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10th Annual Wellness Together Conference has ended
Wednesday, September 9
 

11:00am PDT

Registration, Connection, & Networking
Wednesday September 9, 2026 11:00am - 5:00pm PDT
Start the Wellness Together Conference off with: 
  1. Drop-in registration
  2. Live music
  3. Lawn games
  4. Analog experiences
  5. Book exchange
  6. Art
  7. Connection

Wednesday September 9, 2026 11:00am - 5:00pm PDT
Ballroom 20 Lobby & Center Terrace

11:15am PDT

1:00pm PDT

1:15pm PDT

A Shared Musical Experience: James Sills
Wednesday September 9, 2026 1:15pm - 3:30pm PDT
James Sills’ mainstage session will help attendees:
  1. Reduce stress and emotional fatigue
  2. Build staff trust and morale
  3. Energize your team for the school year
Speakers
avatar for James Sills

James Sills

James is an award-winning musician, speaker, author and choirstarter whose work explores the power of collective singing to build connection and belonging. For more than two decades, he has brought together tens of thousands of people across the world from choirs to conferences, workshops... Read More →
Wednesday September 9, 2026 1:15pm - 3:30pm PDT
Ballroom 20 AB

1:15pm PDT

Keynote: Jean Twenge
Wednesday September 9, 2026 1:15pm - 3:30pm PDT
As a leading voice on generational change and the impact of technology on young people, Dr. Jean Twenge (iGen, Generations,10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World) will share her insights on the challenges shaping how the next generation lives, learns, and grows.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Jean Twenge

Dr. Jean Twenge

Jean M. Twenge, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, is the author of more than 190 scientific publications and seven books, including 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World and Generations: The Real Differences between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers... Read More →
Wednesday September 9, 2026 1:15pm - 3:30pm PDT
Ballroom 20 AB

1:15pm PDT

Keynote: Mychal Threets
Wednesday September 9, 2026 1:15pm - 3:30pm PDT
As the new host of Reading Rainbow and Resident Librarian for PBS, Mychal will equip your team with tools to foster belonging and curiosity in your schools.
Speakers
avatar for Mychal Threets

Mychal Threets

New host of Reading Rainbow and Resident Librarian for PBS
Mychal Threets is a librarian, mental health advocate, and, by his own admission, the library’s number-one fan.

A lifelong lover of libraries, Mychal was homeschooled and raised among the stacks, receiving his first library card at the age of five.

He began his career as a library shelver at the same library he grew up in, eventually working his way up to become its Supervising Librarian. Mychal is open and honest about his mental health, sharing his experiences in hopes of helping others on their own journeys. He’s known... Read More →
Wednesday September 9, 2026 1:15pm - 3:30pm PDT
Ballroom 20 AB

1:15pm PDT

Welcome Address: Richard Barrera
Wednesday September 9, 2026 1:15pm - 3:30pm PDT
Welcome to WTC10! Richard Barrera delivers the opening plenary welcome to kick off "This Helps Day," framing our shared mission for student mental health wellness.
Speakers
avatar for Richard Barrera

Richard Barrera

Senior Policy Advisor, California Department of Education
Richard Barrera was first elected to represent District D on the San Diego Unified School Board in 2008 and then re-elected by overwhelming margins in 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024.  During the 2008-2012 recession, he helped lead the District through the most devastating financial cutbacks... Read More →
Wednesday September 9, 2026 1:15pm - 3:30pm PDT
Ballroom 20 AB

1:15pm PDT

3:30pm PDT

Analog Activites
Wednesday September 9, 2026 3:30pm - 4:15pm PDT
Take a break from the main programming to log off, connect with others and enjoy some art, games, activities and music. Join us in the lobby outside the main ballroom and on the Center Terrace.

Enjoy: 
  1. Live music
  2. Lawn games
  3. Analog experiences
  4. Book exchange
  5. Art
  6. Connection
And more!
Wednesday September 9, 2026 3:30pm - 4:15pm PDT
Ballroom 20 Lobby & Center Terrace

4:15pm PDT

4:30pm PDT

Keynote: Chris Duffy
Wednesday September 9, 2026 4:30pm - 5:15pm PDT
Chris Duffy, TED podcast host, author, and comedian, shares how connection, laughter, and belonging can help re-energize classrooms, strengthen staff culture, and support students in an increasingly disconnected world.
Speakers
avatar for Chris Duffy

Chris Duffy

Author, comedian, and host of TED’s How to Be a Better Human podcast
Chris Duffy is a stand-up comedian who has worked as a television writer (Wyatt Cenac's Problem Areas on HBO, National Geographic Explorer) and is currently host of TED’s hit podcast How to Be a Better Human, winner of the 2025 Webby Award for Advice & How-To Podcasts. He has appeared... Read More →
Wednesday September 9, 2026 4:30pm - 5:15pm PDT
Ballroom 20 AB

4:30pm PDT

Keynote: Elyse Cohen
Wednesday September 9, 2026 4:30pm - 5:15pm PDT
Chris Duffy will sit down with Elyse Cohen as she shares about how she has lead organizations and programs such as Rare Beauty's Rare Impact Fund and Michelle Obama's Let's Move in order to improve student mental health across the nation. 
Speakers
avatar for Elyse Cohen

Elyse Cohen

President of the Rare Impact Fund, Chief Impact Officer at Rare Beauty
Elyse Cohen is the Chief Impact Officer at Rare Beauty and President of the Rare Impact Fund, the nonprofit launched by Selena Gomez with the goal of mobilizing $100M to expand access to mental health services for young people around the world. A pre-launch hire, Elyse helped shape... Read More →
Wednesday September 9, 2026 4:30pm - 5:15pm PDT
Ballroom 20 AB

4:30pm PDT

Keynote: Senator Weber Pierson
Wednesday September 9, 2026 4:30pm - 5:15pm PDT
Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson is a California State Senator, physician, and educator, bringing expertise across healthcare, education, and public policy. As Chair of the Senate Health Committee, she advocates for equitable healthcare access, housing, and student well-being. Learn more here.
Speakers
avatar for Senator Akilah Weber Pierson

Senator Akilah Weber Pierson

District 39, California State Senate
Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson is a medical doctor, educator, former City Councilmember, San Diego native, wife and mom of four boys – two biological and two stepsons.

