TUESDAY, APRIL 28th

Pre-Conference Academies

Please note that space is limited in our Pre-Conference Academies. You must be pre-registered for the Pre-Conference of your choice by April 15th. On-site registration is not available.

Please visit https://www.boostconference.org/preconference for more information. If you have questions about adding a Pre-Conference Academy to your existing online account, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

9:00AM-5:30PM

Youth Mental Health First Aid 
Rita Rasuli, MS, Prevention Coordinator, San Joaquin County Office of Education, Stockton, CA; Erin Harrison, MS, Director, Expanded Learning Programs, Turlock Unified School District, Turlock, CA

Youth Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based training that teaches adults how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in youth. This training helps adults who work with youth be able to provide initial support to youth ages 12-18 who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and guide them to the appropriate care.
M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS

$85 per person (includes 30-minute lunch break, all workshop materials/manual, and MHFA Certification)
8-hour course participation is mandatory to qualify for the MHFA Certificate. 

This Pre-Conference Academy will be held in the SIERRA room.

Learn more here https://www.boostconference.org/mental-health-first-aid  

10:00AM-3:00PM

Planning For Impact: Tips and Tools To Launch Evidence-Based Summer Learning
Hillary Oravec, MA, Managing Partner, The Learning Agenda, Akron, OH; Patricia “Pat” Lewis, Ed.D., Senior Consultant, The Learning Agenda, Denton, TX; Jared Scheck, MA, Strategic Initiatives Manager, The Learning Agenda, Chicago, IL

Whether you’re launching a new summer program or strengthening an existing one, this energizing, hands-on Pre-conference Academy will equip district summer learning leaders with evidence-based strategies and proven tools to plan and lead high-impact programs. Using The Wallace Foundation’s Summer Learning Toolkit and Getting to Work on Summer Learning, 2nd Edition, we’ll explore real-world strategies that boost engagement, improve outcomes, and build lasting demand. Learn from a district leader, apply adaptable tools, and collaborate to solve common challenges. All attendees will receive a free copy of the Wallace Foundation’s Summer Learning Toolkit and Getting to Work on Summer Learning, 2nd Edition.
E, ULA, MLA

$75 per person (includes lunch, all workshop materials, and Certificate of Completion)

This Pre-Conference Academy will be held in the PASADENA room.

   

Learn more here https://www.boostconference.org/planning-for-impact 

 

10:00AM-4:30PM

Heart-Centered Connections: Creating Inclusive Environments For Neurodiverse Children
Niki Elliott, Ph.D., Director, Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity (CEEN), University of San Diego, San Diego, CA

The Heart-Centered Connections model supports teachers, community educators, and caregivers in creating trauma-informed, neuroinclusive learning environments. These environments, rooted in adult social-emotional wellness, promote emotional resilience and academic success for neurodiverse youth. By examining the connections between educational neuroscience, neurodiversity, trauma-informed teaching, and social-emotional learning, participants gain practical tools to engage effectively with youth. This holistic approach helps foster environments where all learners, especially those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, mental health diagnoses, or trauma, can thrive.
PK, E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS

$175 per person (includes lunch, all workshop materials, and Certificate of Completion)

This Pre-Conference Academy will be held in the MADERA room.

Learn more here https://www.boostconference.org/heart-centered-connections 

1:00PM-5:00PM

Navigating Grants World: A Practical Guide for Expanded Learning and OST Professionals
Gabriela B. Delgado, M.A., M.P.A., GPC, Director, Student Services and Programs, San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego, CA

As our funding environment shifts, building capacity around grant development is essential for sustaining and expanding programs. This session empowers out-of-school time professionals to confidently navigate the changing landscape, strengthening their ability to identify and secure grants that support transformational after-school experiences. Participants will explore ways to discover new funding sources, gain insights into the grant lifecycle, and apply proven best practices for crafting compelling and successful proposals.
PK, E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS

$125 per person (includes all workshop materials and Certificate of Completion)

 

This Pre-Conference Academy will be held in the PASADENA room.

