In support and response to the needs of educators working with students displaced and traumatized by the unprecedented Gulf Coast disasters of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Arkansas Department of Education is proud to announce Phase II of the Catastrophic Counseling Techniques Training: What Works. The primary focus of the Phase II training is to provide administrators and educators with specific information, connections to resources, hands-on ideas and techniques supporting the work with families and children Pre-K through 12th grade affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as well as other traumatic events.
Topics and presenters include:
Insights to Cultural Differences, Dr. Mable Phillips, Former Assistant Superintendent of New Orleans Parish; What Works (Key Arkansas Educators and Resource Personnel Sharing Hands-on Ideas that Work with Students and Families Experiencing Traumatic Events);
Test and Academic Anxiety, Bruce Cohen, Director of Special Projects at UAMS Department of Psychiatry;
Grief and Loss for Children and Families: Care for the Care Givers, Greg Adams, and Director of Good Mourning Program at Children’s Hospital;
Overview of Resources, Chris Rule.
Participants will have opportunities throughout the day to interact and submit topics to be addressed through Question and Answer sessions.
The Arkansas Department of Education, Governor’s Office, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Department of Psychiatry, Arkansas School-Based Mental Health Network, National Association of Social Workers, and the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation are collaboratively hosting a Phase II Catastrophic Counseling Techniques Training on Wednesday, March 1, 2006, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Great Hall at the William Jefferson Clinton Library in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The Catastrophic Counseling Techniques Training is open to administrators, special educators, counselors, homeless education liaisons, and other personnel or designees helping students cope with trauma, depression, loss, conflict and fear as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Approximately two hundred (200) slots are available for the training. Districts are encouraged to send a team of two members. Priority will be given to districts that have large enrollments of displaced students. Six hours of professional development will be credited and lunch will be provided.
Please complete the attached registration form to be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 27, 2006, via fax to 501-682-5177 or mail to the Arkansas Department of Education, Office of Public School Academic Accountability, #4 State Capitol Mall, Suite 110 B, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201.
For more information, please contact Susan Underwood, State Coordinator of Homeless Education at 501-682-5761 or J.B. Robertson, State Coordinator of School Counseling at 501-682-4354.