Conferences

PAPSA Holds 45th Annual Conference

On April 10-12, 2024 PAPSA held its annual conference at the outstanding facilities of The Inn at Leola Village. Feedback from attendees was very positive!

Many expressed their thanks to the PAPSA Executive Board for diverse program that provided great benefit to attendees and promoted best practices in the field of Pupil Services. The conference was again provided via both in-person and virtual attendance options.

Featured conference presenters included:

  • Dr. Thom Stecher and Associates delivered the keynote address to open the conference. The session, titled Fostering a Connected Learning Environment through Social Emotional Learning for Staff and Students, was stimulating, highly informative, and created great energy in the room.
  • Carole L. Clancy – Director of the PDE Bureau of Special Education, apprised attendees on Hot Topics in The Delivery of Special Education Services. Her session was highly informative and brought Harrisburg to attendees at Leola.
  • Colleen Schultz – Division Chief of the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Division of School Health Services provided an excellent School Health Services Update from the PDH School Services Division.
  • Aaron Vanatta – Chief of School Police/Safety & Security Coordinator, Quaker Valley School District, presented Managing Special Needs Populations During Emergencies: Preparing our Most Vulnerable Students. This very timely topic was expertly presented and provided very valuable information on an extremely important topic.
  • Barry Sloane – Senior Grief and Clinical Services Specialist, School Services Coordinator, Highmark Caring Place, provided an outstanding session on Building School Capacity to Identify and Effectively Address the Needs of Grieving Students. This often overlooked topic was of great value to attendees.
  • Dr. Kathy Setlock – Director of Pupil Services, Palmyra School District, presented on Service Dogs in Schools: Successful Implementation. Who doesn’t love a good dog and a super presentation?!
  • Shahida Jones, LSW – Coordinator of Social Services, East Stroudsburg Area School District, did a terrific job of presenting on Trauma & Mental Health: ACES and Beyond. Great information was provided to all during this session.
  • On Friday, the 21st Paul Stevens Memorial Legal Seminar again featured attorneys Jane Williams, Sharon Montanye, and Tom Warner from the law firm of Sweet, Stevens, Katz, and Williams, LLP. As always, they addressed Legal Issues Impacting Special Education during the morning session, and the afternoon session focused on Legal Issues Related to Pupil Services. Where else can you get a full day of legal information like that? Another excellent presentation by veteran attorneys.

Attendees and members can access the conference materials under the Members Only drop-down.

We look forward to seeing you next year on April 10-12, 2024 at The Inn at Leola Village!

2024 NAPSA Conference

The 58th annual conference of the National Association of Pupil Services Administrators (NAPSA) will be held on October 20-23, 2023 at the Drury Plaza Hotel Richmond, VA. Further information will be posted on NAPSA’s website and will appear in the PAPSA News as well. Make plans to attend!