PAST SESSIONS & RESOURCES
Supporting the Whole Child
2026
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Session 1 - A WSCC Framework for Practice and Collaboration - April 8, 2026
About the Session:
Co-facilitated by a child psychologist and an education specialist, this session will explore how brain health, environment, and everyday practice intersect across disciplines. Participants will also learn what to expect from the series, including our interactive, case-based approach and opportunities to engage with peers across sectors. This session will focus on key WSCC areas, including Social and Emotional Climate, Counseling/Psychological Services, and Family Engagement.
Presenters:
- Eve-Lynn Nelson, Child Psychologist and Executive Director of Telehealth ROCKS
- Laurie Krom, Education Specialist and Training & Quality Improvement Director of Telehealth ROCKS
Session Materials:
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the WSCC (Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child) framework and its relevance to supporting children’s health and development
- Identify how multiple systems, including education, healthcare, families, and community organizations, contribute to whole-child outcomes
- Explain how an interdisciplinary, case-based learning approach supports real-world application across settings
- Describe the structure of the ECHO series and how to actively participate in ongoing sessions including case discussions and peer learning
Resources:
- WSCC Learning Modules (SOPHE) – includes handouts and practical tools
- CDC WSCC Overview Video – youth-focused, helpful intro/refresher
- CDC Strategies for Applying the WSCC Model
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Session 2 - Supporting Youth Substance Use Prevention and Early Interventions in Schools and Communities - April 30, 2026
About the Session:
How can schools and communities identify and respond to early signs of substance use among youth? In this interactive session, participants will explore practical approaches to early identification and intervention, with a focus on real-world implementation in school and community settings. Through a case-based discussion, participants will engage in interdisciplinary problem-solving and learn strategies they can apply in their own work. This session will focus on key WSCC areas, including Social and Emotional Climate and Counseling/Psychological Services.
Presenters:
- Carolyn J. Swenson, MSPH, MSN, RN, Independent Consultant
- Hildie Cohen, MEd, MA, Senior Research Director, NORC at the University of Chicago
Session Materials:
Learning Objectives:
- Describe approaches to early identification and response to youth substance use in school and community settings
- Identify practical strategies for implementing structured screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) approaches across systems
- Apply interdisciplinary problem-solving to real-world challenges related to youth substance use prevention and early intervention
Resources:
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Session 3 - Catch it Early: Preventing and Addressing Youth Gambling Behaviors
About the Session:
Youth gambling is an often overlooked risk behavior with real implications for health and well-being. In this interactive session, participants will learn how to recognize early signs of gambling-related concerns and explore prevention and early intervention strategies through case-based discussion that shows how these approaches can be applied in school and community settings.
Presenters:
Ken C. Winters, PhD, Senior Scientist, Oregon Research Institute
Jerry Bauerkemper, BS, CCGC, Health Consultant, Iowa Gamblers Assistance Program
Session Materials:
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize early signs and risk factors associated with youth gambling behaviors
- Describe practical strategies for initiating conversations with youth about gambling and related risks
- Apply interdisciplinary approaches to the implementation of prevention and early intervention for youth gambling in school and community settings
Resources:
Youth Gambling Resources:
- Kansas Coalition on Problem Gambling
- National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-MY-RESET)
- National Council on Problem Gambling
- International Center on Responsible Gaming
- International Center for Youth Gambling
Motivational Interviewing Resources:
- HealtheKnowledge MI course (UCLA)
- MI Tips for Health Professionals (The National Council for Wellbeing)
- Webinar: Brief Intervention for Adolescents Part I: BNI Using MI Strategies (NORC)
- MI Guidance Documents
Other Resources:
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Session 4 - What Happens Next? Supporting Kids After Trauma from Initial Report to Care
About the Session:
Supporting youth after trauma (e.g., maltreatment, exposure to violence or other crimes) means looking beyond a single moment or system — it means seeing and supporting the whole child and their family over time. In this session, participants will explore what the processes and procedures look like for youth and their families who are referred to a child advocacy center as part of initial investigations of trauma exposure like child abuse or violence in the home. Participants will also learn about how the characteristics and experiences of the youth, their family, and the community may impact a youth’s mental health challenges in the initial days and weeks after traumatic events.
Presenters:
Austen McGuire, PhD, Licensed Psychologist & Assistant Professor, University of Kansas Medical Center
Jerry Bauerkemper, BS, CCGC, Health Consultant, Iowa Gamblers Assistance Program
Session Materials:
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the prevalence and common types of trauma youth experience and what types of trauma are served by professionals at Child Advocacy Centers
- Explain the types of services youth and families receive at Child Advocacy Centers for exposure to trauma
- Identify primary risk and protective factors associated with the development of posttraumatic stress disorder and other mental health challenges among youth who experience trauma
Resources:
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Session 5 - Growing Healthy Habits: Youth Nutrition and School Food Systems
About the Session:
This session focuses on nutrition and its role in supporting healthy routines and overall well-being, with an emphasis on practical strategies families can use during the summer months when routines often shift. It will also highlight how school-based nutrition programs can incorporate fresh, locally grown foods into school meals and broader wellness efforts, including the use of school gardens to support access to nutritious options.
Presenters:
Bethany Frazier, MS, RDN, LD, Registered Dietitian, The Kansas City Dietitian Collective
Casey Worden, BSHS, Director of Child Nutrition Services, Coffeyville School District (USD 445)
Session Materials:
Learning Objectives:
- Identify practical approaches for supporting healthy eating habits in children and youth
- Identify practical strategies for encouraging healthy eating habits and helping children become more adventurous eaters
- Explain how schools and Child Nutrition Services can improve access to nutritious foods and nutrition education through innovative programs and community partnerships
- Recognize how nutrition, education, and food systems can work together to support a whole-child approach to student wellness
Resources: