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SESSION I (9:00 – 10:00)

#1 ACT Update – Fall Educator’s Workshop Series (Repeated in Session II)

The session will highlight the changes that have been made to the 2010-2011 registration process for the ACT and also provide information about ACT’s College Readiness System. An overview of how to maximize the use of curriculum-based, achievement designed assessments and their alignment with research supported College Readiness Standards and College Readiness Benchmark Scores will be addressed. This workshop represents an opportunity for professional development and will provide counselors with current and relevant information to be used in their frequent contact with students and parents. Application: High School Counselors

Presenter: Eric W. Neal, Consultant, ACT, Inc.

#2 Counseling for Competence

This presentation will introduce an integrative strengths-based model for counseling, prevention, and consultation. Highlights will encompass an overview of resiliency-focused counseling research and implications for counselors and other clinicians in educational, rehabilitation, mental health, and organizational settings. Counseling techniques for identifying and amplifying client/student competencies will be discussed. Participants will develop skills in such areas as motivational interviewing, developing solution-building questions, and collaborating with ancillary family, agency, and collegial support systems. Interactive experiences, group discussion, and video vignettes will be included. Participants will not only enhance their counseling skills, but will also develop strategies for assisting schools and agencies in program development designed to foster coping, intrinsic motivation, and self-esteem. Application: Elementary, Middle and High School Counselors

Presenter: David Drassner, Ph.D, Psychologist/Consultant-Private Practice Rockland County, NY

#3 Retirement Planning for Educators – Workshop

As you know, we are living through extraordinary challenging times in our economy. The uncertainties of the stock market and the many economic obstacles we face make it more difficult than we have ever seen to plan a financially successful retirement. In this workshop you will learn proven strategies for retirement planning. Topics to be presented include how to safely manage your 403b, 457 plans and other investments, how to maximize your Pension and Social Security benefits, reduce your taxes and how to protect your investments from rising nursing and home health care costs when you have retired. Application: Elementary, Middle & High School Counselors

Presenter: Michael Brenner, retired Guidance Counselor, VP of Family Wealth & Pension Management.

#4 Walking Next to a Grieving Child: Exploring Death and Loss with Children and Adolescents

Mourning and grief take time. There is no way to skip over, squeeze under or rush through the feelings of pain, sadness, anger, loneliness or frustration. Grief needs to be experienced. Unfortunately, in a culture of instant messaging, fast food, and quick fixes the importance and growth, which can occur as a result of struggling through this process frequently, goes unrecognized. A grieving child needs a brave adult who is willing to feel their pain without becoming overwhelmed by it and does not try to take it away. This workshop will explore ways elementary, middle and high school counselors can walk next to a child on their journey through grief. Application: Elementary, Middle & High School Counselors

Presenter: Kathryn Kehoe-Biggs, LCSW, PHD, and Bereavement Center of Westchester

#5 City University of NY Programs for High Achieving Students

CUNY’s four-year colleges offer programs that provide a challenging and intellectually stimulating academic environment for high-achieving students. In recent years, CUNY students have won numerous prestigious scholarships including: Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright, Truman, and Javitz Scholarships. Come find out about the many programs and services that put CUNY students on this path to success! The City University of New York is the nation's leading urban public university serving more than 480,000 students at 23 colleges and institutions in New York City. The University’s 23 institutions including 11 four-year colleges, six community colleges, and the William E. Macaulay Honors College at CUNY offer more than 1,750 academic programs. Application: High School Counselors

Presenters: Clare Norton, CUNY Director of Recruitment, ames Airozo, Director of Student Academic Awards & Honors, Macaulay Honors College at CUNY, Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education

#6 State University of New York 2010-11 Update

Discover what you need to know to expedite the processing of your students' applications to SUNY, get an overview of the changes made to the SUNY application process, and learn the timely information for the Fall 2011 application season and the streamlining of the application process for our students and school counselors. Specific topics to be addressed include transmitting transcripts electronically, changes to the SUNY Supplemental Application and procedural changes to the Educational Opportunity Program, and. the benefits of creating an account on our CounselorConnect web site to access the status of your students' applications and to keep informed of the latest news from SUNY. New and updated recruitment materials will also be shared. Application: HS Counselors

