Annual Virtual Event

Dealing with stress is critical for our mental health. Power Your Mind: Tools to Build Resilience (PYM), equips young adults with the ability to identify their feelings and situations that get them worked up, problem solve to deal with the symptoms, and communicate in a peaceful manner, leading to healthier relationships with family, friends, and others. The PYM workbook uses graphic novel panels to illustrate situations and resolutions to deal with life's daily irritations. For over 87 years, Recovery International has helped adults achieve healing using a peer-led, self-help method and cognitive behavioral tools to manage anxious thoughts and impulses. Developed by psychiatrist Dr. Abraham Low as an adjunct to professional therapy, this young adult version meets many CASEL Social Emotional Learning Standards and is being used around the country. This workshop will introduce you to self-help concepts and valuable tools to cope with life's daily, common stressors.

Angela Sullivan

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Angela Sullivan

Angela is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for Recovery International. She helps develop programs that are extensions of the successful 87-year Recovery Method. Angela develops curriculum, training materials, oversees training initiatives for Recovery International’s peer leaders and leads new strategic initiatives. Angela was attracted to the Recovery Method because of its simplicity in helping people deal with everyday annoyances. The program teaches valuable life coping skills and helps people become more emotionally intelligent. This Method was most helpful to Angela as a caregiver to her mother with Alzheimer’s Disease. With two teenagers of her own, she is passionate about early intervention and mental wellness. She holds an M.Ed. and certifications in change management, change intelligence and instructional design. She is also a Youth Mental Health First Aider through the National Council for Behavioral Health.

Building better brains during early childhood is both an art and a science. This science-driven presentation is designed for those passionate about helping children maximize their fullest developmental potential. By combining personal stories and scientific insights, we will take you on a deep dive into the young child's mind. Discover how to supercharge the young brain using the key pillars of early brain development. Learn effective teaching strategies to prime the brain for a lifetime of success. This interactive presentation is filled with practical advice and hands-on tools to elevate your knowledge of child development.

Dr. Liraz

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Dr. Liraz

Dr. Liraz is a neuroscientist PhD with over 17 years of experience studying the human brain. Her academic journey is marked by notable achievements, including earning an Assistant Professor position at the University of New Mexico and completing a prestigious National Institutes of Health K-12 Scholar Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. She has not only contributed to the scientific community through her 15 peer-reviewed publications but has also served as an educator and speaker throughout her career, receiving national recognition for her research. Her passion for neuroscience is deeply personal and was further fueled by the birth of her daughter, inspiring her to found Little Neurons, LLC in 2023. This venture aims to simplify scientific knowledge for children's benefit, helping them achieve their highest developmental potential. Dr. Liraz is the creator of an International Montessori seminar series. She serves as a consultant and curriculum writer for educational programs targeting school-aged children and has developed "Brain Boosters" enrichment classes for infants and toddlers. Currently, she is actively involved with the Wisconsin registry and 4C for Children, dedicating her efforts to elevate early childhood education across the state. Her work embodies a blend of scientific rigor and educational innovation, making her a leading voice in both neuroscience and childhood education. Join Dr. Liraz as she shares insights from her groundbreaking journey in neuroscience and education.

Come learn about Family Team Meetings and how they are being used in Rock County CPS! We'll explore why we are using Family Team Meetings and the wrap around process, the values we hold, and the success we are seeing in our families.

Robin Gleason

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Robin Gleason

Robin is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Social Work program. She has been in her role since May 2022 and has worked in child welfare since August 2017. Her experience in ongoing shaped her approach to Family Teams.

Lee VanZandt

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Lee VanZandt

A graduate of Excelsior College’s Criminal Justice program. I have been in my role since November 2023 but been working in the human services field since 1997. Worked as a Youth specialist with teen offenders for 23 years before becoming a social worker 3 years ago. My life experiences and training have shaped me to be a think outside the box thinker when it comes to my cases.

Jay VanZandt

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Jay VanZandt

A graduate of UW-Whitewater’s Social Work program. I have been in my role since May 2024 however my background is in child welfare and working with impacted populations. Born and raised by social workers I feel I have had experience in the field my whole life.

Talking About How Our Systems Are Broken and How My Daughter Cilivea Thyrion died in Milwaukee County Jail while on suicide watch and How I Kerrie Hirte continue to fight for change in our governmental systems

Kerrie Hirte

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Kerrie Hirte

A Mother's journey to help create change in Wisconsin's Mental Health and Justice Systems in Wisconsin. Kerrie Hirte is a Oneida Native Woman who was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Kerrie later in life experiences the life of a baby girl named Cilivea Sunray Thyrion whom will change Kerrie's life forever. Cilivea grows up with Mental Health Issues starting at a very young age and continues into her adolescence and also falls thru the cracks of our systems in Wisconsin. Cilivea has a bright future ahead of her smart with great Technology Skills, loved Singing, she loved cooking/baking and graduated High School at 18 years old like a normal kid. Cilivea's life was shortened when her mental struggles led her to the Milwaukee County Jail and this is where she took her last breathe the morning of December 16th, 2022 (4 days after her 20th Birthday). Kerrie is now looking to bring attention to our mental health and how improvements need to be made within our justice system inside the jails and prisons. Her ultimate goal is to create change so that these tragedies are not experienced by loved ones. She has travelled many times to Milwaukee and Madison to make this happen and her voice is being heard. She works tirelessly to figure out ways to create change Every Where For Every ONE!!

In some communities and schools in Wisconsin, the Hmong population is about 10%. There are some real issues that are currently facing Hmong children today that many professionals that work with the Hmong just don't understand how to help them.  This can be disheartening for passionate professionals who want to help Hmong children, but sometimes feel that they don't have the professional expertise or resources.  In my presentation, I will use my life experiences as a Hmong child growing up in poverty in Wisconsin and my 13 years of being an educator and community leader to discuss these real issues facing Hmong children today, especially when it comes to mental health.  I will give best practice solutions as to how any professional can move Hmong children from surviving to thriving.  Attendees in my presentation will receive knowledge, understanding and resources that will help them to confidently work with Hmong children.

