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Ways to Support Lonely Adolescents presented by Gene Beresin, MD, MA
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WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
In May 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General sounded the alarm on an epidemic of loneliness in the United States, with some of the highest rates among Gen Z (those ages 11 to 26). Are you worried about a child or teenager who is struggling with loneliness? Do you know a child who may be at risk?
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, young people had been struggling with feelings of loneliness and isolation. Gene Beresin, MD, MA, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and clinical educator of more than 40 years, has been following and concerned about this trend for years. In this webinar, Dr. Beresin will outline the causes and risks for loneliness among adolescents, review recommendations for parents and caregivers from the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory and provide more depth and practical guidance on ways to implement these recommendations in everyday life.
Register Here
Learning Objectives
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Be able to cite underlying causes and negative health consequences of loneliness
- Understand the major components for secure attachment
- Model healthy social connections for students
- Help students to develop relationships with supportive adults
- Encourage healthy social connections between students
- Identify behaviors and experiences that may increase the risk for social disconnection
- Recognize signs of a mental health concern in students
PRESENTER BIOGRAPHY
Gene Beresin, MD, MA is Executive Director of the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Director of Education for the Division of Professional and Public Education in the MGH Department of Psychiatry, and a full Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. As a child and adolescent psychiatrist and clinical educator of more than 40 years, Dr. Beresin has focused on prevention, early intervention, and treatment of teens and young adults. He has been a keynote speaker at local and international conferences, and is often called upon by news media to weigh in on issues relevant to this vulnerable population and the unique impact of societal issues.
Dr. Beresin has consulted with a variety of television shows including ER, Law and Order SVU, and Parentalogic by PBS NOVA. He was Consultant to the Emmy Award winning HBO children’s specials, Goodnight Moon and Other Sleepytime Tales (2000), Through a Child’s Eyes: September 11, 2001 (2003) and Classical Baby (2005). Dr. Beresin currently co-hosts the Clay Center podcast, Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple.
In addition to his current role at The Clay Center, Dr. Beresin also directs the Elizabeth Thatcher Acampora Endowment, an outreach program to meet the needs of underserved youth and families in three community settings. Dr. Beresin has served as a leader of many national organizations and has won a number of local and national teaching awards. He is currently serving a term as President of the American College of Psychiatrists.
Grant Funding Opportunity thru the 2023-2024 Healthy Living for Everyone – A Unified Voice Program
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Grant Funding From Massachusetts PTA to Support Your PTA
Massachusetts PTA is proud to be able to offers awards or funding to honor or support PTAs as they engage families, support student success, improve the health and safety of students and families, increase access to arts education or celebrate advocacy and diversity.
$6,000 in Grants To Be Awarded as Twelve (12) $500 Grants to Local Units
The Massachusetts PTA, through the generosity and funding of two of our major Sponsors and Donors, Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) and Mountain America Credit Unit (MACU), has been given the opportunity to award twelve (12) $500 grants to individual PTA Units across the state. That will be 12 Units who will be able to initiate new programs and/or continue program Health, Safety and Wellness events. It is our hope that all of you will seize this possibility of funding for your PTA Unit’s Health, Safety and Wellness Programs either already in existence and/or programs that are yet on the horizon for you to engage in.
Awards Timeline
The funding will be announced and awarded on April 6th at the MA PTA Annual Meeting. A representative of each of the twelve PTA Unit Awardees will have to be present at the MA PTA 2024 Annual Meeting to accept the $500 Gran Award. The grant project will begin on May 1, 2024, and conclude on June 30th, 2025. As you can see this will span a duration of 14 months, allowing you time to organize, develop, plan, and implement your Health, Safety and Wellness program event.
This occasion is an exciting time for Massachusetts PTA (MA PTA) and your PTA’s leadership, membership, and communities to collaborate with the MA PTA and your local PTA Unit in the endorsements of these mini grant applications and programs with focus on Health, Safety and Wellness. The MA PTA will also provide guidance and support throughout the project and year. A total of twelve proposed grants will each be awarded $500 for a total of $6,000 from our two generous donors, MTA and MACU. The entire $500 grant award goes directly to the 12 individual PTA units involved with and for the project.
The MA PTA is inviting you and your Local PTAs to be part of this project. We seek you because we believe that, as PTA units, you are strong, productive, and committed to the mission: “EveryChild. OneVoice.” For these reasons, we invite you to be part of this program and the initiative to continue serving your community schools, families, and all children! We hope you are interested and will seize this opportunity to assist you. Please see the general regulations and timeline provided at the bottom of this letter invitation and attachment.
