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16th Annual Brain Conference

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Community Conference on the Brain

Theme: Building Resiliency in a High-Stress World

Sponsored by PACT for Families Collaborative

Featuring keynote speaker: Jim Sporleder Featured in the film Paper Tigers

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Thank you for being a part of the legacy known simply as the Brain Conference!


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See the following pages for guest speakers, their breakout session information, and room locations. Many, many volunteer and professional hours went into creating and planning this conference. Conference planners wish to thank all who were involved. The Planning

Committee: Rochelle Peterson (PACT), Connie Spartz, Josh Pierskalla (Woodland Centers), Lisa Dusek (Ridgewater College), Megan Anderson (Willmar Public Schools), Shelly Huseby (Goodwill-Easter Seals), Sue Thomes (UCAP), Sherri Broderius (MACCRAY Schools)

Platinum Sponsor: Willmar Public Schools Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) PrimeWest Health Gold Sponsor: MN Communities Caring for Children Willmar Community Foundation Presenter Sponsor:

*If you would like to be part of the planning committee for next year’s conference, please contact the PACT for Families office 320-231-7030. We welcome new members to the committee at any time.

CONFERENCE PLANNING AND SPONSORSHIP

We are grateful for the financial and in-kind contributions of numerous community agencies. These contributors have allowed you to participate at an affordable cost. Please thank the sponsors who have helped to make this event possible.

Willmar Public Schools

ACGC Public Schools


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(A certificate of attendance will be available to pick up at the registration table, following the keynote address.)

2018 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

3:15 pm – 3:40 pm Registration and afternoon refreshments Commons/Cafeteria

3:40 pm—4:00 pm Welcome Message by Rochelle Peterson, PACT for Families

Song by Brenna Richter

Cafeteria

4:10 pm—5:10pm Breakout Session I with conference faculty See Pages 6-9 for Descriptions

5:20 pm—6:20 pm Breakout Session II with conference faculty See Pages 6-9 for Descriptions

Breakout Session Titles and Locations

1. Secondary School—The REACH Program: Providing the “Hope and

the How” Chad Harlander, Rhoda Hubbard Anderson

Room 105 B

2. Elementary School—Making School Cool Leon Witter & Lori Jensen Hagert, BLHS; Kodi Goracke, ACGC

Room 105 D

3. “Whose Mouse Are You? Dr. KerriAnn Mahon, MD FAAP, Carris Health (ACMC)

Room 105 E

4. Refugee Panel—Resilience and the Life of a Refugee Nagi Abdullahi, Fadumo Ali

Room 105 F

5. Provider Panel—Lessons from the Field Reagan Quinn, M.A., L.P.C.C.

& Sara Barber, M.A., L.P.C.C., Woodland Centers; Shea Joyce, M.S.,

L.P.C.C., Greater MN Family Services

Room 105 H

6. Criminal Justice—A Unique Corrections Perspective Ned Wohlman,

Renville County Jail

Room 506 (orchestra room)

7. Youth Panel—Decoding the Do’s and Don’ts Brenna Richter, Julian

Castellano, Mackenzie Ouren

Room 512 (Choir Room)

8. Parent Panel—Not the Whitewash Version Noel Kautz, Sandy Hruby,

Sheila Peterson, William Deterling

Room 516 (Band Room)

6:20 pm—6:50 pm Meal and Networking Cafeteria

Music provided by Prairie Lakes String Quarter: Josh Pierskalla,

Michelle Suter, Marie Nelson, and Frank Lawatsch

Cafeteria

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Keynote Address: The Lincoln High School Story… A Communi-

ty’s Collective Response to Trauma; Jim Sporleder

Theater


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MAP OF THE HIGH SCHOOL

Music Area:

Room Detail

Below

Front Entrance


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FACULTY AND BREAKOUT INFORMATION

This year, the planning committee decided to try something new with our breakout sessions. It was discussed that we would like certain “tracks” for audiences, to be geared for schools, parents, practitioners etc. Anyone could attend the session of their choice, but we hope this way you would have a better understanding of what was going to be covered. We expect the sessions to be somewhat interactive, give practical information, and real. Secondary School—The REACH Program: Providing the “Hope and the How” (Room 105B) Chad Harlander—REACH Director Chad has spent the past 20 years working with youth and their families in the area of children's mental health through residential treatment and home-based services as a family counselor. He has worked in the school setting as a coordinator/director over 10 years for the REACH Program in the Hutchinson High School. During his "free time" he coaches football and provides community outreach through "Day to REACH" football camps.