Presenter: Cheryl Perrillo, Interim Assistant Provost for Enrollment Services

#7 Adolescents in Affluent School Districts: Pressured to Succeed in an Age of Increasingly Competitive College Admissions

Adolescents, particularly in affluent suburban communities, are feeling pressured to excel academically, athletically, and socially in order to be admitted to a top university. These pressures may start as early as elementary school. The increasingly competitive college admissions policies are putting school administrators, teachers, and parents in a bind such that they can't consider the psychosocial/developmental needs of their students/children without fear that they are putting them at a disadvantage in college admissions. We will discuss the many factors that contribute to increasing psychiatric and psychological symptoms in adolescents and the interventions that can be utilized by parents, teachers, and administrators. Questions from the audience will be invited. Application: Elementary, Middle & High School Counselors & College Personnel

Presenters: Dr. Merle Keitel, Fordham University, Dr. Mary Kopala, CUNY Graduate Center, and Dr. Diane Schaupp, Psychologist in Private Practice

#8 The School Counselor’s Role in Implementing Crisis Counseling in Middle Schools and High Schools

A pattern that is all too common in today’s schools is for a crisis situation to occur and the task of developing a response and training key personnel to implement it follows only after the event. It is not unusual for counselors to be given the task of developing the response and providing staff and others with emergency training on how to implement it. This workshop will examine the role of the counselor in such a situation and will present a plan that can be implemented in a school or district before such events occur. It includes a look at Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in schools and the possible use of Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD). In addition some suggestions will be made regarding how to prevent and address “compassion fatigue” among counselors. Application: Middle and High School Counselors

Presenters: Robert Stevenson, Ph. D., Associate Professor of the Counseling Department at Mercy College and Arthur G. McCann, Ph.D., Chair of the Counseling Department and Director of the School Counseling Program at Mercy College

#9 Assets Get Active

Based on The Search Institute's Developmental Assets framework, student developers and educators at Clarkstown South High School have created and are teaching a curriculum-based course entitled "Assets Get Active". The entire curriculum of the "Assets Get Active" course is based on the goal of increasing individual and community assets. The motto of the course is "Live each day the assets way" and the curriculum is divided into three segments:individual, school and community. All of the projects, especially the "take it to the community" month-long community service project, are geared towards the concept of "whole person, whole school, whole community, whole world". This workshop will provide the audience with activities, resources, projects and ideas that will stimulate and energize educators and learners Application: Elementary, Middle and High School Counselors

Presenters: Susan Solar, LCSW,SAC-Clarkstown South HS; Deb Tarantino, Assistant Principal-Clarkstown South HS: Anthony Pecoraro-student- Clarkstown South HS

#10 Identifying and Overcoming the Challenges Faced by Today’s Bi-lingual Counselors in Urban and Suburban Schools

As the Latino student population in New York State grows, challenges faced by bi-lingual counselors also continue to expand. As a way of accomplishing this task, this workshop will demonstrate how to use interactive theater to educate school communities on sensitive issues such as substance abuse, date rape, discrimination, bullying, and more. The lead presenter has published a book chapter titled “Educating the next generation: Culture centered education for school aged children” which is the basis for this workshop. Graduate faculty and students from both the Mental Health and the School Counseling Programs at Mercy College will use interactive theater to engage the audience with one of the sensitive issues listed above. Application:Elementary, Middle, and High School Counselors

Presenters: Esther E. Mulnix, Ph. D., Director of Mental Health Counseling, Fernando Cabrera, Ed. D., Assistant Professor, Counseling Department, Carolyn Cullen, Ph. D. Director of Clinical Placement for Mental Health Counseling and students from Mercy College.

SESSION II (10:05 – 11:05)

#11 ACT Update – Fall Educator’s Workshop Series

The session will highlight the changes that have been made to the 2010-2011 registration process for the ACT and also provide information about ACT’s College Readiness System. An overview of how to maximize the use of curriculum-based, achievement designed assessments and their alignment with research supported College Readiness Standards and College Readiness Benchmark Scores will be addressed. This workshop represents an opportunity for professional development and will provide counselors with current and relevant information to be used in their frequent contact with students and parents. Application: High School Counselors

Presenter: Eric W. Neal, Consultant, ACT, Inc.

