VSCA Event here in Richmond

VSCA Fall Institute: Prevention, Education and Intervention  October 4, 2013 – 8am – 4 pm Doubletree Hotel (Formerly Holiday Inn-Select) Richmond This year, we are so excited to present a one-day workshop focused on mental health and wellness. These interactive sessions will equip you with information and strategies needed to address many issues students experience as well as ways to promote wellness.            Trends in Adolescent Substance Abuse Substance abuse patterns evolve and cycle frequently within the adolescent population, which can present difficulties for professionals in the human service field to identify and provide adequate service arrangements. This presentation reviews trends in adolescent substance using behaviors, with a particular focus on synthetic substances, to include origination, pharmacology, abuse patterns and treatment options. Brief reviews of additional substance use  patterns are presented, including: alcohol, marijuana, prescription medications, heroin and methamphetamine. Presenter:  Tony Roma, MSW, CSAC, Family Insights   Strategies and School Counseling Programs to Address Students’ Mental Health and Wellness This interactive session will provide school counselors information on depression awareness and suicide prevention, warning signs, risk factors, prevention and response, as well as how to educate students, faculty and parents. Strategies will be provide to assist with the development and implementation a school mental wellness program that fosters communication and reduces the stigma of mental health issues school-wide.           Presenter: Kari Olsen, M. Ed. School Counselor, Fairfax County Public Schools   Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Student Behavior                                                        Students often experience trauma that impacts behavior and achievement. This session will discuss how trauma impacts the brain, attachment, and behaviors. Strategies and suggestions will be provided to assist school counselors when working with students.                                                                                                       Presenter: Allison Sampson, PhD, LCSW, LICSW, CSOTP                                                                             Regional Vice President of Clinical Operations, Eastern Division                                                                      Providence Service Corporation  Working with LGBT Students and Families  Our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students are at a higher-risk for social-emotional struggles that impact academic success and post-secondary outcomes.  In this session, school counselors will learn about these risk factors, gain strategies and best-practices for supporting LGBT students and families, and learn about resources to share with colleagues, students, and families Presenter: Darrell Sampson, MA, LPC, NCC Resource Counselor, Fairfax County Public Schools   Running Groups in Schools: Barriers, Struggles, and Strategies Effectively facilitated groups can positively impact academic achievement. Despite documented benefits, groups are underutilized in schools, particularly at the high school level. In this presentation, presenters will provide an overview of research into the experience of secondary school counselors who successfully lead groups, and will discuss strategies to address systemic barriers to groups, and will demonstrate how focusing on in-group process can improve group experiences and outcomes. Presenters: H. George McMahon, Ph.D. & Tracy Albert, M.Ed., George Mason University  Cost - $60 for members, $80 for nonmembers (includes lunch) Register online at  www.vsca.org Register Today!!!

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