Program 2024

  • Program is subject to change without notice.

Schedule of Events

TIME
EVENT PROGRAM
8:30am - 9:00am
Pre-Conference Breakfast and Networking
9:00am - 9:15am
Master of Ceremonies
Denice Williams, Deputy Commissioner of Planning, Program Integration and Evaluation (PPIE)
NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD)
9:15am - 9:30am
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Keith S. Howard, Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Youth and Community Development
Krystalyn Kass, Assistant Vice President, Vibrant Emotional Health
9:30am - 9:35am
Keynote Address Introduction
Denice Williams, Deputy Commissioner, PPIE, NYC DYCD
9:35am - 10:25am
Keynote Address
Dr. Anna Ortega-Williams, LMSW, Ph.D,
Assistant Professor, Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, City University of New York
10:25am - 10:40am
Transition & Refreshments Break
10:40am - 11:55am
Morning Breakout Workshops
In-Person

  • Engaging Young Men of Color in Mental Health Services is Suicide Prevention | Facilitator: Damon Watson, MPH
  • Trauma-Informed Practices and Healing-Centered Engagement | Facilitator: Nicole Hamilton
  • The Healing Canvas: Creative Approaches to Wellness | Facilitator: Linda Turner, LCAT, LPAT, ATR-BC
  • Catalyzing Healing & Collective Wellness in Troubling Times | Facilitator: Anna Ortega-Williams, LMSW, Ph.D.
Virtual

  • Building Resilience: Crafting Trauma-Informed Programs for Youth Empowerment | Facilitator: Sherina Davis
  • Uncovering the Needs of Runaway and Homeless Youth (Panel Workshop)
    Moderators: Gian Peralta & Derrick Stoudymire
    Panelists: Safe Horizon, Covenant House, Rising Ground, SCO Family Services, Children’s Village
    Facilitator: Nicole Hamilton
  • Qi Gong: Cultivating Life Energy | Facilitator: Michelle Quiba
  • Invitation to Ease: Leadership and Well-being | Facilitator: Melba J. Nicholson Sullivan, Ph.D.
12:00pm - 1:05pm
Lunch and Networking Break
1:05pm - 2:20pm
Afternoon Breakout Workshops
In-Person

  • Engaging Young Men of Color in Mental Health Services is Suicide Prevention | Facilitator: Damon Watson, MPH
  • Trauma-Informed Practices and Healing-Centered Engagement | Facilitator: Nicole Hamilton
  • The Healing Canvas: Creative Approaches to Wellness | Facilitator: Linda Turner, LCAT, LPAT, ATR-BC
  • Catalyzing Healing & Collective Wellness in Troubling Times | Facilitator: Anna Ortega-Williams, LMSW, Ph.D.
Virtual

  • Building Resilience: Crafting Trauma-Informed Programs for Youth Empowerment | Facilitator: Sherina Davis
  • Uncovering the Needs of Runaway and Homeless Youth (Panel Workshop)
    Moderators: Gian Peralta & Derrick Stoudymire
    Panelists: Safe Horizon, Covenant House, Rising Ground, SCO Family Services, Children’s Village
    Facilitator: Nicole Hamilton
  • Qi Gong: Cultivating Life Energy | Facilitator: Michelle Quiba
  • Invitation to Ease: Leadership and Well-being | Facilitator: Melba J. Nicholson Sullivan, Ph.D.
2:20pm - 2:30pm
Transition & Refreshments Break
2:30pm - 2:45pm
Closing Remarks and Q&A
Denice Williams, Deputy Commissioner, PPIE, NYC DYCD
2:45pm - 3:00pm
Conference Wrap-Up