Graduate Student Poster Presentations: 8:00- 8:30 am
Informal, conversational presentations by graduate students
Keynote Address 8:30- 9:50 am
Preparing for Successful Transitions
Dr. Bolgen Vargas, Ed. D.
Interim Superintendent for the Rochester City School District
SESSION 1: 10:00-10:50am
Drug and Alcohol Counseling in the School
Tracie Swalbach, Churchville Chili School District
This presentation will address issues related to drug and alcohol counseling in the schools. Federal confidentiality laws related to re-disclosure of drug and alcohol related information will be discussed. The referral process for outside treatment agencies, harm reduction, prevention information and working with children of alcoholics will all be discussed.
Excessive Student Video Gaming- The Good, The Bad, and The Balanced
Craig Cypher, Psy.D.,Holly Likly-Juliano, and Sara Thomas, Brighton High School
Excessive video gaming has become a “New Age” mental health issue for children and adolescents. Mental health professionals need to recognize the functions that gaming serves for many of our adolescents. Video gaming and the use of group counseling for promoting a healthy life balance will be discussed in this presentation. Actual feedback from students, group outlines and lessons will be shared. Open discussion regarding your experiences with students, struggling with excessive video gaming and/or questions about video gaming world, is encouraged.
Preparing ALL Students For Transition From High School to Adult Living
Susan Rizzo, Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES
This presentation will go beyond the legal mandates of Transition under IDEA to a discussion of evidence based practices that enhance successful adult outcomes when preparing ALL students for transition to adult life. Research in Transition, Self Determination, Motivation, and Education will be presented as anchors to inform educators’ practice and interactions with students so that students leave school with skills necessary for adult success.
SESSION 2: 11:00-11:50am
Middle School to High School Transition
Joe Hussar, Batavia High School
This hands-on presentation will discuss the importance of the transition process with an emphasis on empowering the students through each of the key steps of the process from an emotional, social, and academic perspective.
Second Step Program
Karen Bailey, Dansville Central School District, Liz Griswold, Avon Central School District
This session will talk about using social–emotional learning tools in the primary and elementary classroom (and how those tools assist with academic achievement). As counselors/social workers in the school setting, we are challenged to show our effectiveness in assisting with ALL students’ academic progress. We will discuss ways to collect and analyze data that help us do just that. Karen and Liz both use the research-based Second Step: Skills for Social and Academic Success© program and will bring their new curriculum materials.
School Counselor- School Administrator Collaboration Panel
Thomas Hernandez, Summer Reiner, & James Tobin, The College at Brockport
This session will focus on how school counselors and school administrators can establish and re-establish their relationships as collaborative. Developing collaborative relationships requires both parties to be interested and to perceive meaningful benefits. Panelists are will represent school counselors and administrators and will discuss ideas, and answer questions regarding developing collaborative relationships.
Lunch (provided)
12:00pm – 1:20pm
SESSION 3: 1:30-2:20pm
Suicide Assessment- from Start to Finish
Bryan Mentry, Dawn Pascoe, Livingston County Mobile Mental Health Team
This session will discuss the process of a suicide assessment on a student, particularly how to assess the student and the severity of the threat, and what steps are taken from there. Attention will be focused on what a school counselor can do when parents have little or no response to a call saying their child is suicidal.
The Newest Student Craze: Harmful, common, and easily accessible substances plaguing our schools
Robin Hernandez and Christine Reber, Rush Henrietta Middle School
This presentation will help school counselors become familiar with the newest terminology and trends of common substances used by today’s youth. We will provide suggestions for educating school staff, parents, and community members about the signs and negative effects of these substances. Additionally, we will explore how school policy is developed to address this growing concern our in school culture.
SESSION 4: 2:30-3:20pm
School Counselor Support for Children and Youth from Care-Giving Families
Karen Mackie, University of Rochester
This session is designed as an interactive conversation among school counselors about the changing demographics of today’s families in which caring for an aging grandparent or another relative with a chronic health issue, while also parenting school- aged children, is an increasingly common occurrence. How do schools support children, youth and parents witnessing or participating in this kind of care-giving at home? What stressors as well as capacities might this family configuration impart? A brief overview of what is known about such families will be provided to set the stage for sharing examples and considering together how school counselor outreach and advocacy may positively impact such students’ experiences of success at home and at school.
Sharing the secret: Providing culturally competent school counseling for homeless youth and families
Kathleen Fallon, Rosa Luciano, The College at Brockport
It may be difficult to spot. The signs may not be obvious. Many students carry a heavy secret - they and their families have no home tonight. This interactive workshop will explore the barriers and supports to providing culturally competent school counseling services to homeless youth and their families. Participants will receive an overview of definitions, relevant legislation, supports, and compliance expectations to understand and meaningfully serve students and families who are homeless or temporarily housed. Participants will learn workshop content through an experiential activity. Learn how to help students share their secret.
“You’ve Been Served”
Victoria Palmisano, University at Buffalo
On any given day, a school counselor navigates such charged subjects as custody disputes, divorce, abortions, harassment, suicide, eating disorders and child abuse, just to name a few. This workshop informs school counselors of basic forensic counseling standards and what they may expect if they are drawn into court litigation. Discussion of the American School Counselor Association role statement and its ethical standards provides information and advice concerning case notes, official records, subpoenas, pretrial conferences, and giving testimony.