The Daviess County Public Schools district is hosting a mental health summit for educators from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Owensboro Convention Center. “The Umbrella Project: Rise Up for Resilience” conference is designed to provide intensive and practical strategies and support for those who work with children experiencing a variety of barriers to learning and success.
“Our goal in hosting this program is to encourage and empower school professionals with the skills and confidence they need to embrace children with consistent, supportive and positive behaviors and strategies,” said Dr. Amy Shutt, DCPS assistant superintendent for human services. “We are blessed to bring outstanding speakers who have earned national reputations for excellence in their fields of expertise, providing a full day of learning and networking.”
DCPS district social worker Christina Dalton said, “The timing of this event could not be more crucial to the start of the school year, after the year we have all experienced. The mental health of our students and staff is key to their academic success as we move forward.”
Conference participants will attend three keynote speakers and two breakout sessions throughout the day.
Keynote speakers are board certified behavior analyst Jessica Minahan, sharing practical trauma-informed strategies to reduce anxiety in students; Marion County Public Schools superintendent Taylora Schlosser, on the topic of increasing access to resources and eliminating the stigma of mental health; and Dr. Bryan Pearlman of the Distinguished School of Mental Health and Wellness, discussing proven strategies for helping students succeed in school and in life.
Breakout session presenters are experts in the fields of mental health, positive behaviors, multi-tiered systems of support, culturally responsive teaching and leadership.
The conference will be attended by 500 education professionals from across the state, including principals and other school administrators, guidance counselors, Family Resource and Youth Service Center coordinators and advocates, behavior specialists and interventionists.
The event is made possible by the community grant program through Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, with additional support provided by the Lillian Goldman Charitable Trust, the Foundation for Daviess County Public Schools, Assured Partners Inc., Aflac and Pepsi.
