2022 ADR Conference: Full Schedule

Committing to Action:
Building Partnership to Advance Student Learning

7:30am PDT

Breakfast

Thursday March 17, 2022 7:30am - 8:30am PDT
Upper Concourse

Break

8:30am PDT

Welcome from State SELPA ADR Committee

Thursday March 17, 2022 8:30am - 8:35am PDT
Exhibit Hall A (EH A)

Keynote

8:35am PDT

Welcome

Speakers

Dr. Singh

Thursday March 17, 2022 8:35am - 8:45am PDT
Exhibit Hall A (EH A)

Keynote

8:45am PDT

Interest Identification: The Secret Conflict Resolution Vocabulary Words

Conflict resolution competencies rely on the building block of interest identification. Most interventions, tricks, and techniques lead back to this fundamental concept. Interest Identification is often taught in a cursory fashion without a roadmap for how to practice or implement the skill. This plenary session is a deep dive into interest identification. Many of you may not have realized what a fascinating and useful skill it is! Participants will leave with a paradigm for identifying interests, an understanding of the top ten interests in the special education context, and an introduction to the skill of reframing. Interest Identification skills-building supports not only parent-school partnerships, but ultimately positive outcomes for students, teachers, and parents in their professional, educational and personal lives.

Speakers

Stephanie Blondell

Assoc Prof Law and Practice, Assoc. Dire Straus Institute, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law

Stephanie Bell Blondell is an Associate Professor of Law and Practice and Associate Director of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law. She directs the Mediation Clinic as well as teaches Mediation Theory and Practice, Psychology of Conflict... Read More →

Thursday March 17, 2022 8:45am - 10:00am PDT
Exhibit Hall A (EH A)

Keynote

10:00am PDT

Break

Thursday March 17, 2022 10:00am - 10:15am PDT
Exhibit Hall A (EH A)

Break

10:15am PDT

Advanced Strand on Effective Communication Skills and Listening for Needs - Part 1

Limited Capacity full

This interactive workshop will address techniques stemming from Bill Eddy's "High Conflict Personalities" books such as the E.A.R. and B.I.F.F. , as well as advanced active listening skills to train participants in effective communication. Jason Harper and Kimberly Schulist's unique backgrounds provide a dynamic context for learning and applying these skills in various situations. The sessions will use case studies and role plays to practice skill implementation for participants.

Speakers

Jason Harper

Consultant, HCR Services

Kim Schulist

Mediator and Education ADR Consultant

Kimberly Schulist, Special Education ADR Consultant, Coach and Mediator, has over twenty years of experience representing school districts in special education matters as an attorney in California. She obtained her LLM (Master of Laws) in Dispute Resolution in 2021 from Pepperdine's... Read More →

Thursday March 17, 2022 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Ballroom (BR)

Thursday AM Session, Skill Development

10:15am PDT

Commit to Action! Using Applied Improvisation to Building Successful Partnerships

Limited Capacity filling up

As we know building collaborative and productive provide genuine support to students is easier said than done. But it doesn’t have to be so hard. This interactive and fast paced session focuses on the importance of building and maintaining strong parent-school partnerships. All stakeholders need to fully commit to work together in collaboration to help build those positive, trusting and productive relationships which lead to positive and productive outcomes. Using applied improvisation, participants will participate in hands-on exercises that teach team building, conflict resolution, and negotiation strategies. Additionally, they will learn valuable new skills, activities and techniques that can be used in future meetings and trainings.

Speakers

Fran Goldfarb

Director, Community Education, USC UCEDD CHLA

Fran Goldfarb is the Family Support Discipline Director for CA-LEND as well as the Director of Community Education at the USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Research, Education and Service at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (USC UCEDD CHLA). Ms... Read More →

Marc Purchin

Purchin Consulting

Building on over two decades of education and professional experience, Marc Purchin established Purchin Consulting in 1997 to help to empower individuals and communities to resolve conflicts through meaningful dialogue. Marc has personally conducted 2500 mediations through contracts... Read More →

Thursday March 17, 2022 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Meeting Room 7 (MR 7)

Thursday AM Session, Skill Development

10:15am PDT

Dispute Prevention in the Context of Systems Change

Limited Capacity filling up

Dispute prevention has never been more necessary than in our current time and context. Systems are changing within communities and families, schools and partner agencies. This presentation will provide insight in navigating disputes from top to bottom, and bottom to top. Through education and interactive engagement, this session will explore the continuum of dispute prevention and effective parallel processes outside of the IEP process. The presenters will dive into trauma impacts at the systems level, acknowledging that we are experiencing not only families in crisis, but systems impacted by trauma effects and in need of an effective menu of care. Strategies to address this systems change will be provided, and will include regional examples of plans which support parent, school and agency partnerships.

Speakers

Anjanette Pelletier

Director, Management and Consulting Services, School Services of California

Anjanette Pelletier is a Director for School Services of California, providing consulting and support services to LEAs regarding special education programs, fiscal planning and creating an equitable culture of inclusion for students.

Elizabeth Engelken

Assistant Superintendent, SELPA, Yolo County Office of Education

Elizabeth Engelken serves on the Executive Committee of the California Association of SELPA Administrators, and is a board member of the California Mental Health Advocates for Children and Youth. Elizabeth is a SELPA leader in Yolo county, northern California. She brings extensive... Read More →

Veronica

Assistant Superintendent, Tehama County Department of Education

Veronica Coates and Elizabeth Engelken are SELPA leaders in two regions of northern California, Tehama and Yolo counties. Both bring extensive knowledge and experience in school psychology, school-based mental health and dispute resolution practices at the district and regional l... Read More →

Thursday March 17, 2022 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Exhibit Hall D (EH D)

Thursday AM Session, Skill Development

10:15am PDT

IEP Facilitation: Benefits for Families

Limited Capacity seats available

IEP Facilitation is a collaborative meeting process that uses evidence-based tools and techniques to conduct IEP meetings in a way that encourages positive communication among all team members, builds agreements, and recognizes each party’s concerns. Within this session, participants will be able to: 1) describe elements of a facilitative IEP process; 2) compare IEP facilitation as an intervention versus a prevention strategy, and; 3) discuss the benefits for families in utilizing a facilitative IEP process. Opportunities for small and large group discussion will be provided.

Speakers

Diana Cruz

Diana serves as a Senior Consultant for CADRE, the National Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Education. She has worked in special education for over 15 years, and held roles supporting students, families and educators at the school, district, state and national level... Read More →

Thursday March 17, 2022 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Exhibit Hall C (EH C)

Thursday AM Session, Family Engagement

10:15am PDT

Reconcilable Differences: Impartial Education Liaisons Are an Essential Component of a Sustainable ADR Program

Limited Capacity full

Disagreements between parents and school-based agents are common within schools; particularly, during the IEP process. Conflict can become a distraction when the communication and engagements between these stakeholders ceases to focus on the student learner and becomes about hurt feelings and out- or over-powering the other. In this interactive session, participants will learn how, what and why an Impartial Education Liaison (IEL) who is called, skilled and willed to build bridges is one of the key components of a sustainable ADR program that fulfills the purpose of creating conditions for the student learner to achieve in the learning environment.

Speakers

Rhea Settles, Ed.D, M.NCRP

Education Liberation Specialist, The Civility Zone

Greetings AllI am Rhea Settles, Ed.D, M.NCRP, an educator, a liberator and mediator, founder of The Civility Zone® (www.thecivilityzone.com), and creator of Mindful Civility®. I have over 31 years of experience coaching, leading, and teaching how to share resources, spaces, and engage with each other without causing harm in education environments. My approach is grounded in Mindful Civility methods that include welcom... Read More →

Odilla Sidime, JD

Conflict Management Specialist, Resolve Conflict Management Services

ODILLA SIDIME, J.D., founder of Resolve Conflict Management Services provides conflict prevention, intervention and resolution tools to support parent-school partnerships. She has invested the majority of her career on issues that impact outcomes for children and youth as evidenced... Read More →

Thursday March 17, 2022 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Raincross Ballroom A (RB A)

Thursday AM Session, ADR Program Development

10:15am PDT

What’s Your Story Path?

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will be a facilitated interactive dialogue on knowing one’s story path, what one really wants, and how to achieve their desired end result. The session will explore the impact of our emotions on our story path and how to increase equanimity (mental calmness, composure…) in order to maintain perspective in our relationships/ learning partnerships with parents, students and colleagues. This session is intended for both administrators and parents/families.

Speakers

Joshua Halsey

Joshua provides coaching and consultative support to leaders throughout the nation to fulfill their potential while centering students and educational justice in their decision-making. For 8 years, Joshua served as the inaugural Executive Director of the Washington Charter School... Read More →

Cathy Fromme

Consultant, TrustWorks

Dr. Fromme is the founder and Principal of TrustWorks, a consulting firm in service of teams, organizations and communities dealing with matters of trust, social capital, workforce diversity, conflict engagement, and change management. An asset and strengths-based approach which... Read More →

Thursday March 17, 2022 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Raincross Ballroom C (RB C)

Thursday AM Session, Family Engagement

10:15am PDT

Your Path to Implementing Alternative Dispute Resolution

Limited Capacity filling up

This presentation will walk the participants though the process of developing an alternative dispute resolution program. Content will comprise of input gathered from stakeholders, including district personnel, SELPA staff members, parents from the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and other coordinators from around the state. Input for recommended mediation trainings and interactive exercises will support the participants as they brainstorm to enhance or begin their own program.

Speakers

Jeanine Murphy

Assistant Director: Family and School Collaboration, Ventura County SELPA

Jeanine joins us from Ventura County SELPA where she works as their Assistant Director for Family and School Collaboration. She developed their first Alternative Dispute Resolution supports program utilizing her previous experiences working in the mental health field in both private... Read More →

Thursday March 17, 2022 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Raincross Ballroom B (RB B)

Thursday AM Session, ADR Program Development

11:45am PDT

Lunch

Thursday March 17, 2022 11:45am - 1:15pm PDT
Exhibit Hall A (EH A)

Break

1:15pm PDT

Advanced Strand on Effective Communication Skills and Listening for Needs - Part 2

Limited Capacity full

Speakers

Jason Harper

Consultant, HCR Services

Kim Schulist

Mediator and Education ADR Consultant

Thursday March 17, 2022 1:15pm - 2:45pm PDT
Ballroom (BR)

Thursday PM Session, Skill Development

1:15pm PDT

Challenging IEPs Promoting Safety and Building Relationships

Limited Capacity full

Emotions can run high in IEP team meetings. This interactive workshop will tackle the question of why IEPs can have conflict and what attendees can to do prevent, acknowledge, and intervene in high conflict IEPs. Participants will go over prevention and intervention strategies and get tips on pitfalls to avoid in IEPs.

Speakers

Elaine Talley

Mediator and ADR Neutral Facilitator, Elaine Talley ADR

Elaine Talley has dedicated her professional career to Alternative Dispute Resolution in special education. She is a mediator, facilitator, and coach, having conducted several thousand mediations/facilitations since becoming a mediator in 1995. Elaine’s experience is varied... Read More →

Thursday March 17, 2022 1:15pm - 2:45pm PDT
Exhibit Hall D (EH D)

Thursday PM Session, Skill Development

1:15pm PDT

Equity Based Solutions: The Four F's of ADR

Limited Capacity filling up

The Team as San Bernardino City Unified will outline the benefits of using the ADR process to avoid Due process complaints. We will shine a spotlight on diversity and inclusion within the alternative dispute resolution process. Come learn about best practices and action steps to improve diversity as well as the barriers faced by underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in entering, remaining, and advancing ADR. Learn about the four F's of ADR as we have coined it "Friendly, Fast, Free, Fair "

Speakers

Barby Rolland

Assistant Director, Special Education, San Bernardino City Unified School District

Barby Rolland has been working in San Bernardino City USD for 10 years. She started as a Special Day Class Teacher and transitioned as an RSP Demonstration Teacher. Upon her tenure, she was recognized for receiving the Board of Education Excellence Award and Outstanding Technology... Read More →

Sean McDuffee

Teacher on Special Assignment, San Bernardino City Unified School District

Sean McDuffee is the resident legal expert for San Bernardino City Unified. He has been trained in mediation and conflict resolution. He has extensive background and knowledge of special education policy and procedures.

Howana Lundy

Director, Special Education/SELPA, San Bernardino City Unified School District

Dr. Howana Lundy has been working in education for 21 years. She earned her B.A. in History and Sociology with a minor in African Studies at UCLA, M.A. in Education in Claremont Graduate University, and her Doctorate of Education at USC. She has had proven success in moving... Read More →

Thursday March 17, 2022 1:15pm - 2:45pm PDT
Exhibit Hall C (EH C)

Thursday PM Session, ADR Program Development

1:15pm PDT

How Trauma Awareness Helps Create More Positive Outcomes

Limited Capacity full

There is a growing need for trauma awareness aimed at improving parent-school relationships. The purpose of this presentation is to engage in factual awareness of trauma through interactive exercises, guidance on the effect trauma creates, and suggestions for improved communication. Participants can expect to walk away with a better understanding of how an awareness of trauma’s impact can promote productive communication and increase the likelihood of positive outcomes.

Speakers

Diana Nadeau

DR and Equity Specialist, CADRE

Diana brings a background of mediation, social justice, trauma, and training.

Thursday March 17, 2022 1:15pm - 2:45pm PDT
Raincross Ballroom B (RB B)

Thursday PM Session, Family Engagement

1:15pm PDT

Leveraging Social Media to Build Strong Relationships with Parents and Guardians

Limited Capacity full

Parents and guardians want the best for their children. IEPs bring new questions. Parents and guardians may look to social media for answers. We can leverage social media to provide transparent, reliable sources of information to parents and guardians when they need it. Instead of reactively combatting unreliable sources of information, we can use social media to proactively provide explanations, strategies, and tools to help parents and guardians support their students and ensure positive outcomes. Presentation will include ppt., videos and interactive activities.

Speakers

Jessica M. Lascano

School Psychologist, SBCSS

Jessica M. Lascano is school psychologist, adjunct professor, mentor, board certified behavior analyst, and member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Leadership Team at the East Valley SELPA. She works with the team’s social media manager to create content centered around relationship... Read More →

Chloe Pearson

Chloe Pearson is fourth year undergraduate student at the University of California, San Diego. Chloe is obtaining a bachelor’s degree in International Studies-Sociology with a minor in Human Rights and Migration. She is looking to start a career in law. She has been working as a... Read More →

Thursday March 17, 2022 1:15pm - 2:45pm PDT
Raincross Ballroom C (RB C)

Thursday PM Session, Family Engagement

1:15pm PDT

Utilizing Alternative Dispute Resolution in a Post-Covid World

Limited Capacity full

This presentation will review San Francisco Unified School District’s partnership with the Bar Association of San Francisco, and give an overview of the district’s well-established ADR program. While Covid-19 initially seemed to be a barrier to access for ADR, it has turned out to be an opportunity to improve opportunities for ADR resolutions through various strategies. Join us to learn more about our district’s program and how it’s being adapted for Covid. The session will include opportunities to review case studies and brainstorm solutions in small groups.

Speakers

Mildred Browne

Education Consultant, Ascendency Solutions

Has spent 30 years as an educator and advocate for students and families whose needs fall outside traditional school system offerings. Holding increasingly responsible positions as director, administrative director, and assistant superintendent at school districts in California and... Read More →

Carole Conn

Carole Conn is Director of ADR at the Bar Association of San Francisco, providing trained and culturally competent mediators to facilitate IEPs and Collaborative Conferences with SFUSD Special Education district personnel and families.

Adriana Aro

San Francisco Unified School District

Adriana Aro is the ADR Program Administrator for SFUSD. She spent 10 years as an education specialist, co-teaching humanities and specialized support classes. She has spent her career working to develop more inclusive programming. Adriana also volunteers as the Diversity, Equity... Read More →

Thursday March 17, 2022 1:15pm - 2:45pm PDT
Raincross Ballroom A (RB A)

Thursday PM Session, ADR Program Development

2:45pm PDT

Reception

Thursday March 17, 2022 2:45pm - 5:00pm PDT
TBA

7:45am PDT

Breakfast

Friday March 18, 2022 7:45am - 8:45am PDT
Upper Concourse

Break

8:45am PDT

A SELPA Travelogue: Stories about ADR throughout the State

David and Maurice traveled throughout California, interviewing students, parents, teachers, administrators, et. al. in Fresno, San Mateo, Humboldt, Butte, San Bernardino, and San Gabriel. They filmed and captured stories of the value of ADR and its vast array of benefits to students, parents, and educators. They will present their “SELPA Travelogue,” telling tales of Equity, local control, finance, and the numerous positive impacts of ADR and SELPAs in programs across the state, sharing movies around the themes of students, parents, and communities. Participants will learn how to use these stories and podcasts to spread the worth of ADR and SELPAs.

Speakers

Dr. Maurice Ghysels

CEO, Ghysels Group, LLC

Dr. Maurice Ghysels, the founder of Ghysels Group, is also an LMU professor and served 12 years as a Superintendent.

David Benson

Chief Creative Officer, Ghysels Group, LLC

David Benson is a music and movie producer.