Rhoda Hubbard-Anderson—REACH Teacher Rhoda has a heart for teaching and has worked as a middle school classroom teacher for nearly 20 years, 17 of those in the Hutchinson School District. With a degree in social science/secondary education and a Masters Degree in education, Rhoda has educational experience in learning styles, brain research, and differentiated instruction. Rhoda is currently on the steering com-mittee for the Minnesota Alliance for Geographic Education. She is a volunteer for South Fork Film and enjoys participating in com-munity theater, traveling with her family, and laughing as much as possible!

Do you have a problem REACHing all students? Hear from a panel of students, Chad Harlander, and Rhoda Anderson on the mission and structure of the Hutchinson REACH Program that is a flexible supportive framework that can fit any existing school or program. The REACH philosophy is the overarching theme that provides the HOPE and HOW for all students with developing a sense of be-longing. At Hutchinson REACH they say ‘everyone has a story’. This concept takes away the shame or blame and creates an environ-ment that is safe, where trust is developed, accountability and begin to ‘break the cycle’ through social-emotional activities, jour-naling, individualized goals, and mindfulness as well as giving back through community service. Their students have cumulatively passed 252% more classes since the inception of the program. Elementary School—Making School Cool (Room 105D) Leon Witter, Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart School

Leon has worn MANY HATS during his 39 years of working in the school system. He has been an elementary classroom and science

teacher, a middle school computer science instructor, an elementary lead teacher, and an athletic coach. All of this experience has

taught him that creating a positive learning environment for children helps them be successful today and in the future. He is dedi-

cated to designing a school setting that is truly positive and fun.

Lori Jensen Hagert, Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart School

Lori has been an elementary counselor for 23 years. She is intensely committed to making a difference in the lives of her students,

who she describes as the best in the world! She knows actively engaging parents makes the student more successful, so she creat-

ed the “Rustler’s” parents organization which provides volunteer and fundraising opportunities. She also played a role in creating

“Mustang Time” to support positive character education. Lori believes it truly takes a village to raise healthy, happy children and

this can only be done through effective partnerships with students, staff, and the community.

Kodi Goracke, Atwater, Cosmos, Grove City School

Kodi is the elementary principal at ACGC, where she spent seven years teaching special education and is currently in her seventh

year as principal. She has spent the last three years networking with outside agencies as well as staff and agencies within her

school to increase awareness of trauma, social emotional learning and positive connections with the goal of creating a safe school

environment.

There are a variety of ways local schools have responded in changing times to the needs of their students. By using positive messag-

es and strength-based approaches to build resiliency and community and increase self confidence. “Mustang Motivation” is created

in many ways in the BLHS school; some examples are weekly RAK, character week, and yearly prizes for kids with great character.

The school has created many avenues in creating a positive environment for not only children but for staff members. They want

their school to have a strong relationship with parents and the community. Leon and Lori will describe how they have done this over

the years and how it can be financially supported.


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Medical—Dr. KerriAnn Mahon, MD FAAP, Carris Health (Room 105E) Born and raised in southeastern Minnesota, Dr. Mahon attended the College of St. Benedict/St. John's University where she earned a BA in philosophy with a minor in Athletic Training. She attended the University of Minnesota Duluth School of Medicine for her basic science curriculum before finishing her MD at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities School of Medicine. While in medical school, she participated in the Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP) in Onamia, MN. She completed her residency at Marsh-field Clinic in Marshfield, WI and is board certified in pediatrics. Additional training includes Newborn Behavioral Observation (NBO) system at the Brazelton Institute in Boston, MA, and well as the Touchpoints Individual Level Training at the Brazelton Touchpoints Center at Boston Children's Hospital. She has been practicing community pediatrics in rural Minnesota since she com-pleted residency in 2004. After listening to Whose Mouse Are You?, a children's book by Robert Kraus, Dr. Mahon will discuss the critical role of relationships and attachment in infant and early childhood mental health. Refugee Panel—Resilience and the Life of a Refugee (Room 105F) Nagi Abdullahi, Fadumo Ali