Yauo Yang

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Yauo Yang

Yauo Yang was born in a refugee camp in Thailand called, Ban Vinai, in 1980. In 1987, his family was accepted to come to the US. He has grown up in Central Wisconsin for most of his entire life. In 2000, he graduated from Wausau West High School and that same year got married to his wife, Mayla. He went to college at UW-Stevens Point. A year later, the events of 9/11 happened and that forever changed his life. In response to that event, in 2002, Yauo signed up with the Wisconsin Army National Guard as a combat infantry soldier. He did one tour of Iraq from 2004-05. After seeing one of his soldiers die, he recommitted his life to serving the Lord. He came back from the war and his family started to grow. In 2008, he graduated from college and became an educator. In 2012, he received his master’s degree in Educational Leadership. In 2016, Yauo started a multiethnic, non-denominational church called, The Cross, where he is currently pastoring. In 2017, he received his second master’s degree in Christian Studies. In 2019, he founded a Christian drug treatment. He is the father of 6 active children, 4 boys and 2 girls. Yauo loves to spend time with his family doing outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, camping and traveling.

My student and I are currently working on a research project examining the role of hospital ERs as potential obstacles to treatment for in-patient mental health treatment.  In this research we are examining the role of lack of in-patient beds, provider stigma, lack of trained mental health staff in the hospital setting, and other factors impact the chance of getting needed treatment during a mental health crisis.  We are currently interviewing parents about their experiences and with using the ER to seek treatment for their child during a crisis and will have results to present as well as broader information from the literature on this topic.

Melissa Bonstead-Bruns

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Melissa Bonstead-Bruns

Melissa is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin -- Eau Claire and the parent of a child with mental and behavioral health issues. Her research addresses problems of access to care and other services for children with mental or behavioral health issues. Her current project addresses the problems of using hospital emergency rooms as gatekeepers to mental health care for children and adolescents--particularly the practice of boarding mental health clients in the ER, the potential for additional trauma on children and their caregivers during the ER experience, and the incidence and consequences of a failed ER visit. She also offers courses on the social consequences of mental illness, particularly as they relate to the institutions of education, health, and criminal justice.

Bryanna Brost

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Bryanna Brost

Get ready to discover the Youth Wellness Hub! Previously known as the Children's Mental and Behavioral Health Resource Navigator, this free, confidential online tool helps parents, caregivers and professionals navigate mental and behavioral health services for children and young adults under 21. By answering a few questions about the child, the Navigator provides a customized guide to connect them with the necessary resources and support. Overcoming barriers like insurance, costs, and access, the Navigator simplifies the process, reducing frustration and confusion.  During this presentation, we'll dive into the key features and benefits of the Youth Wellness Hub, showing you exactly how this tool can revolutionize your approach to mental health services. You'll learn how to use the Hub to create customized mental health resource guides tailored to individual needs. We'll also highlight the vital role of community input and professional collaboration in maintaining and enhancing the Hub, ensuring it remains a reliable resource for everyone.

Julia Michalski

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Julia Michalski

Julia is a dedicated Resource Management Specialist and Outreach Coordinator at the Well Badger Resource Center, a program of the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation (WWHF). Since joining WWHF nearly three years ago, Julia has played a pivotal role in ensuring the accuracy and accessibility of the Well Badger Online Directory, making sure it remains a trusted resource for all users. Julia earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, with minors in Environmental Studies and Public Health, from Carroll University in 2021. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with an expected graduation in 2026. In her dual role at Well Badger, Julia leverages her expertise to connect with partners and community members through engaging outreach initiatives. She is also instrumental in providing Spanish translations, crafting design work, and developing websites for Well Badger and other WWHF programs, ensuring that vital information is accessible and user-friendly for diverse audiences.

Elizabeth Olsen

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Elizabeth Olsen

Parents in recovery face a unique set of challenges. Recovery is a journey with constantly changing dynamics that require specialized supports. Parenting is an ongoing, everchanging challenge. When a person finds themselves walking both paths simultaneously, it can increase isolation, decrease connection to others, and bring specific challenges to the forefront. While originally intended to look at these social supports and sense of belonging, it became apparent throughout the listening sessions that the gaps in services and lack of support in the community - for both themselves and their children - were responsible for a significant level of isolation and needed to be addressed. 
Presenters will share findings from the Connection & Belonging: Voices of People in Recovery report, highlighting the need for more connection, communication, and collaboration across systems. We will discuss lessons learned and practices to center people in recovery by lifting voices and shifting decision-making power to the recovery community.

Maddie Breager, MPH

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Maddie Breager, MPH

Maddie Breager, MPH is a Community Health Strategist with Winnebago County Public Health where she works to engage the community to advance health equity. She earned her Masters of Public Health from the Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee and her Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Norbert College. Over the past years in public health, Maddie has focused on system-level changes related to overdose prevention and substance use recovery. Maddie believes centering voices of lived experience and working among the community is a vital component of public health.

Marissa Meagher MPH

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Marissa Meagher MPH

Marissa Meagher, MPH, is a Community Health Strategist with Winnebago County Public Health focusing on family child health in the community through direct service and program strategy and development. She earned her Masters of Public Health from Baylor University and is a certified postpartum doula, birth doula, and lactation specialist. She serves on the Board of Directors for Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care. Marissa’s background includes 4.5 years of work in immigration law as a bilingual case manager where she specialized in refugee and asylum applications, and 3 years working in resource navigation and prenatal care with low income families and families experiencing housing instability in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul metro areas in Minnesota.

Danielle Florence

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Danielle Florence

Danielle Florence is a Community Health Strategist with Winnebago County Public Health where she works to engage the community to advance health and racial equity. Over the past two years in public health, Danielle has had a wide range of focus, including work related to substance use and recovery. Danielle's background includes seven years of direct service working with those in the housing systems of Section 8 Housing and Veterans Housing.

Family Centered Treatment-Recovery (FCT-R) is an innovative practice and systems-of-care model that weaves together the evidence-based Family Centered Treatment (FCT) model and best practices in substance use treatment. FCT-R addresses substance use and the underlying family systems and trauma histories that contribute to and maintain the cycle of trauma and addiction. This intensive, home-based approach removes barriers associated with traditional substance use treatment and leverages the power of the family system in the recovery process. FCT-R navigates the complex interplay between addiction and trauma from the context of family by addressing the intersection of substance use, trauma and the resulting impact experienced by all family members. FCT-R empowers the family to lead the recovery process by engaging family strengths, values and attachment bonds.