Besides the Healthy Living for Everyone Health Safety and Wellness Grants Massachusetts PTA is offering your local unit, National PTA also offers significant funding to support local efforts for your students, families and community to participate in educational activities that are engaging, inspiring and fun.
Massachusetts PTA is committed to promoting and encouraging diversity, equity and inclusion as part of our commitment to every child. In addition to evaluating the merits of each application, geography, need, and other criteria may be considered to ensure a robust and diverse pool of grantees.
Purpose and Goals of Project:
Mission of MA PTA Health Safety and Wellness Initiatives: Massachusetts Parent Teacher Association believes that All Massachusetts children and families should be safe and live in an environment that promotes Health, Well-being, Confidence, Equity and Security free of all harm, dangers, and ill-treatment including racist, unjust, and biased attitudes and behaviors. To this end, the Massachusetts PTA, through the Massachusetts PTA Health, Safety and Wellness Standing Committee (the Health Committee), will explore, promote, and develop activities, resources and partnerships to assist with this purpose.
Projects should encompass any aspect(s) of MA PTA Mission as well as your own PTA Unit’s Health Mission. This lends for a variety of ideas, events and programs including enhancing mental health activities, safety programs, healthy eating, physical well-being, school gardens, hosting health and wellness fairs, incorporating nutrition information and physical activity programs. It also could include a speaker(s) and fees, an already established program that these funds would just enhance the magnitude of the program, or NEW reading material and information for families to read together or in the classrooms on any aspect of Health, Safety and Wellness. This should really help enhance information, knowledge and comprehension for parents, families, educators, community members with a huge emphasis on children and youth.
If awarded, your PTA may use the funds for any expenses associated with addressing the need for the grant goals and purposes:
- Such as promoting, hosting, and implementing your PTA unit’s Health, Safety and Wellness Goals and Programs.
- May include in person and virtual expenses such as translation services, facility costs, virtual meeting platform costs, advertising costs, prizes for families, food, program materials and promotional items.
- Funds may not be used for guns, alcohol, illicit drugs or tobacco or any initiatives, goals, purposes, and objectives that go against the National PTA and MA PTA Mission as well as The MA PTA Health, Safety and Wellness Goals and Objectives.
Timeline and Due Dates:
This announcement is a prompt turnaround with a series of dates which, as an applicant, you will have to adhere to specifically. Please notify us immediately at MA PTA if you are interested and would like to participate.
Announcement of Grant, the Informational Zoom meeting, the process of submitting a grant application and the announcements of the grant awards to the 12 individual grantees.
- The Grant Announcement will be from January 17th to January 28th. You will see and view it in multiple MA PTA communications, newsletters, announcements, emails, MA PTA website and social media.
- An Informational Q & A Zoom Webinar Session regarding this grant and your participation will be held on Monday evening, Jan. 29th from 7:15 pm to 8:15 pm. We will review with you but, most importantly, answer any of your questions regarding this grant application.
- Grant Proposals are to be submitted by email to MA PTA between January 30th and February 28th. The last day a Grant Proposal will be accepted is February 28th by 5pm. Your proposal will be submitted to health@masspta.org.
- All grant Proposals will be read and selected between February 29th and March 27th. You will be notified by March 30th.
- All Grant Awardees will receive their Grant and Recognition on Saturday April 6th at the MA PTA Annual meeting. The President or representative of your PTA Unit must be present for this on April 6th.
- All PTA Units must be a Unit in Good Standing with the Massachusetts Parent Teacher Association (MA PTA).
- No later than June 9, 2025, or the ending date of your project whichever comes first, all Grantees awarded must submit to MA PTA, the final four outcomes (results) of your project accompanied by 2 to 3 pictures of the project. Remember, any children being photographed must have parental permission for pictures to be used for PR and Communications.