Nagi and Fadumo will share how it felt when they first came to this country… how the culture was new and the weather was harsh;

what it’s like when you have language barriers; and how having someone welcome you and speak your language feels. From their

own perspective, they will share what has been the most helpful and what others in the community can do to support them.

Provider Panel—Lessons from the Field (Room 105H) Sara Barber, M.A., L.P.C.C.

Sara received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. She received her Master of Arts

degree in counseling from Denver Seminary, Denver, CO. She works as the school-linked mental health clinician in the BBE school

district, with previous experience in a youth day treatment setting. Sara has specialties both in treating trauma and in adoption-

related issues, working with children and families collaboratively in an effort to reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms, identify

effective parenting strategies for the situation, and on the grief/loss that can come with both trauma and adoption-related experi-

ences. Sara is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and has recently completed training and is now a National

Certified Trauma Therapist.

Reagan Quinn, M.A., L.P.C.C.

Reagan Quinn received her undergraduate degree in science and mathematics from North Dakota State University in Fargo, North

Dakota and her Master of Arts degree in forensic psychology from the University of Denver in Denver, CO. Reagan came to Wood-

land Centers with a background as a program director and mental health professional to chemically-dependent adolescents and

their families through an inpatient residential treatment program. She works in the school-linked mental health program. Reagan

has recently completed training and is now a National Certified Trauma Therapist.

Shae Joyce, M.S., L.P.C.C

Shae received her graduate degree from South Dakota State University. For many years, her clinical work was providing home-based counseling services to individuals, groups, and families ages 5-17. Over the past two years, she has been providing therapy at the SEED day treatment and also in-home therapy/psycho-education for the parents/children served in the program. She is committed to creating a therapeutic environment based on respect and building a positive relationship with the clients she works with. Shae enjoys planting the seeds with children in their early years and teaching their families how to nurture their child’s growth and development in consistent and loving ways.

Sara, Reagan, and Shae will talk about lessons and ideas they have had in working with young people and building resiliency. Partic-ipants will also learn about the SEED program: how a child is identified, referred, and who SEED serves; how social emotional devel-opment helps kids learn and prepares them for school; how children will learn and enhance regulation, relationship skills, and rou-tines; and how 0-5 year old brain development and experiences set the path for life.


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Criminal Justice—A Unique Corrections Perspective (Room 506—orchestra) Ned Wohlman, Renville County Jail Administrator Ned started with Renville County in 1980 as a dispatcher, helping out a newly-elected sheriff. At the time, he and his wife, Julie, owned and operated a Coast-To-Coast hardware store in Renville. By 1981, the county was able to attract enough full-time dis-patchers so Ned was able to devote his attention to his business. Over the years, he has served on various boards and committees, including the Renville School Board (elected at 20 years old), Renville-Sacred Heart joint school board, the Renville City Council, he chaired the Renville Nursing Home board of directors, chaired the county FMHA loan board, and served on various advisory boards in the hardware/HVAC industry. In 2008, Elaine Johnson, the Renville County Jail Administrator, who was a former customer, friend, and joint school board member, persuaded Ned to join the jail staff at the newly-constructed Renville County Jail. Feeding his passion to make a positive difference in people’s lives, he accepted a job offer there and started work as a corrections officer. Ned was later promoted to Program Director. As the jail grew, Ned was promoted again to the newly-created position of Assistant Jail Administrator. In December of 2013, Ned received the Renville County Sheriff’s Office Meritorious Service Award for his dedica-tion and tireless work on inmate rehabilitation. In July of 2015, following Elaine Johnson’s retirement, Ned was promoted to the position of Jail Administrator. The Renville County Jail is a 72-bed, full-service jail, which has earned a reputation for its unique corrections philosophy. With heavy emphasis on humanity and inmate programming, the Renville County Jail has become well known for its true efforts to rehabilitate inmates. In fact, their efforts on rehabilitation earned them the State of Minnesota Corrections Association Presidential award in 2015. Corrections, although traditionally not thought of as a place that would advocate for people, can be the perfect place to inter-rupt, reset, and educate on the effects of ACEs, identifying ACEs taking place in an inmate’s life, and how that affects the lives of the children of the incarcerated person. There are never enough hours in a day, but when one believes a difference can be made long-term, one always seems to find the time.