Friday March 18, 2022 8:45am - 10:00am PDT
Exhibit Hall A (EH A)

Keynote

10:00am PDT

Break

Friday March 18, 2022 10:00am - 10:15am PDT
Exhibit Hall A (EH A)

Break

10:15am PDT

A Deep Dive into Empathy

Limited Capacity filling up

Active listening, more specifically the articulation of empathy, is one of the most underutilized but critically important skills in the conflict resolver's toolkit. The more nuanced and elegant the conflict resolver is in deploying the skill of active listening, the more powerful the impact. The more powerful the impact of the intervention, the more likely the resolution! This presentation examines current research in the field of psychology on active listening, affect labeling, empathy, and the neural story net. We will then use drills to add a layer of sophistication and finesse to these fundamental skills in the special education context. Come prepared to roll up your sleeves and learn in a supportive drill-based environment.

Speakers

Stephanie Blondell

Assoc Prof Law and Practice, Assoc. Dire Straus Institute, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law

Friday March 18, 2022 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Ballroom (BR)

Friday AM Session, Skill Development

10:15am PDT

Building TRUST: Small steps; huge impact!

Limited Capacity filling up

Trust is key for building partnerships and advancing student learning. It took a hit in many schools during the pandemic. But not all schools. What can we learn from those happy surprises? This interactive session will explore approaches to build trust among teachers, parents, and students. What are attributes of trust—and warning signs of distrust—in our litigious, due process world? We’ll explore and share seven practical, real-world trust-building strategies—both innovative (e.g., ADR's SpedEx) and old-fashioned common sense. Participants will be invited to share theirs. Together, let's build for change--through small steps with huge impact!

Speakers

Miriam Kurtzig Freedman, JD, MA

Attorney, owner, School Law Pro

Miriam Kurtzig Freedman, JD, MA, is a public education law expert, author, and reformer. She writes prolifically, with writings that have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Education Week, Fordham Institute, etc. She leads reform discussions and co-founded SpedEx, the innovative... Read More →

Friday March 18, 2022 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Exhibit Hall D (EH D)

Friday AM Session, Skill Development

10:15am PDT

Encouraging Family Engagement through Facilitated IEPs

Limited Capacity filling up

In the last 5 years, there has been a concerted effort to encourage collaborative engagement between the family and school team. By incorporating Facilitated IEPs, the families become an active part of the child's IEP team rather than an observer. Even when conflict arises, it brings forth collaborative conversations keeping the child's needs in the center of the discussion. The presentation will include discussion of our district's journey as well as specific case study that have proven successful through the Facilitated IEP process.

Speakers

Katie Purnick

Coordinator, North Orange County SELPA

Cammie Nguyen

Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and Student Services, La Habra City School District

Dr. Cammie Nguyen is the Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and Student Services in La Habra City School District.

Hong Yee

Program Specialist, La Habra City School District

Malia Igarta, Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Program Specialist, Special Edu. & Student Services, LHCSD

Friday March 18, 2022 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Exhibit Hall C (EH C)

Friday AM Session, Family Engagement

10:15am PDT

Leveraging the CADRE Continuum to Support Education Partnerships

Limited Capacity filling up

Family and educator partnerships are key to student learning. Authentic and ongoing communication, transparent processes, and shared understanding are critical to establishing and sustaining these essential partnerships. This presentation will challenge and support organizations to leverage the CADRE Continuum to review current offerings and processes leading to innovation. Session participants will be encouraged to engage in group discussions. Session participants will gain knowledge to develop and implement procedures to innovate, support, and engage partnerships.

Speakers

David Carrales

Consultant, Ed21 Consulting Services LLC

David Carrales is a co-founder and consultant with Ed21 Consulting Services, established 2014. David spent more than seventeen years with the Texas Education Agency, with responsibilities for statewide data collection and analysis for the State Performance Plan/Annual Performance... Read More →

Kathy Clayton

Founder/Consultant, Ed21 Consulting Services

Kathy, a lifelong educator, is a co-founder and consultant with Ed21 Consulting Services. Kathy began her career as a speech-language pathologist which afforded the opportunity to work with young children and their families in home settings. This experience forever changed the way... Read More →

Friday March 18, 2022 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Meeting Room 7 (MR 7)

Friday AM Session, ADR Program Development

10:15am PDT

Listening to Learn: Cultivating Relationships

Limited Capacity full

This session will be a facilitated interactive dialogue regarding building strong relationships and partnerships with parents, team members and students through curiosity and inquiry. Researched-based topics such as confirmation bias and naïve realism will be explored in service of cultivating skills and dispositions regarding how to have a curious conversation and the use of questioning strategies so that we listen to learn. This session is intended for both administrators and parents/families.

