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Thursday, April 28

MORNING WORKSHOPS

10:00am-12:00pm

Enhancing K-12 STEM Learning with Stop-motion Animation
Melissa Pickering, Managing Co-Founder, iCreate to Educate, Boston, MA

What if all students were excited about learning math and science? What types of tools are available to generate this excitement? In this workshop you will have an opportunity to explore how educational software developed by researchers at Tufts University -- SAM Animation -- is used to engage students of all ages within any existing content area being taught, particularly in science and math. Workshop participants will learn how other teachers and school administrators have adopted stop-motion in their existing lesson plans to increase content retention rate, assess conceptual understanding, and see a smile on their students' faces!

Grant Writing 101
Jane Sharp, Consultant, Sharp Ideas, Allentown, NJ

Learn the "tricks of the trade" from a seasoned grant writer/funder. This workshop is designed to guide a novice grant writer through the steps to building a successful proposal. We will begin with an overview of the grant process and review of standard RFP sections. Planning and project development tips as well as different approaches for different types of funding will be discussed.

It's More than Just Picking up Trash: How to Create Impactful Service Learning Projects
Matthew Devereaux, Associate Professor and Child Development Specialist; University of Tennessee Extension, Knoxville, TN; Crystal Robertson, County 4-H Extension Agent, University of Tennessee Extension, Erwin, TN; Justin Crowe, State 4-H Specialist, University of Tennessee Extension, Knoxville, TN

There are many misconceptions of what “service-learning” is. Service-learning is more than just picking a nice thing to do for the community. Many service-learning programs focus only on the service part and not the planning and evaluation component. Quality and impactful service-learning involves a structured process that teaches kids not only how to choose a worthwhile service project but how to bring out leadership qualities in children, how to communicate and select agencies that may benefit from the project and how to properly reflect back on the project to perform better next time around. This workshop will provide a detailed process for putting together a service-learning project that can be very successful, impactful and in some cases life changing for the students who experience them.

Learning in Afterschool
Michael Funk, Founder and Director, Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center, San Francisco, CA

The Learning in Afterschool project is promoting five key learning principles that focus on how children learn best. Hear about the new research that supports these principles and hear directly from youth leaders about why they find the principles important. Participants will learn in a hands-on way how to apply these principles to their own programs. A program tool, The Best of Both Worlds, is focused on project-based learning and will be used to help program leaders apply these learning concepts.

Practical Leadership
Scott Arizala, Consultant & Trainer, The Camp Counselor, Santa Barbara, CA

There is a lot of good information about leadership. However, there seems to be a shortage of practical strategies for becoming a better leader. This session takes a look at three foundation skills of great leadership; communication, patience, and problem solving. Learn how to develop yourself and those around you in applied, realistic, and functional ways. What to do, how to do, and how to get better at it… be practical!

Project Based Learning in Philadelphia's Out of School Time Network
Karen Smuck Tylek, Project Based Learning Coordinator, Public Health Management Corporation, Philadelphia, PA

This session explores the successes and challenges of bringing the Project Based Learning approach to scale in Philadelphia’s city-funded network of Out-of-School Time programs. Participants will see examples of PBL in afterschool, learn the basic components of Project Based Learning, and view tools for tracking and evaluation to use within their own settings.

Stop Climbing
Jennifer Seitel, ThinkFirst North County/Temecula Valley, Murrieta, CA

Jennifer Seitel shares her story of tragedy turned triumph to educate, inspire and motivate youth and teens. She will share how choices she made when she was a teenager lead her to live in hospital for a year, have 11 surgeries, and relearn how to breathe, speak, use her arms and hands, sit up and begin to walk again. Jennifer will share her story in detail to help teens and children understand the true consequences to their choices. The message is tailored to the audience age and needs. Jennifer will educate on what it is like physically and emotionally to live with a disability. She will also motivate and inspire her audience to never take one day or one moment in their lives for granted, never give up, and most important believe in yourself and your dreams and you can make anything come true.

Utilizing Youth Development Strategies to Build a Safe School Climate In and Out of School
John Vandenburgh, Founder, PLUS Program and CyberBully Alert, Murrieta, CA

This workshop examines the impact group identity has on adolescent behavior, particularly with gangs, violence, bullying, and the overall effort to build a safe school climate. This session will analyze how schools can optimize the natural channel of peer influence, build group identity and provide a sense of belonging for all students.