Emily Klingenberg

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Emily Klingenberg

Emily is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of WI. Her background includes direct client work with youth in residential, day treatment settings, and in-home family therapy. Emily has been involved with LSS’s in-home evidence-based family services since her start in 2015. She currently supervises the Family Centered Treatment teams at LSS and is working to bring FCT-Recovery to the state of WI.

Sam Ryan

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Sam Ryan

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Caregiving for a family member or friend can be stressful physically, emotionally, and financially.
Join UW Extension for a free 1 hour virtual workshop for caregivers of children with special health and behavioral needs to learn about self-care strategies and techniques to increase relaxation and reduce stress.

Alicia Utke-Becher

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Alicia Utke-Becher

Alicia Utke taught in a Nationally Accredited Childcare Center for more than 25 years. She was the proud winner of the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (UWSP) 2023 Aspiring Educator's Excellence in Teaching Award. As a lead preschool teacher at UWSP Child Learning and Care Center, mentor, presenter and advocate, she has dedicated her career to being a lifelong learner and educator. Currently, Alicia serves as a UW Madison Human Development and Relationships Educator in Waupaca County.

Do you need help getting quality and equitable services through your school district? Come and learn some valuable free resources available to help you navigate through the system. After 33 years working in education and now 3 as a family services/disabilities coordinator I can share some of my experiences both providing services and working with families and school districts to get quality services in our inclusive Head Start setting. There will be time for sharing your experiences and asking questions.

Polly D Imme

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Polly D Imme

BA in Early Childhood Education UW-Eau Claire DPI Licenses in Kindergarten and Early Childhood Special Education Birth - 6 33 Years Experience Teaching Early Childhood Special Education CDA Professional Development Specialist Infant-Toddler and Preschool Current Disabilities/Family Services Coordinator at St. Croix Tribal Head Start Certified Respite Care Provider Family Services Credential

Parenting can be challenging! Practicing self-compassion can help us manage the ups and downs of parenting, and modeling self-compassion can help our children grow self-compassion, too.

Join Jamie Lynn Tatera, creator of the Self-Compassion for Children and Caregivers program, to learn a framework for growing self-compassion and resilience that can both help you support yourself as well as help your children to thrive.

Jamie Lynn Tatera

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Jamie Lynn Tatera

Jamie Lynn Tatera is is an educator, parent, and author with a passion for helping children and their caregivers become more self-compassionate. She is author of the Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Workbook for Kids, and the creator of the Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Children and Caregivers (MSC-CC) Course, a parent-child adaptation of the adult MSC program. Jamie Lynn is a certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher, an MSC for Teens teacher, and an MSC-CC teacher and teacher trainer. Additionally, she is a certified mindful yoga instructor with specialized training in the therapeutic benefits of yoga for children. Jamie Lynn has taught in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and has years of experience as an elementary school educator. Jamie Lynn trains educators, families and clinicians in her resiliency programs, and she has a wealth of experience teaching mindfulness and self-compassion to adults, children, teens, and families.

Adapting to adversity is a struggle we all have. We often do not think of resilience as a skill set but rather a way of being.  In this training, participants will learn about the components of resilience, and how their practice can influence the building of resilience in their students. We will look at the effects of a system that struggles to naturally cope with that adversity and the relationships it takes to build resiliency.

Katie Berg

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Katie Berg

Katie has been supporting students for more than 20 years. In the private sector, public education, and statewide through an IDEA Discretionary Grant her experiences include providing one on one therapy, classroom teaching, administration, resource brokering, consulting, coaching, along with district and statewide training. Katie has experience working with unique neurodiverse learners focusing on the social and emotional skills that help students and educators support behaviors that are challenging to adults.

Howard-Suamico recently pivoted their approach to reunification following a recent emergency. Howard-Suamico staff will share their experiences, learnings, and partnerships that help to ensure that all of us are as proactive as possible with school safety.

Michael Juech

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Michael Juech

Dr. Michael Juech is the Assistant Superintendent of Operations for the Howard-Suamico School District. He has been in K-12 education for 20 years and has served in various educational roles from a Classroom Teacher to a District Administrator, throughout Wisconsin. Michael completed his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Edgewood College focused on leadership in high functioning organizations Throughout his career in education, Michael has partnership with safety professionals and first responders to provide comprehensive safety plans and trainings.

Matt Krueger

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Matt Krueger

Matt Krueger is the Safety & Security Coordinator for the Howard-Suamico School District. Matt holds his degree in law enforcement. His passion for helping kids brought him to the field of education. He brings over 15 years of experience in supporting safety in K-12 education. In Matt’s role he oversees building safety assessments, emergency response training for students and staff. Uses security technology, such as surveillance systems, access control, and alarm systems, to enhance campus safety. Matt has a proven track record of implementing effective safety protocols and emergency response plans that help create a secure and nurturing learning environment.

Join TMG and self-advocate(s) as they share creative ways to practice self-care and learn how practicing self-care has made their lives healthier, fuller, and more meaningful. Additionally, learn how self-care techniques can open new doors to wonderful opportunities, such as expanding your connections in your community and making new friends. This presentation will focus on self-care for individuals, caregivers, and family members. This interactive presentation will use pre-recorded suggestions from self-advocate, along with ideas from attendees to highlight how to successfully use self-care daily. Attendees will explore wellness strategies that encourage maintaining a healthy relationship with oneself and transmit those good feelings to others. Finally, self-care exercises will be practiced that encourages maintaining a healthy relationship with oneself and transmit those good feelings to others. TMG will offer creative resources and ways to incorporate self-care for everyone.

Paul Mross

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Paul Mross

Paul Mross is currently a community partnership specialist with TMG, supporting all of Southwest Wisconsin. Paul has been with TMG for 3 years. Prior to being on the community partnership team, Paul was an IRIS consultant. Paul has been a business owner, started a yoga, non-profit in Madison, and has consulted with the University of WI-Madison on multiple fall prevention research projects.

