Building Transformational School Health for California’s Future
Our 2024 statewide school health conference will be held April 29-30 at the Santa Clara Convention Center.
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Members of the California School-Based Health Alliance save $200 on registration.
Already a member? Visit our member resources web page to see how to use your member discount code to register at a discounted rate.
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Organizations that join at the $500 Champion for Healthy Kids level can register up to 10 team members at the discounted rate.
Keynote Speaker
Tomás A. Magaña, MD, MA, FAAP is a physician, educator, and advocate dedicated to improving care and health outcomes for children.
As Lead Physician in the Department of School-Based Health Centers at La Clínica de La Raza, Inc., he serves the complex medical needs of diverse youth from Alameda County.
As a Principal Investigator at the Public Health Institute, Dr. Magaña is Founding Director of FACES for the Future Coalition, which prepares youth for entry into careers in the health professions.
Additionally, Dr. Magaña is Director of the UCSF Latinx Center of Excellence Aspiring Physicians Program at San Francisco State University.
His work with youth has been featured on NBC Nightly News, NBC Bay Area News, the San Francisco Chronicle, and in People Magazine.
Evening Reception at California’s Great America
Monday, April 29, from 5:30-7:30 pm: Registered attendees of our conference are invited to join us at California’s Great America Amusement Park for an evening of theme park fun! Enjoy a selection of free rides and amusements, appetizers, and a no host bar.
Member Discounted Early Bird Rate (Before March 3) | $300 |
Non-Member Early Bird Rate (Before March 3) | $500 |
Member Regular Rate (After March 3) | $400 |
Non-Member Regular Rate (After March 3) | $600 |
Monday, April 29 | |
8:30-9:30 am | Registration & Breakfast (provided) |
9:30-11:00 am | Welcoming Keynote Presentation |
11:00-11:15 am | Break & Visit Exhibitors |
11:15 am-12:30 pm | Breakout Sessions: Choose from 8 workshops |
12:30-1:30 pm | Lunch (provided) |
1:30-2:00 pm | Wellness Break & Visit Exhibitors |
2:00-3:15 pm | Breakout Sessions: Choose from 8 workshops |
3:15-3:30 pm | Snack Break & Visit Exhibitors (snacks provided) |
3:30-4:45 pm | Breakout Sessions: Choose from 8 workshops |
4:45-5:30 pm | Break |
5:30-7:30 pm | Evening Reception at Great America! Enjoy complimentary heavy appetizers, rides, and a cash bar! |
Tuesday, April 30 | |
9:00-9:30 am | Breakfast (provided) |
9:30-10:45 am | Breakout Sessions: Choose from 8 workshops |
10:45-11:15 am | Visit Exhibitors |
11:15 am-12:30 pm | Breakout Sessions: Choose from 8 workshops |
12:30-1:30 pm | Lunch (provided) |
1:30-2:00 pm | Wellness Break & Visit Exhibitors |
2:00-3:15 pm | Closing Plenary Panel |
Updated January 25
We will be adding more information to this list as it is confirmed.
Intervening with F.O.C.U.S. (Field trips Opportunities Career exploration Unconditional Support)
Berkeley High school used LCAP funds to hire a team of three intervention counselors who each hold a caseload of 300 unduplicated students. The intervention counselors provide academic check ins, mental health therapy, classroom support, crisis management, family support, and much more with the aim of closing the gap in retention and graduation rates. The program follows students all four years to ensure consistency. Learn about the different components of the program and how to implement it.
Presenters: Nashwa Emam, MSW, PPSC, Intervention Counselor, Berkeley High School; Jessica Levin, PPSC, MSW, Intervention Counselor, Berkeley High School
Educator Mental Health: Gaps, Needs, Solutions
In the last decade, meaningful progress has been made in the de-stigmatization of mental health. And while mental health services have become more widely available to students, this type of support is seldom in place for those who teach, lead, and educate youth. The need to address the mental health and well-being of educators has never been greater. This workshop will provide an introduction to the increasing need for addressing educator mental health and will include a review of relevant research along with examples of successful innovative model approaches to addressing this gap.
Presenter: Emily Hernandez, LMFT, ED.D, Employee Assistance Services for Education-Director, Los Angeles County Office of Education
The Be Body Positive: Practical Resources for Promoting Positive Embodiment in Students
The Be Body Positive Model comprises five life skills or competencies that foster protective factors, reduce risk factors, and build resilience against body dissatisfaction in students. Body dissatisfaction is correlated with serious mental health problems such as eating disorders, depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide. This workshop will teach participants to promote positive embodiment, which refers to inhabiting one’s body in an attuned and responsive manner. Learn skills to address appearance-based discrimination so children can develop positive self-worth, social connection, and recovery from trauma and stress.
