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
P r e s e n t e r : 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! A p p l i c a t i o n : H i g h S c h o o l C o u n s e l o r s
P r e s e n t e r : 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. A p p l i c a t i o n : G r a d u a t e s t u d e n t s i n S c h o o l C o u n s e l i n g a n d H i g h S c h o o l
Counselors
P r e s e n t e r s : 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 obsta
M e n t a l H e a l t h A c c e s s & E q u i t y f o r L a t i n o x & A f r i c a n D i a s p o r a cles that
many students of color confront. 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
P r e s e n t e r s : 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
P r e s e n t e r : 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. A p p l i c a t i o n : E l e m e n t a r y , M i d d l e a n d H i g h S c h o o l C o u n s e l o r s
P r e s e n t e r s : 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. A p p l i c a t i o n : E l e m e n t a r y , M i d d l e a n d H i g h S c h o o l C o u n s e l o r s
P r e s e n t e r : 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. A p p l i c a t i o n : E l e m e n t a r y , M i d d l e a n d H i g h S c h o o l
Counselors
M o d e r a t o r : 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
P r e s e n t e r : 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
P r e s e n t e r : Isabel Ebrahimi CMC, Certified ADHD Coach Founder of Help Is Here Coaching
LLC