CES Sessions
All sessions are offered at no cost.
Community Education Service acknowledges that the land on which we virtually gather is the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.
Executive Functioning Essentials for Parents ***please register using the poster only***
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Presented By: Tanya Keto (MEd), Registered Psychologist
Clinic Director of AVERY Family and School Psychology Services
Executive Functioning (EF) refers to the behaviour management system of the brain. These cognitive processes tell us what to do, when to do it, and how well to do it. Individuals with Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD may experience increased difficulty in the development and use of these functions compared to their same-aged peers. When kids struggle to regulate their executive functioning it can result in lower grades, lack of motivation, school avoidance, social difficulties, anxiety and stress. But these “problem behaviours” are simply symptoms of unmet needs. Join Tanya to learn how difficulties with executive functioning could be causing problem behaviours and what you can do to help!
ADHD is Awesome! ***please register using the poster only***
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Dr. Caroline Buzanko PhD, Registered Psychologist
Clinical Director, Koru Family Psychology
ADHD is often thought of in terms of its symptoms and associated problems. Unfortunately, a deficit-based approach, focusing on what is wrong, can be very impairing for children and their families. However, there are so many positive qualities of ADHD that need to be celebrated! In this session, you will learn about what ADHD is, why it is awesome, and how to capitalize on its assets to promote long-term success.
Cyber Safety ***please register using the poster only*** *not being recorded*
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Presenter: Adriana Dewar, B.A., M.A., Community Outreach Coordinator, YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre
Are you and your family cyber-safe?
In today's interconnected world, the internet and social media have revolutionized the way we connect and learn. However, with limited oversight, these digital realms also pose potential risks such as privacy breaches, cyberbullying, sextortion, and criminal activities.
YouthLink Calgary presents an essential program designed to empower parents and guardians with the tools needed to ensure your family's online safety.
NOT being recorded.
Mental Health & Youth ***please register using the poster only***
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Presented by: Community Health Promotion Services (CHPS), Recovery Alberta
It is normal for children and youth to experience various types of emotional distress as they develop and mature. To promote positive mental health, it is important to be aware of mental illnesses, recognize signs, engage in meaningful conversations, and support a balanced life. This presentation will support you in gaining a greater understanding of mental health and reflect on how you can support the young people in your life.
Level Up: Exploring the Impacts of Gaming on Adolescent Learning and Cognition ***please register using the poster only***
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Presented by:
Stephen Sills, Registered Psychologist
A presentation about benefits and consequences associated with playing video games during adolescence. We will cover some of the recent scientific literature and recommendations for helping adolescents navigate this ever-expanding genre of entertainment and socialization.
Digital Dilemma: Screens, Social Media, and Gaming ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Presenters: Health Promotion Facilitators, Community Health Promotion Services (CHPS), Recovery Alberta
• Screens are everywhere—how is this affecting our kids?
• Learn how social media, gaming, and screen time impact youth mental health and relationships.
• Get simple tips to help your child build healthy screen habits and stay emotionally well.
Navigating Technology with our Youth ***please register using the poster only***
Noon - 1:30 PM
Presented by:
Andrea Halwas, BA, MFA, PhD, REACE, Registered Expressive Arts Therapy Consultant, Associate Therapist & Educational Coordinator at Juno House
In this 1.5 hour presentation, we will discuss the role of technology and today’s youth. The message of this presentation is not only based on technology, but also about a child’s healthy brain development and the necessary parenting/caregiver role in creating healthy, emotional, regulated, and integrated brains. This presentation will address the underpinning of a child’s emotional brain development and how to grow it, as well as how technology can dangerously hijack this.
We believe that talking does not grow neurons; experience grows neurons. This workshop is designed to give attendees the skills to become their child’s emotional coach. The workshop will provide participants with:
• An understanding of the basic neuroscience behind healthy brain development,
• The dangers of technology for healthy brain development,
• Technology use rules that will help your child
• When building healthy brains, how to identify emotions in your child/student, and
• How to become your child’s/student’s emotional coach in only five steps and in that, build a resilient child.
The presentation is facilitated by a therapist from Juno House who has years of both clinical and facilitating experience. Juno House was founded in 2008 as a Centre of Excellence for adolescent girls and young women who are experiencing anxiety-based mental health issues of self harm, obsessive compulsive disorders, depression and eating disorders.
Can We Talk: Sexual Health and Parenting ***please register using the poster only***
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Presented By:
Diana Wark (She/Her), Parent Program Coordinator for Centre for Sexuality
Join us for an interactive workshop to learn how to navigate those sometimes awkward but essential conversations that foster well-being, healthy relationships and informed decision-making. We empower parents with knowledge, skills and confidence to engage in open, honest and supportive conversations about sexuality and sexual health with their children.
This session provides tools to clarify and talk about family values around sexuality and sexual health, explore the role of parents and schools in sexual health education and discuss the concept of sexuality wholistically
Unmasking ADHD in Girls: Insights, Strategies, and Next Steps ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Presented by:
Dr. Alethea Heudes, Registered Psychologist
This presentation explores how ADHD can present differently in girls — often overlooked or misunderstood — and how it impacts their day-to-day lives. Participants will leave with strategies, tools, and guidance on next steps for seeking a diagnosis and/or accessing support
Sexual Exploitation 101 for Natural Supports ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Presenter: Presenter: Bree McClellan BCST, CYCC (Pronouns: She/Her), Coordinator, COPE Program
Participants will
• Increase their awareness of sexual exploitation within Calgary and area while learning how to identify risks associated with sexual exploitation in the community and online.
• Explore risk factors and unmet needs of youth through developing a greater understanding of the Stages of Grooming.
• Engage in a discussion around prevention/early intervention-based safety strategies, resources and supports available to reduce and respond to sexual exploitation risk in our communities.
Collective Action to Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and Promote Healing in Youth Growing up with Parental Substance Use Challenges ***please register using the poster only***
Noon - 1:30 PM
Presented by: Agnes Chen, Registered Nurse, Founder and Executive Director, Starlings Community
After this session, participants will be able to:
1. Understand ACEs in the context of parental substance use
2. Acknowledge structural and systemic contributors to adversity in youth
3. Identify ways the community can prevent ACEs and enable recovery and healing in youth
Big Feelings, Calm Tools: Emotion Regulation Across Ages: Helping Children and Teens Build Calm and Resilience ***please register using the poster only***
Noon - 1:30 PM
Presented by: Shannon Kelly, Registered Psychologist (R. Psych.)
Creative Sky Psychology
With Creative Sky Psychology, participants will gain an understanding of how emotion regulation develops in children and teens, and how parents and caregivers can best support each stage. Attendees will leave with practical strategies they can apply to help young people manage big feelings with confidence.
Participants will learn:
• The developmental differences in how children vs. teens regulate emotions
• Practical strategies for calming and co-regulating with children
• Autonomy-building tools to help teens take ownership of their coping skills
• How caregivers can model healthy emotional regulation at any age
• Simple, effective practices to strengthen emotional resilience at home