#12 Career and College Ready: Middle School Matters

School counselors challenge middle schoolers to think critically, work industriously, contribute to their communities, and care about others. Middle level students face the confusion of so many choices placed before them in school, with their peers, and at home. When students are engaged in career planning, they can see the connection of academics and school expectations to their dreams. Let’s explore connecting career planning to student motivation and school success while capture the data to show how the work of school counselors impacts every students ability to achieve and succeed. Application: Elementary and Middle School Counselors

Presenter: Carol Dahir, Ed.D. Associate Professor, NYIT School of Education, School Counselor Education Department

#13 Becoming a “Suicide-Safer” School Community

Too often, in too many places, suicide remains a taboo topic. Yet, it is known that in the United States suicide is the 3rd most common cause of death among young people. Further, suicide is often preventable. School communities and especially school counselors are in a powerful position to bring the topic to light, as well as to recognize students at risk, and connect them with helpful resources. This workshop will dispel common myths about suicide, will present a widely-accepted model of raising awareness about suicide prevention, and identify local resources. Application: Elementary, Middle & High School Counselors & College Personnel

Presenter: Barbara Bernstein, Ph.D. M.P.H., P.C.

#14 Financial Awareness and Readiness for College

The early bird gets the worm. A dream without a plan is just a wish. Measure twice, cut once. Whatever the adage, the message is clear - life requires some preparation. School Counselors can help their middle school students and families prepare for college by introducing key principals of personal finance and the clear benefits of saving for college now, while they still have time to make an impact. This session will provide an entry-level look at financial literacy concepts and various college savings options, including New York's 529 College Savings Program. It will also introduce and discuss successful programs that other districts have embraced to better prepare their students for the transition to college. A representative from Upromise Investments, the Program Manager for New York’s 529 College Savings Program, will share resources that you can use to engage students and parents to help them learn, prepare and achieve their dream of higher education. Application: Elementary and Middle School Counselors

Presenters: George Makras, New York’s 529 College Savings Programs

#15 Major Legal, Ethical, Educational, and Psychological Challenges facing Schools and Guidance Program (Sponsored by the Westchester, Putnam, Rockland Counseling Association- WPRCA)

Today’s modern school has to confront a myriad of complex, legal, ethical, educational and psychological issues. This presentation will address a number of “everyday” legal issues facing teachers and counselors such as zero tolerance, mandated reporting, privacy rights, student personnel files, and free speech. We will discuss important issues such as safety, bullying, violence, drugs and alcohol as well as selected communication strategies, emotional, social, and instructional challenges including the “test prep phenomenon” schools, parents, and staff face each and every day. A holistic (whole child) comprehensive approach will be used to identify these areas. Time will be spent in discussing solutions to these challenging and difficult issues facing students and school districts. The presentation will involve significant interaction with the audience. Application: Elementary, Middle and High School Counselors & College Personnel

Presenters/Moderators: Melissa Guijarro, President, WPRCA; Walter J. Sullivan, Ph.D.; Director of the Center for Educational Policy & Practice at the College of New Rochelle; Associate Professor of Education, Graduate School, College of New Rochelle; Former Superintendent of Schools

#16 Beyond Harm Reduction: Working with High Performing, Yet At-Risk Adolescents and their Families

It is well-documented that teens in affluent communities across our country are exhibiting a significantly higher incidence of clinical depression, anxiety, substance abuse, self-injury, rule-breaking, and psychosomatic disorders than kids from ALL other socio-economic strata’s. Teens are putting themselves at risk by, among other things, “sexting” (i.e., transmitting sexually charged material through technology), engaging in promiscuous sexual activity with multiple partners, binge-drinking, abusing prescription medications, driving dangerously, cheating, cutting and burning themselves, and restricting their eating. This instructor will offer strategies for identifying and helping high performing, yet at-risk teens, and engaging their parents in treatment. Application: Middle & High School Counselors.