Section A – Grant Proposal Information and Application
- Grant Program Name: MA PTA Health, Safety and Wellness Grant
- Grant Number (to be assigned by MA PTA)*
- Amount Requested: $500.00
- Program or Project Title: ____________________________________________________________________
- PTA Name: * ________________________________________________________________________________
- Street Address: * ____________________________________________________________________________
- City, State & Zip Code: * ____________________________________________________________________
- Phone Number: * ___________________________________________________________________________
- Contact Name & Title: * ____________________________________________________________________
- Contact Person Phone Number: * __________________________________________________________
- PTA President’s Name: _____________________________________________________________________
- PTA Treasurer’s Name: _____________________________________________________________________
- Summarize the organization’s mission (2-3 sentences) and state year PTA Unit was founded: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
- Summary of project or grant request (2-3 sentences): * ________________________________________________________________________________________________
- I am attesting that “name of PTA unit” ____________________________ is a unit in good standing with the MA PTA
Authorized Signature (Type in name and check I Agree below)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________I “name” agree on “date” PTA Position: _______________________________________________________________________
Email: * ____________________________________________ Secondary Email: ________________________________________
Grant Number (to be assigned by MA PTA)
Section B – Complete the Information requested in #’s 1-8.
Please complete each question with responses in short essay format (1 to 5 complete paragraphs). Please note: you may alternatively answer these questions in a three-page narrative incorporating all answers and responses to Questions 1 through 8. Your Budget is completed separately as an additional document (see document A below).
- With respect to the funding requested, please identify program(s), initiative and people that will most benefit from this grant.
- Describe your specific program, project or initiative and the geographic area your proposal would most likely benefit. If your project, program, or initiative is being run or is proposed to run out of a physical location please specify that location.
- Describe specifically what aspect(s) of your program you seek funding for, and the percentage of the proposed foundation grant you seek to allocate to each area.
- Describe the overall goals and objectives of your proposal and how your proposal will help to enhance the Health, Safety and Wellness mission of your PTA organization as well as MA PTA. If applicable, please also specify the number of projected people participating in the program or that you anticipate will participate in the program. (i.e., the specific types of services to be provided, the number and types of people to be served). note: this question can assist your response in Document C; Final Project Outcomes Achieved below.
- Please describe whether this program, project, or initiative is currently in existence, and if so for how long? If this is a new program, please describe the projected longevity of your program.
- Describe your organization’s experience/capacity to complete the proposed project or implement the proposed program.
- Please describe the specific need for this program, project, or initiative within the PTA Unit, School and/or community and how the requested expenditure will ensure and/or assist that the need is met?
- How will you evaluate this program? Think about how you will assess your work, project and summarize this Program.
Attach all copies of required documents A & B; Document C is due at close of your project.
- Budget for the MA PTA Grant Funds
- If the MA PTA Grant is covering the full cost of your program, then a completed budget for the full program should be submitted
- If the MA PTA Grant is covering only a portion of the total project budget and additional grants and/or funding has been allocated for the total project, please indicate the Total Program Budget as well as MA PTA Grant Portion of the Project Budget Dollar Amount equaling $500 (Please submit a budget for the total program and indicate in that budget, monies budgeted for the proposed $500 MA PTA program/project).
- Provide a short budget narrative (a short paragraph) describing each cost item of the $500 MA PTA grant funds
- Description of Program/Event: If you are submitting the Narrative, as noted in Section B above, no more than 3 typed pages describing and summarizing the total project, answering the eight questions.
- Project Outcomes Achieved: No later than June 9, 2025, or the closing date of your project whichever comes first, you must submit to MA PTA the final Four Outcomes (results) of your project accompanied by 2 to 3 pictures of the project. Please refer to your original response in Questions 4 to assist your response here. Remember any children being photographed must have parental permission for pictures to be used for PR and Communications
2023-2024 Healthy Living for Everyone – A Unified Voice Webinar Series
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Information on the Webinar Series
Massachusetts PTA is the organization that solves the toughest problems and creates valuable tools for schools, families, and students. Join the excitement and be a part of our latest Health, Safety and Wellness programming – Healthy Living for Everyone – A Unified Voice! During this three part, year long program you will connect with some of the state’s most influential healthcare leaders, as well as other parents and educators with us on Zoom and in person. All webinars are being presented at no-cost to you thanks to our sponsors. Webinars will be pre-recorded so you can view them on your schedule but you do need to register to receive the link to the webinar when it is posted.
Schedule for Webinars (register here to receive link access to webinar):
Supporting the Whole Child: Putting Local Wellness Policies into Practice; presented by Judy Crocker, Statewide Coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program & Sarah Littmann, MS, RD is the director of food and nutrition for Triton Regional School District & Nicole Goode, School Wellness Specialist at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Investing time in school wellness helps students thrive in the classroom and community. While many Massachusetts schools have a Local Wellness Policy, putting policy into practice can be challenging. Join Massachusetts’ Safe Routes to School, DESE’s School Wellness Specialist, and Triton Regional Schools as they dive into best policy practices around nutrition, physical education, and active transportation.
