The Connecticut Association of School Psychologists in conjunction with Fairfield University Proudly Present:
The Spring 2018 Conference:
Featuring Melissa Reeves, Ph.D., NCSP, LCP NCSP, Past-President of NASP and Associate Professor at Winthrop University in South Carolina
Morning Session: Advanced Threat Assessment: Best Practice Updates and Case Study Review
Afternoon Session: Advanced Skills in Implementing CBT in the School Setting
***NASP CPDs will be awarded after the completion of each session***
When: Monday, April 30, 2018
Time: Registration: 7:30 a.m.
Morning Session Start: 8:00 a.m.
Lunch (on your own): 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (Afternoon Session Registration 11:45)
Afternoon Session Begins: 12:00 p.m.
Conference Ends 3:15 p.m.
Where: Fairfield University, Oak Room, Barone (John A.) Campus Center, Fairfield, Connecticut
Dr. Melissa Reeves, Ph.D., NCSP, LPC recently served as President of the National Association of School Psychologists (2016-17). She is currently an Associate Professor at Winthrop University, SC in the psychology department and school psychology graduate program and a senior consultant with Sigma Threat Management Associates. Dr. Reeves is a nationally certified school psychologist, licensed special education teacher, licensed professional counselor, and former district coordinator of social/emotional/behavioral services. She has over 20 years’ experience working in public schools and a private school, in addition to providing mental health services in day and residential treatment settings. As NASP President, Dr. Reeves appointed the NASP Social Justice Task Force. She is also co-author of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) PREPaRE School Crisis Prevention and Intervention curriculum and former Chair (and current member) of the NASP School Safety and Crisis Response Committee. She travels both nationally and internationally training professionals in the areas of school crisis prevention through recovery, threat and suicide assessment, the impact of trauma on academic achievement, and works with schools on establishing a positive and safe school climate. She has conducted more than 250 workshops and presentations and has also provided consultation and staff development to professionals in the United States Department of Defense Educational Activity Schools located on various military installations. Dr. Reeves is co-author of four books and multiple publications.
Advanced Threat Assessment: Current Best Practice Updates and a Case Study Review This workshop will examine the most current research and recommendations to ensure your school’s threat assessment process is incorporating the most recent best practice guidelines. Dr. Reeves has recently joined the Sigma Threat Management Associates as a consultant and recently attended a 4-day advanced threat assessment training by Gavin de Becker and Associates, who have developed threat assessment protocols to protect well-known government officials, fortune 500 companies, and entertainers. She will share information learned in regards to current best practices, strategies for investigating social media posts, and how our own biases can cloud judgment. In addition, she will review the Arapahoe High School Post Incident Reports that provide an analysis of lessons learned of the Arapahoe High School shooting that occurred on December 13, 2013. Important findings will be discussed with an emphasis on the role of the school psychologist and SRO, the critical importance of establishing a multi-disciplinary threat assessment team, and the systemic barriers that complicated information sharing, documentation, and follow-up planning and supports. Participants will also analyze the data and timelines provided by the reports to identify risk factors, warning signs, and missed opportunities for intervention. Specific recommendations for improving the implementation of best practice threat assessment protocols will be provided. Participants will: • identify current best practices to improve their school’s threat assessment process • learn strategies and search engine resources to enhance investigation of online threats • identify the impact biases can have on the interpretation of warning signs • analyze case study data to identify opportunities missed when determining severity of a threat • discuss specific strategies that need to be implemented to improve their school’s threat assessment process
Advanced Skills in Implementing CBT in the School Setting: This workshop will begin by reviewing the underlying theoretical foundations of CBT. Participants will learn specific strategies to assess and help change cognitive distortions and behavioral outcomes related to maladaptive cognitions. Facilitation of adaptive problem solving and how to integrate and generalize skills to the educational setting will be emphasized. Small group discussions and a case study approach will help apply specific skills learned in the workshop