Dr. Weber Pierson is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist, and she is the founder and past director of the Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology Division at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego. She also served as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics... Read More →
Wednesday September 9, 2026 4:30pm - 5:15pm PDT
Ballroom 20 AB

5:30pm PDT

Laughing Together Comedy Show Mixer
Wednesday September 9, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Kick off an evening of connection and comedy at our pre-show mixer! Before the main stage lights up with a night of stand-up and improv, join us on the Center Terrace to mingle, unwind, and get into the spirit of the evening.What to Expect:Drinks & RefreshmentsAppatizersGreat Music & VibesAdmission to the mixer is included with your WTC10 ticket. Doors to the Laughing Together Comedy Show will...
See More →
Wednesday September 9, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Center Terrace

6:30pm PDT

Laughing Together Comedy Night
Wednesday September 9, 2026 6:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Doors: 6:30 PM | Show: 7 PM
Wednesday September 9, 2026 6:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Ballroom 20 AB
 
Thursday, September 10
 

7:30am PDT

7:30am PDT

9:00am PDT

9:15am PDT

Keynote: CA Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber
Thursday September 10, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
Dr. Shirley N. Weber is California’s first Black Secretary of State and has spent decades advancing education, equity, and civil rights. Her extensive career in education and public service has included strengthening educational access, campus climate, and state accountability. Learn more here.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Shirley Weber

Dr. Shirley Weber

California Secretary of State
Thursday September 10, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
Ballroom 20 AB

9:15am PDT

Keynote: Chris Gethard
Thursday September 10, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT

Renowned comedian, author, and mental health advocate Chris Gethard brings his signature blend of humor and vulnerability to the main stage, sharing insights on human connection, resilience, and navigating mental health struggles.
Speakers
avatar for Chris Gethard

Chris Gethard

Comedian, Actor, and Author, Wellness Together
Chris Gethard is a comedian, podcaster, author, actor, and former television host. He’s been an active performer for over two decades. His work expanded to include mental health advocacy and activism after the release of his 2017 HBO special Career Suicide, in which he detailed... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
Ballroom 20 AB

9:15am PDT

Keynote: Dr. Aaliyah Maxwell
Thursday September 10, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
Drawing on a 25-year career bridging local practice, state leadership, and federal policy, Dr. Aaliyah Maxwell sets the stage with a thought-provoking address on advancing health, education, and community well-being.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Aaliyah Maxwell

Dr. Aaliyah Maxwell

Dr. Aaliyah A. Maxwell is a nationally recognized executive, board director, author, and bipartisan policy leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing education, workforce, and child and family well-being. She serves on the Virginia State Board of Education, is a Senior... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
Ballroom 20 AB
  Main Session
  • about Dr. Aaliyah A. Maxwell is a nationally recognized executive, board director, author, and bipartisan policy leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing education, workforce, and child and family well-being. She serves on the Virginia State Board of Education, is a Senior Fellow at Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child, and a corporate director for Horace Mann Educators Corporation. A former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education and CASEL President and CEO, she helps leaders connect research, policy, and practice to improve outcomes for children and famil

9:15am PDT

Keynote: Dr. Zainab Okolo
Thursday September 10, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
Zainab Okolo explores how today’s changing policy landscape is shaping youth mental health and education. Through an inspiring message of purpose and possibility, she’ll show how each of us, regardless of role or title, can help create meaningful change for young people.
Speakers
avatar for Zainab Okolo, Ed.D., LCMFT

Zainab Okolo, Ed.D., LCMFT

Senior Vice President of Policy, Advocacy & Government Relations, The Jed Foundation
Dr. Zainab Okolo is a seasoned expert in higher education policy and mental health, dedicating her career
to breaking down barriers for students, enabling them to thrive academically and lead fulfilling lives.
Currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Policy, Advocacy, and... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
Ballroom 20 AB

10:30am PDT

Laughing Together
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Improvised comedy has placed many legendary actors in television shows and movies - but it all started as social work. Laughing Together brings improv back to its roots, providing schools with workshops that allow participants to connect through the power of improvised play, bond through laughter, feel the joy of failure, practice unconditional support, and teach ways to communicate ideas simply...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Chris Gethard

Chris Gethard

Comedian, Actor, and Author, Wellness Together
Chris Gethard is a comedian, podcaster, author, actor, and former television host. He’s been an active performer for over two decades. His work expanded to include mental health advocacy and activism after the release of his 2017 HBO special Career Suicide, in which he detailed... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
33 A

10:30am PDT

Let’s Chat About Chatbots: Student Mental Health, Safety, and AI
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
We invite students, parents and caregivers, and educators to join us as we discuss the emerging concerns around chatbot use for mental health support. We will discuss why chatbots may seem preferable to seeking help from adults and how students and adults can build trusting relationships that offer authentic support. Participants will share their own perspectives and experiences throughout the...
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Speakers
avatar for Stephanie Loscko

Stephanie Loscko

Program Specialist, Orange County Department of Education
Stephanie Loscko is a Program Specialist of Youth Development Programs at the Orange County Department of Education. Since 2013, she has worked in various school-based prevention programs supporting students, parents/caregivers and school staff throughout Orange County. Her areas... Read More →
avatar for Stephan Lambert

Stephan Lambert

Coordinator, Prevention Education, Orange County Department of Education
Stephan Lambert is the Prevention Coordinator at the Orange County Department of Education. He has nineteen years of experience in substance use prevention, positive youth development, and family and community engagement. In his role at OCDE, he supervises an alcohol and other drug... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
33 C

10:30am PDT

Lighthouse Talk: Adult Resilience First: The Missing Link in Student Mental Health
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Join us for a dynamic 12-minute Lighthouse Talk, designed to showcase bold ideas, innovative practices, and inspiring stories shaping the future of student mental health and wellness. This presentation is one of four featured during this one-hour block. Due to the fast-paced format, there will be no formal Q&A, but we encourage you to connect with the speaker directly after the block to continue...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Meri McCoy-Thompson

Meri McCoy-Thompson

Executive Director, Dovetail Learning
Meri McCoy-Thompson is the Executive Director of Dovetail Learning, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening resilience and well-being in adults, youth, and children. Her work focuses on the often-invisible skills that help people stay grounded under pressure, work well together, and... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
30 C

10:30am PDT

Lighthouse Talk: Self-Care Accountability Buddies: A Collaboration Across the Pacific Ocean
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Join us for a dynamic 12-minute Lighthouse Talk, designed to showcase bold ideas, innovative practices, and inspiring stories shaping the future of student mental health and wellness. This presentation is one of four featured during this one-hour block. Due to the fast-paced format, there will be no formal Q&A, but we encourage you to connect with the speaker directly after the block to continue...
See More →
Speakers
WJ

Wendy J Lum

Workforce Development Hub Director, University of Hawai'i at Manoa - Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
30 C

10:30am PDT

Lighthouse Talk: The Invisible Self: Taking a Look Inside The Classroom
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Join us for a dynamic 12-minute Lighthouse Talk, designed to showcase bold ideas, innovative practices, and inspiring stories shaping the future of student mental health and wellness. This presentation is one of four featured during this one-hour block. Due to the fast-paced format, there will be no formal Q&A, but we encourage you to connect with the speaker directly after the block to continue...
See More →
Speakers
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
30 C

10:30am PDT

Lighthouse Talk: Values, Identity & Youth Mental Wellness
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Join us for a dynamic 12-minute Lighthouse Talk, designed to showcase bold ideas, innovative practices, and inspiring stories shaping the future of student mental health and wellness. This presentation is one of four featured during this one-hour block. Due to the fast-paced format, there will be no formal Q&A, but we encourage you to connect with the speaker directly after the block to continue...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Rudy Regalado

Rudy Regalado

Community Education Manager, PRO Youth
Hello! I serve as a community education manager at PRO youth. For the past eight years, I have worked in the nonprofit sector, supporting young people and reaching their goals. I pulled a masters degree in educational leadership from Sacramento state I have mentor youth supported... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
30 C

10:30am PDT

Making the Fee Schedule Work: Lessons, Strategies, and Next Steps
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
This session will open with a concise, high-level overview of the CYBHI Fee Schedule, followed by an overview of SDCOEs coordinated approach to engaging and supporting more than 100 Local Educational Agencies (LEAs). The two SDCOE faciliators will describe the three implementation models being used to build readiness and participation across diverse LEAs.The majority of the session will feature a...
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Speakers
avatar for Heather Nemour

