A printable copy of the 2012 Conference Agenda is available here.

PRE-CONFERENCE EVENTS: School Resource Officers & Educators/Youth Workers - “Communities of Practice”
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM - Wednesday February 22nd, 2012

This will be an afternoon of information and strategy sharing for professionals who primarily work in schools and with youth.
Two sessions, one for police and one for educators and youth workers will provide an opportunity for professionals who work
in this unique and specialized area to connect with others who share similar challenges. If you are interested in doing a 15 minute presentation about an initiative or strategy you are involved with, please check the appropriate box on the registration form.

PRE-REGISTRATION & RECEPTION
7 PM – 9 PM - Wednesday February 22nd, 2012

OPENING DAY REGISTRATION
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM - Thursday February 23rd, 2012

OPENING REMARKS & PRESENTATION OF THE BUD KNIGHT AWARD
8:30 AM - Thursday February 23rd, 2012

PLENARY SESSION: Dr. Wayne Hammond - Resilience: A Paradigm Shift from “At Risk” to “At Potential”
8:50AM – 11:45 - Thursday February 23rd, 2012

The goal of this presentation is to introduce participants to the concept of resilience, and the implications for intervention and prevention practices. As opposed to the traditional model of focusing primarily on trying to protect and fix the problems of high-risk individuals, the presentation will highlight the concept of resiliency, a strength-based model of assessment and practice; explore the role of protective factors; and outline the implications for intervention/prevention programming and capacity building. The workshop will explore how officers, care providers, community care agencies and intervention/preventative programs can identify and nurture the protective factors and capacities of complex individuals that allow them to understand their collaborative role in treatment interventions, cope effectively with everyday and ongoing challenges, bounce back from adversity, develop realistic goals and treat themselves and others with respect. The presentation will also explore the role of professionals and community treatment culture as crucial aspects in strength-based practice.

WORKSHOPS: 1:30 – 3 PM repeating at 3:30 – 5 PM
Thursday February 23rd, 2012

Digital Drama and Trauma – Katie Cole
Always-connected youth are using social media to connect and communicate virtually while, at times, neglecting to critically examine their behind-the-screen actions. This presentation will help address digital drama and trauma associated with: sexting, textual harassment, stalking, flamming, cyberbullying and more.

I.C.E. - Internet Child Exploitation – Detective Randy Norton
Detective Randy Norton of the Durham Regional Police Service works with the Internet Child Exploitation Section and in partnership with other officers throughout Ontario. Detective Norton works undercover on-line in an attempt to combat Internet luring of children and also investigates individuals who trade Child Exploitation images and movies via the internet. He will also be discussing ways to handle Sexting cases and the multidisciplinary program that is in place in Durham. If you missed this last year it is a must attend workshop! If you attended last year, find out how the project has won a grant and is moving forward provincially!

P.A.R.T.Y. (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) – Joanne Banfield
Joanne Banfield, Manager for Trauma Injury Prevention at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, runs the RBC First Office for Injury Prevention, which includes the P.A.R.T.Y (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) Program. Learn about the program, get an inside look at a P.A.R.T.Y. day, find out the lessons learned after 25 years of P.A.R.T.Y.ing, and what you can do.

A Strength-Based Approach to Assessing and Building Resiliency in Complex Children and Youth – Dr. Wayne Hammond
Interest in strength-based practice as a way to enhance the positive development of children and youth has increased significantly as practitioners, educators, researchers and community care providers shift their attention from the prevention of specific problems. The purpose of this session to explore a more positive, holistic view on youth development and how interventions can create a coordinated sequence of positive experiences that will provide the key developmental supports and opportunities essential for sustainable resilience. Rather than the traditional perspective of engaging a person with a problem orientation and risk focus, the principles of a strength-based practice are outlined as a more effective way to understand and develop the strengths and capabilities that can transform the lives of people in positive ways.

LGBTTIQQ2A Youth…It’s More Than Alphabet Soup – Stephanie Vail
This workshop will provide participants with an understanding of key terms and identities for sexually and gender diverse youth, how to support youth, as well as community resources that are available. The Community Health Centre’s (CHC) model of care will also be explored; you can find out more about how a CHC near you can become a valued program partner and provide support.

Mind Your Mind – Reach Out...Get Help...Give Help - Heather Miko-Kelly
Mind Your Mind is an internationally acclaimed, award winning not for profit program that engages young people to reduce stigma and discrimination that young people living with mental illnesses experience, through the use of technology (mindyourmind.ca). Our Reach Out game delivers facts and shares relevant personal stories on topics around youth engagement, pop culture, youth and social media and signs and symptoms of mental illnesses. Participants are presented the opportunity to experience first-hand an interactive tool that Mind Your Mind delivers to youth audiences. The version being presented has been created specifically for professionals and is not entirely our youth version. Youth Engagement and Techno Culture categories have been included to address various topics that professionals are interested in when working with youth and young people.

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WINE & CHEESE RECEPTION - After Last Workshop - 5 PM to 7 PM
Thursday February 23rd, 2012

PRESENTATION OF THE OUTSTANDING YOUTH AWARD & THE COMMUNITY AWARD FOR YOUTH SERVICE
8:30 AM - Friday February 24th, 2012

PLENARY SESSION: Erin Gruwell – Becoming a Catalyst for Change (The Freedom Writers)
9:00AM – 11:30 - Friday February 24th, 2012

Erin Gruwell has earned an award-winning reputation for her steadfast commitment to the future of education. Her impact as a change agent runs deep. So deep, in fact, that her story attracted Hollywood’s attention. In January 2007, Paramount Pictures released Freedom Writers, starring two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank as Erin. Erin will share her motivational story, as portrayed in the book, New York Times bestseller, The Freedom Writers Diary-How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing To Change Themselves and the World Around Them. Discover how she helped students overcome hardships and create positive change from within.

PLENARY SESSION: Commander (Ret.) Lori Moriarty - Identifying Drug Endangered Children: A Collaborative Approach
12:30PM – 2:30PM - Friday February 24th, 2012

Ignored, abused, and abandoned – these are some of the chronic conditions experienced by children raised in environments where there is illegal drug use, manufacturing, cultivation and distribution. Drug endangered children are part of a very large, and growing population of children whose lives have been seriously and negatively impacted by dangerous drugs. If ignored and left unmonitored, these children continue to be victims caught in a cycle of drug abuse. The primary challenge with illegal substance abuse and drug endangered children is in aligning systems responsible for preventing, intervening, and treating these issues to achieve common outcomes. The National Strategy for Drug Endangered Children focuses on the formation of multi-disciplinary partnerships to meet the specific needs of these children. The focus is on the child’s needs until the child is in a permanent, safe, positive functioning environment. Bill 84, the Drug Endangered Child legislation, is proposed to move forward in Ontario in the upcoming year. As a police officer, youth worker or educator this is new legislation that will directly impact you in your role. It is a must-see presentation!