This funny, informative and engaging half-day training focuses on communicating with teenagers about sensitive topics such as substance abuse and mental health.
The first training session is a keynote style presentation titled, Using Endorphins Wisely: The Science Behind Laughing, Meditating, Reducing Stress and Managing Your Emotions. This engaging program will involve stand-up comedy, audience participation and inspiring stories. It is meant to kick off the day with some energy, in addition to demonstrating Matt’s style when presenting to youth.
In the second session, Dr. Bellace relies more on his training as a clinical neuropsychologist to present the science behind the concepts he mentioned in the keynote. The topics covered include the developing brain, social support, communication and screen time, the neuroscience of meditation and other coping skills, substance abuse (e.g. vaping, THC, alcohol) and mental health. This session is intended to be interactive, so feel free to ask questions.
The final session has the potential to be the most fun, since it involves you! In the remaining time, Dr. Bellace will lead a discussion of effective speaking techniques when working with youth. In addition, he will encourage select members of the audience to put together a brief (2-3 minute) presentation about a prevention topic they feel teenagers need to hear. Dr. Bellace will create a supportive environment to debrief what worked and what could be improved the next time.
Skill Building
Join us to learn how to incorporate restorative based practices into your youth engagement work.
Are you incorporating social emotional learning into your teaching practice? Working with colleagues to build a trauma- or healing-informed approach? Join fellow educators and youth facilitators in layering a restorative lens onto youth engagement practices. Workshop participants will explore restorative frameworks, build foundational skills, and strategize opportunities to promote restorative approaches in relationships and communities.
Participate in a two day intensive dive into youth facilitation best practices.
In this two-day facilitation workshop, you will fill your toolbox with activities, skills and facilitation strategies intended to grow your practice working with youth groups. Learn the skills to help groups solve complex problems, leverage diverse points of view, practice social-emotional skills and build engaging sessions for your team. In this workshop you will walk through activities in real time that are designed to encourage student curiosity and inquiry. Learn how to enhance your debrief and reflection skills to create a deeper understanding of real world experiences and meaningful learning outcomes. Leave with exciting ideas, a new network of like-minded professionals and a few new viewpoints on your role as a youth facilitator!
Learn about community-driven research models and their value in creating environmental change.
Using these models, develop strategies to directly partner with youth in prevention focused research and build their skills and engagement.
Learn about community-driven research models and their value in creating environmental change.
Using these models, develop strategies to directly partner with youth in prevention focused research and build their skills and engagement.