Heather Nemour

Coordinator, Student Services and Programs Division, San Diego County Office of Education
Coordinator, Student Wellness & School Culture for the San Diego COE. Ms. Nemour supports the 42 school districts and schools across the county and state in suicide prevention and mental health & wellness.
VM

Violeta Mora

Program Specialist, San Diego County Office of Education
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
33 B

10:30am PDT

Making Wellness a Priority: Leadership Moves that Support Student Wellness Efforts
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
In this session, attendees will learn about San Diego Unified's journey in developing a districtwide wellness goal, the challenges they faced, the steps they took to ensure student voice stayed at the center of their efforts, and the ongoing refinements that are necessary given the complexities of defining and measuring "student wellness." Attendees will have the opportunity to analyze the...
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Speakers
avatar for Nicole Dewitt

Nicole Dewitt

Deputy Superintendent, Instruction, San Diego Unified School District
Nicole DeWitt began working in public education in 2002,  joining the San Diego Unified in 2017 as the Principal of Scripps Ranch High School. Prior to becoming a site administrator, she served as a Spanish and English classroom teacher, AVID instructor, English Learner Coordinator... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
31 C

10:30am PDT

Policy Meets Practice: Navigating Budgets, Politics, and CYBHI Realities
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
This session will provide an update on the most recent legislative, fiscal and policy actions occurring at the state level as well as an analysis of the current political landscape and the opportunities for youth mental health services and funding.
Speakers
avatar for Lee Angela Reid

Lee Angela Reid

Senior Legislative Advocate

Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
30 E

10:30am PDT

Rooted in Purpose, Driven by Possibility: The COELSC Story and What It Means for California School Counselors
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
What does it look like when county office leaders across California unite to advance the school counseling profession — with purpose, passion, and possibility at the forefront?COELSC — County Offices of Education Leadership for School Counseling — is a statewide network of California County Office of Education (COE) administrators who provide leadership, technical assistance, and...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Tanya Bulette

Dr. Tanya Bulette

Coordinator, PK-12 School Counseling Services, San Diego County Office of Education
Tanya Bulette, Ed.D., serves as the Coordinator for PK-12 School Counseling Services at the San Diego County Office of Education, where she supports and advocates for school counselors across 42 districts. In this role for the past seven years, Tanya has led countywide initiatives... Read More →
LN

Lori Narahara

College and Career Engagement Specialist, Tulare County Office of Education
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
30 D

10:30am PDT

Under Construction™: Adolescent Brain Development in Real Classrooms
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Under Construction™: Adolescent Brain Development in Real Classrooms is a highly interactive session translating adolescent brain science into practical, educator‑ready strategies that improve behavior, engagement, and learning. The session begins by addressing a common challenge in middle and high schools: adolescent behavior is often misunderstood and punished rather than interpreted through...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Tiffany Chaney

Dr. Tiffany Chaney

LPC S, PSC, Climate & Culture Specialist, Harris County Department of Education
At the heart of everything I do is a deep commitment to children. I believe every child deserves champions who see their strengths, nurture their potential, and help them navigate life's challenges. As a School Climate and Culture Specialist, I work to build school communities where... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Michelle B. Calhoun, LPC-S, PSC

Dr. Michelle B. Calhoun, LPC-S, PSC

Climate and Culture Specialist, Harris County Department of Education
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
32 A-B

11:30am PDT

1:15pm PDT

1:20pm PDT

Growing Up Now: Identity, Resilience, and Belonging - How Families, Communities, and Culture Shape the Next Generation
Thursday September 10, 2026 1:20pm - 2:15pm PDT

Dr. Anna Malaika Tubbs, Dr. Lisa Damour, and Dr. Nicole Stelter explore how identity, family, culture, and community shape young people’s emotional development and sense of possibility. This timely conversation offers practical, hopeful ways to foster resilience and belonging amid today’s complex challenges.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Nicole Stelter

Dr. Nicole Stelter

Blue Shield of California
avatar for Dr. Anna Malaika Tubbs

Dr. Anna Malaika Tubbs

Sociologist and Author of the New York Times Bestseller, The Three Mothers
Anna Malaika Tubbs is a New York Times bestselling author and multidisciplinary expert on current and historical understandings of race, gender, and equity. With a Ph.D. in Sociology and a Masters in Multidisciplinary Gender Studies from the University of Cambridge in addition to... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Lisa Damour

Dr. Lisa Damour

Clinical Psychologist, Bestselling Author, & Scientific Consultant for Disney-Pixar’s Inside Out 2
Dr. Lisa Damour is a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and internationally recognized expert on adolescent development and student mental health. For more than two decades, she has worked directly with young people and families while translating psychological research into... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 1:20pm - 2:15pm PDT
Ballroom 20 AB

2:30pm PDT

From Prevention into Practice: Sustainable Approaches to Suicide Intervention
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Many school systems have adopted suicide prevention policies, yet translating policy into consistent practice remains a challenge. This session highlights a proven, scalable approach developed by the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) that has supported more than 30 districts and charter schools in strengthening suicide intervention systems and informed California Assembly Bill...
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Speakers
avatar for Mara Madrigal-Weiss

Mara Madrigal-Weiss

Executive Director, SW & SC, San Diego County Office of Education
Executive Director of Student Wellness and School Culture for the SDCOE.
Committed to supporting the behavioral health needs of students, staff, and families across all school communities.
Passionate about:
Mental Health Literacy, Behavioral Health, Suicide Prevention, and Ending St... Read More →
avatar for Heather Nemour

Heather Nemour

Coordinator, Student Services and Programs Division, San Diego County Office of Education
Coordinator, Student Wellness & School Culture for the San Diego COE. Ms. Nemour supports the 42 school districts and schools across the county and state in suicide prevention and mental health & wellness.
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
30 E

2:30pm PDT

Emotionally Healthy Instructional Leader
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
This session is designed to support instructional leaders in strengthening their emotional health as a foundation for effective leadership. The presentation begins with guided reflection, where participants assess their current personal practices for maintaining emotional well-being while navigating the demands of their roles.From there, the session unpacks key principles that influence leadership...
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Speakers
avatar for Dayo Banjo

Dayo Banjo

Instructional Specialist, Montgomery County Public Schools
Dayo Banjo is an educator, certified personal development coach, author, and professional speaker with extensive experience in education and leadership development. She holds degrees from the University of Maryland College Park and Johns Hopkins University and earned her Administrative... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
33 C

2:30pm PDT

From System to Student: A Collaborative, Countywide Approach to Building an Integrated System of Care
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
We are grateful to be part of a countywide effort, led by the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE), in partnership with CalOptima, Rady Children’s Health (formerly CHOC Behavioral Health), and Anaheim Elementary School District (AESD). Together, we are working to better support the behavioral health, social-emotional, and mental health needs of students and families across Orange...
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Speakers
SD

Shirley Diaz

Program Specialist, Anaheim Elementary School District

MI

Mayu Iwatani

Senior Administrator, Mental Health and Wellness, Orange County Department of Education
Mayu Iwatani has 25 years combined experience in School Social Work, School Counseling, Student Services, Foster Care and Mental Health and Wellness in the educational field. She started her career as a School Social Worker in a district in Orange County, California, and since has... Read More →
avatar for Gabriela Hernandez

