CES Sessions
All sessions are offered at no cost.
Mental health for highly sensitive teens; unique struggles for these emotional feelers ***please register using the poster only***
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Presented by: Tracy Fields, BSW, MSW in partnership with Tracy Fields Consulting
Highly sensitive teens are often misunderstood by parents and teachers as they often have stronger emotional reactions. In this presentation, learn why this happens, and the necessary tools required to help these teens manage their emotions so they don't become derailed.
Understanding Influences: Family Conflict & the Developing Brain ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Presenter: Chelsea Godschild, BSW, Strengthening Families Facilitator, YW Calgary
Separation, divorce, and family restructuring can bring about a variety of different changes and challenges for both children and their families. Participants in this workshop will learn more about recognizing and understanding children’s needs and emotions during difficult times.
Additionally, participants will recognize positive conflict management skills to support their children through difficult times.
Teens in Trouble With the Law: What You Need to Know ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
This presentation will provide a general overview of the purpose, principles and procedures found in the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and will address a number of common misconceptions about the criminal justice system as it relates to youth between the ages of 12-17. Participants will gain an understanding of the ways in which youth in conflict with the law are treated differently than adults, with particular focus on the areas of diversion from the formal court process, bail, sentencing and youth records.
Avoiding Power Struggles ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Presenter: Jan McInnis RSW, Families Matter
Power struggles are a natural and normal part of a child’s development as they explore their autonomy and independence. Children learn many skills from parents who handle power struggles with positive actions. This can be very challenging for parents, however, especially when working with children who are beginning to discover their world.
Navigating Technology with our Youth ***please register using the poster only***
Noon - 1:30 PM
Presented by: Andrea Halwas Larsen, in partnership with Juno House
In this 1.5 hour presentation, we will discuss the role of technology and today’s youth. The message of this presentation is not only based on technology, but also about a child’s healthy brain development and the necessary parenting/caregiver role in creating healthy, emotional, regulated, and integrated brains. This presentation will address the underpinning of a child’s emotional brain development and how to grow it, as well as how technology can dangerously hijack this.
We believe that talking does not grow neurons; experience grows neurons. This workshop is designed to give attendees the skills to become their child’s emotional coach. The workshop will provide participants with:
• An understanding of the basic neuroscience behind healthy brain development,
• The dangers of technology for healthy brain development,
• Technology use rules that will help your child
• When building healthy brains, how to identify emotions in your child/student, and
• How to become your child’s/student’s emotional coach in only five steps and in that, build a resilient child.
The presentation is facilitated by a therapist from Juno House who has years of both clinical and facilitating experience. Juno House was founded in 2008 as a Centre of Excellence for adolescent girls and young women who are experiencing anxiety-based mental health issues of self harm, obsessive compulsive disorders, depression and eating disorders.
Cyber Safety ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Presenter: Michael Kim, Outreach Programs Manager at YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre
Are you and your family cyber-safe? In today's interconnected world, the internet and social media have revolutionized the way we connect and learn. However, with limited oversight, these digital realms also pose potential risks such as privacy
breaches, cyberbullying, sextortion, and criminal activities. YouthLink Calgary presents an essential program designed to
empower parents and guardians with the tools needed to ensure your family's online safety.
Sibling Rivalry: We all want harmony and to reduce rivalry between our children ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Presenter: Megan Lachance, B. Dev. Psych, Dip. CYCC & Certified Parenting & Child Development Coach, Families Matter Society
This class discusses how to reduce anger between siblings, encouraging cooperation and problem solving, and understanding the role we play as parents, and when and how to intervene.
Adolescent Brain Development and Navigating Parent-Teen Relationships ***please register using the poster only***
10:00 AM - Noon
Adolescence is a magical time when children enter a period of huge growth and change. Bodies and brains change, emotions become more volatile, friends become more important, and the parent-child relationship morphs into a parent-teen relationship. In this session we will discuss the adolescent brain, how to support healthy brain development, promoting resilience, and navigating the ways that your relationship with your teen will evolve as they slowly but surely become little adults.
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams – Internet Child Exploitation in Alberta ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Presenter: Kim Edwards, PhD., Intelligence Analyst, RCMP, Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team
This presentation will provide the following:
• ICE Mandate and the role of ICE in the province
• Where do our files come from?
• International scope of internet child exploitation
• What does this all mean for parents?
• Social media and our children
• Parental resources and strategies to keep our children safe online
Parenting Styles ***please register using the poster only***
10:30 AM - Noon
Presenters: Susan Ma, CIWA Cross Cultural Parenting Program & Yanping Dai, CIWA Cross Cultural Parenting Program facilitator, CIWA
• Participants will gain an understanding of different parenting styles.
• Participants will become more aware of their own parenting styles.
• Participants will gain a better understanding on how parenting styles affect children.
Stress, Stigma, and Safety for Caregivers ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Presented by: Agnes Chen, Registered Nurse, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Family Advocacy Support Centre (Starlings Community)
Navigating the stress and stigma of a parent's substance use can make it difficult for youth to find support. Facilitated by a registered nurse with lived experience of parental substance use stigma, this workshop is for adults (parents, grandparents, and/or other extended support) who provide care to a youth who has been impacted by the stress and stigma of a parent's substance.
The session will provide information that will cover:
• Stress: how childhood stress can influence a child's emotions and behaviors
• Stigma: how the response of family and community towards parents who use substances can prevent youth from seeking support
• Safety: how we can empower youth to identify and seek out their safe people and spaces