Presenter: Elizabeth Scott, LCSW, CEDS-S, Co-Founder, The Body Positive
The Possibilities of PBIS & School-Based Mental Health Integration
Wellness centers have been gaining in popularity as a way to mitigate the growing need for mental health services. However, wellness centers are not enough. Using a Multi Tiered System of Supports and principles from Interconnected Systems Framework, schools can think beyond just having a hub on campus to support student mental health, and invest in “Wellness Campuses” ensuring that everyone is responsible for student well being. In this model, staff well-being and training is also prioritized. Leaders from Placer County Office of Education will share their program’s success, use of braided and blended funding, and methods to start a program and measure its success.
Presenters: Ali Murphy, LMFT, Mental Health Director, Placer County Office of Education; Patty Schetter, BCBA, PPS-SC, Social-Emotional-Behavioral Supports Coordinator, Placer County Office of Education
Growing Resilience: A Restorative Practices Initiative
Learn how a Restorative Practices initiative was developed from a collaboration between suicide and substance use prevention teams for school districts in Santa Clara County. The purpose of this initiative was to deepen structures and practices for overall well-being and resilience, which strengthen protective factors and reduce risk factors for all.
Presenters: Ashley Boleware, MA, Prevention Analyst, County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health; Jennifer Del Bono, M.Ed, Social Emotional Learning and Restorative Practices Director, HEARD Alliance
AB 665: Minor Consent for Mental Health Services
Learn about the new bill AB 665, signed by Governor Newsom in 2023. This bill removes significant barriers for youth 12 and older enrolled in Medi-Cal to consent to their own mental health care without requiring parental notification. Engage in conversation on how to educate students on their rights to consent to care, inform school administrators and providers on efforts to ensure universal implementation in schools and communities across the state, and identify potential additional administrative or policy barriers to ensuring youth from marginalized communities have adequate access to timely and appropriate mental health care.
Presenter: Angela M. Vázquez, MSW, Policy Director, The Children’s Partnership
Collaboration Models & Strategies to Support Student Mental Health
This workshop will be co-led by partners from the UCSF Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Portal and local school-based health centers. Learn about a systematic framework for piloting consultation efforts between school-based health centers and pediatric mental health access programs, which are warranted nationwide given that youth spend most of their time in schools and school-based interventions are effective at addressing students’ common mental and behavioral health concerns. As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to describe a collaboration model featuring ongoing needs assessment, as well as describe a menu of strategies aligned with this model.
Presenters: Lauren Haack, PhD, Associate Professor, UCSF; Saun-Toy Latifa Trotter, LMFT, Clinical Director-School Based Behavioral Health and Health Education, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland; Michelle “Shelly” Nakaishi, RN, MS, CPNP, Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
Stronger Together: Increasing Collaboration Between Health Centers & the School Community
By integrating health services with educational services, SBHCs can work synergistically with schools to achieve a common goal of student well-being and success. However, few tools exist to track integration and facilitate practice improvement. School health experts in Los Angeles used a modified Delphi method to develop a School Health Integration Measure (SHIM). The measure was piloted to examine psychometrics and used in a Learning Collaborative with 19 SBHCs to enhance collaboration efforts across the clinic and school community. In this workshop presenters will review the SHIM, describe how to use it, and discuss lessons learned.
Presenters: Rebecca Dudovitz, MD, MSHS, Associate Professor, UCLA Department of Pediatrics; Alex Zepeda, MPH, Sr. Data and Research Analyst, The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health; Victor Luna, Organizational Facilitator, Los Angeles Unified School District
Effective Strategies for Successful Couples Counseling with Youth
When supporting youth with their socioemotional development, we know that dating relationships play a vital role. Helping youth navigate intimate relationships while they are still learning to balance school/family responsibilities can help serve as a foundation for future relationships in their lives. School-based health centers offer a unique opportunity for young couples to connect with therapists seeking guidance, acceptance and support with creating healthy boundaries, positive communication, and trusting relationships. Gain new therapeutic tools to help guide couple’s counseling sessions and deepen your understanding of adolescent socioemotional development.
Presenters: Erica Gomes, LCSW, Clinical Director of Integrated Behavioral Health, La Clinica De La Raza; Meg Yardley, LCSW, Integrated Behavioral Health Clinician III, La Clinica De La Raza
Navigating a Sea of Reforms: Sustaining School Health Through CYBHI & CalAIM
California is in the midst of implementing massive reforms impacting the delivery of health services for children and youth, with an unprecedented emphasis on school-based and preventive services. Learn about the policy and program changes in the context of school-based health centers and share insights from a learning collaborative of Alameda County school-based health centers in adapting to and leveraging the operational and system changes presented by the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) and relevant aspects of CalAIM. Insights will focus on how school-based health centers can leverage and respond to these system changes for improved youth-oriented, school-based service delivery. Presenters will facilitate small group break-out discussions so that participants can apply these changes to their local school-based health center model.
