Current Trends in Addictions Impacting our Youth  

Anthony Rizzuto, MSW,CASAC- Master Counselor, CAI-I Director of Provider Relations ARISE  Certified  Interventionist, Seafield Center 

This presentation will provide information on the 

• Disease of addiction 
• Current Trends 
• Legalization of Marijuana 
• Fentanyl 
• Gambling 
• The Pandemic and its impact on MH and SUD 

Our youth today are facing many challenges on many different levels. This presentation will look at some of the dangers that are facing our youth and their family today. 

New Territory: When Our Kids Question their Gender Identity 

Pat Hillenbrand, FPA, Mobile Integration Team, Sagamore; Peter Hillenbrand, CPA, and are parents of a young transgender adult; Andrea Stolz.    Executive Director of Long Island Families Together 

When our children come to us saying that they want to explore or redefine their gender identity, as parents, we tend to move through a predictable series of emotions. It is very normal for a parent to be confused, overwhelmed, or fearful initially when faced with this news. Pat, Peter and Andrea have navigated this new territory in their own lives. They will share their experiences, highlight why parental acceptance is vitally important, and then take questions from caregivers in the audience in order to help them identify next steps for their own families.

Mindful Gratitude and Connection to help De- Stress

Cathy Riva, CEO of Riva Events & Former Host of Discovery Channel  

In this workshop, you will learn tools and awareness to manage stress and maintaining mental health.  Discovering your inner self and finding mindfulness as a way to ease stress and search for deep connection to your purpose and passion.

The Nature of Healing Introduction to Ecotherapy for Healing Mental Health Disorders Among Youth 

Aiyana Smith, LCSW, Founder, Blossom Sustainable Development and Counseling Services; Meesha Johnson, MSW, Project Director, Blossom Sustainable Development and Counseling Services 

This presentation is an introduction to Ecotherapy. Ecotherapy brings together the world of environmental sciences with psychotherapy based on the premise that healing between the nature world and the individual and interconnected. Many of the lessons learned from Ecotherapy are rooted in Indigenous Healing practices and understanding nature as an extension of ourselves.  The objectives of this workshop include 

1. Understanding the History of Ecotherapy.
2. Understanding the Healing Relationship with the Nature World 
3. Exploring Ecotherapy Indoors and Outdoors 
4. Incorporating Ecotherapy into Practice 

Participants will take away from this workshop and general understanding of Ecotherapy and its benefit. Participates will also have examples of nature-based activities that they can incorporated when working youth. 

Understanding the signs of Depression in children and adolescents
Como Comprendar los Signos de Despresion en en niños y Adolesecentos

Yvette Diaz-Scannapieco, MHC, Hispanic Counseling Center

It’s natural for children, like adults, to experience emotional ups and downs. For some children and adults, feeling “blue” for an extended period can be a sign of depression. If a child or an adolescent’s mental health interferes with social activities, interests, schoolwork or family life, it’s time to get help.

Es natural que los niños, como los adultos, experimenten altibajos emocionales. Para algunos niños y adultos, sentirse “triste” durante un período prolongado puede ser un signo de depresión. Si la salud mental de un niño o adolescente interfiere con las actividades sociales, los intereses, el trabajo escolar o la vida familiar, es hora de buscar ayuda.

Active Shooter for Parents Skills and awareness 

Police Officer, Andrew Fiorello Homeland Security and Suffolk County Police Dept. 

Police Officer Andrew Fiorello will be presenting on Active Shooter/Basic Survival Strategies. Officer Andrews will give a fact-based presentation on active shooter and speak about tips, tools, and strategies that can be implemented 

Keeping The Mask off: Recognizing Substance Use 

Nendler Michel, LCSW, Director of Clinical Services at North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center 

The workshop will help those in practice; identify potential substance use/misuse in children, teens and young adults through the lens of recognizing an underlying mental health issue. The goal is to help discover potential bias that interfere with successful treatment when working with co-occurring clientele. Dee” Nendler Michel, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with over 20 years of experience in the human services field. He has a specialty in working with at-risk populations and in the treatment of co-occurring disorders, in which an individual has a co-existing mental illness and substance use disorder. 

Parents & LGBTQ+ Children:
Creating a Supportive and Affirming Home  

Maria Demauro,  LGBTQ Services Manager of Pride For Youth 

This informational workshop provides a supportive learning space for parents and professionals to have a better understanding on how to support LGBTQ+ youth in a family dynamic. The workshop covers resources available on Long Island, foundational information about the LGBTQ community, best practices in supporting and advocating for your LGBTQ+ child, and up to date research on parenting LGBTQ+ children. This workshop has plenty of time for open discussion and questions.  

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on Long Island 

Laura Romanoff, LI Regional Youth Partner, Families Together in NYS; Justice Walcott, DEI Youth Engagement Specialist, Families Together in NYS

This workshop will be defining what diversity, equity and inclusion is, what it means to youth, and why it is important. It will also discuss how these child serving systems can incorporate DEI into their services, and best practices for implementing it. I also aim to discuss how we can implement DEI in our day-to-day lives not just in the services we provide.  

Parents & LGBTQ+ Children: Creating a Supportive and Affirming Home  

Maria Demauro, LGBTQ Services Manager of Pride For Youth 

This informational workshop provides a supportive learning space for parents and professionals to have a better understanding on how to support LGBTQ+ youth in a family dynamic. The workshop covers resources available on Long Island, foundational information about the LGBTQ community, best practices in supporting and advocating for your LGBTQ+ child, and up to date research on parenting LGBTQ+ children. This workshop has plenty of time for open discussion and questions.

Youth Centered Care In Action

Tiara Springer-Love, Director of Youth Power & Mariama Toe-Freeland, NYC Regional Youth Partner

Young people are the experts on their own lives. Unfortunately, many times they are not seen as experts, and system leaders may not involve young people in decisions about their own cases or about how the system should operate to effectively support young people, families and communities. As a result, without this level of engagement, systems often perpetuate negative experiences and outcomes.

Drawing from their experiences, perspectives, ideas and skills, these facilitators seek to strengthen communities in responsive and sustainable ways. Authentic youth engagement demonstrates a commitment to an inclusive process geared toward advancing equity. Engaging young people in planning and decision making regarding their lives — and the larger community — yields benefit for them as they transition into adulthood.