Accessibility & Belonging in Schools & Fitness, presented by Liam Riley, Senior Program Leader, Northeast Team, Booster Enterprises. This presentation delves into the ideas, stories and reflection involving how we can use our strengths and backgrounds to better cultivate a sense of inclusivity and affirmation of students across schools nationwide in academic and athletic contexts.
Working Together to Advocate for Healthy Communities Where All Children Can Flourish, Presented by Massachusetts Senator Sal DiDomenico
Senator DiDomenico has been a vocal advocate of ensuring high quality and accessible early education and care for children in the Commonwealth, tackling environmental injustice, improving economic opportunities for working families, fighting food insecurity in our communities, increasing public education funding, and providing world-class healthcare for all children and their families in Massachusetts.
Peace Play in Urban Settings, presented by McCawley Bercy (MC), Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s (LDBPI) Community Outreach Coordinator. Peace play is a form of sandtray therapy where individuals are encouraged to reflect on their own strengths and struggles without using words. The workshop we will be providing is a hands on healing modality based on sand tray world play therapy and the use of miniatures. This is a culturally relevant modality that offers an alternative to traditional talk therapy. We will be going through a Peace play session, explain the clinical side, how our organization has adapted it and an experiential section where participants try on the process.
Saving Lives With Mental Health Literacy Education; presented by Marissa Carty, Program Development & Marketing Manager for Mental Health Collaborative. Save lives with mental health education! Mental Health Collaborative is a 501(c)3 dedicated to building resilient communities through mental health education & awareness. At this session, learn the basics of mental health literacy: decreasing stigma, understanding illnesses, promoting positive mental health, and accessing care. In addition to teaching you the core concepts of mental health literacy, we will review our evidence-based school programming, including our educator training, student curriculum, coaches training, and parent/caregiver training.
PTA Connected: Take Charge of Your Digital Life; presented by Cecily Goulange, National PTA Connected MA State Champion. Raising children can be fraught with challenges, especially in an evolving digital world. PTA Connected provides tools, workshops and support to help families in your community navigate raising children in the digital age. This presentation will highlight how families can work together to find balance and digital wellness through these free National PTA programs, as well as program help available across the state with our PTA Connected State Champion.
Adolescent Substance Use: Screening, Prevention, and Treatment; Presented by Dr. Safdar Medina Adolescent Substance Use is a major public health concern. Use of nicotine products, cannabis products, and alcohol, continue to be prevalent among teens. Some go on to use other drugs, including opioids. Screening and prevention are key. Treatment options exist, including motivational interviewing and medication. This presentation will provide an overview of recent trends and discuss strategies to help parents and educators.
“Teaming up with Health and School Professionals for School Success: Pearls on Accessing Special Ed Services”; Presented by Dr. Mary Beth Miotto, MD, MPH, FAAP Pediatrician, Mattapan Community Health Center and President MCAAP
With Massachusetts Teachers Association’s (MTA) major sponsorship and partnership, MA PTA is providing a full year of statewide, compressive health, safety and wellness programming. Healthy Living for Everyone: A Unified Voice includes four virtual and hybrid events throughout 2023 – 2024 addressing health specific needs and concerns in our Massachusetts communities including healthcare equity and access, food insecurity and nutrition, mental health and wellness, and physical fitness and heart health.
Don’t miss the opportunity to:
- Get Healthy Ideas to use at School and Home
- Be inspired by Healthy Thinkers
- Learn new ways to make your Family, School, and Community Healthy
2023 Healthy Living for Everyone Symposium Sponsors and Exhibitors
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Sponsors and exhibitors
Our partners and sponsors play a vital role in supporting the work Massachusetts PTA does for children. The entities listed below have pledged significant commitments to Massachusetts PTA.
Our highest level of corporate commitment, our Sponsors make an annual investment in Massachusetts which helps provide key programs and services We are especially grateful for their support and invite you to learn more about each of them. If you would like to join us as a sponsor or exhibitor information can be found here.