Presenters: Lisa Eisenberg, MSW, MPP, Child and Youth Health Financing Project Director, WestEd; Ignacio Ferrey, MPH, MA, Associate Director-Health Access, Alameda County Health Care Services Agency
Maximizing Medicaid Funding for School Districts: Strategies & Considerations
This presentation guides school districts through Medicaid billing programs, LEA BOP, Multi-Payer Fee Schedule, and working with community based organizations. Gain a foundational understanding of LEA billing processes, covering program basics and funding maximization strategies. There will be an emphasis on CPE program financing and avoiding duplicate billing. Learn to evaluate the pros and cons of each billing method, where they support each other, and how to make informed decisions for optimized Medicaid billing strategies that ensure efficient fund utilization while preventing duplicative billing.
Presenter: Jeremy Ford, Sr. School-Based Health Finance Associate, WestEd
Wellness Coaches: A New Opportunity to Advance Behavioral Health
The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is a groundbreaking $4.7 billion effort aimed at transforming the way California supports the well-being of children and youth. A promising aspect of CYBHI is the introduction of a new behavioral health profession, the Certified Wellness Coach. Learn about the new Wellness Coach profession and explore the potential it brings to advance the work of school-based health and wellness centers, build diversity within the behavioral health workforce, and expand student access to essential support services.
Presenters: Ben Gamache, MS, Policy Analyst, Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI); Anne Powell, MSW, Health Program Specialist II, HCAI
Naloxone Training & Distribution to Help Address the Fentanyl Crisis in Schools
In the current crisis of fentanyl poisoning, school-based interventions and overdose prevention strategies must be adapted to the context of fentanyl, and innovative approaches must be deployed. Receive training to properly identify an opioid/fentanyl overdose and administer naloxone to reverse it. Naloxone will be available for interested participants to take back to their schools and/or school-based health and wellness centers. Learn about a continuum of overdose prevention and intervention strategies and activities practiced in educational settings, challenges for addressing the fentanyl public health crisis in youth, and future directions.
Presenters: Kaia Renouf, Harm Reduction Project Manager, CA Bridge; Philip Breitenbucher, EdD, MSW, Assistant Professor, California Baptist University
From Counseling to LARC Doulas: A Clinical Training to Improve the LARC Experience for Youth
Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) for adolescents is endorsed based on efficacy, safety, and satisfaction rates. However, young people have consistently identified preprocedural anxiety and fear of a painful procedure as the largest barrier to LARC use. La Clinica de La Raza has developed a LARC doula curriculum to address techniques for improving the experience, therefore expanding access. Learn practical techniques that target anxiety and pain control, ranging from counseling about what to expect during the insertion procedure, the use of trauma-informed language, and non-pharmacological modalities. Learn to integrate these techniques into clinic workflows.
Presenters: Arin Kramer, FNP, Family Nurse Practitioner, La Clinica de La Raza; Emma Brenner-Bryant, Supervisor of SBHC Health Education, La Clinica de La Raza
Suicide Prevention & Awareness in the Black Community
This workshop will include research, resources, case examples, and personal stories to increase awareness and interventions to recognize, acknowledge, and prevent suicidal behavior in Black communities.
Presenter: Saun-Toy Trotter, LMFT, Clinical Director School Based Behavioral Health, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
Pediatric Care Coordinators: Empowering Children with Positive ACEs Screening
In the context of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), the impact on children’s development can be profound. The Pediatric Care Coordinator (PCC) can play a pivotal role in establishing connections between patients with positive ACEs screenings and a diverse array of resources. Operating within an integrated pediatric and behavioral health model, the PCC facilitates seamless handoffs and same-day appointments with specialized medical staff and behavioral health practitioners. This approach underscores the crucial role of PCCs in addressing social determinants of health and intervening early to link children to much needed resources.
Presenters: Sheshashree Seshadri, MD, Clinic Director, Bay Area Community Health; Harsha Ramchanda, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Bay Area Community Health
Panel: Alternatives to Suspension for Students Using Substances
Join this panel to learn about two alternatives to suspension programs:
- During Restorative Justice Circles, students receive education about the harms and dangers associated with nicotine and cannabis use. Students are also provided a safe, confidential space, enabling adults to link students to mental health or recovery services. Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Tobacco Use Prevention Education program will share an effective circle structure, for middle and high schoolers, that can lead to positive health outcomes.
- Are you catching students vaping or using marijuana at school? Evidence-based resources are available to help you transform “disciplinary violations” into “teachable moments.” YVAPE (Youth Vaping Alternative Program Education) is a phone-based, alternative-to-suspension program available free to schools. YVAPE incorporates a psychoeducational, restorative justice approach focused on educating students about addiction, building a positive bond with students, and assisting students who want to work on cessation.