Youth Panel—Decoding the Do’s and Don’ts (Room 512—choir) Brenna Richter, Julian Castellano, Mackenzie Ouren This panel of young people will share in their own words what adults should understand when working with youth. Panel members

will reveal their stories and share insights as to what helped them build resiliency through challenging times.

Parent Panel—Not the Whitewash Version (Room 516—band) Noel Kautz

Noel is an adoptive mother of three children through foster care adoption. They were all placed as infants, the oldest being six

weeks old at the time of placement. They are now eleven, nine, and six years old. All three have ADHD diagnoses and all three have

IEPs. Her nine-year-old is also on the autism spectrum and her six-year-old has development delays. In her spare time, Noel works

as an adoption social worker for Bethany Christian Services. She has attended trainings on TBRI, FASD, Cultural Diversity, Grief and

Loss, Attachment, Supporting Older Children and much more.

Sandy Hruby

Sandy is an adoptive parent of three children, two with identified challenges. She has worked in the education field for 30+ years in

some capacity and wants to share the importance of staying connected and knowing your resources.

Sheila Peterson

Sheila is an adoptive mom of a 16-year-old daughter with FAS. She also has 23 years experience working with DD people in a group home setting and work setting. She hopes to get across the importance of having support and resources to help one through the ups and downs of the parenting journey.

William Deterling

William is a parent of a 12-year-old son. He works for REM in Redwood Falls and he hopes by sharing his story he might help some-

one else break the ice and share their journey with others as well.


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”The Lincoln High School Story… A Community’s Collective Response to Trauma

Jim Sporleder has dedicated the next chapter of his life to assisting schools be-

come more trauma informed and centers of healing. After 33 years as an edu-

cator and principal of Lincoln High School in Walla Walla, Washington, Jim and

his staff’s pioneering work was documented in the movie Paper Tigers. Most

recently, Jim along with Heather Forbes, published an Implementation Guide

for Administrators and School Personnel. The manual is designed to provide a

step-by-step guide on how to turn any building into a trauma-informed school

and is available for sale at the conference.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE

16TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY

Paper Tigers follows a year in the life of an alternative high school that has

radically changed its approach to disciplining its students, becoming a promis-

ing model for how to break the cycles of poverty, violence and disease that

affect families.

“Stressed brains can’t learn”

That was the nugget of neuroscience that Jim Sporleder principal of

a high school riddled with violence, drugs, and truancy took away

from an educational conference in 2010. three years later, the

number of fights at Lincoln Alternative High School had gone down

by 75% and the graduation rate had increased FIVE-FOLD! Paper

Tigers is the story of how one school made such dramatic progress.

Following six students over the course of a school year, we see

Lincoln’s staff try a new approach to discipline: one based on under-

standing and treatment rather than judgment and suspension.

Using a combination of verity and revealing diary cam footage,

Paper Tigers is a testament to what the latest developmental

science is showing: that just one caring adult can help break the

cycle of adversity in a young person’s life.


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NOTES

“You are not born with a fixed amount of resilience. Like a muscle,

you can build it up, draw on it when you need it.” Sheryl Sandberg


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NOTES

“It’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines

how your life’s story will develop.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf


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NOTES

“Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell

down and got back up again.” Nelson Mandela


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NOTES

“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.”

Margaret Thatcher

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