Presenter: Jennifer Walker, Psy.D., School Pschologist. Scarsdale Schools

#17 Finding Hidden Treasures: Using Applied Action Research to Drive Strategic Planning in School Counseling

Strategic planning is a formal process of making organizational decisions based on data analyses. The members of the Byram Hills High School counseling department recently engaged in a major strategic planning effort that utilized applied action research. After quantitative and qualitative data were collected and examined, new goals were established and improved programs, services, efficiencies and approaches were designed and implemented. What is necessary for strategic planning to succeed is time, informed reflection, an honest assessment of the myths, a clearer definition of reality, and the courage to do what needs to be done. Application: Elementary, Middle and School Counselors

Presenters: Dr. Michael McGrath, Chair of School Counseling, Byram Hills H.S.; Mr. Gary McCarthy, School Counselor, Byram Hills H.S.,Ms. Kristina Wilson, School Counselor, Byram Hills H.S.

#18 Retirement Planning for Educators – Cracker Barrel Session

In addition to the workshop on Retirement Planning for Educators, the Cracker Barrel Session is an opportunity to have your individual questions answered about how to safely manage your investments, maximize your pension and social benefits, plan your retirement, reduce taxes and protect your investments from rising nursing home and health care costs Application: All Counselors

Presenter: Michael Brenner, retired Guidance Counselor, VP of Family Wealth & Pension Management.

#19 Looking Beyond our Borders….New Frontiers in Admissions

The number of international students looking beyond their borders is increasing exponentially. For U.S. colleges, the need for full paying matriculates is increasing the scope of traditional admissions boundaries. Just when we thought the demographics might be working on our side, secondary college admissions counselors are adjusting to this new phenomenon in admissions. The positive value of diversity and more global representation vs. the commitment to our students at home is only one of the competing priorities at play in this dynamic exchange. Application: High School Counselors & College Personnel

Presenters: Marjorie Jacobs, Director of Counseling, SAR HS; Peter Farrell, Dean of Admission, Fordham University; Jonathan Burdick, Dean of Admissions, University of Rochester; Marjorie Nieuwenhuis, Director of College Counseling, United Nations International School

#20 Hot Jobs & Emerging Careers In the State University of NY

We have witnessed the emergence of new careers that were not in existence even a decade ago. Technology and the changing global marketplace have generated new ways of thinking in education. SUNY is responsive to these 21st century issues and has options across the system to prepare a knowledgeable and skilled workforce. Join us as we explore topics that include fastest-growing jobs, green jobs and recession-proof careers. Then discover how these jobs relate to SUNY offerings. You’ll leave this workshop with solid advice that can support your students’ pursuit of 21st century professions. Application: High School Counselors

Presenters:

#21 How to Implement the Comprehensive School Counseling Model in the Real World

As schools and districts begin to implement the Comprehensive Model, they are looking for concrete, practical examples of how this can be done locally. We will explore how the ASCA/NYSSCA Standards relate to a school’s comprehensive plan and NYS Learning Standards. We will also show how the use of a Comprehensive plan will tie Guidance and Counseling activities to the school’s mission and student outcomes. Presenters will describe how a Guidance Plan can be easily and quickly reviewed, mapped and aligned to standards, and how their programs can be updated through implementation of the Comprehensive Model. Presenters will also supply attendees with examples from school districts that have recently implemented the Model. Application: Elementary, Middle & High School Counselors

Presenter: Robert Rotunda, Ed.D. Past President, New York State School Counselor Association, Guidance Chair, Stimson MS, South Huntington, NY.

SESSION III (11:05 – 12:05)

THE EXPOSITION ARENA

The Exposition Arena will be held in the large Main Hall of the County Center. It will offer counseling professionals a veritable piazza or concourse of professional resources. There will be consultants, model programs, guidance association representatives, exhibits of computer software, guidance books, materials and products, community agencies, CUNY representatives, SUNY representatives, private college representatives.

GUIDANCE CONSULTANTS

Consult with representatives from governmental, state, & educational agencies.

GUIDANCE PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Browse and learn from the display of guidance books, authores and materials as well as computer software and hardware pertinent to guidance activities.