Presenters: Itzhecatl De La Cruz, MA, Supervisor – Tobacco Use Prevention Education, Santa Clara County Office of Education; Juan Ednalino IV, School Climate Specialist, Santa Clara County Office of Education; Shu-Hong Zhu, PhD, Professor – Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California San Diego; Brianna A. Lienemann, PhD, Project Coordinator, University of California San Diego; Malini Doering, MA, Education Programs Consultant, California Department of Education
Panel: School-Based Health Partnerships to Broaden Services & Reach
Join this panel to learn about two school-based health partnerships:
- Join us for an engaging presentation where we explore innovative strategies to cultivate a more food-secure environment for students within California’s public schools. From farm to cafeteria and beyond, delve into actionable insights and collaborative initiatives that schools can champion to ensure every student has access to nutritious meals.
- Family Resource Centers (FRCs) help increase families’ social connections and engage families where they already spend so much time: school. Staffed by a team who are representative of the community, the FRC acts as a resource hub and safe place for parents and their children to build lasting connections and receive timely support. This session will provide participants with a roadmap and toolkit they can customize for their communities.
Presenters: Ali Wohlgemuth, M.Ed., Program Director, Bay Area Community Resources; Ana Hernandez Vega, Research Assistant, Bay Area Community Resources; Elizabeth Vermilyea, PhD, Deputy Director, Child Parent Institute
Panel: Supporting Transgender & LGBTQIA+ Youth
Join this panel to hear ways to support transgender and LGBTQIA+ Youth:
- This session will give you the tools and resources you need to more deeply understand issues around gender, and use this knowledge to support and empower trans and nonbinary students. Participants will leave with powerful, practical strategies that work in order to affirm and support transgender students.
- Equality California Institute’s Safe and Supportive Schools Report Card shines a light on some of the successes and challenges that California’s school districts say they are experiencing when implementing LGBTQ-inclusive programs and policies.
Presenters: Evan Johnson, Director of Education and Advocacy, TransFamily Support Services; Andrew Giang, M.S.Ed., Senior Program Associate, Equality California; Julz Goff, M.S., Senior Program Associate, Equality California; Mallery Jenna Robinson, Associate Program Director, Equality California
Panel: Youth Leadership Programs in California
Join this panel to learn about three youth leadership programs:
- RYSE conducted a listening campaign to understand youth needs in their community. A portion of this listening campaign was a youth participatory research project (YPAR) in which young people explored health conditions they faced in Contra Costa County.
- The Balboa Teen Health Center, a school-based health center in San Francisco, established a Youth Advisory Board (YAB) in 2003. They will discuss a brief history of the YAB, positive youth development, peer education and clinic outreach, school-based policy change, community engagement strategies focusing on youth mental health issues, and the use of Forum Theatre.
- The Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program will share ways to engage youth to be leaders in their communities. Hear about the Peer Advocate Advisory Council, 20 youth leaders who are advocating and educating peers. See how youth-led projects impact positive change and perception of the harms of tobacco, vaping, and cannabis use among peers.
Presenters: Fahima Zaman, MPH, Health Justice Program Manager, RYSE Center; Deysi Chacon, Education Justice Program Manager, RYSE Center; Marcia Zorrilla, DrPH, MPH, MCHES, SUDRC, Public Health Specialist, Stanford School of Medicine-REACH Lab; Jency Gonzalez, REACH YAB member, Stanford School of Medicine-REACH Lab; Natalie Andrade, School Climate Senior Specialist, Santa Clara County Office of Education; Lindsey White, MS, School Climate Specialist, Santa Clara County Office of Education
Panel: Peer-to-Peer Programs in California
Join this presentation to learn about two peer to peer programs:
- The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health provides guidance and tools for leading a group of student health leaders to promote health on a school campus. Presenters will highlight the critical role that student health leaders play in creating a healthy school environment as peer educators and the positive impact that a healthy school environment can have on student academic performance and overall well-being.
- The Two Feathers Youth Ambassador Program is a cultural driven youth leadership program that uses local cultural traditions to teach youth leadership skills. The workshop will discuss how the ambassador program is integrated into schools on Native American Reservations.
Presenters: Esther Yepez, RDA, Senior Program Manager, The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health; Sabrina Rodrigues, MPH, Program Manager, The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health; Frank Dussan, Ed.D, LCSW, PPSC, Policy & Strategy Advisor, Los Angeles Unified School District; Tanya Mercado, LCSW, Policy & Strategy Advisor, Los Angeles Unified School District; Amy Matheison, LCSW, Program Manager, Two Feathers Native American Family Services; Kimora Van Pelt, Youth Ambassador, Two Feathers Native American Family Services; Charlene Colegrove, Youth Ambassador, Two Feathers Native American Family Services
Cultivating Violence Prevention in Schools
Youth ALIVE!, a community-based organization in Oakland that focuses on violence prevention, intervention, and healing, has multiple approaches for addressing and reducing the impact of violence on students in a school-based setting. Representatives from Youth ALIVE! will share about their programming, and highlight the ways they are building mental health awareness into their high school violence prevention program.
