Schedule

NOTE: we inadvertently left off Michael Clark and the title of his workshop from the conference schedule in the printed brochure which was mailed to the community on September 1, 2006. We apologize for the error.


Speakers will sign books throughout the day as time permits. Service fair will be open throughout the day in the Expo hall.  


 

Annual Conference on Youth - Past Conferences

2006

Thursday, October 5, 2006 7:15 a.m – 4:30 p.m.

7:15 a.m – 4:30 p.m.   l   Grand Wayne Convention Center 120 W. Jefferson Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN

Introduction:

The Power of Relationships

Understanding and employing the power of relationships is central to building resiliency, resolving conflict, and promoting positive youth development. As this year’s conference will demonstrate, relationship building is the essential component of any plan designed to help families and to protect children. Every serious study underscores that we must work with families. In doing so we must be prepared to truly partner with families to develop appropriate services tailored for their specific needs. Relationship building is at the core of strength based practices. This truth is at risk of being shadowed by emerging efforts to centralize services and to implement “one size fits all” social service plans. We, therefore, are again faced with the responsibility to be a voice for children and families. Thus, this fall we are facing new challenges and with them new opportunities. From the presentations at this conference you will be given the resources to speak as experts on the proper means by which families can be restored and children protected. And from this conference we can collectively demonstrate to the entire state the best practices for positive youth development. Join us on October 5, 2006 as we use the POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS to build a better future for our community. — Judge Charles F. Pratt

Keynotes

Victor Rivers, Actor and former NFL Player I Am the Child That the Village Helped Raise

In 1978 the Miami Herald dubbed Victor Rivers “The Longest Long Shot” when he became the first Cuban American to play two seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He defied the odds by playing in the position of offensive guard—a position usually reserved for football players much larger than he was at the time. In 1979, again as a long shot, he went on to Hollywood; attaining starring roles in television, film and on stage. Mr. River’s dramatic personal story also reflects an amazing portrait of a young man overcoming the odds. Cuban born, he came to the US with his family at age two. He endured horrific child abuse and witnessed domestic violence at the hands of his father. Thanks to the intervention of his community, he turned his life around, from gang member to class president. In 1999, Mr. Rivers became spokesman for the National Network to End Domestic Violence, and speaks on the power of communities to intervene and influence the lives of children.

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Michael Dorn, Executive Director, Safe Havens International Weakfish

Author and co-author of more than 20 books on school safety, Mr. Dorn’s expertise in public safety has been utilized by the FBI, US Department of Education, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, US Department of Homeland Security and the Israeli Police. Mr. Dorn is recognized as one of the top school safety experts in the world. Mr. Dorn’s book Weakfish—Bullying Through the Eyes of a Child will set the stage for his keynote address, as he puts a human face on the problem of bullying. He paints a realistic picture of Stephen, a young man working through the turbulent and murky waters of nonacceptance and fighting to survive.

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Fredric H. Jones, Ph.D., author of Tools for Teaching: Discipline-Instruction-Motivation and the Tools for Teaching Parent Edition DVD set Tools for Teaching

Dr. Jones has spent his career studying the management of highly effective parents and teachers. He has spent over three decades training parents, teachers and other youth and family serving professionals to use these skills. Dr. Jones’ keynote will discuss empowering adults through training so that they understand: “Calm is Strength, Upset is Weakness,” “The Body Language of Meaning Business,” “How to Deal with Backtalk,” and “Consistency and How to Achieve it.”

Workshops

Michael Dorn

Bullying

This session will emphasize practical strategies to reduce bullying rather than focusing on intervention techniques for specific instances of bullying. By focusing on the creation of an environment that is not conducive to bullying, adults can dramatically reduce the frequency and intensity of bullying in schools and facilities serving youth. Taught by an experienced practitioner from and to a practitioner’s viewpoint, this session will provide very specific concepts that can be applied in a range of settings.

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Fred Jones

Teaching Responsibility: How to Get Kids to Do What You Want Them to Do When You Want Them to Do It (morning)

In this session, Dr. Jones will address the following issues and attitudes: “I Was Not Put on This Earth to Be Your Servant,” “Why Should I?—Building Motivation,” strategies for teaching children to “Do It Right” and building and protecting relationships.

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Fred Jones

Meaning Business: How to Get Kids to Stop Doing What You Don't Want Them to Do (afternoon)

Dr. Jones’ afternoon session will walk you through exercises designed to teach: “Calm is Strength,” “The Body Language of Meaning Business,” and “How to Deal with Backtalk.” This training is a must for any youth and family serving professional.

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Donald Meichenbaum, Ph.D., Research Director of the Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention, Miami, FL, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Working with High-Risk Children, Adolescents and Families

 

One of the founders of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Dr. Meichenbaum was voted one of ten “most influential psychotherapists of the century,” in a survey of North American psychologists. Following a discussion of the challenges of working with high-risk children, adolescents and families, Dr. Meichenbaum will present a case conceptualization model of risk and protective factors that informs both assessment and treatment decision-making. He will consider how aggressive behavior and related problems develop and the implication for preventative and treatment interventions. He will describe how to employ evidenced-based practices with children, adolescents and parents.

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Carol Horn and Beverly Eikenberry, Education for Conflict Resolution, Inc.

Peace Tables

This presentation will focus on learning peacemaking skills at the elementary level. This violence prevention model has resulted in drops in numbers of fights and emergency removals in schools. The time-tested STEP method employs skills to reduce tension in the midst of bullying, threats, name-calling, and misunderstandings. Implementation of Peace Tables in the classroom provides students with the opportunity to learn a process to resolve their own conflicts. A trainer of the STEP method will explain the process and a teacher experienced with using the Peace Tables will share how this innovative approach works for her.

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Joe Martin, CISSP, National Security Executive, IBM Corporation

Internet Safety: Protecting Our Children on the Information Superhighway

The Internet provides both an incredible learning environment and a hostile neighborhood for children. This session is a review of the “Do’s and Don’ts” to assist parents, teachers, and youth serving professionals in keeping elementary and middle school students safe on the Internet. During this training we will cover the aspects of the Internet that can endanger children and will outline the simple and practical steps you can take to minimize those risks. Reference information will be provided as well as a question and answer time with this information security professional.

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Michael Clark, Director, Center for Strength-Based Practices, Mason, MI, Contractual Faculty Member, USDepartment of Justice

Harnessing the Power of the Relationship: Utilizing a Client-Directed Outcomes Informed Approach

Why does our field tout the power of treatment models when current research finds it’s the client who represents the real engine to change? Why must departments and agencies always be doomed to gain feedback about client relationships AFTER services have ended? Join this presentation to learn how to harness the tremendous power that relationships can offer, through the use of real-time feedback. Learn how to increase your effectiveness by 65%—without learning a new method or opening a new treatment manual.

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Jonah Eldelman, co-founder and Executive Director of Stand for Children

Building Advocacy Skills for Youth

In this workshop, leading national child advocate Jonah Edleman will provide a compelling overview of the basics of effective advocacy for children. The workshop will include powerful concepts and approaches that will help you build a stronger constituency for children, identify issues to work on, develop practical solutions, and learn how to communicate effectively about these solutions. Finally, you will learn how to develop effective strategies for winning decisionmakers’ support for your solutions. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to build your advocacy skills.