Session Descriptions - Tuesday

In today's urban schools, families navigate a complex web of academic and social systems. Many arrive at our doors with a history of mistrust, anxiety, or confusion, while others are simply overwhelmed. How do we move beyond a "one-size-fits-all" welcome and create an environment where every single family-from our newest immigrants to those advocating for advanced or special services-feels seen, heard, and valued?
This session reframes whole-school family engagement through the proven lens of emotional support. Drawing on years of frontline experience as an elementary emotional support teacher and now as an urban school principal, the presenter will share a powerful framework for applying the core principles of co-regulation, de-escalation, and trauma-informed communication to the entire school community. We will explore how calming the system for our most vulnerable students and families ultimately creates a more supportive and accessible environment for all. Participants will leave with practical, high-impact strategies to build authentic relationships, proactively solve problems, and transform their school into a place of true partnership and belonging for every family.
Learning Objectives
Attendees will be able to:

• Identify the core principles of emotional support (e.g., co-regulation, creating safe spaces, proactive communication) and apply them to a universal framework for family engagement.
• Analyze their school's current family engagement practices to identify potential "threats" or triggers that may inadvertently push families away (e.g., intimidating language in communications, unwelcoming front office procedures).
• Implement at least three practical, low-cost strategies for de-escalating parent-school conflicts and building trust with hard-to-reach or wary families.
• Develop a concrete action step to foster a "co-regulated" school environment that is consistently calm, predictable, and welcoming for families across all programs (Regular Ed, Immigrant, ESOL, Special Ed, and Advanced Academics).

This program is designed to empower parents facing financial hardship by equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to rebuild their financial lives and strengthen their role within the family and community.
The workshop will integrate practical financial education with emotional and spiritual restoration, offering a holistic approach to family empowerment. Through interactive sessions, community partnerships, and personalized action planning, we aim to foster generational change and break cycles of insolvency that disproportionately affect vulnerable families.
Key objectives include:

• Delivering foundational financial literacy (budgeting, credit, debt recovery, savings)
• Strengthening parental engagement in schools, faith communities, and civic spaces
• Connecting families to local resources and mentorship opportunities
• Supporting emotional healing around financial trauma and instability

This initiative aligns with our shared commitment to community restoration, economic dignity, and family empowerment.

Social Connections are important for parents. One way to build those connections while also building resilience and other protective factors is through hosting café conversations. In the workshop, participant will experience this conversation model; learn how cafes can serve to engage families in sharing experience with peers; and explore specific café models that can be used in their communities.
Learning Objectives
Attendees will be able to:

• Describe how café conversations can support family engagement and help parents build protective factors.
• Identify café models that can be used in their communities.
• Identify community partners that can support their efforts and make their café plans successful.

Integrated Education and Training (IET) classes are concurrent and contextual classes that are co-taught by a job training instructor and an ESL instructor. This allows ELL students to acquire the language needed to pass a specific certification and obtain employment in a related field. This workshop focuses on what IET and bridge classes are and why they are important part of educational programming.

The social work profession is diverse, yet misconceptions persist about its scope. This session will demystify the profession by examining micro, mezzo, and macro practice levels, highlighting how social workers impact individuals, communities, and policies. During this session, we will also explore how the forthcoming Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) training program at LCCC serves as a gateway to social work careers. By combining hands-on training with academic coursework, students gain essential skills in client care and mental health support. The discussion will cover best practices, curriculum design, and strategies for bridging foundational education with advanced social work opportunities.

We build HOPE when we promote equitable access to Positive Childhood Experience (PCEs) that help children grow into resilient adults and can lessen the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). We will learn how to promote equitable access to the Four Building Blocks of HOPE Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences): Relationships, Environment, Engagement and Emotional Growth, and connect this approach to other frameworks like the Strengthening Families Protective Factors.
Learning Objectives
Attendees will be able to:

• Describe Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) that can serve as buffers to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
• Identify ways their community can encourage parents, schools, programs and residents to work together to create HOPE Building Blocks
• Connect the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework with the Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences Framework

This presentation will share the perspective from a black man perspective of being labeled "disabled" but believed that he was ABLE!
My presentations focus on building cross-cultural relationships and understanding Autism.
Skylar is autistic and he shares his story on understanding Autism, the changes he experienced becoming an adult, and how people can assist other people with disabilities to show their ABILITIES especially since they are more than their ailment!