Presenter: Gabriel Garcia, Policy and Advocacy Director, Youth ALIVE!
Youth Secret Shopper Study & Integration into a Virtual Learning Collaborative
This session will explore practical strategies in providing youth friendly sexual health services. Participants will learn key findings from a secret shopper study Essential Access conducted to evaluate youth friendliness of sexual health services in South Los Angeles and how the findings were integrated into a virtual learning collaborative. Learn about ways clinic staff can integrate best practices in creating a welcoming environment, taking a sexual history, and enhancing STI testing practices.
Presenters: Katie Farro, MPH, STI Prevention Specialist, Essential Access Health; Judit Magana, STI Prevention Specialist, Essential Access Health
A Body & Mind Approach to Workplace Wellness
The workshop explores practices to harmonize our mental and physical well-being. Through activities like Loving Kindness Meditation and Progressive Muscle Relaxation, we cultivate self-compassion and stress reduction practices. Drawing from Transactional Analysis, we examine how our internal dialogues influence our wellbeing in the workplace. Emphasizing self-awareness and holistic health, we empower participants to nurture their well-being effectively.
Presenter: Alejandra Acuña, PhD, LCSW, Executive Director, Valley Nonprofit Resources
Collaborating Within & Across Our School Systems
School mental health championship (including school based health leaders) often requires and necessitates working across systems, partners, organizations and entities. While the work is necessary, it’s not always easy. Explore the Collaboration Continuum and how we can operationalize the continuum in our school mental health systems work. Discuss how the continuum is dynamic, changing based on needs, capacities, and a program deliverable’s outcome, and the value of articulating collaboration is clearer communication of needs, expectations, and stronger relationships to move the work forward.
Presenter: Leora Wolf-Prusan, EdD, School Mental Health Field Director, Pacific Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center, Center for Applied Research Solutions
Tools for Schools: Everyday Trauma-Informed, Anti-Racist Practices
Student and educator safety and belonging is critical for health and resilience, yet we know many students and educators at school don’t feel safe, don’t feel like they belong, and experience harm. Anti-racist action is central to a trauma-informed approach. Healthy Environments and Response to Trauma in Schools (HEARTS) has been working with schools for nearly two decades to build the capacity of school personnel around implementing trauma-informed practices, procedures, and policies. Utilizing the HEARTS principles, this interactive, experiential workshop, will share everyday trauma-informed, anti-racist tools and practices everyone can use.
Presenters: Stephanie Guinosso, PHd, MPH, Co-founder – Weaver & Builder, Heart Core Consulting; Martha Merchant, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist, Co-founder, Healer & Disrupter, Heart Core Consulting
Elevate Youth: Youth-Led Substance Use Prevention Across Different School Contexts
Learn about two school-based health center sites – the JMP student wellness center at El Cerrito High School and Sierra High School Sunshine Crew – that are fostering youth-led activism, empowerment, education, and advocacy. The mission of the statewide Elevate Youth program is to reduce youth substance use and shift away from punitive responses in communities affected by the war on drugs. In partnership with the CSHA, these sites took unique approaches to equipping youth leaders and adults with substance use prevention tools and advocacy skills. Learn about their journey implementing wellness initiatives, substance use prevention, harm reduction, and policy advocacy in two diverse school settings.
Presenters: Alagia Cirolia, ASW, Counseling Staff, The James Morehouse Project (JMP); Yesenia Ceballos, APCC, Health & Wellness Counselor, Sierra High School
Children & Youth Behavioral Health Initiative: Fee Schedule
Through the fee schedule, California aims to establish a permanent, sustainable funding mechanism for school-linked behavioral health services that:
- increases access to school-linked behavioral health services for children and youth;
- eases administrative complexities for county offices of education and LEAs by streamlining processes and requirements for reimbursement of covered school-linked behavioral health services furnished to students and alleviating LEA burdens related to contract and rate negotiations with health plans; and
- applies to multiple payers thereby reducing uncertainty for LEAs in identifying student’s coverage.
Presenter: Autumn Boylan, M.P.H., Deputy Director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships, Department of Health Care Services
From Pine to Plan to Policy
The Jakara Movement’s Khair/Elevate Youth program created a cohort across seven counties of over 70 high school students that educated, informed, and created policy in their school districts, shaping their Fentanyl approaches using a harm-reduction philosophy to increase the availability of naloxone. Listen to some of those stories across California in both urban and rural districts, listening directly from students on how they crafted their unique approaches tailored to the needs of their community. Hear about their journey from listening to the pinings of their friends and classmates, to planning a power-mapping strategy with different approaches, to developing policy language that shaped the opinions and decisions of elected officials on their school boards.