Gabriela Hernandez

Psychosocial Supervisor, Radys Childrens Health - Orange County
Gabriela “Gaby” Hernandez, LCSW is the Mental Health Inpatient Center Psychosocial Supervisor who joined CHOC Children’s in 2018 as one of the first therapists to open the Mental Health Inpatient Center. She oversees a team of 25 staff members including mental health therapists... Read More →
CK

Carmen Katsarov

CalOptima Health
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
30 D

2:30pm PDT

Going Analog in a Digital World
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
The challenge of fostering deep learning in 2026 is no longer a question of access to information, but of the brain’s ability to process it. This session bridges the gap between cognitive theory and classroom reality by examining how "analog" learning environments optimize the seat of executive function for memory encoding and cognitive endurance. While digital platforms prioritize speed and...
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Speakers
avatar for Tali Sherman

Tali Sherman

National Board Certified Teacher, Centinela Valley Union High School District
Tali Sherman is a National Board Certified Teacher with over two decades of experience in diverse Los Angeles educational settings. She is a leading expert in supporting schools with social and emotional learning (SEL) integration and as a skilled curriculum developer, educational... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
33 B

2:30pm PDT

Its Bigger Than Burnout: Naming the SPIN That Keeps Us in Hustle Mode
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Chronic stressors across every dimension of our lives, not just workplace demand, shape how we show up in the classroom and for ourselves. No matter how hard we try, a path out of hustle mode feels elusive. In a culture that keeps us teetering on burnout, what will help us anchor ourselves in sustainable practices that fit our lives, unravel shame, and find our way back to connection to ourselves,...
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Speakers
PJ

Portia Jackson Preston

California State University, Fullerton
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
31 C
  Breakout

2:30pm PDT

Sponsored Lighthouse Talk: A Connected System of Care for Student Behavioral Health
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Join us for a dynamic 12-minute Lighthouse Talk, designed to showcase bold ideas, innovative practices, and inspiring stories shaping the future of student mental health and wellness. This presentation is one of four featured during this one-hour block. Due to the fast-paced format, there will be no formal Q&A, but we encourage you to connect with the speaker directly after the block to continue...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Sara Potler LaHayne

Sara Potler LaHayne

Head of Behavioral and Mental Health, Riverside Insights
I lead the Behavioral and Mental Health business at Riverside Insights, where I am building the next generation of solutions to support the well being of students, educators, and families. Previously, I founded and led Move This World, a PreK through 12 behavioral and mental health... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
30 C

2:30pm PDT

Sponsored Lighthouse Talk: Belonging First: New Research on How Relationships Support Attendance & Behavior
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Join us for a dynamic 12-minute Lighthouse Talk, designed to showcase bold ideas, innovative practices, and inspiring stories shaping the future of student mental health and wellness. This presentation is one of four featured during this one-hour block. Due to the fast-paced format, there will be no formal Q&A, but we encourage you to connect with the speaker directly after the block to continue...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Kelsey Aijala

Kelsey Aijala

Director, District & School Engagement, Sown To Grow
Sown To Grow is a support platform that ensures every student is seen, supported, and learning at their best. We partner with schools and districts to improve student social, emotional, and academic health through easy and engaging check-ins that center student experiences in proactive... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
30 C

2:30pm PDT

Sponsored Lighthouse Talk: Wellbeing Is Not a Program—It’s the Operating System for Learning
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Join us for a dynamic 12-minute Lighthouse Talk, designed to showcase bold ideas, innovative practices, and inspiring stories shaping the future of student mental health and wellness. This presentation is one of four featured during this one-hour block. Due to the fast-paced format, there will be no formal Q&A, but we encourage you to connect with the speaker directly after the block to continue...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Naren Balasubramaniam

Naren Balasubramaniam

Co-Founder & CEO, Metamorphix, Inc
As social worker by training, I started my career helping families with students with developmental disabilities. After a long and successful career leading healthcare systems across the country, I started Metamorphix Inc with a singular vision : To close the 11-year gap between onset... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
30 C

2:30pm PDT

The Journey of Healing and Growth: How Moana Can Teach Us All
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Identity.  Community.  Purpose.  Meaning.  Bravery. Renewal.  Hope.  Our teens need to see themselves as part of a bigger story.  Disney's Moana gives a model.  This session will glean insights from the film that those who help kids can use to provide a sense of direction and purpose.  Our kids' challenges and wounds are framed as opportunities for...
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Speakers
avatar for Scott Leiker

Scott Leiker

Clinical Supervisor, Wellness Together
Scott has been a therapist and clinical supervisor for a long time.  Several years ago his youngest child started watching Moana - a lot.  So that meant that Scott watched it.  And, instead of being more and more annoyed, he became more and more intrigued.  Like so many great... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
31 A
  Breakout

2:30pm PDT

Understanding Jewish Identity and Antisemitism
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
School leaders play a vital role in fostering communities where every student can learn, grow, and thrive. At their best, schools cultivate a healthy learning environment that is safe, inclusive, and pluralistic. That work has become increasingly complex, as broader social and political tensions increasingly surface in school communities.We recognize that today’s administrators and educators are...
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Speakers
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
31 B

2:30pm PDT

EMPOWER Youth: Evidence-based and Scalable Approaches for Addressing Mental health for young people in non-clinical settings
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 4:45pm PDT
Led by Dr. Laura Bond and Emma Katherine Hill from Harvard’s Global Mental Health Lab, this session provides an accessible mental health skills training designed for anyone who works with children. Attendees will gain practical tools to cultivate empathy, facilitate collaborative problem-solving, and master conflict de-escalation strategies. Designed for non-clinical providers, this workshop...
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Speakers
BS

Britney Stone, MA, LMFT

Senior Director, Outreach & Engagement, Wellness Together
avatar for Emma Hill

Emma Hill

Research Assisstant, Harvard Medical School
avatar for Laura Bond

Laura Bond

Harvard Medical School, Harvard Medical School
Laura Bond, PhD, MA, is the Program Director at the Mental Health for All Lab. Laura's research is focused on task-shared mental health interventions, particularly in underserved communities. 
Our website:https://mentalhealthforalllab.hms.harvard.edu/

... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 4:45pm PDT
32 A-B

2:30pm PDT

From Launch to Scale with the CYBHI Multi-Payer Fee Schedule: Launching Your Program
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 4:45pm PDT
This two-part interactive session supports local educational agencies (LEAs) and public institutions of higher education (IHEs) at any stage of CYBHI Fee Schedule program implementation, whether preparing to submit their first claims or working to expand and optimize established school-based health programs. Each segment is practical, engaging, and rooted in real implementation...
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Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 4:45pm PDT
33 A

3:45pm PDT

Beyond the Headlines: How Emotional Intelligence Deepens Media Literacy
Thursday September 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
The presentation will showcase how RULER tools, such as Mood Meter, Meta-Moment, and Blueprint, can provide students with concrete strategies to navigate media and regulate their reactions and better engage in polarized online environments. Essentially, we are leveraging a decade of RULER  integration to create an innovative approach to media literacy education. In terms of flow, we move...
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Speakers
LR

