TRAINING GOAL: As educational/mental health professionals, we are aware of the implications associated with long-term exposure to stressors and negative conditions surrounding daily living in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of our professional training and our continued dedication to maximizing the impact of those services we provide to children and youth, we understand the importance of maintaining our own wellness as educational/mental health professionals. This presentation will revisit the identification of stress symptoms and foster greater knowledge in terms of identifying new and ongoing antecedents to stress. Moreover, this presentation will help participants develop a comprehensive definition of wellness and encourage them to revisit and actively explore a variety of literature-derived approaches to coping with stressful live events. This presentation is designed to openly acknowledge the impact COVID has had on participants and those with whom they work closely (e.g., students, teachers, parents, peers, etc.) and to actively explore best practices surrounding coping strategies to inform practice as well as self-care during these challenging times. Active participation during this presentation is strongly encouraged!

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• Participants will enhance their awareness, knowledge and skills in identifying a variety of stress symptoms and monitoring triggering events.
• Participants will learn to expand their definition of “wellness” as a construct.
• Participants will enhance their knowledge about the importance of self-care as a mental health professional.
• Participants will enhance their knowledge and skills associated with applications of multiple literature-derived approaches to coping with stressful life events and circumstances.

WHO:  Richard J. Cowan, Ph.D., NCSP Associate Professor, Kent State University School Psychology Program

Dr. Richard Cowan completed his doctoral training in the NASP-approved and APA-accredited school psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His primary line of inquiry focuses on the development, implementation and evaluation of educational and treatment programs for students with autism. He is also involved in academic endeavors exploring the implementation and evaluation of multi- tiered systems of support across the universal, targeted and intensive levels of intervention for a variety of students in educational settings. He remains involved in a variety of scholarly endeavors with local, regional, and national organizations whose missions align with enhancing the academic, social-emotional, and behavioral success of a variety of students across educational settings.

WHEN:   Friday, March 12th, 2021
1:00am to 3:00pm
COST:     $5 for Members to attend Presentation              
$10 for Nonmembers to attend Presentation            

WHERE: Zoom link to follow registration