Speakers

Joshua Halsey

Cathy Fromme

Consultant, TrustWorks

Friday March 18, 2022 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Raincross Ballroom B (RB B)

Friday AM Session, Family Engagement

10:15am PDT

Taking the "A" Out of ADR

Limited Capacity full

Traditionally, litigation has been the way to resolve disputes with mediation, facilitation and other forms of dispute resolution seen as alternatives to the court system. The goal of the presentation is to change our mindset around the use of mediation and dispute resolution. In this presentation participants will understand the benefits and limits of dispute resolution techniques. Participants will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles, strategies, and tactics of dispute resolution.

Speakers

David Dowling

David Dowling is the owner of Dowling Mediation Services, and an adjunct professor at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University, School of Law. David also provides mediation services and dispute resolution training to SELPAs and school districts in California... Read More →

Friday March 18, 2022 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Raincross Ballroom C (RB C)

Friday AM Session, Skill Development

10:15am PDT

The Benefits of Creating A Special Education Ombuds Office

Limited Capacity filling up

Historically, students, parents and school districts have had to rely on special education litigation to resolve their disputes within public education systems. As we move into a new era, a few school jurisdictions have created programs that focus on early dispute resolution and emphasize relationship building between schools and families. These are education ombudsman programs that are housed either within the school district or within another entity serving the public school system. For this presentation, we will discuss a proposal to create a Special Education Ombuds Office that offers confidential complaint resolution services to school staff, families and students attending K-12 schools. Participants will learn about the Special Education Ombuds Office operating within the Standards of Practice set forth by the International Ombuds Association. Esther will be discussing her experience in her work creating the Pasadena Unified School District's Ombuds Office and assisting other schools with creating their own ombuds offices. Kim will discuss the findings and recommendations in her research paper, "A Proposal to Create Special Education Ombuds Offices Throughout K-12 Schools," as well as how her experience as a special education attorney lead her to see the value of an ombuds office. In addition, we will examine and explore case studies related to the benefits of how a Special Education Ombuds Office can work to help resolve conflicts. Finally, this presentation will discuss tools to establish an effective Special Education Ombuds Office.

Speakers

Kim Schulist

Mediator and Education ADR Consultant

Esther Salinas

Associate Professor of Education, Education Ombuds Consultant

Esther Salinas, EdD, Associate Professor of Education at Bob Jones University, South Carolina, Education Ombuds Consultant, and former Ombuds Officer for Pasadena Unified School District, has over 25 years of experience in public education as a teacher, principal, district office... Read More →

Friday March 18, 2022 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Raincross Ballroom A (RB A)

Friday AM Session, ADR Program Development

11:45am PDT

Lunch

Friday March 18, 2022 11:45am - 1:15pm PDT
Exhibit Hall A (EH A)

Break

1:15pm PDT

Back to the Future with Two Old Dudes

Limited Capacity filling up

PL 94-142 in 1975 brought the hope of collaboration for families and educators in service of children and youth with unique needs. It was heralded as key civil rights legislation. Forty-six year later hopefulness has faded. Conflict within this complex work has taken a toll on the system and those committed to this work. As conflict engagement professionals we have the tools and strategies to help recover this place of hope and collaboration. In this session presenters Greg Abell and Carlo Rossi invites us to expand our vision for the role that we play in changing people’s relationship to conflict.

Speakers

Carlo Rossi

Associate, Sound Options Group

Carlo Rossi is an associate and trainer with the Sound Options Group; he has been involved in special education and conflict resolution for over forty-five years. He was the Independent Child Advocate/Ombudsperson for twenty-one years for the Sonoma County SELPA. He is also an adjunct... Read More →

Greg Abell

Sound Options Group, LLC

Greg Abell and Carlo Rossi have a combined 80+ year history working in the context of the IDEA. They are nationally recognized as conflict engagement professionals and are committed to supporting collaboration for family’s and educators in service of children and youth.