Lisa Rosenstein

The Willows Community School
avatar for Brian Tousey

Brian Tousey

Head of Media Literacy, The Willows Community School
Thursday September 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
30 D

3:45pm PDT

Breaking the Scroll: How a One-Week Social Media Silence Shifted Student Focus and Well-Being
Thursday September 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
In response to rising concerns about teen anxiety, distraction, and digital overload, the LBHS counseling team designed a data-informed Social Media Silence Challenge: a voluntary, five-day social media detox paired with structured reflection and pre/post data collection.In this interactive session, participants will review data from the Social Media Silence at LBHS and how it impacted students’...
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Speakers
avatar for Alexis Mele

Alexis Mele

School Counselor, Laguna Beach High School
Alexis Mele is a high school counselor at Laguna Beach High School and an advisor of the LBHS Student Support Collective. She is a 14-year school counselor, a Nationally Board Certified Counselor, and holds her Associate Professional Clinical Counseling license. Alexis started her... Read More →
avatar for Megan Humphreys

Megan Humphreys

School Social Worker, Laguna Beach High School
Megan Humphreys is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker working within education for the past 10 years. She has provided mental health support in a variety of settings, including elementary- high school and alternative education. Megan has led peer support programming for the past 4... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
33 C

3:45pm PDT

Designed to Drift: Navigating Kids' Relationships with AI Chatbots
Thursday September 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
Talking to an AI chatbot can feel surprisingly personal. It agrees with you, asks how you're doing, sounds sure of itself, and acts like it already knows you. Those aren't accidents, they're design choices, and for developing minds, they can carry real risk.This session connects the research on how these design features work, the specific vulnerabilities they create for students, and what school...
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Speakers
avatar for Eisha Buch

Eisha Buch

Head of Teaching & Learning, Common Sense Media
Eisha Buch is the Head of Teaching and Learning at Common Sense Media, where she leads the K-12 Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum, reaching millions of students, educators, and families across 85,000+ schools worldwide. A former New York City teacher with over 15 years in education... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
31 C

3:45pm PDT

Every Conversation Counts: How Peer to Peer Mental Health Clubs Support Youth Mental Health
Thursday September 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
Mental health is a critical concern for all youth, youth face challenges during critical stages of development that can deeply impact their mental health. This workshop will highlight how school-based peer to peer mental health clubs have proven to be an effective, low-cost, and sustainable solution to provide social, emotional, and mental health support for students. By allowing students to...
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Speakers
avatar for Cristina McQuillen

Cristina McQuillen

Senior Manager of California, Bring Change to Mind
Thursday September 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
31 A

3:45pm PDT

GoodforMEdia: Centering Youth Voice in the Development of Healthier Social Media and AI Strategies, Policies, and Technologies
Thursday September 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
In the midst of a global youth mental health crisis and rising concern over social media and AI’s contributions to this, emerge calls for legislation, lawsuits, and policy reform. But to what extent are the experiences and ideas of actual young people being considered and heard? In this session, GoodforMEdia youth leaders and staff will explain why youth voice must be at the forefront of these...
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Speakers
ML

Marilyn Lopez Mota

Stanford Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing

Thursday September 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
30 C

3:45pm PDT

Reconnect Movement: A Phone Free Experience
Thursday September 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT

Speakers
avatar for Seán Killingsworth

Seán Killingsworth

Reconnect Movement
Seán Killingsworth is the Gen Z founder of The Reconnect Movement, a globally recognized movement creating phone-free social spaces across campuses, cities, and communities. His frameworks bring audiences from mistaking Gen Z as lazy antisocial addicts to having a deep compassionate... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
31 B

3:45pm PDT

The Choir Effect: Why Singing Together Creates Connection and Belonging
Thursday September 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
What happens when a room full of individuals starts singing together — and why can the effect feel so powerful?Following the collective singing experience in the opening keynote, this interactive session explores the science and psychology behind singing together — and what it can teach us about supporting the wellbeing of young people.James Sills will begin by exploring how singing can...
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Speakers
avatar for James Sills

James Sills

James is an award-winning musician, speaker, author and choirstarter whose work explores the power of collective singing to build connection and belonging. For more than two decades, he has brought together tens of thousands of people across the world from choirs to conferences, workshops... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
30 E

3:45pm PDT

Winning Beyond the Game: Coaching Strategies that Strengthen Mental Health and Performance
Thursday September 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
This presentation equips coaches, athletic directors, educators, and school leaders with practical strategies to support student-athlete mental health while improving performance and long-term development. The session begins by examining the growing prevalence of anxiety and depression among adolescents and highlights the influential role coaches play in shaping athletes' confidence, resilience,...
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Speakers
avatar for Clete Purinton, M. Ed.

Clete Purinton, M. Ed.

Principal, Roseville City School District
avatar for Ashleigh Purinton

Ashleigh Purinton

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Oasis Kids Counseling, Inc
Ashleigh is a licensed clinician with over 15 years of experience supporting youth and young adults ages 10–21. She is passionate about walking alongside tweens, teens, and college students as they navigate the changes and challenges of growing up. Ashleigh equips students with... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
33 B
  Breakout

5:00pm PDT

Leadership Dinner: Dr. Fabiola Bagula & Michael Tubbs
Thursday September 10, 2026 5:00pm - 7:30pm PDT

Speakers
avatar for Valerie Martinez

Valerie Martinez

Blue Shield of California
Valerie Martinez, DrPH(c), MPH, serves as the chief health equity officer for Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan. 
Valerie is characterized by her authenticity, fortitude, and commitment to advance health equity.  She leads the development and implementation of strategies to improve health equity and reduce health inequities for more than 600,000 of the Blue Shield Promise’s Medi-Cal members... Read More →
avatar for Michael Tubbs

Michael Tubbs

Former Mayor of Stockton, CA & Founder of End Poverty in California
Michael D. Tubbs was making history. In 2016, he was elected Mayor of Stockton at 26- years-old. He was the city’s first African-American Mayor and the youngest Mayor of any major city in American history. As Mayor, Tubbs was lauded for his leadership and innovation. He raised over... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Fabiola Bagula

Dr. Fabiola Bagula

Superintendent, San Diego Unified School District
Dr. Fabi Bagula, Superintendent for the San Diego Unified School District, advances dynamic, large-scale change initiatives that improve outcomes for students and educators in public TK-12 systems. Her bicultural upbringing and experiences on the San Diego border have informed and... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 5:00pm - 7:30pm PDT
Center Terrace

5:15pm PDT

Embarcadero & Seaport Village Walking Tour (Limited Spots!)
Thursday September 10, 2026 5:15pm - 6:15pm PDT
A historic walking tour of the Embarcadero & Seaport Village. Guests will enjoy beautiful views of the bay andlearn about Coronado Island, the Maritime and Naval Industries and historic Seaport Village.Your tour will begin at San Diego Bayfront Park, located on the backside of the convention center close to the Hilton Bayfront Hotel. Magda will be your tour guide, who will have a sign...
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Thursday September 10, 2026 5:15pm - 6:15pm PDT
San Diego Bayfront Park San Diego, CA 92101