COMMUNITY AGENCIES

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES

City & State University of New York

PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

SESSION IV (12:10 – 1:10)

#22 Update from the College Board - Fall Counselor Workshop

Come hear the latest information about what is going on at the College Board! This interactive session will explore specific College Board initiatives such as CollegeEd and Springboard, give you the latest information on the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, and AP programs, provide you the most up to date information on all our professional development opportunities, and share information on the Board’s interactive web tools that help you guide your students to college success. Come with questions and join us for what is sure to be a lively session! Application: High School Counselors

Presenter: Matthew F. Zarro, Educational Manager, K-12 Services, Middle States Regional Office, The College Board

#23 What Administrators Expect of the Intern and New School Counselor

This workshop is designed to prepare both the school counseling intern and the recent graduate for entry into professional school counseling. School counselors in their first year on the job are invited to attend and share their experiences. A panel presentation will be followed by an open discussion and interaction between the prospective school counselors in attendance and the panel. The crucial role of the school counseling internship will be discussed. Professional and multicultural competencies and skills required of the effective school counselor from the perspectives of a School Superintendent, a Director of Guidance, a School Counselor and a Counselor Educators will be described. Application: New and Prospective School Counselors: Elementary, Middle & High School

Panelists: Dr. Scott McGowan, Senior Professor, Dept. of Counseling and Development, Long Island University/CW Post; Michael Kenny, Director of Guidance, New Rochelle High School; Dr. Michael Yazurlo, Superintendent, Tuckahoe School District; Pia Sanchez, Port Washington Middle School

#24 Helping Students Through Divorce

The focus of this workshop will be to present the similarities between the reactions of children to divorce and the bereavement process. Stages of grieving will be reviewed, as well as developmental phases and their related loss reactions. Recommendations for how to help students through this process and appropriate emotional outlets will also be discussed. Application: Elementary, Middle and High School Counselors

Presenter: Karen Biron-Dekel, M.S., Middle School Counselor and author of Anger’s Way Out.

#25 YouTube in Admissions: Am 'I' That Impressive? How do ‘I’ advise my students??? When the application is not enough?

Calling all Elle Woods’ for your Legally Blond auditions! What about brunettes and redheads?? Now that Tufts is on board with YouTube presentations, do all students have to become actors, musicians, comedians or producers in addition to high achievers in order to be seriously considered for competitive colleges? What about the techno challenged and/or not so photogenic? How do we advise our students? Application: High School Counselors

Moderator: Michael Courtney, Associate Director of College Admissions, SAR High School College

#26 Financial Aid-What You Need To Know

The Federal Government made major changes to the Student Loan Program in early 2010. This double session will address those changes and give you updates on all of the federal and NYS aid programs. Special presentations on high-interest topics like financial independence, citizenship, award letters, and financial planning resources for your students. This training is supported by the Federal College Access Challenge Grant and meets the criteria required by the National Training for Counselors and Mentors (NT4CM). The counselor training that has been provided annually by the NYS Financial Aid Administrators Association (NYSFAAA) and the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) will be replaced with this session in major cities statewide. Knowing the financial aid programs and how to access the money will be critical information for you. Meeting college costs is going to be an even greater challenge to your students and their families, so get the financial aid facts that will help you to meet your student’s needs. Application: High School Counselors and College Personnel

Presenters: Linda Bridgewater, HESC; Joseph Gorman, HESC; Members of the N.Y.S. Financial Aid Administrators Assoc. from Metro area colleges

#27 Retirement Planning for Educators – Cracker Barrel Session

In addition to the workshop on Retirement Planning for Educators, the Cracker Barrel Session is an opportunity to have your individual questions answered about how to safely manage your investments, maximize your pension and social benefits, plan your retirement, reduce taxes and protect your investments from rising nursing home and health care costs.Application: Elementary, Middle & High School Counselors & College Personnel.

Presenter: Michael Brenner, retired Guidance Counselor, VP of Family Wealth & Pension Management.