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Copper Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Patron Sponsor
Patron Sponsor
Vendors with Tables at Event
2023 Healthy Living for Everyone Symposium Fees
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With Massachusetts Teachers Association’s (MTA) major sponsorship and partnership, MA PTA is providing a full year of statewide, compressive health, safety and wellness programming. Healthy Living for Everyone: A Unified Voice includes four virtual and hybrid events throughout 2023 – 2024 addressing health specific needs and concerns in our Massachusetts communities including healthcare equity and access, food insecurity and nutrition, mental health and wellness, and physical fitness and heart health.
Early Bird Price: $30.00 per person before October 15, 2023 (promo code EARLYBIRD)
Standard Registration: $35.00 per person until November 3, 2023
Day of Registration: $40.00 per person on November 4, 2023
The all-inclusive registration fee includes:
- Continental Breakfast
- Keynote Session
- Your choice of the 8 Breakout sessions (two strands of 4 sessions)
- Luncheon with expert panel discussion
- Open networking
- Free self-parking
Don’t miss the opportunity to:
- Get Healthy Ideas to use at School and Home
- Be inspired by Healthy Thinkers
- Learn new ways to make your Family, School, and Community Healthy
2023 Healthy Living for Everyone Symposium Speakers
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MEET THE PRESENTERS
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Safdar Medina
Adolescent Substance Use: Screening, Prevention, and Treatment
Safdar Medina is the Pediatric Director at Tri River Heatlh Center in Uxbridge and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UMassChan Medical School. He currently serves as the school physician for the Northborough/Southborough School District. He is Medical Consultant for the School Health Unit at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. He was awarded a grant by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2008 to work with community partners on teen substance use prevention. He treats youth who struggle with mental health conditions and addiction, including providing medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
Senator Sal DiDomenico
Massachusetts State Senator
Working Together to Advocate for Healthy Communities Where All Children Can Flourish
Senator Sal DiDomenico has proudly served as State Senator for the Middlesex and Suffolk District of Massachusetts since May of 2010. He represents a diverse district that includes the communities of Charlestown, Chelsea, Everett, and parts of Cambridge. Throughout his tenure in the Massachusetts Senate, Sal has remained committed to enhancing the lives of his constituents and residents across the Commonwealth.
Since his election to the Senate, Senator DiDomenico has been a vocal advocate of ensuring high quality and accessible early education and care for children in the Commonwealth, tackling environmental injustice, improving economic opportunities for working families, fighting food insecurity in our communities, increasing public education funding, and providing world-class healthcare for all children and their families in Massachusetts.
Senator DiDomenico currently serves as Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate, Chair of the Senate Committee on Bills in the Third Reading and Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. He holds a position in Senate President Karen Spilka’s leadership team, joining a select group of members chosen for their ability to lead and their commitment to advancing important issues for the Commonwealth. He also serves as a member of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, Senate Committee on Steering and Policy, Senate Committee on Personnel and Administration, and the Joint Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs.
During his time in the State Senate, Senator DiDomenico has filed several pieces of landmark legislation that have been signed into law focusing on issues of community development, education, children’s health, economic development, human and social services, food insecurity, and public safety. Senator DiDomenico has also been recognized by over sixty organizations for his advocacy in the Legislature and was one of only 22 legislators throughout the United States to be selected as a 2015 Early Learning Fellow and as a 2020 Maternal and Child Health Fellow by the National Conference of State Legislators.
Prior to his election to the State Senate, Sal began his work in public service by holding four terms as an Everett City Councilor and serving as President of the Everett City Council, as well as Chief of Staff to former State Senator Anthony Galluccio. Before entering state government, he spent twelve years working in the hospitality industry at Sonesta International Hotels and Marriott International.
Senator DiDomenico is a graduate of Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School and earned his B.A. in Business Administration from Boston College. Sal and his wife Tricia, a special education teacher, reside in Everett with their two sons, Matthew and Sal, and their dog Buddy.
Cecily Goulange
PTA State Field Ambassador
PTA Connected: Take Charge of Your Digital Life
National PTA has selected Cecily to serve in this role for National PTA and is praised for being a
“passionate communicator & community builder. Building relationships and helping people reach their potential is a hallmark of her career and personal life. She is the president of Farmington River Elementary where she has led YOY growth in membership, developed critical partnerships within the administration and staff, and championed programs that build community within the school district.”
Cecily is part of a pilot group of volunteers to help us raise visibility of our PTA Connected programs and resources.