Play is a natural part of learning. Creativity and joy for school can be increased with incorporating purposeful play throughout the day. Play supports the development of emotional regulation and enables complex language growth. Children can be over scheduled, over stimulated and over managed, which can stifle their independence and hinder their engagement in the world around them. Parents and educators should have knowledge of the developmental stages of play and that play can come in many forms at home and at school. We'll discuss how Mackeben Elementary has integrated play within our content as well as in free choice opportunities. Our school community has also shared resources and have partnered with parents to bring back play into their child's lives.

Marcie Marzullo

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Marcie Marzullo

Proud Principal of Mackeben Elementary School in Huntley School District 158. Marcie has been an educator for over 20 years with experience as a special education teacher, child study team coordinator, ESL interventionist, literacy instructional coach, Assistant Principal and English Language Learner Director. Beyond being an educator, she is a certified yoga instructor and mindfulness coach as well as a joyful mother of a ambitious teenager and rambunctious pre-teen. Marcie lives in Woodstock Illinois with her husband, who is also a teacher, her two dogs and 24 chickens.

Learn how a Support Broker can help you achieve your goals! Support Brokers work closely with care teams to assist members with achieving goals within the home and community. We will discuss the different things brokers can assist with including finding caregivers, hiring them and managing the employee/employer relationship. Come learn about what all a broker can do to help you live a self directed life!

Behavior management is one of the most effective tools for creating a safe, welcoming classroom environment. This training will explore multiple strategies for creating a behavior management system in the classroom, giving teachers new ideas to implement in their rooms. Diving deeper into aggressive behavior, this training will also look at the different reasons children may become aggressive. Teachers will find new ways to combat undesirable behavior in a developmentally appropriate way, looking at aggressive behavior through a new lens. While this training focuses on the classroom, it includes many practical applications that can be adapted for use outside of the classroom, as well.

Stephanie Tuma-Hanson

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Stephanie Tuma-Hanson

Steph Tuma-Hanson is a former toddler teacher turned Director, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology from UW-La Crosse and additional schooling in Early Childhood Education, including an Administrator Credential from UW- Platteville. With 10 years of experience in the early childhood education field, her passion for quality childcare has led to her participation in local childcare mentoring programs and advocacy at the state level for childcare reform. Her core values in the field are providing developmentally appropriate programing and a loving and nurturing learning environment for all children. She lives in Holmen, Wisconsin with her husband and 3 cats. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, crafts, reading, and traveling.

I am a therapist in Kenosha and a reptile educator, and have learned about the incredible benefit that reptiles can bring into the therapy session, teaching empathy, mood regulation, trauma healing. In my presentation I discuss the adaptations of reptiles, resilience in their evolution and how we can use these animals as analogies and tools for teaching about our own behavior.

William Stewart

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William Stewart

My name is Bill Stewart and I am a licensed clinical social worker in WI, clinical director at Impact Child and Family Therapies, and a reptile educator with WPS Reptiles. My experiences in both mental health and reptile education have led me to adopting a unique perspective in approaching youth with attachment and trauma symptoms that I am looking forward to sharing.

While Chelsea's children's primary diagnoses are autism, there were plenty of other diagnoses along the way, including bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, OCD, cognitive disability, ADHD, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Throw in celiac disease and mitochondrial disorder for good measure. From inpatient hospitalizations to dozens of IEP meetings, Chelsea's children were not expected to thrive (and sometimes surviving seemed dicey). But here these "children" are in their twenties, having gone through college and now employed. 

Along the way, Chelsea realized her most important job was to coordinate a multi-disciplinary team to band together to help Justus and Noey be the best respective selves they could be. She had to ignore the bleak reported outcomes, shake off the negative stereotypes, and orchestrate the bar so it could be raised as these two changed tens of thousands of lives by their existence, willingness to share their journeys, and dogged determination.

Chelsea Budde

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Chelsea Budde

Chelsea Budde raised and was taught by her two now adult neurodivergent children, both of whom were diagnosed with autism in early childhood. Both children went on to receive several other diagnoses into their adolescence, some connected to their neurology and some not. What she learned through their shared and distinct experiences both inspired the co-founding of a nonprofit organization that taught autism acceptance and empathy, as well as her new venture, Chelsea’s Vocation. Chelsea believes she has been called to help parents better understand their autistic children’s neurology, so they can make neuro-affirming choices in their parenting and education.

This presentation will highlight the creation of the Wisconsin Wayfinder: Children's Resource Network by the Department of Health Services.  resource and detail how it has connected professionals and families working with children with special health care needs in a simplified way.  We will also highlight how Wisconsin Wayfinder works within the System of Care to strengthen partnerships between State divisions and departments to improve access to services and supports for children with special healthcare needs. We will provide an overview of how these free, confidential services can be shared and accessed.

Emily Brach

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Emily Brach

Emily is the Children's Access and Intake Specialist at the Bureau of Children's Services at DHS. She has two decades of home visiting experience in a variety of family service programs, most recently with Katie Beckett Medicaid. Emily is passionate about improving family experience in accessing programs that serve children and youth with special healthcare needs. Be sure to stop by to introduce yourself to Emily during the conference!

Michelle Lund

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Michelle Lund

Michelle serves as the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program Director in the Division of Public Health. She also serves as Title V CYSHCN Block Grant Director. She has overseen multiple federal grants that focused on evidence-based treatment for youth and young adult substance use and multiple iterations of the opioid and stimulant federal grants. Prior to her state service, she worked as Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) provider at a nonprofit agency as an in-home family therapist for youth and young adults with medical and behavioral health care needs. She also worked in private practice as a psychotherapist and manager of a psychiatric clinic. Michelle is certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and holds a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and German Language.

According to the CDC, overdose deaths of kids 10-19 years increased 109% between 2019-2021; deaths involving illicitly manufactured fentanyl increased 182%. Two thirds of adolescents killed had at least one bystanders present, but most provided no overdose response (link:https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7150a2.htm?s_cid=mm7150a2_w)
 
In 2023, the Verona Area School District collaborated with UW Health and other community agencies to launch a comprehensive campaign to inform students and families about the prevalence and dangers of rising illicit fentanyl in the community. In this presentation, we will discuss how the school district worked with community partners to ensure every parent, staff member, and student were armed with the knowledge and resources needed to survive the deadliest drug epidemic in history.

