SESSION I

(9:15 – 10:05)
PROGRAM # 1

What’s New at ACT? New Resources to Propel your Students to College and Career Success
Get updates and learn about the latest ACT resources available to prepare your students for college and career
success including the new PreACT 8, ACT District Testing, Online Reporting, ACT Academy, Supports for EL
students, and ACT’s Social and Emotional Learning solution, ACT Tessera.
Application: High School Counselors
Presenter: Greg Napierala, ACT
 

PROGRAM # 2
New, Notable, and Noteworthy at SUNY
On which SUNY campuses are your students most likely to succeed?  Learn more by joining us for a demonstration
of SUNY’s new search tool and a review of student-friendly resources.  Together, we’ll also discuss the latest
updates to the 2019 application process, as well as new options for financial aid.  Please bring your questions!
Application: High School Counselors
Presenter: Cheri Perrillo, SUNY’s Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services

PROGRAM # 3

The Evolving Landscape of College Admissions - Your Community & Beyond  12

This session is geared towards both graduate students in school counseling and high school counselors.  The college
admissions landscape is always evolving, and participants will learn how to best approach students and families in
process.  Topics will include how to engage students in considering college options, the inherent challenges of
working with students and families through complex dynamics, and collaborating with colleagues on the admissions
side.  This discussion based presentation will allow attendees to gain insight about supporting students in their post-
secondary goals.
Application: Graduate students in School Counseling and High School Counselors 

Presenters: Michael Hiller, Dean of Students - Scarsdale HS; Oren Iosepovici, Director of Counseling - Scarsdale
HS; Matthew Sweeney - Dean of Students - Scarsdale HS

PROGRAM # 4
Students
With the increase in students experiencing mental health challenges, many counselors seek more information,
including best practices, to manage the institutional and cultural obstacles that many students of color confront.
Mental Health Access & Equity for Latinox & African Diaspora
This session will review the state of mental health for Latinx and African diaspora students, discuss case scenarios
from the K-12 and higher education perspective, and provide resources for further education and support for
professionals, families, and students.
Application: Elementary, Middle and High School Counselors  
Presenters: Marissa Guijarro, School Counselor, Suffern High School, Estrella Redondo, Assistant Director of
Undergraduate Admission, Marymount Manhattan College. Moderator: Enrique Cafaro, School Counselor, White
Plains High School
 PROGRAM # 5

Walking Next to a Grieving Child: Exploring Death and Loss with Children and Adolescents.

Mourning and grief take time. There is no way to skip over, squeeze under or rush through the feelings of pain,
sadness, anger, loneliness or frustration. Grief needs to be experienced. Unfortunately, in a culture of instant
messaging, fast food, and quick fixes the importance and growth, which can occur as a result of struggling through
this process frequently, goes unrecognized. A grieving child needs a brave adult who is willing to feel their pain
without becoming overwhelmed by it and does not try to take it away. This workshop will explore ways elementary,
middle and high school counselors can walk next to a child on their journey through grief.
Application: Elementary, Middle & High School Counselors

Presenter: Kathryn Kehoe-Biggs, LCSW, PHD, and Bereavement Center of Westchester

PROGRAM # 6
School Counselor Advocates – Using Motivational Interviewing with Students
The session will review an emerging research and practice area: The exploration of motivational interviewing to
promote more effective self-advocacy among students and teacher support of minoritized students. Attendees will
be introduced to definitions and techniques of motivational interviewing, along with training opportunities.
Attendees will also receive instruction on how to integrate the practice into other tasks, which occur at the
individual level, school level, and community level.
Application: Elementary, Middle, and High School Counselors
Presenter: Jack Simons, Assistant Professor of School Counseling at Mercy College.