Why Won't They Change? How to Effectively Support Staff in a Strengths-Based Partnership
Joy Humbarger, Professional Development Specialist; Etola Berry, Professional Development Specialist, Francis Institute for Child and Youth Development at Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley, Kansas City, MO

Change isn't easy. Learn about conditions that lead to change, and discuss how to apply that in your work with staff. Come ready to think in a new way about effectively supporting adults through change using a coaching approach. We will try out a practical, strengths-based strategy you can use tomorrow!

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS
2:45pm-4:45pm

Addressing ASSETs Program Quality using the NEW Program Quality Self-Assessment Rubric for California High School After School Programs
Michelle Perrenoud, Project Coordinator, Los Angeles County Office of Education, Downey, CA

The Program Quality Self-Assessment Rubric for California High School After School Programs represents the first serious attempt to examine what best practices in a high school after school program would like. It is an extraordinarily comprehensive self-assessment tool addressing specific program needs across all aspects of a program to diagnose program improvement and/or remediation. This tool will guide stakeholders at every level to understand and build their capacity for program quality. Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in the facilitation of this first-ever tool.

Afterschool for All: Making the Case to Policy Makers, Your Community and the Public
Rivka Burstein-Stern, Field Outreach Coordinator, Afterschool Alliance, Washington, D.C.

How do the priorities of the current Administration affect before school, after school and summer programs? How can you influence these priorities by building support for afterschool in your community and across the country? This workshop will outline developments and advocacy opportunities related to federal afterschool policy, including the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and provide tools and information to help you hone your messaging and outreach.

Boozing, Doping, and Clothing
Jermaine Galloway, Officer, Boise Police Department, Boise, ID

When it comes to teens, what does ICP, Kottenmouth Kings, "a Spade", Joose, Four LOKO, Seedless and diversion safe mean? They are the new face of teen alcohol and drug abuse. The days of "420" or the Grateful Dead are quickly leaving, and our youth are talking to us through all new logos, terms, music groups and clothing. Along with many of these items come new hidden compartments and "stash locations for OTC drugs, prescription drugs and synthetic (marijuana mimicking) drugs.  Most if not all of these items are in our youth and young adults hands and in front of your every day. Do you know what you are looking at? If so, do you know how to address it? This session will cover all of these topics and more. The session will also provide you with over 50 visual aids to become familiar with so you don't, won't and can't forget.

Building Intentional Communities: Strategies to Deeply Embed Social Justice Values into Your Organizational Culture and Climate
Tanya Mayo, Youth Development Specialist, Tanya Mayo Consulting, Oakland, CA

Given the right social conditions and held to high expectations every young person has the opportunity to flourish. Building this environment is a complicated and nuanced art – one that requires cultural awareness, knowledge of social justice principles, and the practice of deep democracy. Through creative, hands on, experiential activities this introduction to the Building Intentional Communities training will engage practitioners in a dynamic conversation about establishing community and crafting an intentional organizational climate. This fast-paced training will engage participants physically, mentally and emotionally to empower each individual to make change and build a movement within their organizations.

Federal Education Policy and After-School: What it Means for Your Community
Jennifer Peck, Executive Director, Partnership for Children and Youth, Oakland, CA; Patrick Duhon, Director of Expanded Learning, Providence Public School District, Providence, RI

This workshop will offer information and strategies to ensure that best practices of after-school are reflected in the pending reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). We will provide an update on the latest ESEA policy developments and explore implications of reauthorization for the after-school community through the 21st Century Community Learning Center program. We will discuss how federal policy is playing out in communities across the country, including expanded learning models that embrace core elements of high-quality after-school, and identify local advocacy strategies to ensure that federal and state policy builds off the significant body of research and practice in successful after-school programs.

Global Citizenship is Where It's At: Exploring Innovative Strategies to Engage Adolescents as Community Leaders
Coco Killingsworth, Director of Programs; Molly Delano, Associate Director of Programs, Global Kids, New York, NY

What global issues interest young people--especially hard-to-engage teens? How can out of school time programs be a springboard for both academic engagement and social action? Why is it important to use out of school time as an opportunity to learn about issues like climate change, human rights and poverty, on an international scale? In this workshop, Global Kids staff will lead participants through a sampling of content-rich activities it uses in a range of NYC out of school time settings. Workshop participants will learn simple tips to help them make global connections in programs, as well as how to support program staff to see themselves and grow as global citizens.