Jenny Lee, LCSW, MSSW

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Jenny Lee, LCSW, MSSW

Jenny is a dedicated behavioral health clinician with extensive experience in adolescent mental health and harm reduction. As the coordinator for Dane County's Community Partnerships for Diversion from Youth Justice, she collaborates closely with community partners to address barriers that prevent vulnerable youth from accessing essential mental health and substance use services. A passionate advocate for youth resilience, Jenny has presented to over 5,000 students, parents, and school staff, focusing on harm reduction strategies in the context of the nation’s opioid epidemic.

Tamara Sutor

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Tamara Sutor

LCSW, MSSW

Rikki Conwell

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Rikki Conwell

RN, BSN

Living in safe, affordable, and inclusive housing is an important social determinant of health for people of all ages. Whether you rent or own your home, housing stability can help families to achieve better health, greater educational achievements, and increased security and safety. And homeownership helps generate wealth building and a pathway out of poverty. 
In this session, you'll learn about safe, affordable, and inclusive housing resources for children with disabilities who are approaching adulthood. Resources discussed will include housing counseling, rental counseling, financial wellness education, homebuyer education, downpayment assistance, and financial assistance for safety and accessibility repairs. We will also discuss rental counseling, different types of rental subsidies, and integrated supported rental homes.

Kathryne Auerback

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Kathryne Auerback

Kathryne Auerback has been Chief Executive Officer of Movin’ Out, Inc. since 2018. Movin' Out’s mission is to advance disability justice by co-creating safe, affordable, community-integrated homes. Founded in 1995, Movin’ Out has helped nearly 2,000 households that include someone with a disability to purchase their first home or maintain the safety and accessibility of their home. Their HUD-certified housing counselors have provided housing counseling and information and referrals to thousands more. Movin’ Out has developed and operates nearly 1,600 units of affordable rental housing across Wisconsin, 340 of which are supportive units set aside for people with disabilities and their families. Kathryne brings over 30 years of experience leading change for healthier and more equitable organizations and communities. Her experience includes designing and leading a broad range of innovative community and economic development initiatives. Kathryne has managed numerous green building and other environmental and health-related enterprises. She created the first ever health plan rebate program for CSA farm shares, helping to bring community-supported agriculture into the mainstream. She also helped create, launch, and lead the Social Innovation and Sustainability Leadership Graduate Program at Edgewood College. Kathryne completed the 2018-2019 Wisconsin Women’s Network Policy Institute. She has served as a volunteer board member for many other nonprofit organizations including Wispact. Kathryne earned her MA and MBA degrees from the University of Wisconsin.

Don takes audiences on a journey from his youth through today. He provides the audience with hope by sharing how he overcame the odds to go on to become a hall of fame broadcaster and entrepreneur. Don uses the Bridges Transition Model to explain his path from surviving to thriving. You'll learn how Stephen Covey's concept of the four unique human gifts helped him understand past trauma and move forward. He'll also provide tips that people can implement themselves to help overcome adversity. This talk touches on sensitive topics around resiliency, drugs and alcohol, childhood sexual assault, and suicidal thoughts.

Don Wadewitz

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Don Wadewitz

Don tries to help himself and others to live life to the fullest and be good to one another. It's a mantra he adopted after losing a friend to cancer. Don's focus is on building leaders in organizations and creating a positive organizational culture. His past roles have included being a senior leadership trainer, training director, and director of culture. Don has also been involved in a wide variety of sports across Southern Wisconsin as a broadcaster and public address announcer for over 20 years. He's worked over a dozen national championship games in some capacity and was inducted into the American Football Association Hall of Fame in the Media category in 2019 during a ceremony in Canton, Ohio. Don uses his experiences in sports to teach the next generation as an adjunct instructor with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Sports Management program where he teaches sports communications and sports broadcasting. Don has a B.A. in Broadcast and Electronic Communication from Marquette University and an M.S. in Training and Human Resource Development from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He's served on the board of directors of the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) and the Racine Raiders Football Club, Inc.

Tracey will share her personal story of childhood sexual abuse and describe how the weight of this unhealed trauma, in her invisible backpack, directly impacted her ability to learn and function in her childhood and teenage years.  As a mental health therapist, she will discuss effective ways to support, encourage and guide children, that have experienced trauma, thrive in social and educational settings.

Tracey Atkinson

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Tracey Atkinson

Tracey Atkinson, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of Tracey Atkinson Coaching & Counseling, LLC. She has been working in the mental health field for over 15 years. Tracey obtained her Master’s Degree in Counseling Education from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and has worked in community outpatient mental health, inpatient psychiatric mental health and private practice settings. She has worked with a Child Advocacy Center as a mental health specialist, mobile crisis intervention and collaboratively with various community resources including police departments, sheriff’s departments, emergency room staff, jail staff, school staff and other community organizations. Tracey volunteers her time with NAMI of WI and is passionate about public speaking engagements on mental health. She has had the privilege of speaking at mental health conferences in WI including the NAMI Annual Conference, WI Head Start Annual Conference, WI Counseling Association Annual Conference and will be speaking at the UW Lacrosse Suicide Prevention Summit in September 2024.

Transitioning can be overwhelming. It doesn't have to be. Planning and taking a piece at a time can decrease the stress and smooth the process. We will focus on decision-making while planning transition. When the process is personalized, this can comfortably provide the focus needed to protect your rights, your goals and your wishes. Let's get ready for the next chapter in life.

Howard Mulloy

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Howard Mulloy

Howard Mulloy has enjoyed more than 35 years helping people who have disabilities and their families. He has assisted children and adults who have a wide range of developmental and intellectual disabilities, mental health and physical challenges. His history also includes long-term supports for people who are aging as well as adult protective services. ​​​   With background in social work Howard has provided direct care and has been an adult day service instructor. He was also trained as an instructor for Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI) and provided vocational training. He is also a notary public. Howard has enjoyed 27 years in county government providing juvenile justice, child protective services and, as a state licensed professional counselor, coordinated long-term supports for people of all ages and adult protective services. Transition from child to adult services and future planning for all ages and situations are also specialties.

