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You Are The Expert Conference 2007
“What a great conference!!”, “I learned so much!!”, “Great speakers!!”
“This conference was so energizing for me!”, “What a great group of parents!!”
These are a few of the comments from participants at this year’s “You Are The Expert” conference held in Lynnwood, WA on March 9-10. The overall theme was “Resiliency”.
Al Siebert’s keynote topic, “Resiliency: Strength From Within”, showed participants how people gain the ability to become stronger from experiences that wear other people down, how to avoid becoming a victim or martyr, and how to give strength to others without becoming worn out.
Michael Bailey’s keynote topic, “Kids As Leaders”, guided parents and others on how to use leadership and cues from the children in order to focus advocacy on what really matters in the children’s lives: self-esteem, happiness and independence for the growing, maturing student.
Topics for the breakout sessions included information about self-care, due process hearings, practice-based evidence, Section 504, sexual abuse, Birth-3 services, Response to Intervention (RTI), a non-drug approach to ADHD, discipline, Social Security and records, partnerships, parenting children with special emotional challenges, IEPs, communication, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorders, and focusing children’s energy.
The Friday night reception and silent auction were a great success –and a lot of fun! Youth and adults alike enjoyed the live band and dancing in the Mardi Gras theme “dance hall”. The band also brought extra instruments for people to join in and accompany the band members in playing for the event.
Our congratulations to the four people who each received a special award during the luncheon on Saturday. The “You Make a Difference” award is for outstanding contribution to the community and/or to individual lives. The winners are: Wendy Christiansen, Michaela Duggan, Dot Workman, and Susan Bradley. See their stories on the You Make a Difference Awards 2007.
The youth agenda topics incorporated information and games around relationship building and teamwork, leadership, finding solutions, building the life you want, Circles of Friends, and making a power point and presentation for the all-inclusive closing session for the conference. They also made the decorations and worked on costumes for the dance.
The “You Are The Expert 2007” conference was an information-packed, fun-filled and renewing event.
WATCH THE PAVE WEBSITE AND PIPELINE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT
“YOU ARE THE EXPERT 2008”
Your input and suggestions for topics and/or speakers are welcomed and appreciated!
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