Integrating Youth Workforce Programs and Afterschool Programs
Mary G. Keipp, Program Director; Pamela Schachter, Afterschool Program Manager, UCLA Community Based Learning Program, Los Angeles, CA

Teenagers all want jobs. Our session presents a program model that can be used to prepare and place high school students and young adults in part time and temporary jobs. By leveraging Workforce Investment Act resources along with 21st Century Community Learning Center resources, this model presents a win-win-win for programs and students. We will discuss strategies for outreaching to high schools and high school personnel, recruiting students and accessing worksites in the community. We will describe the structure of the program, including worksite supervisor and participant orientation, participant work readiness activities and the enrichment activities that enhance the youth's work experience.

Outside the Lens- Picture it Healthy
Niki Even, Program Director; Elisa Thomson, Director, Outside the Lens, San Diego, CA

Outside the Lens, in conjunction with The Network for Healthy California-Children’s PowerPlay, have implemented a child-led PhotoVoice project called “Outside the Lens-Picture it Healthy”. This project calls youth to action as they document and identify opportunities and barriers to healthy food and play within their community using photography as a tool for bringing the youth voice into civic dialogue. Join us as we cover methods for teaching media based projects within schools and community centers, suggestions on how to adapt photo-based projects too different demographics and subject matters, and creative ways to gain access to technology equipment.

The TACSS Initiative: Michigan's Quality Improvement System
Angela Garner, Manager of the TACSS Initiative, David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, Ypsilanti, MI; Pat Hennessey, 21st CCLC Education Consultant, Michigan Department of Education, Lansing, MI

The presentation will discuss how the TACSS Initiative has served as an effective model for a statewide 21st CCLC quality improvement system while growing a culture of performance accountability and an infrastructure for continuous quality improvement through sustainable change in Michigan’s 21st CCLC programs.

Virtual Playground
Shawn Petty, Project Director, Be a Champion, Inc., The Woodlands, TX

Let your digital imagination go wild as you play hands-on & explore various aspects of the virtual world. Explore the hype about Skype and go global, discover new ways of digital media creation, visualize your own avatar, and interact in a virtual playground. Go back to your program with the tools needed to bring your students, parents, and community into the Web 2.0 world.

YOU MATTER
Matthew Emerzian, CEO, Every Monday Matters, Los Angeles, CA

Matthew Emerzian created Every Monday Matters to communicate that it is the plain, simple, ordinary individual, either acting alone or together with others, who can change the world. EMM promotes the fact that people have the power. People matter. YOU MATTER. In this workshop the participants will not only be inspired on a personal level, but they will also walk away with a better understanding of how to empower their students for service-learning, developing and nurturing strong community outreach, and making a difference in the student’s lives.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29

MORNING WORKSHOPS
10:00am-12:00pm

4 Elements to Effective After School Programming: Team Building Conflict Resolution Academics and Leadership (TCAL)
Leo Van Warmerdam, Director of Program Development, Fulcrum Learning Systems, Inc., Santa Monica, CA

This interactive work shop will feature hands-on activities and program materials derived from Fulcrum’s TCAL Program that will illuminate best-practices and field tested methods that will help to build an effective after school program. Fulcrum’s TCAL Program is a progression of experiential-based learning experiences that allow students and educators to develop and practice four skills essential to creating a positive learning environment: Team Building, Conflict Resolution, Academic Skill Building, and Leadership & Life Skills. TCAL is designed to keep staff and students immersed in an environment that will accelerate and reinforce learning.

Building a Youth-Driven High School After School System
Damian Ewens, Director of High School Initiatives, Providence After School Alliance (PASA), Providence, RI

This workshop will introduce participants to a new high school after school system just launched in Providence, RI. This system was developed by youth for youth and features: a dynamic space for youth to congregate; a web tool that connects youth to opportunities, jobs, and resources across the community; transportation solutions; and policy work including a project to give students school credit for work done in after school hours. Participants will learn about how the plan was developed, early successes, and lessons learned. Discussion will focus on how to engage community partners in systems-building for this age group.

Dollars and Sense:  Securing Sustainable Funding for your Program
Dr. Andria (Andi) Fletcher, Consultant, Center for Collaborative Solutions, Sacramento, CA

This workshop provides a practical, step-by-step approach to developing balanced, diversified and sustainable funding. Based on 15 years of experience helping afterschool programs securing millions of dollars, it will give you the tools you'll need to achieve the results you want. You'll learn how to take advantage of the unique opportunities that are available in tough economic times and position your program for long-term financial success.