Do you have a child with a disability or do you suspect your child has a disability?  Are you feeling upset, nervous, overwhelmed, or frustrated? As a parent of a special education child, I turned my grieving process for my child into empowerment, knowledge, engagement and positivity to help my child's success. Join me for a journey with strategies and knowledge to embrace disabilities.

Carrie Wilson-Smith

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Carrie Wilson-Smith

Carrie Wilson-Smith has over 35 years of experience in the special education field as a teacher, coordinator and director in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Most important, Ms. Wilson-Smith is a parent of an adult with a cognitive disability, enhancing her understanding of being a parent and navigating special education. Ms. Wilson-Smith earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education from Winona State University. She earned her Master’s and Specialist Degree from St. Mary’s University. In addition, she has earned her licensure in Work Based Learning in Minnesota and is a coach for parents. Ms. Wilson-Smith currently is the DPI/WSPEI parent contact for special education, supporting families with special education information and addressing their needs and concerns.

I could go...if only I had a caregiver.  Haven't we all said this?  The shortage of caregivers continues. This interactive session will help families build ideas, resources, and strategies for finding and utilizing caregivers so that their families can survive AND thrive!

Pamela Hencke

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Pamela Hencke

Pamela has a passion for disability advocacy that expands beyond the needs of her family. Advocacy work is definitely strong in her heart, and she finds great passion in helping and assisting other families. Pamela’s youngest child, Carson, is 15-years old and has an amazing smile and laugh. Carson disabilities involve cognitive and physical disabilities. Pamela is a member of the WI Department of Health Services-Children’s Long Term Support State Council as well as the Brown County Children’s Long Term Support Advisory Council. Additionally, she works in Human Resources at Disability Rights Wisconsin. Pamela and her husband have three children, ages 21, 19 and 15, and enjoy taking family trips and live in Green Bay, WI.

Wendy Heyn

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Wendy Heyn

Wendy Heyn works with Disability Rights Wisconsin and its disability partners on the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) efforts on voting rights for people with disabilities. She provides outreach and education to people with disabilities, their families and other stakeholders on voting rights in Southeastern Wisconsin. Wendy spent over a decade working as an elementary school teacher and it has prepared her well for teaching others about voting and for organizing outreach efforts. As the mother of a son who lives with disabilities, she has years of experience working with caregivers and is excited to share what she has learned with other families. Wendy is a 2018 Partners in Policymaking graduate.

Companion animals (pets) provide natural, therapeutic health and wellness benefits similar to the intensive training and work of Service Animals, Emotional Support Animals, and Therapy Animals. Through understanding the essence of the Human-Animal Bond, we will reveal an often overlooked partner (a pet!) in the prevention, maintenance and/or recovery from disease.

Cindy Brosig

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Cindy Brosig

Cindy Brosig continues to enjoy a 30 year career in nursing that has offered her the opportunity to work in various practice settings and to care for all ages of patients and their family members, including their companion animals. Cindy is the founder and owner of Operation H.E.E.L., a private holistic nursing practice that partners with nonhuman animals to enhance the physical, social, and emotional health and well-being of youth through animal-assisted therapy. After serving 8 years in the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps, Cindy completed her Masters in Nursing with an emphasis in animal-assisted therapy in 2016 and later that same year was awarded the prestigious Department of Veterans Affairs Wisconsin Woman Veteran of the Year for the creation of a no cost animal-assisted intervention program designed specifically to support our U.S. military children. As a certified dog trainer, Cindy developed the Empowered Dog Training and Human Coaching program to help dogs and their owners/guardians find a deeper meaning and profound healing in their relationship through movement and energy work. Cindy is an avid independent researcher, compassionate author, and tireless advocate and volunteer for several local dog, cat, and horse rescues. Cindy shares space on a 7-acre farm with her husband, a U.S. Army veteran, and two children, 2 rescued horses, 2 rescued cats, 4 rescued dogs, and a flock of rescued chickens.

1. Innovating and improving services (positive changes) is really important.
2. Why teaming for change is essential (versus the single champion approach to change which is not very successful or sustainable).
3. When teaming for change, it is important to have the perspective of people with lived experience. Why is this true? Small group discussion, then large group share out.
4.What are the best practices for including people with lived experiences on your agency's change team? Distribute handout and review each section. (Rationale was just covered in #3.)
     a. Recruiting
     b. Onboarding
     c. Supporting 

5.Closing activity: What did you learn or what was the most important take-away?

Brenda S Freeman

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Brenda S Freeman

Brenda S. Freeman. Although presently retired, Brenda is a PLEX (Person with Lived Experience). She is a PLEX Advocate with the RWC in Western WI as well as having served as a PLEX Advocate in her own region for Waupaca County. Her life, professional and educational experiences has made her knowledgeable and well-rounded. She received a BA in History, a BA in International Studies, and a BS in Political Science in 1993 from UW-Oshkosh. She received her Law Degree in 1995 from the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison, WI. In 1996, she opened her own General Private Practice Law Firm in New London, WI. There she focused on Children's & Elder Advocacy until her retirement in 2016. In 1999, she was appointed to serve as an Outagamie County Contract Guardian ad Litem until 2015. In 2004, she also took on a part-time position with the Waupaca County District Attorney’s Office prosecuting CHIPS, TPRs, & crimes where children are victims until she retired in 2016. From 2004 to 2008, she also acted as a Consultant and Legal Trainer to the Waupaca County Department of Health and Human Services Children & Families Division. She has served as the President, Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurer of the Waupaca County Bar Association. She has also belonged to the Outagamie County Bar Association and presently belongs to the State Bar of WI. She has taught seminars on the topics of Advocacy for Children, Adult Incompetents, WI’s Ch.48, 51, 55 and WI Ethics Issues with the State Bar of Wisconsin, Disability Rights Wisconsin, and other organizations.