Presenter: Jaspreet Kaur, MPH, Program Manager, Jakara Movement
Becoming ACEs Aware in California
This two part workshop covers Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), toxic stress, ACE screening, toxic stress risk assessment, trauma-informed care, and provide health care teams evidence-based strategies to mitigate the toxic stress response. Case examples and discussions will focus on application in school-based health settings. The two-part workshop offers 2.0 Continuing Education credits upon completion of both parts. Providers who intend to receive Medi-Cal payment for ACE screenings must complete the training and provide their NPI information as part of the workshop evaluation.
Presenters: Mikah Owen, MD, MPH, MBA, Co-Principal Investigator, UCLA-UCSF ACEs Aware Family Resilience Network (UCAAN); Rachel Gilgoff, MD, ACEs Aware Clinical Advisor, UCAAN; Leena Singh, DrPH, MPH, Director of the Clinics and Community Department, UCAAN
Starting a School-Based Health & Wellness Center: For Health Partners
Health care agencies and community-based organizations that operate school-based health and wellness centers have specific considerations when it comes to providing care in a school setting, from ensuring robust billing practices to building effective partnerships. Learn about the steps and best practices to increasing access to care successfully.
Presenters: Amy Ranger, MPH, Director of Programs and Planning, California School-Based Health Alliance; Amy Blackshaw, MSW, Behavioral Health Project Director, California School-Based Health Alliance; Nichole Mosqueda, Chief Administrative Officer, Camarena Health; Liliane Nienstedt, MEd, MPP, PhD Student, Vanderbilt University
Everything You Wanted to Know About Peer Program Development
A strong and effective Peer-to-Peer Support Program trains students in the development of very specific skills to provide services to other same-age people. Schools and organizations that weave Peer Programs into the fabric of their communities have shown a decrease in substance use, violence and isolation, and an increase in academic achievement, youth volunteerism and the development of healthier social and emotional outlooks. Examine the foundational and day-to-day elements of developing and implementing a successful Peer Program. We will review the importance of defining the program goals and objectives, examine the variety of services a program might provide, the recruitment and selection of student participants, as well as what helps Peer Programs to thrive.
Presenters: Hilary Roberts, M.Ed., Executive Director, Peer Advocates Training and Consulting; Shira Sweitzer, M.A., Peer Resources Coordinator, Antioch High School
School-Based Mobile Units: Three Examples in Action
Come hear from a county health department, a county office of education, and a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) about how they run their school-based health mobile units. With new funding opportunities for mobile units, this is a great opportunity to think about launching new mobile health services to schools.
Presenters: Alma McKenry, M.Ed., RN, Senior Director of Health Services, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools; Jazmin Rios, Workforce Development Manager, Camarena Health; Farisai Sally Zifodya, MSN, PHN, RN, Public Health Nurse Program Manager, Contra Costa Health; Ellen Darius, RDH, MS, MPH, Public Health Dental Clinics Manager, Contra Costa Health
The Children & Youth Behavioral Health Initiative: Transforming How California Supports Children, Youth, & Families
Join this panel presentation to hear firsthand from state leaders who are spearheading the transformative work of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI). Health and Human Services Agency CYBHI Director Dr. Sohil Sud, alongside colleagues from Department of Health Care Services and Health Care Access and Information, will provide an overview of CYBHI and its key initiatives, its vision for reimagining how we support children and youth wellbeing, and the critical role of school-based health partners to participate in this vital transformation.
Presenters: Sohil Sud, MD, MA, Director – Children & Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, California Health & Human Services Agency; Autumn Boylan, M.P.H., Deputy Director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships, Department of Health Care Services; Ben Gamache, MS, Policy Analyst, Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI)
Medi-Cal 101: An Overview from Anthem
The presentation will provide an overview of Medi-Cal, how it works, who qualifies, and the benefits of Medi-Cal. It will cover a variety of topics such as the process of Medi-Cal enrollment, eligibility, Anthem specific benefits as a managed health care plan, Community Supports, Enhanced Care Management, and general community resources. Overall, the presentation was created to share a resource to help people understand what Medi-Cal is as many in the community do not know what the basic benefits are.
Presenter: Savannah Robinson, Community Relations Representative II, Anthem
Resilience in School Environments: Understanding and Practice (RISE UP) – an Arts-Based Approach to Stress Awareness and Regulation
Engage in a social emotional arts and theater-based approach to explore stress and its effect on the body, identify their own stressors, experience different ways to become aware of their stressors, and practice tools and exercises for regulating the nervous system. This session promotes destigmatizing and understanding stress as well as provides a space to practice teaching these activities to co-regulate young people or adults. All regulatory practices are grounded in science.