Empowering Youth to be Leaders: Tiger’s Action Plan
Julia Gabor, Senior Program Manager, Tiger Woods Foundation, Irvine, CA

Participants will learn about Tigers Action Plan- the Leadership Plan; a free life skills program for youth ages 8-18. The program encourages young people to identify and work toward personal goals and dreams, and enables educators to help students learn about their individual talents, skills, and abilities. Participants will receive a copy of the curriculum and information on how to implement the program.

How to Make After School Bully-Free
Nicholas Carlisle, Executive Director, No Bully, San Francisco, CA

Bullying is one of the greatest problems that students face, degrading the climate of school and after-school programs, impacting attendance and harming the lives of young people nationwide. Learn the roadmap that visionary programs are following to create bully-free cultures where students include and accept each other for who they are. Take with you the tools and confidence to bring together a transformation taskforce to start an anti-bullying initiative at your site.

Inspiring the Dream
Andre Lewis, Author, Abutech, Memphis, TN

This workshop shares the successful experiences of the Abutech After School Program that inspires students to pursue academic excellence, use proper hygiene, embrace fitness, nutrition and exercise, and embark on the wonders of computers by illuminating the power of their dreams. Participants will learn creative methods of increasing productivity and enhancing the after school experience for students and staff alike. Using leadership principles, motivational theory, and a set of core values, participants will engage one another in discussion and exercises. Abutech’s practices have resulted in measurable healthy and productive behavior in students nationwide.

Soft Skills for Hard Times- Tips on How to Develop a Happier Healthier Workplace
Ezra Holland, Owner; Dr. Bill Michaelis, Owner, Children Together, Beverly MA

This workshop will help you strengthen important soft skills and will explore best practices in leadership, positive communication, effective collaboration and problem solving. By developing these skills in ourselves and our staff, we can lower stress levels and burnout rates, while creating a healthier and happier workplace.

Strategies That Build Rapport, Connections, and Motivate Students
Nancy Blackwell, Founder/Lead Trainer, Longevity of Success, Colorado Springs, CO

Eighty-two percent of facilitators' messages are non-verbal, especially when managing the classroom. Learn how to positively influence the student relationship with practical application and practice. Become aware of the difference between the influence of power and the power of influence. Also, receive strategies such as the use of music, modeling, paired shares, and discussion. Learn how to have more time to so what we entered the profession to do--TEACH.

Strengthening Youth Leadership across Indiana: Youth as Change Agents to Keep their Peers Drug Free and in School
Eric Evans, L.E.A.D. Initiative Program Director; Heather McCarthy, Vice-President of Prevention Services, Geminus Corporation, Merrillville, IN

This interactive workshop introduces the L.E.A.D. (Leading and Educating Across Domains) Initiative, a statewide evidence-based prevention program that promotes youth leadership development across Indiana. L.E.A.D. utilized a progressive approach to develop youth leaders and to prevent alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use (ATOD). The primary focus is on the use of peer leaders to implement civic-led change activities with an emphasis on ATOD prevention. The audience will understand the effectiveness of youth leaders and they will receive tips on how to teach youth to be change agents to foster systems change through community service, mentoring, advocacy and philanthropy.

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS
1:15pm-2:45pm

Building Quality Youth Services through Strong Supervisory Practices
Sarah Zeller-Berkman, Director, Community-Youth Development Unit; Annie Moyer, Director, Education, The Youth Development Institute, New York, NY

High quality supervision is an essential element of effective youth services. As demonstrated in our evaluation findings, The Youth Development Institute has developed an effective approach to building supervisory capacity via ongoing learning communities as well as in-depth, onsite technical assistance. This interactive workshop will offer attendees concrete tools to build capacity for supervisors working in school-CBO partnerships. Specifically, they will be introduced to the fundamentals of a supervisory capacity building series, on-site supervision modules, and observation tools. Using modeling, critical questioning and dilemmas of practice, the workshop facilitators will illustrate how these supervisory capacity-building strategies support youth workers in both the department of education as well as youth workers in out-of-school-time programs.

