2024 Bridge Conference

In this workshop, participants will gain practical strategies and essential tools to transform their educational programs into nurturing and responsive environments for individuals who have experienced trauma. Attendees will learn how to implement trauma-informed care principles, fostering a culture of understanding, safety, and support. This session will provide actionable steps to equip your staff, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet the unique needs of your youth participants.

Can you have program quality without racial equity? This workshop is for all involved in promoting program quality, as everyone can make decisions and carry out actions with equity in mind. Building an equitable quality improvement system is like assembling a puzzle, where racial equity is integral to each piece. Participants will explore equity considerations within four quality improvement system components. We will discuss specific examples of policies and practices that contribute to equitable quality improvement. Collectively we will highlight themes, review resources, and support participants in developing plans to advance racial equity within their own program, organization, or system. This workshop is intended for individuals who work at the upper-management and leadership level, including system leaders and funders.

There is a unique and undeniable link between depression, mental health and suicide. Therefore, effective mental health education IS suicide prevention - particularly depression education. Learn how Shine Light on Depression resources including youth education, teen empowerment and family engagement resources, support schools and community-based organizations in providing evidence-informed mental health education and help-seeking skills for all students. These programs raise awareness about youth depression. This session will describe how utilizing these programs can have a positive impact on youth and your community's mental health culture and climate. Participants will learn how to immediately access and implement these free turn-key programs along with other resources available for staff and families.