As NAPSA returns to the conference circuit with its 55th Annual Conference, in the interest of safety and to make it convenient for all to attend, the NAPSA Executive Board has decided to hold this year’s conference by virtual means only on October 25-26, 2021. Since the vast majority of  those wishing to attend have been recently inundated with issues related to the  surge in the COVID-19 Delta variant, in addition to streaming the conference live NAPSA will also provide a recording of the conference in its entirety for all registrants.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Administering Pupil Services with a Focus on Trauma, Resiliency, and Support.”  Sessions offered will feature resiliency, trauma-informed care and behavior strategies, restorative practices, mentorship, and legal issues relating to pupil services.

Our distinguished lineup of speakers will include:

• Christian Moore – WhyTry Founder, internationally acclaimed author of The Resilience Breakthrough, licensed clinical social worker, and advocate for at-risk youth. Christian will provide a keynote presentation titled “Resilience Can Be Taught: Four Strategies to Build Resilience.”
• Dr. Mary Margaret Kerr – Professor, University of Pittsburgh;  STAR-Center for Youth Suicide and Violence Prevention; author, of School Crisis Prevention and Intervention; and leader of an internationally recognized research team, which includes youth as researchers. Dr. Kerr will provide a keynote presentation on “Trauma-informed Practices.”
• Dyane Lewis Carrere, M.Ed. – Renowned author, educational consultant, and developer of the Re-Set Process™ and Re-Set Room™. Dyane will provide a two-part series of presentations on Monday and Tuesday titled “Trauma-Informed Behavior Strategies Part 1 – The Science of Trauma, Definitions, and Critical Background Knowledge” and “Trauma-Informed Behavior Strategies Part 2 – Implementation Strategies.”
• Ira Weiss, Esq. – Founder, Weiss Burkardt Kramer LLC; nationally known public sector legal authority; named a “Pennsylvania Super Lawyer” each year from 2005 to the present in the fields of schools and education. Attorney Weiss will present “Legal Issues Related to Pupil Services.”
• Donna J. Mazyck, RN, MS, NCSN, NCC – Executive Director of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN). Donna will present “The School Nurse and  Student Trauma.” This is an extremely pressing topic as the virus continues to surge.
• Dr. Mark Lepore – Professor, Clarion University Counseling, Human Services, Rehabilitation & CRJ; 2017 Excellence in Teaching Award by The National Society of Leadership and Success. Dr. Lepore will present on “Resiliency and Pupil Services.”
• Dr. Tracy Collins Boyle and Marissa Taddonio –  internationally known presenters who will team up for a presentation on “The Trauma-Informed Instructor.”
• Dr. A. Malynda Maurer – CPDLF Executive Director and the Director of Innovation, Incubation, and Development of the Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8. Dr. Maurer will present on “Mentoring for Life.”
• Jeanne M. Knouse – PAPSA Secretary and SCASD Director of Student Services.  A highly acclaimed presenter, Jeanne will present on “Using Restorative Practices to Process Traumatic Events.”

For more information on the conference and to view the conference brochure, click here.

To see the conference agenda and to register for the conference, click here