2017 Iowa School

Mental Health
Conference
Program of Events
Drake University Olmsted Center

8:00-8:30:
Circa 2014 Registration

Our Mission 8:30-8:50:

Welcome
Please Pass the Love is committed to
increasing school-based mental health 8:50-10:05:
supports to improve the quality of life and Keynote
educational opportunities for children, Dr. Jerome Greenfield
families, and educators as well as offer
culturally responsive comprehensive
services and evidence-based supports to 10:15-11:15:
school systems. Westrive to bridge positive Session One
relationships between the educational and
mental health communities to more 11:15- 12:30:
effectively prevent and address mental Lunch on your own
health issues for our children and (See brochure with lunch options in
adolescents throughout the state of Iowa.
registration materials)

Our Philosophy 12:30-1:30:

We believe school mental health needs to
Session Two
be comprehensive in order to address the
complex and varied needs. Everything we 1:40-2:40:
do revolves around students, staff, families Session Three
and community, because we know that
effective school mental health is not 2:50- 3:50:
one training or event. It is a climate Session Four
transformation that benefits everyone.
4:00 - 6:00:
Connect & Network
Learn More Please join us at Peace Tree Brewery at 317
E. Court Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Phone: 515.329.0220 for an opportunity to network and connect
Email: info@pleasepassthelove.org with other conference participants.
Website: www.pleasepassthelove.org
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jerome Greenfield
Dr. Greenfield is an Iowanative, born and reared in
Bayard. After graduatingfrom Drake University and
the University of Iowa College of Medicine, hecom-
pleted a residency in psychiatry at Kansas University
Medical Center. Dr. Greenfield is Board Certified
through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neu-
rology and is a Distinguished Fellow. After spending
25 years working as ahospitalbasedpsychiatrist,
threeyears ago he joined the Iowa Department of
Corrections medical staff and has since beenpro-
moted to the position of Health Services Administra-
tor. He oversees the medical, psychiatric, and dental
care of Iowas 8300 offenders. Dr. Greenfield is also
the current president of the Iowa Psychiatric Society.
Session One: 10:15 - 11:15
Miriam Van Heukelem
J.D., Shareholder Ahlers Cooney Law Firm
Legal Obligations Relating to Meeting Student
Mental Health Needs in Schools
Participants will develop a basic understanding
of the laws relating to serving students with
mental health needs, and will explore the scope
of school responsibility with respect to those
needs. Parents Hall 10:15-11:15
Ellen McGinnis-Smith
PhD, former teacher, principal, and Mental Health
Consultant for the Iowa Department of Education,
Lana Herteen, MA, LMHC, Community Child
Advocate Blank Childrens Hospital
Creating a Trauma Informed Learning Environment
Mental health needs of students are greater than
ever. Meeting this need necessitates a building
response by all staff who interact with students and
families. A trauma informed learning environment
supports students and families while nurturing staff
by building competency and ultimately improving
job satisfaction Participants will learn about healthy
brain development and the role of stress on daily
functioning. We will explore strategies for helping
students get regulated so they can access the part
of their brain that supports thinking, learning, man-
aging emotions, and navigating social interactions.
CR Room 312/313 10:15-11:15
Major Depression: An Update on the Biological, Social
and Psychological Consequences of Lack of Treatment.
Major Depression effects 15 million Americans each
year. Despite valiant efforts in public education, it
remains a deadly illness in terms of suicide and its
crippling effects on the body. In addition, severe
trauma and anxiety also effects millions world wide
. Research shows Depression and trauma effect far
more than just the mind. Studies show effects over
the entire body leading to significant physical de-
cline as well as emotional, financial and occupation-
al harm. New causation theories, treatment options
and resources will be discussed in this lecture.
Parents Hall 8:30-10:05
Alyssa Clayden
LMSW, Therapist Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI)
Refugee Mental Health within Schools
Working to support the mental health of refu-
gee students and families, and building on pro-
viding support by focusing on their past expe-
riences, inter-generational impact of being part
of a refugee family, and ways to emphasize
the strengths and assets these individuals and
families bring to the table, rather than focusing
on deficit approaches/strategies.
Pomerantz Stage 10:15 11:15
Jennifer Ulie-Wells
Executive Director Please Pass the Love
Youth Mental Health Initiative
Who Do We Expect Our Students to Be?:
Advanced Mental Health Topic 1
This is a power-packed double session that
applies across all grade levels. Part one will
focus on Anxiety and ADHD in the classroom.
We will discuss characteristics and immediate
strategies to use in the classroom to work ef-
fectively with children having anxiety & ADHD
CR Room 310/311 10:15 11:15.
 Session Two: 12:30-1:30
Tonya Hotchkin
LMFT RPT CTP, Clinical Manager Tanager Place
Relationship Enhancement; A Paradigm Shift
Toward Trauma Informed Schools
Presentation will focus on relationship en-
hancement and the importance of connection
based healing in the context of a school set-
ting. Information regarding ACES, trauma and
attachment will be provided to give framework
regarding young people and difficult behaviors
they may exhibit at school. It will be the goal
to tie in these factors with strategies to create
increased resilience, and hope and well-being
in the school environment for young people
who have experienced adversity
Parents Hall 12:30-1:30.
Nicole R. Skaar
Ph.D., NCSP, Shareholder University of
Northern Iowa
Analyzing Problem Behavior: Learned Be-
havior, Mental Health, or Both?
We will propose a three-facet configuration
to support analysis of student mental health
and behavioral needs given that there is am-
ple research support for both functional as-
sessment and intervention and cognitive-be-
havioral assessment and intervention. We will
discuss the model; the literature, laws, and
case law that support the model; and how the
model may be used in practice.
Pomerantz Stage 12:30-1:30