Our rural county had to come up with many creative and collaborative efforts to fill gaps in services ensure that high risk youth and families are being served by the most appropriate interventions. While also igniting of change in a system that his historically reactive not proactive has improved well-being and conduct in our community.

Samantha Zoellner

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Samantha Zoellner

Samantha Zoellner has been providing community-based mental health services (CCS, CLTS, and CST), including intensive case-management, skill development, and group facilitation, to youth and families for 6 years. She has been a strong advocate for youth in her community and has demonstrated leadership in developing collaborative community initiatives to address truancy and deliver evidence-based services to youth. She is especially passionate about serving adolescents involved in multiple systems of care and strives to find creative ways to meet youth needs in her rural community through leveraging the power of collaboration with community partners. Sam is trained as an Aggression Replacement Training (ART) facilitator and is the behavioral health representative developing and executing her county’s truancy reduction effort.

Sofia Widowski

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Sofia Widowski

Sofia Widowski graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison and has a Bachelor’s Degree. Sofia is also a licensed Social Worker. and has been working in the youth justice field since 2019. Sofia has been employed at Lincoln County Social Services and has worked as the youth justice initial, and ongoing worker. Sofia has a passion for her work and is always looking for new opportunities to support youth. Sofia believes that meeting families where they are at is essential to the change process.

Is your child in need of a ramp, fence, therapy equipment installed, bathroom adaptations or something else? Learn how Logan's Heart and Smiles can keep your child safe and/or provide accessibility in the home by building these items and other unique projects. Modifications are built to your child's specific needs, goals, and home. You will learn what Logan's can do and the different funding options available. Logan's Heart and Smiles builds accessibility, safety, and sensory modifications for children ages 21 and under who live in Wisconsin.

Angela Wallace

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Angela Wallace

Angela’s journey with Logan’s Heart and Smiles started with a simple golf outing in 2010. Little did she know, that moment would mark the beginning of a beautiful, transformative adventure. She’s been the driving force behind modernizing our operations, introducing online service applications, streamlining project record-keeping, and securing vital grant funding. In 2023, Angela joined us full time to steer Logan’s Heart and Smiles towards a sustainable and successful future.In her spare time, Angela enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, spending time in her garden, and volunteering at a riding stable for persons with disabilities, where she can get her "horse fix" and help others simultaneously.

Joe Herr

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Joe Herr

Joe is the Founder & program director.. Logan was is son.

This presentation will empower adults to prevent, recognize, and react
responsibly to child sexual abuse through awareness, education, and stigma reduction. Join the movement toward a world free of child sexual abuse – a world in which adults form prevention-oriented communities that protect the child's right to a healthy childhood.

Kari Vadis

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Kari Vadis

Kari Vadis is an Authorized Facilitator with Darkness to Light (D2L.org): a non-profit committed to empowering adults to end child sexual abuse. Kari has been training parents and community leaders how to protect children since 2020. She is committed to education, training, and survivor support with the goal of ending child sexual abuse and bringing healing to its resulting harms. Kari grew up in Santa Cruz, CA graduating from Sonoma State University (1997) and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (2003). She currently serves as an ELCA pastor in Northern Wisconsin with her husband of 23 years and her two teenage daughters. Their favorite things to do as a family are: backpacking, camping and hiking. She is still trying to figure out how to enjoy the winter but she loves living in the northwoods.

During my presentation I would like to share parts of my journey as a PDA parent navigating the IEP process and what being an advocate has looked like for my family. The challenges of understanding PDA and how it can appear (or be dismissed) during IEP evaluations and the school systems. Discussion and examples of what it means to consider neurology and shift to a neurological approach, and the benefits a neurological approach has for the child as a whole.

Alison Miller

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Alison Miller

Alison is a dedicated parent and advocate for a child with PDA Autism. As a fulltime paralegal, she brings a unique perspective and skill set to navigating complex educational systems. Currently collaborating closely with her child's school district, Alison is committed to fostering a deeper understanding of PDA and implementing effective support strategies, including developing comprehensive and inclusive IEPs. Her passion lies in empowering other caregivers and educators and driving positive change within the educational community.

Teaching parents and professionals the difference between self-regulation and co-regulation, emphasizing the importance of connection with overall regulation.  Leave with some concrete tools to improve co-regulation with your child.

Rebecca Burda

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Rebecca Burda

Rebecca Burda is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly a decade of experience working with children and adolescents, young adults, and parents/caregivers. Rebecca is also a Certified Parent Peer Support Specialist and enjoys supporting parents to best meet their child’s mental health needs. Rebecca works with clients who may be struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, autism, ADHD and developmental disabilities. She is formally trained in multiple evidence based therapeutic interventions such as Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, EMDR, Adoption Competency, and Motivational Interviewing.

Martha Haynes

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Martha Haynes

Martha Haynes MS, M.ED, LMFT Martha is a former kindergarten, special education, ESL and bilingual teacher. She specializes in working with neurodivergent children, ADHD, Autism and children with special needs. She left teaching and moved into marriage and family therapy in 2019. She uses her skills learned from 11 years of teaching to work with parents and caregivers. Helping both adult and child learn to connect with each other and communicate is her main goal. She also works in the schools to help children and their teachers create a positive learning environment. Martha is interested in reading about neurodiversity, brain plasticity, co-regulation and self regulation.

We activate, demonstrate, educate, motivate, stimulate, as validate that trauma prevented with safety helmets when biking, horse back riding, ATVing, etc., is beneficial to health care cost.

Shaun Best

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Shaun Best

I was blessed not be aborted 1965, then endured 1969 open-heart surgery, then triumphed a 3-month coma from 1977, then endured 59 blows to the brain, which has resulted in numerous books, poetry, etc. The 3-month coma was caused by a truck running over myself. Lucky, I did not allow these mishaps to stop my efforts.

This session provides important, practical, empathic approaches that will help manage challenging behaviors. Handling a disruptive, combative, or argumentative child can be challenging, and the presenter will provide strategies to address those challenges. What do you do when children Temper Tantrums appear? Imagine reducing the time from minutes to seconds of emotional upset or tantrum with proven real-time emotional intelligence, communication tools and skills. Join us for an informative and fun-filled session that will provide impactful information for parents, administrators and teachers.

