2 Day conference: April 3 & 4, 2023

Registration opens at 8:00 a.m. Conference from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

April 3rd, 2023: Understanding and Responding to Kids with Emotional & Behavioral Challenges Using a Positive, Trauma-informed, Strength-Based Approach To Create a Positive, Strength-Based Culture in Our Setting

Charlie Appelstein, MSW (author of No Such Thing As A Bad Kid)

Strength-based practice is an approach to guiding at-risk children, youth and families that is exceptionally positive and inspiring. Its focus is on strength-building rather than flaw-fixing. It begins with the belief that every individual has or can develop strengths and utilize past successes to mitigate problem behavior and enhance functioning. This presentation will highlight many of the key principles and techniques of this transforming modality.

Areas covered include: What is strength-based practice & the power of a positive attitude & culture; the effects of trauma and positive emotions on the brain; how and why to create trauma-informed treatment environments; changing negative mindsets and the deleterious effects of pejorative labeling; strength-based communication principles and techniques – including reframing, using solution-focused questions, positive-predicting, the millimeter acknowledgement, and inspirational metaphors; self-esteem building & activities for at-risk children and youth; how to help cognitively inflexible young people; the importance of being family-friendly; why, how, and when to use incentives; the importance of controlling personal emotions (i.e. managing number one first); core strength-based verbal interventions including de-escalation techniques; respectful, relationship-based limit setting; and a host of creative cognitive behavioral strategies.

Strength-based practice is essentially about two words: Attitude & Actions. Strength-based practice is about the power of positive relationships.

April 4th, 2023: The Resilience Revolution: Transforming Young Lives by Creating Positive Staff and Peer Cultures
Dr. Larry Brendtro (co-author of Reclaiming Youth at Risk & co-developer of Circle of Courage)

Children are at risk when their needs are not met, triggering a host of emotional and behavioral challenges. Resilience research and neuroscience provide a blueprint for engaging young people so they can surmount difficult life experiences, develop strengths, and thrive. There are four factors that undergird resilience and thriving: trust, talent, power, and purpose.

However, many youth who most need positive adult relationships have experienced trauma and pain causing them to be “adult-wary.” They react with conflict or avoidance to even the most well-meaning adults. Young people who distrust adults keep them at bay with strategies of Fight, Flight, or Fool, or they Follow one another in group defiance of adults in authority. Successful youth workers need practical strategies to connect with kids in conflict, communicate in times of crisis, and restore harmony and bonds of respect.

Transformation involves becoming what one has never been before. This presentation highlights evidence-based principles and practical tools to transform young lives.

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