Engaging Afterschool Staff and At Risk Youth in a Teaching Career Pathway
Rebecca Goldberg, Co-Director, Career & Workforce Development; Jonathan Mooney, Consultant, South Bay Center for Counseling, El Segundo, CA

Looking for the next career step for your staff? Do you want to hire staff with aspirations for a career in education? Join us to learn more about the Urban Teacher Fellowship (UTF) – a career pathway developed in California for at-risk young people from low-income communities. UTF supports students in attaining their AA degree at a community college as well as their BA degree & teaching credential at a CSU all while working part-time in your afterschool program! Get involved with your local Urban Teacher Fellowship as it grows across the state.

Engaging Older Youth in After School: Successful Strategies from the Field
David Sinski, Executive Director, After School Matters, Chicago, IL; Brodrick Clarke, Deputy Director of Programs, Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville, KY

With nearly one-third of incoming 9th graders dropping out of school before they graduate, the need to engage and sustain more young people through high school and post- secondary success is urgent. High-quality after-school and summer programs can bolster young people’s engagement in school and improve their chances to gradate and achieve success in college and careers. This interactive session will explore promising out-of-school time strategies to engage older youth from across the country. Participants will learn about Building Bridges, a national initiative funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to improve both the availability and quality of high school after-school programs through alignment with high school reform efforts. Participants will discuss strategies to build and strengthen systems of after-school programs for older youth and hear from the lead partners on the Building Bridges project.

Fantasy Baseball: An Integrated Math Program
Timothy Scheidt, Author/VP of Development, Action Math Group, Ltd., San Diego, CA

Watch mathematics come alive as you immerse yourself in the exciting and engaging Fantasy Baseball Math Program. Participants will work with player data on the backs of specially-designed baseball cards to create the necessary tools to play simulated baseball games in the classroom. Emphasis will be placed on important Math and ELA content, high student engagement, and flexibility of implementation.

Foldables: Making Homework and Study Time a Success
Sheryl Segal, Academic Support Teacher; Aida Allen, Special Education Teacher, Health Sciences High & Middle College, San Diego, CA

Participants will learn a variety of ways to create and use interactive graphic organizers to construct games, projects, study guides and centers. Foldables help students and teachers get and stay organized. You will leave this highly interactive workshop with tons of great ideas you can use tomorrow to help make homework and studying easier and more productive!

Girls Circle: Promoting Resiliency in Adolescent Girls
Giovanna Taormina, Co-Founder, Executive Director, Girls Circle Association, a Project of the Tides Center, Cotati, CA

This workshop features the research-based Girls Circle Model, a strengths-based support group for girls ages 9 – 18, including an experiential component, and provides participants with the foundational guidelines for implementing this successful national youth development approach with results. Rated a “promising approach” by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Girls Circle builds upon girls’ capacities for safe and healthy development, and helps girls build leadership and authentic connections with peers and adults community.

Peer to Peer Programs: Developing Tomorrows Leaders
Craig Orona, VP/Senior Consultant, ActivAlliances, Hughson, CA

Implementing a Peer to Peer Mentoring Program will benefit the mentor, mentee, your organization, and community. Mentoring programs teach leadership skills, responsibility, compassion, and allows a positive environment for student engagement. Student mentors can assist other students with their academic needs, provide support and guidance, involve their peers in school activities, and more!

To Reflect and Serve! Experiential Activities and Reflective Practices to BOOST Learning
Justin McGlamery, Executive Director, The Ubuntu Collaborative, Hartford, CT; Rich Keegan, P.E. Teacher / Adventure Education Coordinator, Simsbury High School, Simsbury, CT

Plato said, "You can learn more from a person in an hour of play than you can in a lifetime of work." Workshop participants will experientially learn a variety of icebreakers, cooperative games, and problem solving activities, as well as effective reflection/processing techniques and curriculum development ideas for selecting and sequencing activities for optimal outcomes with groups to BOOST learning beyond simply having fun... And who says learning shouldn't be fun?!?

We Are Ready: Engaging and Preparing 8th Graders for their Transition to High School
Emely Martinez, National Program Manager, After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles, CA

After-school in eighth grade is a critical time for youth and may be the last intervention point for students at risk of dropping out of high school. This session will provide you with fun, engaging activities to educate your students on: why high school matters, options after high school, and career exploration.