#28 Meeting the Challenges of Transition Services for Students with Disabilities

The transition services required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 present a variety of challenges to school systems. This workshop will provide strategies that will help schools be in compliance with legislative mandates, meet the transition needs of their students, and add to the overall value of the services provided to students with disabilities. Approaches will include in-school planning and programming, as well as strategies for the successful coordination of adult services, including physical and mental health care and vocational and employment services. Application: Elementary, Middle and High School Counselors

Presenters: Malka Edelman, NCC, MCC, CRC, LMHC, Farmingdale State College ; Dr. Chris Caroll, NYIT Counseling Program

#29 School Counseling Issues with Emotionally Disturbed Children and Adolescents

In this era of inclusive classrooms and short psychiatric hospitalizations, school counselors are very likely to have students in their caseloads who have serious psychopathology. At times these children and adolescents are more visible due to their special education classification. The school counselor then has the special education team to collaborate with, but still may require more information and support. At other times, the student may be unclassified yet still presents with particular challenges. This talk will discuss such issues as designing a class schedule for the bipolar child, assisting the child with social skills deficits to navigate middle school, talking to parents of fragile, psychotic adolescents about the college admissions process, etc. Application: Elementary, Middle School and High School Counselors

Presenter: Dr. Beth Weiner, a clinical psychologist, is the Director of the Counseling, Psychology and Therapy Programs at Long Island University's Westchester Graduate Campus.

#30 Expanding the Career and Education Pathways for Urban Middle School Students

Urban youth are faced with numerous risk factors that challenge their healthy academic, physical, social and psychological development. With joblessness at an all time high, they also have fewer opportunities to learn about a variety of careers through their everyday exposure to adults within their neighborhoods. This presentation will demonstrate how schools, community agencies and community members can partner to create career exploration interventions that may expand urban middle school students' understanding of the world of work. Application: Elementary, Middle, & High School Counselors

Presenters: Jennie Park-Taylor, PhD., Angela Vargas, Deirdre Schwiring, Laura Marino, & Laura Donodeo

#31 Education and Career Planning – A Process, not an Event!

All too often education and career planning is treated as an event, not a process. Career development activities are often too few and started too late. Good practice is to ensure their students are involved in a comprehensive education and career planning program and to show students the link between their career plans and their high school course plan. Join Marty Sommer(?) and Lynn Sadlowski as they demonstrate using Career Cruising and the Course Planner to help students determine career and educational aspirations and create plans to reach these goals. (Note: Career Cruising is a web-based career guidance program with a yearly subscription fee. All workshop participants not already licensing Career Cruising will receive trial access to explore and evaluate the program with their students.) Application: Middle and High School Counselors

Presenters: Martin Sommer, Southern Westchester BOCES; Lynn Sadlowski, BA, BEd, Med Former high school teacher, school counselor and department chair. Over 20 years experience working in career education and planning. Now in my third year of applying this knowledge and experience as an Educational Consultant for Career Cruising.

#32 State University of New York 2010-11 Update

Discover what you need to know to expedite the processing of your students' applications to SUNY, get an overview of the changes made to the SUNY application process, and learn the timely information for the Fall 2011 application season and the streamlining of the application process for our students and school counselors. Specific topics to be addressed include transmitting transcripts electronically, changes to the SUNY Supplemental Application and procedural changes to the Educational Opportunity Program, and. the benefits of creating an account on our CounselorConnect web site to access the status of your students' applications and to keep informed of the latest news from SUNY. New and updated recruitment materials will also be shared. Application: HS Counselors

Presenter: Cheryl Perrillo, Interim Assistant Provost for Enrollment Services

SESSION V (1:15 – 2:15)

#33 Party Animal? Or Addict?

When does a teen’s partying slide down that slippery slope to addiction? How does a counselor know if students are experimenting with alcohol and other drugs out of curiousity, or partying to fit in, or crossing the line into the nightmare of addiction? This workshop explains the differences between the addicted brain and a normal adolescent brain, and how to determine the difference between behaviors that are addictive from behaviors that are normal adolescent folly. Application: Middle and High School

Presenter: Mary Ann Johnson, LCSW, Retired School Social Worker, Adjunct Professor of Addictions and Addictive Behaviors, Human Services Department, College of New Rochelle.

#34 Managing Stress in Children, Adolescents, and OURSELVES!