Jean Boger, Jen Gilmore, & Nicole Craun

Jennifer Ulie-Wells
MSW LMSW, School Social Worker, LMSW,
Executive Director Please Pass the Love
BCBA, School Social Worker, Ed.S., BCBA,
Youth Mental Health Initiative
School Psychologist Heartland AEA
Who Do We Expect Our Students to Be?:
Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior
Advanced Mental Health Topic 2
Students may exhibit either externalizing or
Part two will focus mental health and trauma
internalizing behaviors that can affect their
of marginalized populations specifically racial
educational performance. Participants in this
trauma, LGBTQ youth, and immigrant/refugee
workshop will learn how to recognize and
populations. We will discuss strategies for
differentiate between externalizing and inter-
working with students at each MTSS tier, and
nalizing behaviors. Particular emphasis will be
if there is time both parts will explore social
given to internalizing behaviors, which may be
emotional learning. To attend these sessions,
overlooked by adults or educators. The work-
you will want something to take notes, an
shop will also present practical strategies to
open mind, and ready to shift your mindset
employ to assist students displaying a variety
on how to be effective in a classroom. CR
of internalizing or externalizing behaviors.
Room 310/311 12:30-1:30
CR Room 312/313 12:30-1:30

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 Session Three: 1:40-2:40
Jason Volmer and Elyse Brimeyer
Coordinator of Special Education, and Principal of
Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale Community
School District
Focus on Culture Change
This session will provide the why, how, and what of
the shift in our school culture to be one of belonging,
significance, and fun. CR Room 310/311 1:40-2:40
Kristin Fairholm & Danielle Miller
Executive Director & Training Coordinator
EyesOpenIowa
Empower and Equip Addressing the Sexual
Health Needs of Adolescents
Sexual health is an important aspect in adolescent
health and viewing the child as a whole person, who
will at some point have a sexual history is important.
Adolescents with mental health issues experience
unintended pregnancy and STDs at a higher rate than
their peers. This workshop will explore the reasons why
and explore what school districts and parents can do
to educate and empower these teens to take control
of their sexual health and make positive decisions for
their future. CR Room 312/313 1:40-2:40
Session Four: 2:50-3:50
Catie Bach
MPH Des Moines University, Please Pass the Love
Youth Perspective on Mental Health in School
Catie will share her experience as a young person
struggling with mental illness. She will discuss how
adults and educators helped and hindered her expe-
riences in school. She will also provide strategies in
navigating how to support young people.
Parents Hall 2:50-3:50
Myke Selha
LISW, MSW, Assistant Professor
Grand View University
Mental Wellness for LGBTQ+ Youth
This presentation will utilize discussion to identify
what are the obstacles to mental wellness for LGBTQ+
youth and what educators can do to increase access.
Pomerantz Stage 2:50-3:50
Sarah Rozniecki,Ed. S. and Elizabeth Sutherland,
School Psychologist and Alternative Program Coordi-
nator/Teacher (and Co-Founders of Ramily Matters)
Glenwood Community School District
Ramily Matters: Connecting Home, School and Community
Ramily Matters is a school-based community outreach
movement in Glenwood Community School District.
We will discuss how Ramily Matters came to be, we
will describe the skeleton of what our events look like,
and we will share information regarding how we have
sustained our work and plans for the future of Ramily
Matters. Parents Hall 1:40-2:40
Nicole R. Skaar
Ph.D., NCSP, Associate Professor and School
Psychologist University of Northern Iowa
Parent Perceptions of IEPs: What About Mental
Health Services?
We will describe parent satisfaction of mental health
services provided through special education and
perceptions of obstacles to providing mental health
services through special education. Further, we will
discuss relevant case law supporting mental health
services on IEPs. Pomerantz Stage 1:40-2:40
Jason Volmer
Coordinator of Special Education Urbandale
Community School District
Suicide Prevention in Schools: Components of a
Comprehensive Program
Attendees will be able to identify 5 approaches to sui-
cide prevention and understand how they can establish
suicide prevention efforts in their schools. Participants
should leave with an understanding of how they could
set up a suicide prevention program in their school/
district. CR Room 310/311 2:50-3:50
Susan Gill
Family Support Coordinator ASK Resource Center
Success in the Classroom: What We Need to Know
Learn about Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA), the laws that require support within the public
education system and discover how to navigate and
problem solve issues related to Section 504 and IDEA
for students with disabilities to be successful in the
classroom. CR Room 312/313 2:50 3:50