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS
3:45pm-5:15pm

A Sense of Belonging: The Impact of Afterschool Programs on Asian American Youth
Kimberley Boyer, Director of Staff Development and Research, Clovis, CA

The popular stereotype of Asian Americans in American society is that they are high achievers with high expectations and often never associated with the term "at risk." Consequently, they have been termed the model minority. While there are varied and historical reasons for reporting this group under one umbrella, it is critical to recognize that individuals who comprise this group occupy positions along the full range of socioeconomic spectrum. Afterschool programs have been a truly amazing arena to support the diverse needs of this truly diverse population. This workshop will share results of a year long study that examined the positive impact of afterschool participation among high school aged Asian American youth in the areas of academic achievement, self-esteem and acculturation. Promising practices and resources will be shared from the study in addition to opportunities for participants to share promising practices with one another.

Accelerate your Personal and Professional Growth with “Peer Coaching” and Feedforward”
Genero Crenshaw, Personal Development Speaker- Coach- Educator, The Crenshaw Consulting Group, San Diego, CA

Most people desire to become even more successful than they are but often find it difficult to do so.  This workshop introduces an evidence based model and techniques that not only accelerates personal and professional growth but gives participants strategies that allow them to break through to the next level.  “Peer Coaching”, also known by “Stakeholder Centered Coaching” and “Feedforward,” are highly regarded and practiced in many of the world’s leading companies like GE and Google and are readily applicable to the educational environment.  This workshop will be interactive giving the participants an opportunity to internalize their learning.

Core Competencies for California Before and After School Professionals
Gina Koency, Coordinator, Assessment Projects, San Joaquin County Office of Education, Stockton, CA; Barbara Metzuk, Co-Regional Lead, Sacramento County Office of Education, Sacramento, CA

Your after school program is only as good as the staff you develop! Don't train just to train! Learn the essential core competencies and associated skill levels required of before and after school program staff to run quality programs. Learn to identify gaps and how to intentionally align your staff development with the real needs of your staff. Come learn how!

The Council for Boys and Young Men: A Group Approach to Healthy Male Development
Juan Gomez, Trainer, The Council for Boys and Young Men, GCA-Tides, Cotati, CA; Giovanna Taormina, Co-Founder, Executive Director, Girls Circle &The Council for Boys, Cotati, CA

This workshop features The Council for Boys and Young Men, a strengths-based group model promoting boys’ development. The Council is a male-responsive, research based, structured group for boys ages 9 – 18, providing a healthy passageway through pre-teen and adolescent years and increasing boys’ school engagement. Activities identify masculinity concepts linked to risk behaviors and positively impacted through team challenges and reflections. This experiential workshop will provide participants with the purpose, theory, strategies, format, and criteria for implementing this successful approach in after school programs and all youth settings.

Creating a Different Kind of Space for Girls in After-School Hours
D. Lacy Asbill, Founder; Elana Metz, Founder, Girls Moving Forward, Emeryville, CA

The after-school environment is a natural fit for girl-centered academic enrichment. In this presentation, we will share how we have created spaces for girls to understand, question, and remake their gendered identities as a way to facilitate both academic and social/emotional growth. We will share the research, best practices, curriculum, staff training strategies, and data that guide our work—providing K-12 gender-specific after-school tutoring and mentoring support to over one thousand students each year in the San Francisco bay area. Participants will walk away from the presentation with hands-on tools to incorporate into their after-school programs!

Demystifying the College Application Essay for Seniors and Juniors
Allison Deegan, Associate Director, WriteGirl, Los Angeles, CA

This session provides a blueprint to add a college application essay component to virtually any OST program.  This approach has helped to guide WriteGirl’s seniors and juniors to complete creative, personal and engaging essays which have helped 100% of them achieve acceptance into college.

Engaging Teenagers and their Parents in After-Schools Programs
Pat Davenport, Director, Families and Schools Together Inc., Madison, WI

This workshop focuses on an after-school program that engages teens and their parents to create a supportive environment. Participants will learn how family-based activities as part of an after-school program can improve family relationships, as well relationships with teachers and school staff. Learn recruitment and engagement strategies that are used by FAST, a model program.

Fit Plan- Living Healthy
Kelly Jordan, Sr. Manager Professional Development, Tiger Woods Learning Center, Anaheim, CA

Looking for a way to get youth active and living healthy? Do you need activities that will expose the truth behind foods and help kids make smart choices about diet and exercise? Join us for this informative session on our newest Tiger’s Action Plan program, a food and fitness education program for youth ages eight – 18. By attending our interactive workshop, participants will receive a copy of the curriculum, information on how to implement the free program, and learn ways to get youth LIVING HEALTHY by providing them with the tools for making informed decisions about food and fitness.

