Agenda

Morning Sessions

9:00 AM – Keynote: Rich Talk for Resilience: Supporting Children Through Life’s Challenges | Rebecca Rolland, EdD

Children navigating tough times benefit from responsive conversation rather than scripted comfort. This keynote explores how “rich talk”—meaningful, back-and-forth dialogue—supports children through challenge. Attendees will gain insight into attuned listening, learn strategies for following children’s conversational leads, and discover how staying present creates conditions for resilience. Drawing on research and real-world examples, this session offers practical strategies you can use immediately.

10:15 AM – The Importance of Compassionate Caregiving: Nobody’s Perfect | Abra Vigna, PhD

As caregivers, we live with one foot in our parenthood and one foot in our childhood. Opportunities to collapse into the patterns of your past or heal into a more loving presence abound. In this session, we will explore the art and science of contemplative practices, their links to building personal capacity to care for the self and others without tiring, and experience some research-backed practices, concluding with time for Q&A.

11:30 AM – Raising Resilient Children: Tools to Develop Emotional Regulation | Sara Daniel, LCSW

Children of all ages experience stress as they navigate big emotions, whether at home, in school, or in social settings. These emotions may arise from family changes, academic or social pressures, peer conflict, or challenges related to their stage of development. In this session, we will explore the science behind stress and emotional responses in childhood. We’ll also discuss practical, age-appropriate strategies that parents, caregivers, and educators can use to support emotional regulation and build resilience across developmental stages.

Afternoon Learning Tracks
Choose the track that best suits you.

1:00 PM Sessions

• Teen Track – Bridging Compassion: Helping Tweens and Teens Turn Kindness Inward | Jamie Lynn Tatera, MS
  When life gets hard, tweens and teens need caring adults who can model and nurture self-compassion. This practical, research-based session introduces simple ways to help young people connect with compassion, remember they’re not alone, and begin to turn kindness inward in times of struggle. Through examples, discussion, and experiential practices, participants will learn everyday ways to help youth build resilience and thrive.
• Early Childhood Track – Beyond Exhausted: Recognizing and Recovering from Parental Burnout | Maggie Kerr, PhD
  Every parent feels overwhelmed sometimes—but burnout is something different. It affects parents’ health, their relationships, and the ability to show up as the parent they want to be. In this session, you’ll learn what parental burnout actually is, why it happens (especially now), and practical strategies to help yourself or the families you work with get out of survival mode and find joy in parenting again.

2:15 PM Sessions

• Teen Track – Helping Teens Build Strong Mental Health: Strategies for Parents & Professionals | Robert Nix, PhD & Elise Gurney, Doctoral Student
  We all want the teens in our lives to be happy and to thrive! This session will provide everyday strategies for helping teens and tweens build the foundations of strong mental health. It is designed for parents of teens, and people who work with teens.
• Early Childhood Track – Play as a Pathway to Healing: Using Play to Help Children Cope and Thrive | Laura Froyen, PhD
  Play is the language of childhood—the way children express feelings, work through worries, and connect deeply with the people they trust. In this session, we’ll explore how play can help children prepare for and recover from life’s challenges while strengthening your bond with them. You’ll learn how to support this healing process through simple, child-led play that fosters safety, connection, and resilience.

Closing Session

3:30 PM – Supporting Mental Health and Stronger Connections in the Digital World | Roxy Etta, PhD

Screens are a part of everyday life for families today. In this session, we’ll explore how families can use technology in thoughtful ways that support connection, learning, and mental health while also balancing off-screen activities. Participants will leave with practical, easy-to-use strategies for creating media habits and routines that fit their family’s life and make the most of screen time.