Friday March 18, 2022 1:15pm - 2:45pm PDT
Ballroom (BR)

Friday PM Session, ADR Program Development

1:15pm PDT

Building Parent Communication Skills to Reduce Conflict

Limited Capacity full

In 2021, West San Gabriel Valley SELPA partnered with Dr. Sheri Wilkins to provide a series of webinars aiming to build the communication skills of parents of children with special needs. The goal was to provide parents with knowledge and skills to enable them to advocate effectively for their children. Parents met weekly with Dr. Sheri to learn how to identify and communicate their interests for their children. They were given opportunities to practice communication skills to reduce conflict and build trust. This workshop will describe the parent workshops and the strategies and skills taught.

Speakers

Dr. Julie Fercho

Program Administrator, West San Gabriel Valley SELPA

Dr. Julie Fercho is the Program Administrator for West San Gabriel Valley SELPA and has been instrumental in developing the communication skills for parents trainings in her SELPA.

Sheri A. Wilkins

President, Innovative Educational Solutions LLC

Sheri Wilkins, Ph.D. is president of Innovative Educational Solutions, an educational consulting firm dedicated to building the capacity of educators to meet the needs of all students. Dr. Sheri has worked in the field of public education for over 35 years and has had extensive experience... Read More →

Friday March 18, 2022 1:15pm - 2:45pm PDT
Exhibit Hall C (EH C)

Friday PM Session, Family Engagement

1:15pm PDT

It's A Brain thing: Building partnerships of Positive Curiosity & Learning

Limited Capacity full

Neuroimaging provides us evolving knowledge of brain networks enabling us to have insight into aspect of memory, expertise and attention. Individual differences in these networks reflect biology as well as the ability to foster the creation of opportunity to develop purposeful change and investment. Using Visual Thinking Strategies we will foster communication in the interest of establish the connectivity or relations in education and in the community.

Speakers

Jennifer Kresge

Board Member, Napa COE

Jennifer Kresge is a nationally known mediator, Parent Coordinator, and licensed psychology professional in private practice. She holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Psychology, has a Master’s of Governance certification and is certificated in Neuropsychology. She has... Read More →

Friday March 18, 2022 1:15pm - 2:45pm PDT
Raincross Ballroom C (RB C)

Friday PM Session, Skill Development

1:15pm PDT

Overview of Parent Liaison Training Program

Limited Capacity full

The presentation will provide an overview of the "Parent Liaison Training - Advocating As A Problem-Solver". The program is designed to train parents to work with school districts and SELPAs as Parent Navigators/Liaisons, assisting parents who are going through the IEP process for the first time.

Speakers

David Dowling

Friday March 18, 2022 1:15pm - 2:45pm PDT
Raincross Ballroom B (RB B)

Friday PM Session, ADR Program Development

1:15pm PDT

Psychological Safety: The Foundation of Connection and Partnership

Limited Capacity full

Psychological Safety is the foundation of effective partnerships, teams and relationships. It is defined as a shared belief that a group is safe for interpersonal risk taking. When present people feel they can make mistakes, try new ideas and be supported to be the best that they can be. Research supports its value and finds that it is the most important component of engagement. People are more creative, better at problem solving and can embrace different perspectives. In this workshop, the presenters will delve into the what we know about psychological safety by reviewing the relevant research and its components. Most important, they will discuss how to facilitate this in relationships to maximize engagement. Throughout this interactive workshop, the presenters will demonstrate techniques and review practices that promote an environment of psychological safety.

Speakers

Gail Nugent

Gail Nugent has been a mediator for 35 years and has spent the last 25 of those working with Districts and parents in special education. She is passionate about assisting to help leaders, managers, parents and staff be the best they can be while working on behalf of children. She... Read More →

Marc Purchin

Purchin Consulting

Friday March 18, 2022 1:15pm - 2:45pm PDT
Raincross Ballroom A (RB A)

Friday PM Session, Family Engagement

1:15pm PDT

The Intersection of ADR, ABA, and Body Language in the IEP Process

Limited Capacity full

Parents and guardians often enter the IEP process uncertain of what to expect. They may feel nervous, and unprepared. If not appropriately and compassionately handled these sentiments may lead to feelings of frustration, or distress. Team members have the capacity to change this. Using ADR, Applied Behavior Analysis, and positive body language throughout the IEP process will encourage the development of trusting, transparent and respectful relationships which will in turn lead to positive student outcomes. Presentation will include ppt., videos and interactive activities.

Speakers

Jessica M. Lascano

School Psychologist, SBCSS

Friday March 18, 2022 1:15pm - 2:45pm PDT
Exhibit Hall D (EH D)

Friday PM Session, Skill Development