Pre Conference: "Mindfulness and Meditation for School Social Workers"

11/5/2025 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Presenter: Jill Wojcik Pula, LCSW, Certified Yoga Instructor

NYSSSWA Members:  Sign up for FREE

Non-Members:  $35

Join us Wednesday, November 5 for NYSSSWA's Pre-Conference Session from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and earn an additional 1.5 CE credits:   

"Mindfulness and Meditation for School Social Workers" 
by Jill Wojcik Pula, LCSW, Certified Yoga Instructor

"Mindfulness and Meditation practices have been around for thousands of years.  Research has begun to show the benefits of these practices from reduced stress and improved well-being, to managing symptoms of depression, anxiety, along with improved focus. Mindfulness can be defined as paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and acceptance.  This practice invites us to slow down, breathe and observe your inner experience.  Mindfulness is the simple process of noticing new things about the familiar.  When we actively notice, we become open to new perspectives and change." 

Target Population:   K-12
Topic Skill Level:  Beginner/Intermediate

Thursday Continental Breakfast (Granola bars, fruit bowl, fruit crumbles)

11/6/2025 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM

"Diamond-Strong: 60 Years of School Social Work Service Through a Diversity Lens"

11/6/2025 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Presenter: Rolanda L. Ward, Ph.D., MSW, M.Div.

Social work's commitment to diversity is the bedrock of strong schools. Yet, recent local and federal actions create challenges for effective practice. This workshop aims to identify, explain, and teach strategies that will help district leaders extract the brilliance of every student in every school and district. In this session, participants will learn the theoretical underpinnings of education equity from a historical perspective. Information about changes in educational policies over the last sixty years will be explored. In addition, participants will develop their knowledge about the many ways social workers practice from a diverse lens. This includes an analysis of how knowledge about diversity has changed. Specifically, participants will explore the relationship between effective diversity practice and student achievement. Finally, participants will learn about action planning and will draft a local action plan that can be shared with school leadership.

Target Population:   K-12
Topic Skill Level:  Intermediate

A1: "The ADHD & Executive Function Lens for School-Based Interventions"

11/6/2025 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Presenter: Valerie Mackiewicz; MS, AACC, CACP, Certified ADHD Coach Practitioner

This workshop serves to expand understanding and support strategies for school-based interventions for students with ADHD.  Participants will acquire an "ADHD & Executive Function" lens of clarity and competence for working confidently with the ADHD population and affected families.

Target Population:   K-12
Topic Skill Level:  Beginner/Intermediate

A3: CLOSED "Coping Skills Support Group- Learn how to start one in your school!"

11/6/2025 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Presenter: Tina LaMendola, LCSW, DBT-CBT Specialist

There is a growing rate of students reporting increased levels of anxiety and stress with recurring themes of academic pressures, social media influence, increased sport/club demands, and college & future decisions to name just a few.  One of the best ways to address these issues is through the creation of a coping skills support group.

This specialized group is an excellent way for students to learn new skills, develop self-confidence, become more aware of how others see them, practice new behaviors, and better understand how to deal with stress and challenges. This group model provides the following: 

Connect with peers who have similar experiences;  Decrease mental health stigma;  Normalize for students they are not alone;  Learn and practice healthy coping skills;  Provide hope that recovery is possible; Participants will learn how to start a group up in your building in an easy format and get administrator/staff buy-in quickly!

Target Population:   Middle School/High School
Topic Skill Level:  Intermediate/Advanced

Thursday Luncheon & Ruth Schwartz SSW of the Year Award

11/6/2025 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

B1: "The Grief and Trauma Backpack"

11/6/2025 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Presenter: Kara Juszczak, LCSW-R, CCFP

This training will explore the impact of grief and trauma on the school environment, when administrators, educators, parents, and students bring their stories with them to each interaction.  School staff will learn about trauma-informed care as it applies to the education system and how to regulate their emotional experiences that get carried into the learning environment.   

Target Population:  Pre-School to 12
Topic Skill Level:  Intermediate 

B3: CLOSED "From Personal Loss to Creating Connections: A School-Based Approach to Co-Occurring Disorders"

11/6/2025 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Presenter: Stephanie Marquesano, Esq.

As a mother whose son died at 19 from an accidental overdose and lived with co-occurring disorders (mental health challenges and substance use issues), Stephanie Marquesano, brings powerful lived experience and a deep professional commitment to prevention, early intervention, and integrated care.  This session introduces a first-of-its-kind co-occurring disorders (COD) prevention curriculum designed for high school youth, with tools adaptable for younger grades. Grounded in early intervention, it equips school social workers to educate, reduce risk, strengthen protective factors, and foster open, stigma-free conversations. Participants will explore strategies for integrating COD prevention across school tiers and building pathways to support—laying the foundation for developmentally appropriate care that evolves with students’ needs and responds with compassion and connection for the youth and family when COD is already present. 

