Navigating Technology with our Youth ***please register using the poster only***

6:00 PM - 7:30 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.

Poster

How Does Puberty Affect the Brain? ***please register using the poster only***

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Presenter: Jordan Chad, PhD, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Calgary

In this talk, we will learn about:
• Changes in thoughts and feelings that occur at puberty.
• How these changes are triggered in the brain.
• Implications of these changes on children's public and private behavior.

Poster

Managing Anxiety in Children and Adolescents with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) ***please register using the poster only***

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Presenters:

Thomas Qiao, MSc, Research Coordinator, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary
Noah Furlani, MSc, Research Coordinator, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary
Dr. Kara Murias, MD PhD FRCPC, Pediatric Neurologist, Alberta Children’s Hospital;
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Calgary

This presentation will:

• Identify the signs and symptoms of anxiety in children and adolescents with NDDs (e.g., AD/HD, ASD, Tics and
Tourette’s Disorders, Fragile X Syndrome).
• Examine the current evidence on pharmacological and psychosocial treatments for anxiety in individuals with NDDs.
• Present a new clinical trial study that examines the use of sertraline for treating anxiety disorders in children and
adolescents with NDDs.

Chatting With Parents About Youth (Ages 10-18) & Healthy Relationships ***please register using the poster only***

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Presenters:

Stephanie Loewen, BFA Addictions Counselling, Outreach Specialist, True North
Mayra Sanchez, CYC Dip. & ECE Cert., Trauma-Informed Child Development Specialist, True North
Amanda Vanderlaan, BA, Public Educator & Manager of Research & Development, True North

This presentation will:

• Give parents the awareness & tools to help youth navigate peer pressure & bullying
• Give parents the tools to identify the cycle of violence

A Key to Preparing for the Move from Pediatric to Adult Services: Start Early ***please register using the poster only***

Noon - 1:30 PM

Presented by: Deb Thul, BSW, RSW
Well on Your Way: Helping Youth Transition to Adult Care – Program Coordinator, AHS


An introductory education session on what to expect as youth transfer from pediatric to adult services. Professionals and families of youth ages 14 and up will gain an understanding of how to prepare for the transition to adulthood, as well as what community, government, medical and online resources are available.

Building Resiliency in Today's Youth ***please register using the poster only***

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Presented by: Andrea Halwas, BA, MFA, PhD, REACE, Registered Expressive Arts Therapy Consultant, Associate Therapist & Educational Coordinator at Juno House

Brought to you by specialists in Girls' Mental Health

Before High School graduation, one-third of adolescent girls will experience depression, anxiety disorders, self-harm or an eating disorder. However, there is an incredible power in caregivers who can support our youth, both young women and men, before they seek therapy.

At Juno House®, we believe in the extraordinary healing power of parents, caregivers, coaches, and teachers. In our 1.5 hour workshop presentation, we will share steps and strategies from the Juno House Therapeutic Model® that will provide effective emotional coaching tools for today’s youth as they develop through adolescence and into young adulthood.

We believe that talking does not grow neurons; experience grows neurons. This workshop is designed to give caregivers the skills to become their child’s emotional coach. The workshop will provide participants with:
• Basic introduction of interpersonal neurobiology,
• Where emotions live in our brains,
• The essential role emotions play in mental well being,
• How to identify emotions in youth,
• How to become an emotional coach in only five steps.

Developing Parenting Plans After Separation ***please register using the poster only***

Noon - 1:30 PM

Presented by: John-Paul E. Boyd, KC (he/him)
Arbitrator, Mediator & Parenting Coordinator
Member of the Law Societies of Alberta & British Columbia

In this presentation, participants will learn about the key considerations in developing parenting plans, including the level of conflict between parents, the age and maturity of children, and the views and preferences of children.

Understanding Social Media Use in Teens ***please register using the poster only***

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Presenters: Ashley Meagher, Certified Child and Youth Care Counsellor, Success Coach & Jo Burley BCST, NPML, Success Coach, Rockyview School Division, MHCB Stepping Stones to Mental Health

The world of social media is constantly changing, and it can be hard to keep up. This session will look at some of the most popular platforms among Canadian youth and how to protect privacy and keep everyone safe. We will also discuss the effects of social media use on teen mental health and how to promote healthy social media habits in a digital world.