At each developmental stage there is a shifting balance between stressful life events that heighten vulnerability, as well as protective factors that enhance resilience. When there is a balance between stressful life events and protective factors, successful adaptation is possible. As school-based mental health professionals, we are able help our students increase coping skills in order to reduce the impact stress can have on home, social, and school functioning, before anxiety disorders develop. Application: Elementary, Middle & High School Counselors, and those looking to improve personal stress management skills!

Presenter: Jennifer Walker, Psy.D., School Pschologist. Scarsdale Schools, Dr Elliott Rosen, Director Emeritus of Family Institute of Westchester

#35 Bereavement in Children and Adolescents

Children and adolescents grieve differently than adults. It is therefore important for mental health professionals working with these populations to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of bereavement. This workshop will explore the four tasks to grieving, how to define death for children, and the development of children's/adolescent's understanding of death and dying. Application: Elementary, Middle and High School Students

Presenter: Renee A. Exelbert, Ph.D., Psychologist/Private Practice, Rockland County, New York, and Long Island, New York

#36 Developing, Organizing and Maintaining High School Advisory and Peer Leadership Programs

This presentation will cover the following facets of advisory program development at the high school level: establishing a faculty committee to spearhead efforts to get the program started, obtaining support from all constituencies/stakeholders and responding to resistance, designing a model that meets school community needs, managing logistical challenges, coping with growing pains, and responding to constructive criticism and program evaluation. Some of the unique features of these programs that will be discussed include: sharing of advisory group leadership responsibilities among a faculty member and two or more peer leaders, the different focuses of programs developed for different grade levels, the selection and ongoing training of peer leaders, and the advisory programs’ effects on the school culture. Complete syllabi for programs as well as other handouts will be available to all workshop participants. Application: Middle and High School Counselors

Presenters: Arthur G. McCann, Ph.D., Chair of the Counseling Department and Director of the School Counseling Program at Mercy College and Robert Stevenson, Ph. D. , Associate Professor of the Counseling Department at Mercy College

#37 Mindfulness Meditation and Techniques: Implications for School Counselors and Mental Health Professionals

This presentation will provide an understanding of mindfulness meditation and techniques and practical uses of such techniques in a school setting. Several examples of meditation and mindfulness practices will be presented. Counselors will learn to teach techniques to children and adolescents who struggle with difficulties such as inattention, emotion dysregulation, anxiety, anger, and impulsive behaviors. Application: Elementary, Middle, and High School Counselors

Presenter: Tracey Polizzi, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist with private practice in Stony Point, NY, Certified School Psychologist

#38 Retirement Planning for Educators – Workshop

As you know, we are living through extraordinary challenging times in our economy. The uncertainties of the stock market and the many economic obstacles we face make it more difficult than we have ever seen to plan a financially successful retirement. In this workshop you will learn proven strategies for retirement planning. Topics to be presented include how to safely manage your 403b, 457 plans and other investments, how to maximize your ension and Social Security benefits, reduce your taxes and how to protect your investments from rising nursing and home health care costs when you have retired. Application: Elementary, Middle and High School Counselors

Presenter: Michael Brenner, retired Guidance Counselor, VP of Family Wealth & Pension Management.

#39 Your Child’s D.I.G.I.T.A.L Life: Safety Tips for Parents

The Internet is an amazing resource that unlocks a world of possibilities. Parents and kids use the Internet to research for colleges, health care plans, and employment. The internet is the new playground for our kids. They use the Internet as a hang-out. They socialize, post pictures and videos, play video games, share experiences with friends, friends of friends, and strangers. The advent of the Internet has opened a new world filled with wonderful opportunities. However, it has also provided criminals and predators access to our personal information and our children. The Attorney General’s Office has developed this presentation along with NetSmartz Workshop and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program to provide some vital information about the internet to help parents have a conversation with their children about how to safely enjoy their digital life. The presentation was developed with parents in mind, but is equally informative for any adult dealing with children’s safety on the internet. Application: Middle and High School Counselors.

Presenters: Judith C. McCarthy, Assistant Attorney General in Charge of the Attorney General’s Westchester Regional Office and Senior Investigator John Slevin, an investigator with the Attorney General’s Westchester Regional Office.