Bill Stierle

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Bill Stierle

Bill Stierle provides a powerful and groundbreaking understanding of everyday language which enables people to interact and communicate in a healthy, compassionate, and productive way. Over the last 37 years, Bill has been sharing the keys that unlock the secrets to how people's thinking, behaving, and beliefs impact their quality of life. What began with his search to understand difficult personal interactions led to a consulting career that transforms personal relationships as well as the companies and executives who experience his work. Bill has mastered a unique blend of emotional intelligence expertise which accelerates your understanding of emotions and language and supports you to communicate effectively. People who work with him experience how simple changes in language dramatically improve every aspect of life.

Join Megan Hamm, LPC and Registered Play Therapist, for a transformative presentation designed to empower foster and adoptive parents dealing with challenging behaviors. Megan introduces her H.E.A.R.T. Framework, a compassionate and practical approach to managing emotional outbursts and meltdowns. Learn to shift from feeling overwhelmed to confident, as Megan guides you through understanding the neurobiology of behaviors, applying H.E.A.R.T. as an effective crisis intervention strategy, and fostering stronger parent-child relationships. Gain actionable tools to de-escalate situations, maintain composure, and build a nurturing environment for your child. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your parenting journey and enhance your family's well-being. Join us and start mastering meltdown moments today!

Megan M. Hamm

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Megan M. Hamm

Over the past 15 years working in mental health, Megan has had the privilege of sitting with others and holding space while they release the most hurtful parts of their lives and themselves. Part of her work involves Megan’s ability to pause, reflect, and strategize on how to make an even bigger impact in the healing that is done in the therapy room. Usually, in therapy, there is one individual who wants to feel, interact within, and overall be healthier within their systems. But Megan noticed that the systems were not always present in that space. Time and time again, it has been seen that within the systems of family, school, among friends, at work, and within the community – there is the biggest impact. Today, Megan focuses on empowering foster and adoptive parents to manage meltdown moments in order to have better relationships with their children. Through her Amazon best-selling book, Heart of the Matter: A Compassionate Approach to Transforming Behaviors in Foster and Adoptive Children, and her informative, interactive, and energetic trainings, she provides a mindset shift about behaviors that directly impacts how we choose to respond to them. Megan works as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), supervisor, and Registered Play Therapist (RPT) with over 15 years of experience working with individuals and families, particularly those impacted by traumatic experiences. She is dedicated to fostering resilience and recovery in foster and adoptive families, helping them rediscover the joy of parenting.

From a struggling student diagnosed with a learning disability, dyslexia, to a college graduate, Interior Designer, multimillion dollar Account Executive, former University Lecturer, Motivational Speaker, podcast host and so much more, Katey Fortun doesn't give up! Katey has had many different career experiences so far in her 30+ years of life and she takes those experiences and shares them with the world in hopes to inspire people all over the world. Speaking is Katey's super power and she has had the pleasure of speaking to so many kids, teens and adults around world, in person, virtually and on her podcast. It brings her true joy to connect with students and inspire them to know they are amazing just the way they are.

"You can do anything you put your mind to, with a lot of hard work, determination and never giving up!"

Katey Fortun

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Katey Fortun

From a struggling student diagnosed with a learning disability, to a college graduate, Interior Designer, multimillion dollar Account Executive, former Lecturer at UW-Stout, Motivational Speaker, podcast host and so much more, Katey Fortun doesn't give up! Katey has had many different career experiences so far in her 30+ years of life and she takes those experiences and shares them with the world in hopes to inspire people all over the world. Speaking is Katey's super power and she has had the pleasure of speaking to so many kids, teens and adults around world, in person, virtually and on her podcast. It brings her true joy to connect with students and inspire them to know they are amazing just the way they are. Katey believes that everyone has Different Abilities and it's time to let our Different Abilities shine bright! You are amazing, you are important, you are strong, you are smart and the world needs you just the way you were made! "You can do anything you put your mind to, with a lot of hard work, determination and never giving up! It's not your disability, it's your Different Ability®!" - Katey

During this session parents, and those who work to support parents, will learn all about what we can Parent Wellness Circles. Parent Wellness Circles are wonderful ways for parents to normalize the challenges that modern parents face and at the same time enjoy the non-judgmental  support of a group of their peers. Over six sessions participants create parenting goals for themselves and with the support of the group and the facilitator make positive movement towards being more of the parent they would like to become. This will be in interactive session.

Holly Hughes Stoner

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Holly Hughes Stoner

For almost thirty years Holly Hughes Stoner, M. Ed, LMFT, was a public school teacher in Illinois and Wisconsin. Additionally, she had a K-12 tutoring practice for over thirty years in Milwaukee and is currently in practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Holly has also co-authored The Wellness Notebook set for Adults, Parents and Teens, and other wellness materials, including Wellness Circles with her husband, Scott. Together they also co-direct the Wellness Compass Initiative. They also co create the weekly column, and podcast by the same. Holly lives in Madison, WI and has three adult children and two grandsons.

on April 12, our 17 year old daughter Brooke died by suicide. She was struggling with depression and we sought help for her. On March 8th, We took her to see her primary care dr, who instructed us to take her to the ED. We immediately took her to the ED where we had a horrible experience. Brooke went from begging for help, to begging to just go home. The resident at the ED said he was fine with sending Brooke home because we had "good communication" with her. He sent her home, knowing that she had two prior suicide attempts, and knowing that we would go home and wait months to get her into therapy. We were on several wait lists to see a therapist. We had started her on meds. But none of it was enough. She passed away while she was waiting for help.

Julie Elfers

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Julie Elfers

I am a wife, and a mom to 3 boys ages 12, 15, and 20. I am also a mom to a beautiful daughter who is forever 17. We live just outside of Madison, WI. We have two dogs, a newfiepoo and a mystery mutt. We are a swim family and can be found poolside cheering our boys on, pretty much any Saturday morning all year round. I have always had a passion for mental health awareness, but that has intensified since losing my daughter to suicide in April. My purpose in life is now to speak the truth about mental health, point out gaps in the system, and try to find solutions to fix the problems.