The Southwest Region of the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists is pleased to announce a Spring 2016 workshop available at 2 locations, for your convenience:
Roanoke, Virginia
Thursday, March 10, 2016
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.*
(Lunch at 12:00 on your own)
WDBJ-7 Community Room
2807 Hershberger Road
Roanoke, Virginia 24017
OR
Abingdon, Virginia
Friday, March 11, 2016
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.*
(Lunch at 12:00 on your own)
Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator, Inc.
851 French Moore, Jr. Blvd.
Suite 200
Abingdon, Virginia 24210
* Those attending this workshop will be eligible for 5 NASP approved CPD credits and may be eligible for Va. Board of Psychology approved credits. Please register for the day or location that suits you best. CPD can only be awarded once.
A.M. Session:
Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management: Building a Collaborative Approach to Identifying, Assessing, and Managing Threatening Behaviors
Presented by: Dr. Gene Deisinger, SIGMA Threat Management Associates, PA
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Recent mass casualty incidents have raised concerns about both prevention of targeted violence in general and the role of major mental health concerns in particular. In addition, school psychologists and other mental health professionals are increasingly involved in the assessment and management of persons who may engage in threatening and volatile behaviors. Such individuals can be highly disruptive both in educational and work settings and in the community at large. Their behaviors may range from tactics of bullying and intimidation, to stalking and harassment, to acts of violence that devastate a school, workplace, family, or community. Several events from around the world have underscored the ongoing need for effective and collaborative strategies for violence prevention. This session will provide participants with a working understanding of: 1) the nature and process of targeted violence, 2) the relationship between mental illness and violence, 3) a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach to cases, 4) contextually based assessment of cases, 5) integrated intervention and case management strategies, and 6) increasing community engagement in the safety and well-being of their community.
P.M. Session:
Just Breathe: An Introduction to Mindfulness
Presented by: Laura Leonard, Roanoke City Public Schools
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
As educators, we are all too aware that stress interferes with daily functioning in a variety of ways, including memory and retention of information, appropriate regulation of emotions, and overall health and well-being, all of which have a great impact on student success in life and in school. Across the nation, school systems are taking preventative actions to help alleviate the impact of stress and equip students with simple techniques and strategies to assist them in being more successful, productive and empowered learners and citizens. Such practices, commonly known as “mindfulness,” can lead to improvements in all areas of academic, social, and emotional functioning, by teaching children (and adults!) to better take control of their thoughts and actions, and bring a sense of mindful intention and purpose to what they do and experience. By learning strategies such as relaxation and focusing one’s attention more directly on a task or feeling, students become more receptive to learning and processing information and emotions. They are able to apply more critical thinking skills to help with academic demands, as well as important social behaviors such as empathy and compassion for self and others. Many of the schools and classrooms that have implemented such curriculums have indicated both teacher and student satisfaction in the programs, as well as a decrease in behavior problems with a concurrent increase in academic achievement.
Flyer and Registration information here:
Southwest Regional Conference Flyer