Helping Girl’s Foster Self-Esteem
Gabriela G. Baeza, Project Specialist II, San Diego County Office of Education, Student Support Services Department, San Diego, CA

Helping girls to realize their maximum potential can improve attendance, behavior, and academics. This workshop will provide participants with research-based strategies and techniques to help boost a girls' self-esteem. Activities that can easily be made part of your after-school program will be explored. Participants will learn about the latest trends impacting girls' positive self-image, such as media and relationships. Effective ways to work and relate to female students will be shared in detail.

SATURDAY, APRIL 30
MORNING WORKSHOPS
9:15am-11:15am

Bridging In and Out of School Learning with Technology
Bob Cabeza, Vice President, Community Development;  Leo Salcido, Digital Media Artist, YMCA of Greater Long Beach, Community Development, Long Beach, CA

Teen presenters and their mentors will explain how you can utilize Youth Development principles to create safe and meaningful positive relationships with youth & teens, within the use of Computer Technology for academic success creative expression and 21st Century Workforce skill sets.

Bridging Multiple Worlds: Creating Affirming Environments for Young People to Thrive
Jimena Quiroga, Senior Consultant; Jhumpa Bhattacharya, Senior Consultant, ThrivePoint Group, Oakland, CA

In this participatory workshop, participants will be introduced to an asset based, social justice program called Bridging Multiple Worlds. Bridging Multiple Worlds is designed to affirm identities, develop cross-cultural skills, and encourage youth to create positive social change in their schools and communities. The program has proven to increase student engagement, particularly for high school students. Participants in this workshop will receive and experience some of the program’s curriculum and activities that empower students to develop critical thinking skills and become positive social change agents.

A Comprehensive Teen Sexual Health Conversation: Sex, Drugs & Hip-Hop
Theresa Fox, Health Educator, YMCA of San Diego County, San Diego, CA

Sex, Drugs & Hip Hop-the Remix: An open & frank conversation for those who dare to care about the sexual health of the youth they serve. Sex: Spoken Word poetry is used to open the dialogue. Information is given about abstinence, gender inequities, teen pregnancy prevention, sexually transmitted infections/diseases (STIs/STDs), teen relationship violence (TRV) and meeting the needs of our LGBTQ students. Drugs: Substance abuse prevention messages are used which highlight the role alcohol and drugs play in increasing the risk for unplanned pregnancies, acquaintance rape, TRV, and the transmission of STIs/STDs. Hip-Hop: The messages of current music played on commercial radio, as well as, the gender-biased images portrayed in videos are discussed, dissected and debated by the group.

Gang Prevention and Intervention That REALLY Works
Mike Kearney, Sergeant, Escondido Police Department, Escondido, CA; Agner Medrano, Gang Prevention/Success Coach, Family Intervention Team, San Diego, CA

This workshop will discuss the development and implementation of the Family Intervention Team, a collaborative approach to working with elementary and middle school youth at-risk for gang involvement. The workshop will provide participants with information on how to replicate this model in their own community. The Family Intervention Team is unique in that services are delivered to families from a community case worker and a gang detective. Services include home visits, support group, and enrichment activities.

iLEAD-Teens Empowered to End Bullying
Mark Blackshear, Lead Youth Leadership Trainer, Roberto De La Pena, Youth Leadership Trainer, Caring Helpers Leadership Training, a program of Mental Health Systems, Inc., San Diego, CA

This training is designed to teach kids to feel empowered to stop bullying in their schools and communities. It is based on the concept that every young person is involved in bullying by being a perpetrator, victim or bystander. What we now know is that youth who are bystanders (observe or know about bullying that is taking place) can be the people who end this epidemic. This training is designed for schools and organizations to teach kids to take the lead in ending bullying by first standing up and speaking out, then by going out and teaching other youth how to follow their lead. Young people are willing and excited about being able to lead this movement when they are armed with facts, inspired and empowered, and given the opportunity to show leadership skills by delivering the training in their schools or communities. Included in this training is the concept of changing how we look at each other by starting to look at the value of everyone we come in contact with. It changes the lens that kids use to look at the world. It is a very moving and powerful training.