5:15pm PDT

Restorative Yoga in the Park (Limited Spots!)
Thursday September 10, 2026 5:15pm - 6:15pm PDT
Enjoy one-hour of restorative yoga along the marina guided by professionals, Evelyn & Tania, from Desert Breeze Yoga. Take this opportunity to recharge, reconnect, and refocus.Mats will be provided. Please bring your own water. Arrive anytime between 4:55 and 5:10PM.Directions: Embarcadero Marina Park South is located behind the Convention Center, right on the San Diego Bay. Exit the back of the...
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Thursday September 10, 2026 5:15pm - 6:15pm PDT
Embarcadero Marina Park South
 
Friday, September 11
 

7:30am PDT

8:00am PDT

Braiding Vision, Funding, and Partnerships to Sustain School-Based Wellness Models
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Developing and sustaining an integrated school-based wellness model requires more than adding services, it requires leadership moves that build coherence across vision, funding, partnerships, and systems. This session will share lessons from the Placer County Office of Education’s work to develop an integrated wellness model connected to Placer County’s broader System of Care. Participants...
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Speakers
avatar for Luke Anderson

Luke Anderson

Executive Director, Prevention Supports and Services, Placer County Office of Education & CA PBIS
Luke Anderson, Ed.S., BCBA, is the Executive Director of Prevention Supports and Services at the Placer County Office of Education. He leads efforts to build integrated systems of support that connect education, behavioral health, and community partners to improve student well-being... Read More →
avatar for Ali Murphy

Ali Murphy

Mental Health Director, Placer County Office of Education
Ali Murphy, LMFT, is the Director of Mental Health in the Prevention Supports and Services Department at the Placer County Office of Education. Within this role, Ali oversees school-mental health program integration including the implementation of Wellness Centers and school-based... Read More →
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
33 B

8:00am PDT

Every Student Known: A Scalable Advocacy Center Model in Action for Whole-School Wellness, Belonging, and School Success
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
In today’s complex school environments, connection and well-being are among the most powerful drivers of social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health and school success. This session explores how Advocacy Centers operationalize this understanding by aligning people, proven practices, and early intervention to ensure no student falls through the cracks. Framed as a “compass” for effective...
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Speakers
avatar for Mary Crnobori

Mary Crnobori

District Coordinator of Trauma-Informed Schools, Metro Nashville Public Schools
Dr. Mary Crnobori is the District Coordinator of Trauma-Informed Schools for Metro Nashville Public Schools. She leads a team of 7 district Trauma-Informed Specialists and oversees 72 fully staffed elementary school Advocacy Centers, or designated regulation spaces designed to support... Read More →
avatar for Courtney Jenkins

Courtney Jenkins

Metro Nashville Public Schools
CC

Christine Croom

Metro Nashville Public Schools
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
31 C

8:00am PDT

Lighthouse Talk: I’m Glad You’re Here: How Unconditional Positive Regard Promotes Well-Being
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Join us for a dynamic 12-minute Lighthouse Talk, designed to showcase bold ideas, innovative practices, and inspiring stories shaping the future of student mental health and wellness. This presentation is one of four featured during this one-hour block. Due to the fast-paced format, there will be no formal Q&A, but we encourage you to connect with the speaker directly after the block to continue...
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Speakers
avatar for Kassie Cardona

Kassie Cardona

Pupil Personnel Worker, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
My name is Kassie Cardona and I’m a Pupil Personnel Worker in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. I have worked for 20 years as a Mental Health Professional and Educator and I continue to learn as I serve children and families each day. The best way to explain my professional role is... Read More →
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
30 E

8:00am PDT

Lighthouse Talk: Mind Out Loud
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Join us for a dynamic 12-minute Lighthouse Talk, designed to showcase bold ideas, innovative practices, and inspiring stories shaping the future of student mental health and wellness. This presentation is one of four featured during this one-hour block. Due to the fast-paced format, there will be no formal Q&A, but we encourage you to connect with the speaker directly after the block to continue...
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Speakers
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
30 E

8:00am PDT

Lighthouse Talk: Navigating the Licensure Bottleneck: Accelerating and Diversifying the Youth Mental Health Workforce
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Join us for a dynamic 12-minute Lighthouse Talk, designed to showcase bold ideas, innovative practices, and inspiring stories shaping the future of student mental health and wellness. This presentation is one of four featured during this one-hour block. Due to the fast-paced format, there will be no formal Q&A, but we encourage you to connect with the speaker directly after the block to continue...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Kristina Gordon

Dr. Kristina Gordon

Assistant Professor, California Baptist University
Dr. Kristina West Gordon is an Assistant Professor and Director of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program at California Baptist University. She also serves as the Director of the Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Career Accelerator in Southern California, leading efforts to expand... Read More →
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
30 E

8:00am PDT

Lighthouse Talk: The AI Sandwich & Authentic Student Learning and Leadership
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Join us for a dynamic 12-minute Lighthouse Talk, designed to showcase bold ideas, innovative practices, and inspiring stories shaping the future of student mental health and wellness. This presentation is one of four featured during this one-hour block. Due to the fast-paced format, there will be no formal Q&A, but we encourage you to connect with the speaker directly after the block to continue...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Dave Heitman

Dr. Dave Heitman

Leadership Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, JESSUP UNIVERSITY
Dave is originally from California and has studied and worked in over 30 countries. Dave has worked in higher education since 2001, completing an Ed.D. in Innovation and Leadership from University of the Pacific. Dave is passionate about developing leaders to produce change and build... Read More →
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
30 E

8:00am PDT

Navigating Youth Digital Wellbeing: Practical Tools for Trusted Adults in School Communities
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Educators, mental health professionals, administrators, and community partners are often the trusted adults students turn to when online experiences become overwhelming or harmful. This session introduces the Digital Futures Curriculum as a practical framework for helping school communities support youth digital wellbeing through shared language, supportive conversations, and a coordinated...
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Speakers
avatar for Ryan Skaggs

Ryan Skaggs

Chief, Office of School Health, CDPH Office of School Health
Ryan Skaggs MPH is the program manager of the CDPH Office of School Health (OSH) where he oversees a variety of initiatives in areas including behavioral health, infectious diseases, and school-based healthcare. Prior to leading OSH, he served as Lean Transformation Manager in the... Read More →
avatar for Michael D. Corral

Michael D. Corral

Research Scientist and Project Director, UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools

Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
31 B
  Breakout

8:00am PDT

Staff First, Students Always: A Whole-School Approach to Routines, Relationships, & Responsive Mental Health Support
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Most mental health support systems are designed from the student up. But sustainable, proactive support requires starting with the adults who make belonging possible.At Scholarship Prep, staff wellness and community come first, and inform the culture of belonging for students. "Tier 0" efforts aimed at adult wellness and structured time for community building strengthen the capacity for truly...
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Speakers
avatar for Alisha Rodriguez

Alisha Rodriguez

School Counselor, Scholarship Prep
Ms. Alisha Rodriguez is a highly motivated school counselor and 504 Site Coordinator with over six years of experience in education. As a dedicated student advocate and lifelong learner, she is committed to supporting the academic, social-emotional, and personal growth of all students... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Zaia Vera

Dr. Zaia Vera

Executive of District Partnerships and Impact, Sown To Grow
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
33 A

8:00am PDT

StrengthIn.Youth: Building Peer Support Capacity through Adult-Youth Collaboration
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
StrengthIn.Youth was developed during 3.5+ years of community-based participatory research. Through ongoing youth consultation, we learned that young people seek adult guidance and collaboration, but they need frameworks for navigating these sometimes complex situations effectively and safely. We also learned that when young people face mental health challenges, they turn to their peers first,...
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Speakers
ML