Kimm Topping (they/them)
Supporting the Well-Being of LGBTQIA+ Youth and Families
Kimm Topping, Ed.M. (they/them/theirs) is an educator, writer, historian, and community organizer. They are the founder of Lavender Education, a national education program focused on celebrating LGBTQIA+ history, education, and youth leadership. From founding the first GSA in their hometown as a young person to now mentoring youth leaders and supporting educators, Kimm has always been passionate about building the confidence of others to lead social change.
Mysha Kuhlmann
Building Bridges: The Art and Science of Connecting with Adolescents
Mysha Kuhlmann is a licensed and nationally certified school psychologist with twenty years of experience in public, charter, and independent schools. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Youth and Community Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, her Master of Arts in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University, and her Ed.S in school psychology from the University of Massachusetts-Boston. She spent ten years in elementary and middle school classrooms as a special education and English teacher before becoming a school psychologist. Mysha has delivered multiple presentations to public school districts, the New England Positive Behavior Support Forum, and at Thayer Academy. Presentation topics have included adolescent development, social and emotional learning, and supporting students with mental health and behavioral needs.
Marissa Carty
Saving Lives With Mental Health Literacy Education
Marissa Carty is the Program Development & Marketing Manager for Mental Health Collaborative. At MHC, she develops and researches mental health education programs in addition to grant writing & fundraising, graphic design & marketing, and overseeing program implementation. She holds a BA in Psychology from Boston University, where she was a Kilachand Honors Scholar. She is currently a part-time MSW Candidate at the BU School of Social Work and a student in Metrowest Nonprofit Network’s 2023 Certificate in Nonprofit Management program. Marissa is passionate about bringing mental health education to all.
Liam Riley
Accessibility and Belonging in Schools and Fitness
Liam Riley is currently a Senior Program Leader for the Northeast team of Booster Enterprises. Previously, he was a Patient Safety and Wellness Attendent at Concord Hospital in Concord, NH and a Deerfield, NH Parks and Rec employee for 7 years. He graduated from Siena College in 2021 with majors in Psychology and Education. For several years, he has worked with children ages 5-17 in various contexts with a variety of needs, accommodations, and backgrounds that had to be seen, acknowledged, and taken into account in order to provide excellent experiences and care for all.
Judith Crocker
Supporting the Whole Child: Putting Local Wellness Policies into Practice
Judith Crocker is the Statewide Coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program, promoting sustainable student transportation among schools, municipalities, and community organizations around the Commonwealth. Judith uses her healthcare, education, and business background to bridge the gap between health and transportation by developing policy and curriculum, evaluating the school-based built environment, and in developing strategic planning. Judith is a long-time advocate of active transportation, public health and school policy, and public education.
Nicole Good
Supporting the Whole Child: Putting Local Wellness Policies into Practice
Nicole Good is a School Wellness Specialist at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office for Food and Nutrition Programs, and works to support and advance wellness initiatives for
Massachusetts students, schools, and communities. Nicole participated as a fellow in the Rennie Center’s Massachusetts Education Policy Fellowship and has presented on wellness to School Committees, Superintendents and School Business Officials. Nicole is a firm believer in the importance of policy work that supports the whole child.
Sarah Littmann
Director of Food and Nutrition for Triton Regional School District
Supporting the Whole Child: Putting Local Wellness Policies into Practice
Sarah Littmann, MS, RD is the director of food and nutrition for Triton Regional School District. She is also the nutrition education coordinator and cooking facilitator for Kid’s Test Kitchen. She is a registered dietitian with a passion for nutrition education and student wellness.
McCawley Bercy
Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
Peace Play in Urban Settings
MarcCawley Bercy (MC) serves as the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s (LDBPI) Community Outreach Coordinator. He is originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, but lived most of his life in Brockton, Massachusetts. He works with the Training and Technical Assistance and Consulting (TTAC) team of the LDBPI to build and strengthen relationships with community partners by creating space where organizational interests converge. He also helps to coordinate all community engagement requests forwarded to the organization and assure they are appropriately staffed. MarcCawley received his degree in Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from Bridgewater State University in 2023. He has also had the privilege of conducting undergraduate research in Bridgewater State’s United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a summer intern and later serving as a peer mentor for the program. He has interned with other non-profit agencies in Brockton and Boston, such as the Coalition for Social Justice, the United Nations Association of Greater Boston, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro South and volunteered with Action for Equity in Four Corners, Dorchester. As a former College for Social Innovation Fellow, MC served as a Network and Advocacy Peace Fellow intern and was mentored by Danielle Bennett and Pace McConkie Jr. The tangible impact of the work, the foundations on which the LDBPI built its mission and vision as well as the values which guided day-to-day interaction with survivors and staff pushed MC to apply for available positions at the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute. His goal is to form partnerships that foster the objectives of the organization while supporting the mission of the different teams within the organization and to assure that the work of the LDBPI is known across the Commonwealth. He will play the role of Community Outreach Coordinator to make it possible.