Navigating Suicide Prevention: Understanding Risk, Building Resilience, and Fostering Community Support ***please register using the poster only***

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Presented by:
Sondous Husien, MSW, RSW
Crisis Counsellor | Eastside Community Mental Health Services | Wood’s Homes
Jasmeen Gill, BSW Practicum Student

This presentation delves into the critical aspects of suicide, including the assessment of suicide risk with children and youth, commonly held beliefs about suicide, and the impact of trauma and stress on mental health. The discussion extends to proactive suicide prevention measures, emphasizing the development of safety plans and the cultivation of resilience. Additionally, the presentation highlights the significance of community support in creating a holistic approach to addressing and preventing suicide.

Headache in kids and teens: causes, treatment approach, and the relationship to mental health ***please register using the poster only***

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Presented by: Serena L. Orr, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Pediatric neurologist & headache specialist, Alberta Children's Hospital
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Calgary
Principal investigator, Pediatric Headache Research Lab (PeHRL: https://www.pehrl.ca/)

Objectives:

1. Review types of headaches in youth and how common they are
2. Review how we approach treating headaches in youth
3. Review the relationship between headaches in youth and mental health

Vaping & Youth ***please register using the poster only***

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Presented by the Community Health Promotion Services Team, Recovery Alberta.

Vaping among youth is on the rise across Canada, raising concerns for parents, educators, and communities. This session will explore the most commonly used vaping devices, the substances involved—such as nicotine and cannabis—and the potential health risks associated with e-cigarette use. We’ll also discuss practical strategies for engaging in open and effective conversations with young people about vaping. Join us to gain the knowledge and tools needed to support informed decision-making and promote healthier choices among youth.

Parent Guilt ***please register using the poster only***

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Presenter: Vanessa Siso MC, R. Psych, Primary Care Registered Psychologist, CWCPCN

This presentation will provide the following:

• Define the experience of parent guilt according to research.
• Understand the risk and protective factors that influence the experience of parent guilt according to research
• Learn practical strategies to help address parent guilt.

IN-PERSON Event - How Do We Figure Out What Consequences To Use? ***please register using the poster only***

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Please note this is an IN-PERSON event at:

Riverside School (K-9) 107 6a St NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7W8 (Free Parking Available)

Presenter: Julie Freedman Smith BSc, BA, Owner JFS Parent Education

Julie will share:

• What works and what doesn’t when it comes to consequences.
• Language that helps kids understand how to make positive choices.
• How to parent when too many consequences feel exhausting.
• Content will focus on children & youth 5-15 years of age.

Navigating the Pressure to Perform: Exploring the Benefits of Well-being Centered Identity Development for Children and Teens ***please register using the poster only***

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Shelbi Snodgrass | MC, RCC, CCC, CMPC | Registered Clinical Counsellor | Snodgrass & Duff Performance Consulting and Counselling Inc.

The pressure to perform is increasingly impacting children and teen’s ability to cope and negatively impacts their confidence and sense of self. From navigating school pressures, after school curricular activities, and an ever-evolving political climate, the need for well-being focused values is more critical than ever.

In this workshop, you will explore the multidimensional facets of pressure children and teens face to perform and the profound impacts on friendships, goals for the future, and coping skills. By attending this workshop, you will gain a deeper understanding of the dimensions of well-being and skills to engage in critical self-reflection around environments, language, and behaviours that influence identity development. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the importance of safe and accountable environments that contribute to healthy identity development.

Learning Objectives
• Understanding the pressure to perform influencing children and teens
• Identify vulnerabilities to and indicators of low confidence and self-esteem
• Reflect on the language, behaviours, and environments that help or hinder healthy identify development
• Explore and Identify dimensions of well-being and their benefits to identify development and confidence across different
environments and contexts

Help! My Child is Struggling How to Navigate Children’s Mental Health in Calgary and Surrounding Areas ***please register using the poster only***

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Presented by: Elise Valeriote MSW, RSW, Access Mental Health, Alberta Health Services

This presentation will discuss:

• Early warning signs your child and or adolescent may be struggling with their mental health and when to seek help.
• Common questions parents have about accessing mental health and addiction supports for their child.
• Access Mental Health and their centralized intake to AHS and Recovery Alberta programs. What to expect when calling for help and how to access services.
• Different programs Access Mental Health can refer to and the most common community resources parents can find helpful.