Marilyn Lopez Mota

Stanford Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing

LA

Laura Avila

UC San Diego
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
31 A

8:00am PDT

Supporting Youth Mental Health with Notice. Talk. Act. ® at School
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Notice. Talk. Act. ® at School is an interactive mental health training program designed for K–12 educators and school personnel, regardless of their role or prior experience in behavioral health. The training equips school and district staff with practical skills to recognize early warning signs of mental health concerns, engage students in supportive and compassionate conversations, and...
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Speakers
avatar for Kate Berg

Kate Berg

Director, School and Justice Initiatives, APAF
Kate Berg, MA is a youth mental health advocate and education strategist with over fifteen years of experience leading systems-level change in school settings. Her work focuses on advancing equitable, trauma-informed approaches that support the mental health and well-being of young... Read More →
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
33 C

8:00am PDT

When Suspension Is the Default: Building a DIY MTSS for Substance Use in Schools
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Across many school systems, substance use is still met first with suspension, even when educators know exclusion alone rarely changes behavior and often disconnects students from support. This session opens with a brief rural school context and invites participants to quickly map the systems currently in place within our own settings, surfacing the tension between suspension-based responses and...
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Speakers
avatar for Alex Kunesh

Alex Kunesh

Mental Health Clinician, Bret Harte Union High School District
Hi! Let’s talk all things travel, anything along the river - fish, raft, dip, and the best way to our hearts - food, sourdough and other great recipes, San Diego eats. 


As for our profession - I am classroom instruction converted to mental health and program leadership. I bring a educationally based approach to clinical work. I love being embedded in my school, collaborating with teachers and systematizing programs so that we can keep moving. At the... Read More →
Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
32 A-B
  Breakout

9:15am PDT

Beyond the Degree: Navigating Your Path as a California Certified Wellness Coach (CWC)
Friday September 11, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
The Challenge: The "Experience Trap" & Youth DistressCollege students and recent grads face a frustrating paradox: they are passionate about solving the youth mental health crisis, but entry-level jobs often demand years of clinical experience or expensive master's degrees. Meanwhile, California youth are drowning in stress and isolation, desperately needing relatable, culturally responsive...
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Speakers
avatar for Kimberly Lee

Kimberly Lee

Sr. Director, Operations, Wellness Together
I'm Kim Lee, Senior Director of Operations at Wellness Together. I oversee HR, IT, and internal communications for the organization. Talk to me about what it's actually like to work here, whether you're curious about joining the team as a Mental Health Specialist, becoming a Certified... Read More →
Friday September 11, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
33 B

9:15am PDT

Certified Wellness Coaches: Statewide Updates, Early Impact, and Direct Insights from a CWC and CWC Employer
Friday September 11, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
Learn about the latest updates and impacts of California’s new Certified Wellness Coach (CWC) profession from the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), a workforce helping schools expand prevention and early intervention support for children and youth. In this informational session, HCAI will share recent developments, early outcomes, and hear insights from a local employer...
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Speakers
avatar for Samantha Sadler

Samantha Sadler

Health Program Specialist, California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI)
Samantha Sadler is a Health Program Specialist with the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) Office of Health Workforce Development (OHWD) in the Behavioral Health and Policy Branch. She brings experience in behavioral health, community organizing, and public policy... Read More →
avatar for Angela Brand

Angela Brand

Health Care Access and Information
avatar for Gloria Cota

Gloria Cota

Certified Wellness Coach, San Diego Unified School District
avatar for Kate Edra

Kate Edra

Wellness Operations Specialist, San Diego Unified School District
Friday September 11, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
33 A

9:15am PDT

Fee Schedule in Practice: Audit Preparedness, Compliance, and Real-World Operations
Friday September 11, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
This session will focus on: Audit Preparedness: Guidance on compliance requirements and strategies to ensure audit readiness.Navigating Medical Necessity: Recommendations for establishing and documenting medical necessity within school-based settings.ORP Responsibilities: Practical guidance on Ordering, Referring, and Prescribing (ORP) requirements.Rural & Universal...
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Speakers
Friday September 11, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
31 C

9:15am PDT

Grief-Informed Schools: From Awareness to Action
Friday September 11, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
This session aims to equip school professionals with knowledge and tools to better support grieving students. Participants will explore foundational grief theory, including grief across developmental stages and the impact on behavior, relationships, attendance, and academic performance. As mental well-being is a foundation for learning, students cannot fully engage academically when grief and loss...
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Speakers
avatar for Samira Moosavi

Samira Moosavi

Grief Education Manager, Experience Camps
Samira Moosavi is the Grief Education Manager at Experience Camps. A Certified Thanatologist and Child Life Specialist, she provides children’s grief education, leads caregiver and youth advisory boards, and cultivates strategic partnerships to strengthen grief-informed communities... Read More →
Friday September 11, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
32 A-B

9:15am PDT

Looking Up to Light Up How 27 Teenage Girls Traded Digital Noise for Real-World Connection
Friday September 11, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
The presentation will begin by showing our brief media clips, including our CBS special, as well as some overall adolescent youth and mental health statistics. I will then go into what our specific group of 27 girls did. The presentation will break down the specifics and details with regard to their 30 day digital detox, including (and especially) their before and after questionnaires and...
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Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Riboni Christensen

Jennifer Riboni Christensen

The Digital Detox Mom
Friday September 11, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
33 C

9:15am PDT

Reconnect Movement: A Phone Free Experience
Friday September 11, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT

Speakers
avatar for Seán Killingsworth

Seán Killingsworth

Reconnect Movement
Seán Killingsworth is the Gen Z founder of The Reconnect Movement, a globally recognized movement creating phone-free social spaces across campuses, cities, and communities. His frameworks bring audiences from mistaking Gen Z as lazy antisocial addicts to having a deep compassionate... Read More →
Friday September 11, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
31 B

9:15am PDT

The CBO Model: How California Districts Are Expanding Access Through CYBHI
Friday September 11, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
As California districts implement CYBHI, many are looking for ways to expand behavioral health capacity without adding operational burden to school staff. Join TadHealth and Wellness Together on Friday, September 11th at 9:15am PST to see how the CBO model can support a more connected approach to implementation. Panelists will cover:How clinical services, CBO support, and billing work togetherWhat...
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Speakers
avatar for Lizbet Betancio

Lizbet Betancio

Mental Health Specialist, Wellness Together
avatar for Tayler Trotter

Tayler Trotter

Program Director, Mental Health Services, Wellness Together
avatar for Jen Athanacio

Jen Athanacio

Head of Product Education, TadHealth

avatar for Victoria Vega

Victoria Vega

Product Marketing Manager, TadHealth
TadHealth is a school-based Electronic Health Record (EHR) designed for K-12 mental health professionals and student support teams. Trusted by districts across California, TadHealth simplifies documentation, care coordination, and CYBHI reimbursement workflows to help schools sustainably... Read More →
avatar for Lorraine McClay

Lorraine McClay

Certified Wellness Coach, Wellness Together
Friday September 11, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
31 A