Target Population:    MS/HS
Topic Skill Level:   Beginning/Intermediate

Friday Continental Breakfast (fruit, danish and pastries, muffins, and bagels and cream cheese, and coffee)

11/7/2025 7:45 AM - 8:30 AM

"Supporting Students on Medication: A Psychopharmacology Primer"

11/7/2025 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Presenter: Dori Marshall, M.D.

In this talk we will review the common presentations in school of ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, and Depressive Disorders. For each, we will review evidence based models of management, including the most commonly used medications, indications, how they work, common side effects. Questions - including case-based questions - will be encouraged.

Target Population:  K-12
Topic Skill Level:  Advanced

C1: "From Dysregulated to Resilient: Strengthening Frustration Tolerance Through Relationships"

11/7/2025 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Presenter: Kelly Zinn, DSW, LCSW, CSSW

Students struggling with anxiety and dysregulation often lack frustration tolerance, leading to outbursts, avoidance, or withdrawal. This workshop will explore how to help students build resilience by strengthening their sense of connection and emotional safety. Drawing from developmental psychology and practical, relationship-based strategies, participants will learn to foster frustration tolerance in ways that validate emotions while setting firm, supportive boundaries. In addition to classroom and counseling techniques, attendees will gain tools to collaborate effectively with parents, empowering them with strategies to reinforce frustration tolerance at home. This engaging and interactive workshop will provide actionable strategies to help students handle challenges.

Target Population:  Elementary/Middle School
Topic Skill Level:  Intermediate

C3: "Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of Eating Disorders"

11/7/2025 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Presenter: Alexandra Wilkosz, DSW, LCSW

Eating disorders—including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder—are serious conditions that impact social, emotional, and physical health. Without effective treatment, they can become long-term struggles and, in some cases, even be life-threatening. These disorders often arise from a complex interplay of genetics, personality traits, and environmental factors, such as childhood experiences, social comparison, traumatic events, and cultural beauty standards. While causes, several evidence-based interventions can support individuals in achieving lasting recovery. This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of eating disorder treatment, covering epidemiology, clinical features, assessment, diagnosis, illness progression, and medical complications. Additionally, it will explore research-backed approaches and practical skills that can be applied in real-world settings.

Target Population:  Middle School/High School
Topic Skill Level:  Beginner 

Friday Luncheon

11/7/2025 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

D1: "Navigating Grief & Loss in Schools: Strategies for Support"

11/7/2025 12:45 PM - 2:15 PM

Presenter: Kelly Zinn, DSW, LCSW, CSSW

Grief is a universal experience, extending beyond death to include major life changes including divorce, placement in foster care, deployment, and incarceration. This workshop will engage participants in discussions and learning activities that cover both grief theory and practice approaches, resulting in actionable knowledge and tools to create caring, inclusive school environments that will support students through major life changes. The presenter will also discuss the impact of grief on school staff and provide suggestions for school community wellbeing and self-care, as well as ways of reaching out to families and caregivers and the importance of connecting to community support.

Target Population:  K - 12
Topic Skill Level:   Intermediate 

D3: "Building Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Programming in New York State Schools"

11/7/2025 12:45 PM - 2:15 PM

Presenter: Kristen Stanton, M.S.

Does your school district have written policies and procedures on how to support a child who may be at risk for suicide?  Have all school staff been trained in how to respond to a child who may be a risk or how to support a school after a traumatic loss?  Attendees will learn how school districts can develop a comprehensive suicide prevention program from the ground up utilizing a multi-tiered system of support model.  Attendees will leave with the information and resources needed to assess their districts policies and protocols and to understand the staff trainings and student programming required.

Target Population:  K - 12
Topic Skill Level:   Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced 

"Utilizing Mental Health Team Relationships to Maximize Student Outcomes"

11/7/2025 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Presenter: James Garner, LMSW & Kate DiGregorio, LCSW

This session will explore role delineation for school based mental health teams highlighting strengths and training of disciplines within our MTSS system. Various interventions and the resource mapping process utilized to build more evidence based interventions within each of the 18 schools in our district will be explored. As the mental health needs have grown, we capitalize on the strengths of our mental health disciplines and leverage strategic community partnerships to lessen existing gaps.

Target Population:  K - 12
Topic Skill Level:   Advanced