05/07/2025
One of our LK43 cohort member's final project is this event! Join us!
Seats are still available for the 2nd annual Youth Mental Health Resiliency Summit on Friday, May 9! The conference is completely FREE to attend with LUNCH sponsored by Mental Health America - WVR and keynote speaker sponsored by Indiana Youth Institute!
REGISTRATION: https://www.thrivingkokomo.com/event-6123534
DATE: Friday, May 9 with general and breakout sessions from 8:15 a.m. - 4 p.m. **Remember: You can attend one session of interest or stay for the full day!**
THEME: “Building Resilient Futures: Uniting Our Community for Youth Mental Health.”
COST: FREE for the conference AND lunch
LOCATION: Kokomo Thriving Center, Indiana Wesleyan University (1916 E. Markland Ave., Kokomo - In front of Walmart)
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS AND SESSIONS:
8:15 - 8:45 a.m.: Welcome and Critical Reason for this Summit (Dr. Liz Fiala Kerns, Director, Purdue Polytechnic Statewide Sites - Kokomo and South Bend, Purdue University, and Caden Kerns, Junior, Eastern High School, Eastern Howard School Corporation)
8:45 – 9:15 am: General Session 1: “Community Collaboration for Youth Mental Health Resilience” (Jenny Lytle, Becoming Your Best with Jenny Lytle RN and Bethany Wenger, Howard County Health Department Indiana, Howard County, Indiana Government) - Topics: MHA’s Youth Advisory Councils and Youth Voices and unveiling of the NEW Mental Health Community Resource Guide that holistically identifies all the key players in the mental health eco-system.
9:15 – 10:30 am: General Session 2: “Benchmarking the Mental Health Landscape and Empowering Youth through Initiatives for Mental Health Awareness” (Brandi Bowers-Christiansen, President, Mental Health America - WVR)
10:40 AM - 11:40 AM: General Session 2: “State of the Child” by the Indiana Youth Institute; Benchmarking Indiana Youth and Their Mental Health” (Olga Volokhova, Data & Evaluation Manager, Indiana Youth Institute)
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch and General Session 2: Indiana Youth Institute: “Building Resilience: Supporting Stressed and Anxious Youth” (Samantha Vidal, Professional Learning Specialist, Indiana Youth Institute)
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM: Breakout Session 1 (Concurrent Sessions)
Breakout Session 1A: “Breaking the Silence: Addressing Stigmas Surrounding Youth Mental Health and Youth Empowerment through Advocacy" (Dane Alder, Lead Peer Coach for the Reach Youth Program, Turning Point - System Of Care)
Breakout Session 1B: "Faith-Based Support: Strengthening Youth Mental Health through Spiritual Connections" (Pamela Tinder Kemper, Arise Ministries)
2:45 PM – 3:30 PM: Breakout Session 2 (Concurrent Sessions)
Breakout Session 2A: "Connecting Hearts and Minds: Effective Communication and Coaching Strategies for Adults Working with Youth” (Kalena Fitzgerald James, Director of Professional Coaching Ventures, Indiana Wesleyan University IWU-National & Global)
Breakout Session 2B: “Understanding the Impact of Economic Hardship on Youth Mental Health" (Deanna Doyle Ancil, Director of Administration and Development, Kokomo Urban Outreach)
Breakout Session 2C: “Peer Support and Mentoring Networks: Building Stronger Communities for Youth in Community Programs and in School” (Stafka Poweleit, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Director, Mental Health America - WVR)
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM: General Session 4: “45 ideas in 45 minutes for Community Next Steps” (Megan Henry, Director of Family Self Sufficiency, Kokomo Housing Authority with Ayla Vandergriff, Mental Health America - Wabash Valley Region)
10:40 AM - 11:40 AM: General Session 2: “State of the Child” by the Indiana Youth Institute; Benchmarking Indiana Youth and Their Mental Health” with Q&A Session(KTC 114/116)
