Catch Them Before They Fall: School-Based Health Centers As A Safety Net For Youth 

School Based Health Centers (SBHC) are a vital part of the safety net for children and adolescents – our most vulnerable citizens – because they provide primary care medical and behavioral health treatment services for youth right in their schools. Some SBHCs have dental services on site as well.  Young people bring all of their issues to school, and the SBHC staff works with families, the school, and community resources to meet those needs.  Along with a dynamic keynote speaker and quality workshops, join us to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Connecticut Association of School-Based Health Centers!

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Key Note Speaker

Keynote speaker Dr. James Johnson presenting on "Disruptive Demographics: Implications for Youth Serving Organizations"*

James H. Johnson Jr. is the William R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Director of the Urban Investment Strategies Center at the University of North Carolina.  Dr. Johnson examines the causes and consequences of the growing inequality in American society, particularly as it affects socially and economically disadvantaged youth.  He will present approaches to poverty alleviation, job creation, and community development.  Throughout the world and in the US, there is unprecedented demographic transformation.  Dr. Johnson believes that these forces are so dramatic that he calls them ‘disruptive demographics.’

In his dynamic presentation, Dr. Johnson will describe the six disruptive demographic trends that are drastically altering the social, economic, and political fabric of our nation, creating both challenges and opportunities for school-based health centers and other youth-serving organizations.

Morning Workshops

Disruptive Behavior in Elementary and Middle School Students: Treatment Approaches and Best Practices Dr. Joshua Rosenthal, Manhattan Psychology Group,PC

Children with ADHD, ODD, and other disruptive behavior disorders can struggle in the classroom and interfere with the learning environment. SBHC clinicians will learn techniques to assist teachers and parents to produce long-term improvements.  Through the use of instruction, exercises, and live coaching, Dr. Rosenthal will train participants to assess symptoms and create evidenced-based treatment plans to implement behavioral change. 

Concussion and Return to Learn Dr. Karen Laugel

Children and teens with concussions often take longer to recover (weeks to months after the injury), requiring modifications of their academic activities as well as supervision of their readiness to return to physical activities.  They often present with delayed symptoms.  Dr. Laugel will review the current science and best practices in concussion diagnosis and management -- including transitioning children with mild TBI back to school, school accommodations during recovery, forming school concussion management teams, and evaluating the child with chronic symptoms. 

Coping With an Active Shooter Situation at School Lt. James Perez, Fairfield Police Department

Lt. Perez has extensive experience in crime prevention and strategies to avoid a violent confrontation or cope with a violent encounter. In this session, participants will learn to increase their security awareness through recognition of violent indicators such as body language, posture, or unreasonable expectations. Lt. Perez' dynamic workshop will demonstrate skills to appropriately respond to unexpected encounters in the school environment. 

I CAN’T BREATHE when I run!  Is it exercise-induced asthma? Dr. Pnina Weiss, Yale University Department of Pediatrics

Shortness of breath during exercise is a very common complaint in children and adolescents.  How can the diagnosis of exercise-induced asthma be made?  Dr. Weiss will discuss treatment and medication options, as well as differential diagnosis in clinical assessment.  The workshop will review the latest advances in the diagnosis and management of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, the role of exercise testing, and both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapy.

Providing Culturally Competent Care in Your School Based Health Center Karen D'Angelo MSW, Hispanic Health Council*

With the growing diversity of U.S. society, cultural competence in healthcare is all the more crucial.  Ms. D’Angelo will provide an inspiring experience for participants on health inequities, racial and ethnic healthcare disparities, stereotyping, blaming the victim, and patient-centered care.  She will lead attendees in a hands-on participatory exercise that will emphasize the importance of cultural competence in the delivery of quality health care.  This workshop meets the requirements for social work licensure.

Afternoon Workshops

The Skin You’re In: Common Pediatric Dermatologic Conditions Dr. Brittany Craiglow, Yale University School of Medicine

This workshop will describe several common skin conditions that affect the pediatric population that may present in a school based setting, including infections, infestations, and inflammatory dermatoses.  For each disorder, participants will understand characteristic clinical manifestations, discuss prognosis, and present treatment options.  The goal of the workshop is to enhance the diagnostic acumen of the attendees and provide participants with simple algorithms for evaluation and treatment.

Helping Boys and Young Men of Color to Health, Thrive, and Succeed Dr. David Bell, Columbia University Medical Center*

This workshop will explore ways to understand our culture's "acceptance" of traditional masculine views and how it impacts young males' mental health.   Dr. Bell will describe how trauma-informed care can be applied in behavioral health screening, assessment, and intervention. He will provide strategies for interdisciplinary care between medical and behavioral health clinicians, and will articulate methods to engage boys and young men of color to explore and work on their mental health. 

Assessment and Treatment of Child Anxiety Disorders Dr. Eli Lebowitz, Yale Child Study Center

Dr. Lebowitz is internationally recognized for his research and clinical work on childhood anxiety disorders.  His work emphasizes family systems and the ways in which a child’s anxiety impacts family dynamics and relationships.  This workshop will provide interventions and tools to help with situations such as school avoidance, with a focus on helping the child to face their fears and overcome their challenges. Dr. Lebowitz is the co-author of Treating Childhood Anxiety:  A Guide for Caregivers.

Integrating Oral Health Education and Assessment into Primary Care Cindy Lord, P.A.-C

Poor oral health is a hidden epidemic among youth. Research has shown that poor oral health negatively impacts cardiovascular health, diabetes, and has been linked to obesity. This workshop will define the role of the primary care provider in promoting oral health. Participants will learn to assess risk for early childhood caries and dental disease.  This workshop is designed for primary care providers, health educators, and other professionals. 

Keeping It Real: Motivational Interviewing with the Teen Brain in Mind Erin Livensparger, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England

Adolescents make decisions differently than adults.  Talking to them and counseling them requires different techniques and an understanding of the importance of risk taking.  Using a motivational interviewing framework is helpful in guiding teens to take healthier risks and make healthier choices.  This workshop will explain risk-taking within the context of adolescent development, and will help participants learn how to approach youth with their physiology in mind.  The constructs of motivational interviewing will provide tools to help adolescents make decisions in a safe way.

*Qualify for cultural competence credit by the National Association of Social Workers, Connecticut Chapter.

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