Substance Use & Youth: Trends, Risks & Offering Support ***please register using the poster only***

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Presented by the Community Health Promotion Services Team of Recovery Alberta.

As youth grow and explore new experiences, they may encounter substances such as alcohol and cannabis. With developing minds and bodies, substance use can have lasting effects on physical and mental health. Open and honest conversations play a crucial role in helping young people make informed decisions. This session will equip parents, caregivers, and mentors with practical tools and resources to engage in meaningful discussions about substance use. Join us to learn how to foster trust, provide guidance, and support youth in making healthier choices.

Managing Transitions ***please register using the poster only***

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Presented by: Kayla Yuzdepski, a Family Champion Facilitator at the YW Family Resource Network

We are faced with many transitions throughout the day. These transitions can pose many challenges; how do we get children to move from watching tv to eating dinner, or how do we make leaving the house smoother?

In this presentation you will learn practical strategies, gain valuable insights, and strengthen family bonds as we embrace transitions together.

Cyber Safety ***please register using the poster only***

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.

Supporting Children Through Grief and Loss ***please register using the poster only***

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Presented by:
Rhonda Anderson B.Ed and Sydney Sommers B.Ed, BSPH, BN
MHCB, Recovery Alberta & Rocky View Schools

To watch a child, grieve and not know what to do is a profoundly challenging experience for parents and caregivers. Many life experiences may generate feelings of grief in a child, from the death of a relative or a divorce in the family to more everyday experiences such as moving, losing a prized possession, and shared experiences throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

This session aims to support caregivers in addressing cultural norms which limit the expression of negative emotions and empower healthy, effective interventions to support their child’s experience of grief and loss.
We will explore guidelines for supporting children in developing lifelong, healthy responses to loss and how caregivers can help them through tough times.

Navigating Technology with our Youth ***please register using the poster only***

6:00 PM - 7:30 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.

Not falling through the cracks :​ How psychoeducational assessments can help​ foster success! ***please register using the poster only***

Noon - 1:30 PM

Presented by:
Caitlin Schneider (M.Sc.), and Karen Wagner (M.Ed.), Registered Psychologists

Does your child struggle in a mainstream classroom? Are you concerned that your child may be anxious, overwhelmed or inattentive at school? Does your child struggle to understand new academic concepts or lessons? Do you think your child needs extra support to achieve academic or social success? If you can relate to any of these questions, please join the presenters to explore when a psychoeducational assessment may be warranted for your child. Within the current session, presenters will provide parents and supports with an overview of how psychoeducational assessments can be helpful in identifying a child’s strengths, areas of difficulty, and learning style, as well as help caregivers learn how to advocate through the educational system and community supports to foster growth and success.

Managing Challenging Behaviours ***please register using the poster only***

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Presented by: Kayla Yuzdepski, a Family Champion Facilitator at the YW Family Resource Network

Everyone has intense emotions, the trick is being able to navigate them.
Through this presentation you will learn about the crisis cycle and how to intervene at a different moment to reduce the risk of an intense emotional outburst. You can use these strategies with anyone in your life, despite their age.

Insight and Guidance for Navigating Mental Health Support ***please register using the poster only***

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Dr. Anita Ewan, PhD, RECE, CD, CBE, is pleased to offer a specialized workshop designed to support parents navigating the mental health system for their children.

With over 15 years of experience working with children and families, as well as the perspective of a mother of seven, Dr. Ewan combines professional expertise with personal dedication to helping families access compassionate, effective care.

This workshop is crafted to give parents the confidence, knowledge, and tools they need to support their children’s mental health, ensure their voices are heard, maintain autonomy, and advocate for a brighter future. The sessions aim to provide parents with accessible, sustainable, and effective advocacy skills. Dr. Ewan’s hope is that each participant will leave with a greater sense of self-efficacy and a supportive community.