Past Conferences
34th Annual Conference on Youth (2023)
Go Be Great: COMMUNITIES Transforming Through Connection
SPEAKERS
OPENING KEYNOTE: MAURICE CLARETT
Former Ohio State running back and founder of The Red Zone
My Life. My Story. My Redemption. Maurice Clarett will share his journey of how he went from star football player to prison and how he ultimately found his redemption.
Kelly Ambriole (CEO of the Ox Agency, Optimizing People, Process, and Performance)
Generational Communication
Lead Yourself First
Monica Mendoza & August Haven
Growth Zone: Organizational Learning
Growth Zone: The Role of Vulnerability in Youth Work
Luke Niforatos (Executive Vice President, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions)
Hot Topics in the Efforts to Legalize All Drugs
Lessons Learned in Legalized States
Megan Helmen, Ph.D. (Developmental Discoveries Neuropsychology)
Neurodiversity: When Disability and Identity Intersect
Supporting Emotional Regulation in Neurodivergent Youth
Subtle but Significant: Autistic Individuals with Low Support Needs
Ericka Gergely (SPARK Learning Lab)
School Age Bullying Behaviors, Part 1
School Age Bullying Behaviors, Part 2
Emotion-Focused and Problem-Focused Coping Skills for School-Age Children
Help Me Get Unstuck
Tracking My Feelings
My Unstuck Wheel
Brant Hansen (STAR 88.3)
Unoffendable
Chynna Presley, BSW, MSOL (The Respect Team, STAR 88.3)
Goodbye, Imposter Syndrome!
CLOSING KEYNOTE: BRANT HANSEN
33rd Annual Conference on Youth (2022):
“Moving Forward: Restoring Meaningful Engagement”
SPEAKERS
Carlos Whittaker, Author
Opening Keynote
Dr. Krista Mehari, Department of Psychology, University of South Alabama
See the Spark and Call it Out: How Communities Can Build Hope in Youth
Rolling with Adolescence: How to Help Teens Solve Problems
Juan Bendaña, Top Youth Speakers
Culture of Engagement
Influence is EVERYTHING
Dr. Annemarie Grassi Amefia, Argonaut
WHEN I GROW UP… CRADLE TO CAREER
Creating an Impactful Career Training Model: The Potential Impact of Partnering Core Education with Experiential Thematic Learning
Staff Burnout - It’s Not Just You!
Adam F. C. Fletcher, Freechild Institute for Youth Engagement
Radical Youth Engagement
Closing Keynote
Clinton Faupel, RemedyLIVE; Nate Moellering & Alicia Wells, Allendale Treatment and Fort Wayne Recovery
Escapism: The Pain/Pleasure Balance and Dopamine Dominance
Dr. Michelle Drouin, Department of Psychology, PFW; and Dr. Kimberly O’Connor, Chair, Department of Organizational and Leadership Studies, PFW
The Balancing Act: How to Support Youth Mental Health and Development in A Tech-Fueled, Post-COVID World
Dr. Sandy Washburn & Ms. Deanna Nibarger, Indiana University Center on Education and Lifelong Learning
SEL: Understanding Misconceptions, Finding Common Ground and Putting Kids First
32nd Annual Conference on Youth (2021):
“Self-Healing Communities: Finding Strength Through Belonging”
SPEAKERS
Josh Shipp, Author
Dr. Amanda Zelechoski, Purdue University Northwest
Dr. Julie Washington, University of California - Irvine
Dr. Vincent Bacote, Wheaton College
D. J. Eagle Bear Vanas, Author
Ruben Perez, aha! Process
Deputy Chief Mitch McKinney, FWPD Panel Moderator
Jenny Sloan, LMSW, CTRT, Starr Commonwealth
Lisa Drennan, Founder of MERGE
David Dean, Comedian
Learning Objectives for the Annual Conference on Youth:
Identify best practices in working with youth
Understand the principles of positive youth development
Utilize new techniques in working with youth to increase mental and/or physical health and well-being of clients
Apply positive youth development concepts resulting in building resiliency factors
Have a working knowledge of the 40 Developmental Assets
Identify at least one community partner to rely on for related client services
Understand the benefits of using positive youth development concepts in working with youth and families
Understand how increasing assets in youth increases overall health and well-being
Apply prevention techniques to youth work and personal lives
Continuing Education Credits
Great KIDS is pleased to offer Continuing Education Units for LSW, LCSW, LMHC and LMFT licensure approved through Category One of the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.