2023 Healthy Living for Everyone Symposium Sessions
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SYMPOSIUM Sessions
Keynote Address
Dr. Safdar Medina
Adolescent Substance Use: Screening, Prevention, and Treatment
Adolescent Substance Use is a major public health concern. Use of nicotine products, cannabis products, and alcohol, continue to be prevalent among teens. Some go on to use other drugs, including opioids. Screening and prevention are key. Treatment options exist, including motivational interviewing and medication. This presentation will provide an overview of recent trends and discuss strategies to help parents and educators.
Dr. Safdar Medina is the Pediatric Director at Tri River Heatlh Center in Uxbridge and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UMassChan Medical School. He currently serves as the school physician for the Northborough/Southborough School District. He is Medical Consultant for the School Health Unit at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. He was awarded a grant by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2008 to work with community partners on teen substance use prevention. He treats youth who struggle with mental health conditions and addiction, including providing medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
Breakout Sessions 1:
Supporting the Well-Being of LGBTQIA+ Youth and Families
Kimm Topping
Join Kimm Topping for an interactive and engaging program about supporting LGBTQIA+ students and families in and outside of the school building. Across the country, LGBTQIA+ students consistently experience higher rates of mental health challenges and rates of suicide, but this can be interrupted with the help of supportive adults and improved school and community climates. Participants will learn how they can truly be a support.
Building Bridges: The Art and Science of Connecting with Adolescents
Mysha Kuhlmann
This presentation will offer five foundational principles to support and encourage meaningful relationships between adults and adolescents. We will explore the science behind belonging, consider how our facial expressions may or may not represent our feelings and thoughts, learn ways to build social skills, and dive into the often-overlooked realm of adolescent boys. Participants will walk away with clear and actionable strategies to support their engagement with adolescents in schools, the community, and at home.
Supporting the Whole Child: Putting Local Wellness Policies into Practice
Nicole Good, Judith Crocker & Sarah Littmann
Investing time in school wellness helps students thrive in the classroom and community. While many Massachusetts schools have a Local Wellness Policy, putting policy into practice can be challenging. Join Massachusetts’ Safe Routes to School, DESE’s School Wellness Specialist, and Triton Regional Schools as they dive into best policy practices around nutrition, physical education, and active transportation.
Peace Play in Urban Settings
Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
Peace play is a form of sandtray therapy where individuals are encouraged to reflect on their own strengths and struggles without using words. The workshop we will be providing is a hands on healing modality based on sand tray world play therapy and the use of miniatures. This is a culturally relevant modality that offers an alternative to traditional talk therapy. We will be going through a Peace play session, explain the clinical side, how our organization has adapted it and an experiential section where participants try on the process.
Breakout Sessions 2:
Working Together to Advocate for Healthy Communities Where All Children Can Flourish
Senator Sal DiDomenico
We cannot do this work alone! This presentation will address how communities can come together as one for the health, safety and well being of our children. Senator DiDomenico will address advocacy work, collaboration and the process of building coalitions to bring communities together in support of all. Attendees will explore how to do it, when to do it and why we do it. None of us can do this work individually; we have to work as a team.
Saving Lives With Mental Health Literacy Education
Marissa Carty
Mental Health Collaborative is a 501(c)3 dedicated to building resilient communities through mental health education & awareness. At this session, learn the basics of mental health literacy: decreasing stigma, understanding illnesses, promoting positive mental health, and accessing care. In addition to teaching you the core concepts of mental health literacy, we will review our evidence-based school programming, including our educator training, student curriculum, coaches training, and parent/caregiver training.
PTA Connected: Take Charge of Your Digital Life
Cecily Goulange
Raising children can be fraught with challenges, especially in an evolving digital world. PTA Connected provides tools, workshops and support to help families in your community navigate raising children in the digital age. This presentation will highlight how families can work together to find balance and digital wellness through these free National PTA programs, as well as program help available across the state with our PTA Connected State Champion.