PROGRAM # 7
At Risk Students: Those Who Slip Under the Wire or Eventually
Trip the Wire
In recent years, we have seen a number of tragedies which have made us wonder if we might have intervened earlier
in these individuals' lives. While we cannot promise that school professionals hold the keys to eliminating these
incidents, there are a number of ways that we can identify students before their problems escalate. This presentation
will describe some of the mental health and substance abuse risk factors that can be identified within the school
setting. There will also be a discussion about how the different members of the school team can work
collaboratively to support students who are socially isolated or have emotional or substance abuse difficulties.
Finally, this workshop will address how to interface with family members and mental health professionals in the
community.
Application: Elementary, Middle and High School Counselors

Presenters: Beth Weiner, Psy.D. , Clinical Psychologist in private practice; Director of Counseling, Psychology and
Therapy Programs, LIU Hudson at Westchester

PROGRAM # 8

Promoting Character Strengths in Schools

To be successful in college and life, students need more than academic skills. They need character skills.  If you are a
school counselor who is interested in helping students and staff grow character strengths of heart (e.g., kindness),
mind (e.g., flexibility), and will (e.g., grit) in your school, but don’t know where to start, you have come to the right
workshop.  In this workshop, we will discuss ways to implement strategies that will create and sustain ripple effects
of well-being in your school.  You will leave with resources that will allow your students to not only meet the
challenges of today’s changing world, but flourish!  Get ready to walk away with meaningful ways to benefit your
students, staff, and yourself.
Application: Elementary, Middle and High School Counselors
Presenter: Dr. Caren Baruch Feldman, School Psychologist, Harrison Schools), Clinical  Psychologist (Private-
Practice), & Author of The Grit Guide for Teens

PROGRAM # 9
The School Counselor and Political Advocacy – Talk with the NYS Senate Chair of the Committee on
Education
We are pleased to be joined by New York State Senator Shelley Mayer (District 37), Chair of the NYS Senate
Committee on Education, who has been a champion for education issues and public schools throughout her time in
the State Legislature. Discuss the issues that affect your students, their families and educators.
Application: Elementary, Middle and High School Counselors

Moderator: Michael Grubiak, New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), and Regional Political Organizer for the
Hudson Valley will moderate this program with assistance from Martin Sommer, NYSUT Political Action
Coordinator and Kelly Whitney-Rivera, Valley Stream Central High School, NYSSCA Government Relations Chair.

PROGRAM # 10

GirlsToo: Respect Starts Young:Working with Girls To Prevent and Address Disrespect,
Harassment and Sexual Assault
Please join Girls Inc. Westchester for an interactive session about empowering girls to combat the disrespect,
harassment and sexual assault that far too many of them face in their communities, at school and in the workplace.
Our presentation will include a discussion of how we educate girls about their rights, healthy vs. unhealthy
relationships, relational abuse, power dynamics, and consent.  We will share our girls’ stories and some of the
lessons they have taught us. Our workshop will include an open conversation about how adults, particularly
teachers, guidance counselors and other school personnel can help girls expect to be respected, advocate for
themselves, treat each other well, and seek help when needed. It's never too early to start the conversation.
Application: Elementary, Middle and High School Counselors

Presenter: Nicole Butterfield, Director of Programs at Girls Inc. of Westchester County

PROGRAM # 11

ADHD and Your Students: Prevention of Tragedies

ADHD and the very real risk factors of suicide, when school counselors demonstrate how the school counseling
program clearly understands the 1 out of 11 students in their school who have ADHD, regardless of ethnicity, race,
gender, and Socio-economic factors your principals have a deeper grasp of how to support every student’s ability to
achieve, succeed, and graduate high school, college, and be productive members of society. You will learn to identify
and implement strategies that will help you work with your students with ADHD who have either been identified or
not.  Come learn the latest research to help your students, both female and male.  Participants will leave with
concrete tools in hand to take back to their schools.
Application: Elementary, Middle, and High School Counselors
Presenter: Isabel Ebrahimi CMC, Certified ADHD Coach Founder of Help Is Here Coaching LLC