Presenter: Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre, Kaiser Permanente
Motivational Interviewing: Skills-Building for Effecting Change With Youth
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an interaction style for facilitating conversations about changing unhealthy behaviors such as substance use using empathic and non-confrontational strategies. MI’s guiding helping style elicits a student’s own strengths and goals. This is a two-part intermediate level training that will briefly review the MI spirit, principles, and processes before focusing on techniques for eliciting “change talk” from youth. Participants will also learn specific research-based modifications to MI techniques for adolescents in this experiential skill-development session. Time will be devoted to “real-plays” and group practice sessions focused on skills to engage students and enhance their motivation for change.
Presenter: James Peck, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist, University of California Los Angeles
Starting a School-Based Wellness Center: For Education Partners
Wellness Centers that are started and operated by education agencies are a growing trend that many communities across California are embracing. Hear about different successful models, how to engage partners effectively, and the best ways to keep services sustainable year over year.
Presenters: Sang Leng Trieu, DrPH, Consultant – Inland Empire region, California School-Based Health Alliance; Pilar Vazquez-Vialva, Ed.D., Executive Director Youth Health and Wellness, Santa Clara County Office of Education
Strengthening Partnerships Between Health Plans & Education to Support School Health: Lessons Learned from SBHIP
California’s significant investment in school behavioral health through the Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program (SBHIP) created a unique opportunity for health plans and education partners to meaningfully collaborate to support the behavioral health needs of students across the state. This panel discussion will highlight lessons learned from this work that stakeholders across the state can leverage in their own efforts to build cross-sector partnerships to support school health. Panelists will highlight the opportunities and challenges encountered in their work and discuss ways in which they see these partnerships continuing into the future. Key topics addressed will include school behavioral health, sustainable funding, data sharing and workforce development.
Presenters: Alex Mays, Program Lead, Student Behavioral Health, Kaiser Permanente; Carmen Vega, MSLM, CHW, Manager, Community Behavioral Health & Social Supports, Inland Empire Health Plan
Panel: Programs That Engage Youth
Come learn from youth about three youth programs:
- The Eureka City Schools youth leadership team will present on youth engagement in wellness center creation, service delivery, and prevention. They will share the early work they did to create spaces as well as share current projects and ideas for the future of peer support in schools.
- Student Wellness Advisory Group (SWAG) ensures that the voices of young individuals are heard, enabling the delivery of pertinent and impactful services within school campuses. SWAG members collaborate to devise and execute projects, policies, and initiatives aimed at bolstering mental health and wellness among youths in their schools, communities, and beyond.
- CSHA Youth Board members will be discussing their Youth Board experience ranging from hosting a Youth Listening Session at their annual Youth-2-Youth Conference, their hands-on experience with advocacy efforts at the State Capital, to their process involved in creating youth friendly material for school-based health centers and wellness centers!
Presenters: Sarahdee Duncan, LMFT, Wellness Center Coordinator, Eureka City Schools; Jane Huang, Restorative Practices Support Specialist/Youth Organizer, Eureka City Schools; Zoe Johnson, Student SAGE Member, Eureka High School; Pilar Vazquez-Vialva, Ed.D., Executive Director Youth Health and Wellness, Santa Clara County Office of Education; Tanya Calabretta, Coordinator Social Emotional Wellness, Santa Clara County Office of Education; Nancy Aguilar, Youth Board Member, California School-Based Health Alliance; Saivishnu Tulugu, Youth Board Member, California School-Based Health Alliance
La Cultura Cura: Creating Healing-Centered, Culturally-Rooted Learning Communities in Schools
Learn how to create transformational learning schools – a healing-centered, culturally-rooted, justice oriented teaching and learning experience – in this presentation about utilizing the National Compadres Network La Cultura Cura (Culture Heal) philosophy and curriculums.
Presenters: Mario Ozuna-Sanchez, Senior Manager of Training and National Initiatives, National Compadres Network; Ariel Jimenez, Manager of Special Projects, National Compadres Network; Blasa Ozuna, District Parent & Community Involvement Specialist / School Linked Services Coordinator, East Side Union High School District
Updated March 14
Where will the conference be held?
The conference will take place over two days starting on Monday, April 29, 2024, and ending on Tuesday April 30, 2024, at the Santa Clara Convention Center.
Will you be offering continuing education (CE) credits for any workshops?
We hope to be offering CEUs for at least one of our workshops and will provide more details on the workshop and hours offered when information is confirmed.
Is there a discount for the hotel where the conference will be held?
Yes, we have a room block at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara and you can use this link to book your room with group code G-HC24.
I have a promo code. How do I use it?