Accessibility and Belonging in Schools and Fitness
Liam Riley and Karen DeRoche
This presentation delves into ideas, stories, and reflection involving how we can use our strengths and backgrounds to better cultivate a sense of inclusivity and affirmation of students across schools nationwide in academic and athletic contexts.
2023 Healthy Living for Everyone Symposium Agenda
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Healthy Living for Everyone: A Unified Voice
November 4th, 2023
Thayer Academy, Braintree, Massachusetts
With Massachusetts Teachers Association’s (MTA) major sponsorship and partnership, MA PTA is providing a full year of statewide, comprehensive health, safety and wellness programming. Healthy Living for Everyone: A Unified Voice includes four virtual and hybrid events throughout 2023 – 2024 addressing health specific needs and concerns in our Massachusetts communities including healthcare equity and access, food insecurity and nutrition, mental health and wellness, and physical fitness and heart health.
8:00 am – 9:00 am Registration, Continental Breakfast and Vendor Exhibit
9:00 am – 10:00 am Opening Remarks
- Jackie Coogan, Massachusetts PTA BOD, Chair of MA PTA Health Committee
- Jed Wartman, Thayer Academy Assistant Head of School for Student Engagement and Well-Being
- Yvonne Johnson, National PTA President
- Karen DeRoche, Massachusetts PTA President
- Dr. Safdar Medina, Keynote Speaker, Safdar Medina is the Pediatric Director at Tri River Health Center in Uxbridge at an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UMass Chan Medical School
10:00 am – 10:15 am Transition Break
10:15 am – 11:15 am Breakout Workshop Session 1
- Supporting the Well-Being of LGBTQIA+ Youth and Families with Kimm Topping
- Building Bridges: The Art and Science of Connecting with Adolescents with Mysha Kuhlmann
- Supporting the Whole Child: Putting Local Wellness Policies into Practice with Judith Crocker, Nicole Good and Sarah Littmann
- Peace Play in Urban Settings with the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
11:15 am – 11:30 am Transition Break
11:30 am – 12:30 pm Breakout Workshop Session 2
- Working Together to Advocate for Healthy Communities Where All Children Can Flourish with Senator Sal DiDomenico
- Saving Lives With Mental Health Literacy Education with Marissa Carty
- PTA Connected: Take Charge of Your Digital Life with Cecily Goulange
- Accessibility and Belonging in Schools and Fitness with Liam Riley and Karen DeRoche
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Lunch with Discussion and Learning Panel with Audience Participation Forum:
Moderator, Senator Sal DiDomenico
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Networking with Participants, Vendors & Speakers
Don’t miss the opportunity to:
- Get Healthy Ideas to use at School and Home
- Be inspired by Healthy Thinkers
- Learn new ways to make your Family, School, and Community Healthy
2023 Going Back To School Healthy – Agenda
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With Massachusetts Teachers Association’s (MTA) major sponsorship, support and partnership, the Massachusetts Parent Teachers Association (MA PTA) aims to provide a full year of statewide, comprehensive health, safety and wellness programs Healthy Living for Everyone: A Unified Voice.
Programming will begin on August 22, “Going Back to School Healthy” including three virtual and hybrid events spaced throughout 2023 – 2024 as well as a more significant Health Symposium scheduled for November 4 2023. All of these will be addressing health-specific needs and concerns in our Massachusetts communities including, but not limited to, healthcare equity and access, food insecurity and nutrition, mental health and well-being, and physical fitness and heart health.
We look forward to creating and fostering A Unified Voice by collaborating with all of our State PTA unit leaders and members, educators, colleagues and community supporters in presenting these programs, thereby creating new and deepening existing partnerships. In particular, we will ensure that the Teacher, the ‘T’ in PTA, will be involved both in learning and presenting, as we recognize the struggles our educators are undoubtedly facing in the classroom during an incredibly challenging period in our Nation’s history. MA PTA recognizes that it does take a whole village to raise the child in building a vibrant and knowledgeable next generation of competent and compassionate leaders, especially in this time of uncertainty, fear, apprehension and loss.
Even now in 2023, as the COVID pandemic lingers, creating havoc and uncertainty in our communities, we are challenged to rethink the manner in which we educate, advocate and partner. It is paramount that our children, educators, families, schools and communities across the Commonwealth be heard and treated with dignity, equity and respect. MA PTA is listening, and we are ready to respond and support.
Save the Date, Mark your Calendars now… and join us on November 4, 2023 for our Health Summit at Thayer Academy in Braintree, MA. REGISTERATION COMING SOON
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