DEI work, the backlash to
“wokeness,” student/parent concerns about DEI initiatives, etc. How can we support (through time and resources)
inclusion efforts in schools, allay resentment towards “social justice,” and other DEI related initiatives. This workshop
will serve as a conversation aimed at re-centering the DEI discussion where it was intended and where it’s needed most,
on the people most negatively impacted by exclusion, inequity and lack of diversity in school settings. We will share
ideas, best practices, experiences, perspectives and outlooks in a collective effort to inject fresh life back into the crucial
DEI discussions happening across the country.
Presenter: Charles Fox - Director of Diversity & Development , The Legal Aid Society of Suffolk, Inc.
10:30 - 11:30 am ET (Session B)
Workshop 5. Finding the Helpers: Collaborating to Address Mental Health Needs
This workshop is designed for any individual that serves in a helping profession and directly works with students of any
age. Participants will gain information on the various community programs and roles that exist within our region that
can help you address mental health concerns. Further, participants will receive information on how to conduct a brief
crisis assessment utilizing standardized tools and how to collaborate with their network of professionals to troubleshoot
a student’s mental health concern.
Presenter: Adriana Silva - Field Director & Teaching Instructor, St. Joseph’s University – Long Island
Workshop 6. Social Emotional Factors Contributing to Student Substance Use
Social/emotional learning (SEL) models are critical, multidisciplinary approaches to student wellness that are now widely
accepted as best-practice in education. As a multi-factorial problem, substance use issues among students benefit
significantly from SEL interventions both in- and outside of school. We will discuss risk and protective factors for
students and define key areas for intervention.
Presenter: Adam Birkenstock, LCSW - Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD)
Workshop 7. College Transition for Students with Disabilities
This presentation aims to provide a comprehensive overview of services provided for students with disabilities on the
college level. This workshop will begin with documentation standards to receive appropriate services and continue with
the role of the disability services counselor, college readiness, campus resources and self-advocacy skills. A PowerPoint
presentation will be utilized to convey this information. We will also discuss the differences between services in high
school and on the college level. Time will be allotted in the end for questions and concerns.
Presenters: Andrea Vittorio-Geib - Counselor, Suffolk County Community College
Jennifer Forni, Director, Disability Services, Suffolk County Community College
Workshop 8. When Trade School Is A Better Choice
If you have students who are unsure about applying to a college or university to pursue a degree, they may be a better
fit for a technical career or a trade school. Trade schools provide students with an alternative to four-year college
programs and can offer more direct career pathways to in-demand jobs. Panelists will discuss the different career
programs in trade schools offer in time, cost and uniqueness.
Panelists: Jeff Press - Universal Technical Institute & Alana Gillespie - Accent Careers
11:30 am - 12:30 pm ET (Exhibitor Showcase)
12:30 - 1:30 pm ET (Lunch)
1:45 - 2:30 pm ET (Session C)
Workshop 9. Gen Z: Knowing How Your Tik Toks
Generation Z is the first generation to be totally immersed in the world of the Internet since birth. Their issues differ
from other previous generations: remote school, social media peer pressure, school shootings, repercussions from the
pandemic and even politics are new emerging topics for this generation. Technology plays a major role on why Gen
Z’ers are so different. Growing up in a hyper-connected world has benefits, but also can evoke internalized feelings of
isolation and loneliness. It can also fuel a steady drumbeat of negative comments, news stories, a fear of missing out,
and shame in falling short of a social media-worthy standard. This workshop discusses issues facing Gen Z’ers like online
predators, revealing too much, sexting, cyberbullies, one’s online work/school life, epidemic of suicide, vaping,
edibles and alcohol. Workshop participants will get a synopsis of issues and challenges specific to Gen Z’ers.
Presenter: Alisty Joy Keneth, AJK Diversified
Workshop 10. From Backpack to Briefcase: Bridging the Gap of Opportunity through the lens of DEI
Higher education institutions are currently facing several challenges including the impacts of the enrollment cliff,
continued engagement, and persistence efforts, in addition to ensuring that students are prepared to enter the
workforce. The evolution of work and the workplace have resulted in shifts in skillsets students will need to enter the
workforce once they graduate. Workplaces are also experiencing challenges navigating bridging the gap of talent
development to ensure emerging talent is set up for long-term success. Diverse students are often the most impacted
student group as they navigate academia and transition professionally.
Higher education institutions and employers collectively benefit from collaborating to best support the development of
the career readiness competencies students need to successfully transition. Through the lens of diversity, equity, and
inclusion, this interactive workshop will provide participants with insight on best practices, tools, and resources to best
support diverse students, leveraging an intersectional approach for counselors and student support teams to make
strides towards cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment that continues to bridge the gap to opportunity.
Presenter: Kai Greene, DEI Campus Consultant, SUNY Farmingdale State College
Workshop 11. School Counseling, MTSS & the Collective Care Team
Supporting the social emotional needs of students has always been a key role of school counselors. Since all students experienced trauma during the pandemic, this has become even more critical. As an integral part of the collective care team, school counselors provide Tier 1 interventions and programs for all students. This allows us to effectively collaborate with School Psychologists, School Social Workers, and School Nurses to ensure that student needs are identified and addressed.
Join us to explore the benefit of a well functioning collective care team.
Presenter: Robert Rotunda, Ed.D., Executive Director, New York State School Counselor Association (NYSSCA)
|