10:30am PDT

A Revenue Generating Model of School-Based Mental Health
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Students' mental health is a concern. It can look like chronic absenteeism, disruptive behavior, isolation, poor or failing grades, and so much more. While the state has invested an unprecedented number of resources in addressing this matter, challenges with implementation, access, and feasibility remain. Two counties in Northern CA have formed partnerships with local Community Health Centers...
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Speakers
MR

Matt Reddam

School & Community Mental Wellness Advisor, Butte County Office of Education

TD

Tyson Dickinson

Director - Behavioral Health & Well-being, SCOE
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
33 C

10:30am PDT

California Behavioral Health Apprenticeship Collaborative: Wellness Coach
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
This session will explore how registered apprenticeship and earn-and-learn workforce models can expand and strengthen the behavioral health workforce by creating accessible, supported pathways into the field for individuals with lived experience and nontraditional educational backgrounds. Participants will learn how California’s behavioral health apprenticeship initiatives are being used to...
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Speakers
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
33 A

10:30am PDT

Care in Action: Building Systems of Support in Schools for Immigrant Students and Families
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
The community of Oceanside has been heavily impacted by ICE. Our team in OUSD is working to keep our students and families safe through policies, practices, staff trainings, know your rights trainings for the community, collaboration with local organizations and tailored supports for families. In our presentation we will share what we have done so far in our district and provide tangible steps for...
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Speakers
avatar for Maria Al-Shamma

Maria Al-Shamma

Lead District Social Worker and LGBTQ+ Youth Liaison , Oceanside Unified School District
Maria Al-Shamma (she/her) is Lead District Social Worker & LGBTQ+ Youth Liaison in Oceanside Unified School District. She serves on the boards of both the North County LGBTQ Resource Center and the California Association of School Social Workers. She is a , Welcoming Schools National... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Jordy Sparks

Dr. Jordy Sparks

ExecDirector, Diversity Equity Inclusion & Student Supports, Oceanside Unified
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Cynthia Hernandez

District Social Worker, Oceanside Unified School District
JP

Jaimie Pandzic

District Social Worker, Oceanside Unified School District
RM

Rosana Martinez

Oceanside Unified School District
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
33 B

10:30am PDT

Lighthouse Talk: allcoveTM - Where Every Youth Belongs, Chooses the Support They Need and Thrives
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Join us for a dynamic 12-minute Lighthouse Talk, designed to showcase bold ideas, innovative practices, and inspiring stories shaping the future of student mental health and wellness. This presentation is one of four featured during this one-hour block. Due to the fast-paced format, there will be no formal Q&A, but we encourage you to connect with the speaker directly after the block to continue...
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Speakers
avatar for DeAndre James

DeAndre James

Executive Director, Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley
As Executive Director of the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, DeAndre’ James takes an active role as a leader and activist in the community. He works with both the board and staff to implement the strategic plan and explores new opportunities. His personal mission is to... Read More →
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
30 E

10:30am PDT

Lighthouse Talk: Empowering Youth to Create Ripple Effects in Their Communities
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Join us for a dynamic 12-minute Lighthouse Talk, designed to showcase bold ideas, innovative practices, and inspiring stories shaping the future of student mental health and wellness. This presentation is one of four featured during this one-hour block. Due to the fast-paced format, there will be no formal Q&A, but we encourage you to connect with the speaker directly after the block to continue...
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Speakers
avatar for Cheryl Eskin

Cheryl Eskin

Senior Director, Teen Line, a Program of Didi Hirsch
Teen Line, a Program of Didi Hirsch, is a hotline for teens staffed by teens.  Los Angeles-based trained teen listeners take calls, texts or emails from teens all over the country.  No problem is too big or too small for our teen listeners.  Teen Line is open every night 6-10 PM... Read More →
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
30 E

10:30am PDT

Lighthouse Talk: Nothing Heals Like Sport
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Join us for a dynamic 12-minute Lighthouse Talk, designed to showcase bold ideas, innovative practices, and inspiring stories shaping the future of student mental health and wellness. This presentation is one of four featured during this one-hour block. Due to the fast-paced format, there will be no formal Q&A, but we encourage you to connect with the speaker directly after the block to continue...
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Speakers
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
30 E

10:30am PDT

Reimagining School-Based Mental Health: An LEA’s Journey to ERMHS Implementation
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
This presentation shares one LEA’s journey to bringing Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) in-house after years of relying on an outside provider. Presenters will walk through the evolution of the program—from examining existing practices and conducting research to developing an assessment process and building a multidisciplinary clinical team. The session will highlight...
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Speakers
GF

Gina Fabrizio

Director of Special Education, Visalia Unified School District
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Theb Manivanh

Lead Clinician, Visalia Unified School District
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Heather Chambers-Plett

Psychologist, Visalia Unified School District
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Thomas Vanderhoek

Visalia Unified School District
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
31 B

10:30am PDT

The Avoidance Trap: Unpacking Internalizing Disorders, School Refusal, and the Path Back to the Classroom
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Chronic absenteeism driven by anxiety and internalizing distress has reached unprecedented levels in K–12 education. Clinicians, school personnel, and families often struggle to distinguish between externalizing truancy and anxiety-based school refusal, leading to interventions that inadvertently exacerbate student avoidance.This 60-minute course provides mental health practitioners with a...
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Speakers
avatar for Corinne Brodnicki

Corinne Brodnicki

Clinicial Coordinator/Supervisor, Wellness Together

Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
32 A-B
  Breakout

10:30am PDT

The Power of Peer to Peer Wellness
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Student-Powered Wellness is a 60-minute, hands-on breakout that helps school staff engage students in leading peer-to-peer wellness activities.Participants will:* Reflect on how students experience wellness at school.* Evaluate whether current activities are created for, with, or by students.* Explore why students may respond more positively to their peers.* Practice asking students what they need...
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Speakers
avatar for Alexis Woodard

Alexis Woodard

Director of Southern California, HealthCorps Inc.

Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
31 A

10:30am PDT

What Gilligan’s Island Taught Me About Trauma Response - Navigating vicarious trauma, grief, and healing in school communities
Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
This session uses the familiar world of Gilligan’s Island to explore what happens to adults during and after traumatic events in school communities. While much of the conversation around trauma focuses on helping students, this presentation looks at the emotional weight carried by educators, counselors, administrators, first responders, and trusted adults who continue showing up for others while...
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Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
31 C

1:00pm PDT

Restorative Yoga in the Park (Limited Spots!)
Friday September 11, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Enjoy one-hour of restorative yoga along the marina guided by professionals, Evelyn & Tania, from Desert Breeze Yoga. Take this opportunity to recharge, reconnect, and refocus.Mats will be provided. Please bring your own water. Arrive anytime between 12:40 and 12:55PM.Directions: Embarcadero Marina Park South is located behind the Convention Center, right on the San Diego Bay. Exit the back of the...
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Friday September 11, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Embarcadero Marina Park South

1:30pm PDT

Embarcadero & Seaport Village Walking Tour (Limited Spots)
Friday September 11, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
A historic walking tour of the Embarcadero & Seaport Village. Guests will enjoy beautiful views of the bay andlearn about Coronado Island, the Maritime and Naval Industries and historic Seaport Village.Your tour will begin at San Diego Bayfront Park, located on the backside of the convention center close to the Hilton Bayfront Hotel. Magda will be your tour guide, who will have a...
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Friday September 11, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
San Diego Bayfront Park San Diego, CA 92101
 
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