Click the “Tickets” button on the top right of this screen. A window will pop up with “General Admission” and the price per ticket. There is a small blue “Enter promo code” link above that. Click on the link, enter your promo code, and press apply.
I am presenting. How do I register?
You should receive instructions that will include a code that you can enter above the General Admission listing when you get to the registration form (after clicking on the “Tickets” button on the top right). There is a small blue “Enter promo code” link above that. Click on the link, enter your promo code and press apply.
Do you offer scholarships?
Thanks to the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) we are able to offer a limited number of scholarships with a reduced registration fee of $50. Apply for a scholarship here.
Are meals provided?
We provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks on both days. Our evening reception at Great America includes heavy appetizers and a cash bar.
What times are the conference sessions?
The schedule is above and will be expanded with more detail as information is confirmed.
The conference takes place from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (ending earlier on Tuesday) with plenaries and concurrent morning and afternoon breakout sessions. You will choose workshop sessions in the morning and afternoon with a hosted lunch in between. We will offer breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
Where do I park and how much is it?
Day use at the Convention Center is complimentary. If you are staying at the Hyatt Regency the fee for parking is free for 0-2 hours, $20 for 2-10 hours, or $40 for overnight with in and out privileges.
Can the conference sell out?
We are expecting between 600 and 700 attendees. Register early to make sure we can secure your space.
Will any part of the conference be streamed or presented virtually?
We will not be streaming or virtually presenting any part of the conference this year.
What are your COVID precautions?
We care about the health of our conference attendees and the communities you represent. CSHA encourages attendees and presenters to stay up to date on COVID vaccinations and/or use masks, which will be available at registration.
While California School-Based Health Alliance does its best to provide the safest possible environment for its events (both virtual and in-person), the attendee acknowledges freely and knowingly that as a result of their registration and participation, they hereby assume responsibility for their own well-being and safety, releasing California School-Based Health Alliance of any harm.
What are your plans if there is a surge in COVID rates near the time of the event?
We are following public health guidelines closely and will implement any new recommendations. We will reschedule or host the conference virtually if it is no longer safe for us to gather in person.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
No, you do not need to bring a printed ticket to this event.
Can I update my registration information?
Yes. Log in to your Eventbrite account to update your registration information.
What is your cancellation policy?
Conference registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is only confirmed with payment in full. Until payment is received, the status will remain as pending and will not be considered in the final count. If payment is not finalized 10 days prior to the start of the conference, your registration will be canceled (exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis).
By completing the registration process, you are agreeing to pay the full conference registration fee. In the event that you need to cancel, your cancellation request will need to be submitted to CSHA via email on or before March 22, 2024, and will be subject to a $75 cancellation fee per attendee. The full amount of your registration will be invoiced for cancellations made after March 22, 2024.
In the event you registered by check and had not yet submitted payment at the time of cancellation, you will be billed and held responsible for the appropriate amount based on the above. Otherwise, please refer to our refund policy.
What is your refund policy?
Refund requests must be emailed to CSHA by March 22, 2024. In the event you registered by check and haven’t yet paid, you will be billed and held responsible for full payment, even if you cannot attend.
For cancellations on paid registration made on or before March 22, 2024, all refunds will be made within 15 business days after the conference has taken place. No refunds will be issued on cancellations made after March 22, 2024.
Is my ticket transferrable?
Registration transfers are allowed and may be made by the registrant directly in our registration system at any time, without an additional fee, using the link in the confirmation email from Eventbrite or registration confirmation page. You may also email CSHA for assistance with a transfer.
Do you have a photo release or media policy?
Registration and attendance at, or participation in, California School-Based Health Alliance’s meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to the California School-Based Health Alliance’s use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the registrant or attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions, and audiotapes of such events and activities.
What do you do with the information we provide during registration?
California School-Based Health Alliance reserves the right to update California School-Based Health Alliance’s database with information provided by registrants for the 2024 California School Health Conference.
I have a question not covered here, how do I get help?
For any questions not covered by this FAQ, please email CSHA and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
We have a room block at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, which is connected to the Santa Clara Convention Center via an interior walkway. You can use this link to book your room with group code G-HC24.
Day use at the Convention Center is complimentary. If you are staying at the Hyatt Regency parking is free for 0-2 hours, $20 for 2-10 hours, or $40 for overnight with in and out privileges.
Visit the Santa Clara Convention Center website for additional information on parking and directions.
Sponsor Our 2024 Conference
Learn more about opportunities to sponsor our 2024 conference.
Thank You to Our 2024 Sponsors!
The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is our 2024 Conference Presenting Education Partner. SCCOE is committed to serving, inspiring, and promoting student and public school success.
Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to helping meet the unique health needs of schools and communities.
Anthem is dedicated to delivering better care to our members, providing greater value to our customers and helping improve the health of our communities.
Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of our family and friends that is sustainably affordable.