Learn more here https://www.boostconference.org/navigating-grants-world

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29th 

MORNING SESSIONS (1.75 HOURS)

10:30AM-12:15PM

15 OMG FREE TOOLS To Raise Your Youth Engagement Game
Eric Rowles, MS, CEO, Leading To Change, Huntersville, NC

Get ready for a LIGHTNING round of proven tools and strategies to raise your workforce engagement game. We'll cover the BEST of technology (like a free gamification app for 2000 participants), program design (how to use the roller coaster method to life), and media (including FREE mashed-up mixes of today's music and movies). You'll leave with your head spinning, a listing of resources, and NEW ideas to immediately use in your work with young people
M, H, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality
Santa Rosa

AI in Action: Moving from Fear to Fluency with Practical Guidelines & Creative Tools
Derek Suzuki, MA, Instructional Technology Program Manager, San Diego Unified School District, San Diego, CA

Generative AI is reshaping education. Join SDUSD's Instructional Technology Program Manager to move beyond hype to practical, human-centered implementation. Using SDUSD’s AI guidelines as a case study, we'll explore AI's impact on student well-being and get hands-on with creative tools. Aligned with citizenship and agency themes, this session offers a toolkit for navigating ethical implications and fostering digital literacy. Leave with resources to build a "human-first" AI culture.
ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Pueblo A/B

Arux: Trends and Technology in After School
Robin Mattaini, Customer Success Director, Arux, Minneapolis, MN 

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest innovations from Arux. Explore new features that strengthen community connections and simplify child tracking throughout the day. Get a first look at upcoming enhancements and tools shaping the future of after-school management. Plus, gain insights into emerging trends and key learnings from programs nationwide to help you stay inspired and connected.
PK, E, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Small Exhibitor Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Sustainability
Mesquite D

Boost Bonds with ZTAG
Quan Gan, MS, CEO, and Eric Justiano, Physical Education Teacher, ZTAG, Valencia, CA; Steven Hanna, Playmaker Developer, ZTAG, Lynbrook, NY

Experience the power of tech and play with ZTAG! Using wearable smart-watch devices called ZTAGGERs, you’ll jump into hands-on games that build teamwork, communication, and collaboration while keeping everyone active, engaged, and connected. Bring a water bottle...you’ll be moving!
E, M, H, MLA, DS
Strand: Outdoor Activity Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
PSCC East Lawn

Bridging Belonging: Connecting Classrooms, Communities, and Careers
Dr. Lola Adeyemo, DSL, Consultant & Non-Profit Founder, EQImindset/Immigrants in Corporate Inc., San Diego, CA

Belonging isn’t just a feeling—it’s a foundation for learning and leadership. In this interactive workshop, Dr. Lola Adeyemo shares practical strategies for helping educators and youth-development leaders build inclusive programs that connect classrooms, communities, and careers. Participants will explore partnerships, mentorship models, and tools that strengthen belonging and purpose for all youth.
M, H, HE, MLA, CB, DS
Strand:  Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Older Youth
Ventura

Building a Culture of Care: Integrating Wellness as a Way of Being to Support Site Coordinators
Lupita Perez, Senior Specialist, Equity & Quality; Tiffany Gipson, Director, Equity & Quality; Melissa Perez, Manager, Policy & Outreach, California AfterSchool Network, Sacramento, CA

Thriving workplaces begin with a culture that centers care, belonging, and balance. From the Site Coordinator’s vantage point and experience, learn practical ways to weave wellness into daily routines and relationships. CAN will share how wellness strategies and practices are an integral foundational element of the Fellowship and Registered Apprenticeship Program.
PK, E, M, H, MLA, DS
Strand: California AfterSchool Network Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; CA Focus
Smoketree D/E

Building Better Bonds
Megan Shaw, School Age Program Manager, Neighborhood House, Salt Lake City, UT

Strong student-staff connections are the foundation of a successful program. Let's share strategies to foster meaningful relationships with youth and create positive environments where they feel valued and understood. By strengthening these connections, you'll not only enhance engagement but also proactively address and reduce problem behaviors. Join us to learn and share tools and techniques that you can apply immediately in your program.
E, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Plaza D

Centering Youth, Sharing Power: Trust-Building Across Expanded Learning Systems
Moderator: Michelle Jarmillo, MA, Director, Education Initiatives, San Diego Foundation, San Diego, CA
Panelists: TBD

San Diego County is actively reimagining how expanded learning is designed, funded, and delivered across districts, community-based organizations, and public–private partners. This panel features cross-sector leaders engaged in that work, sharing candid insights on real hurdles, trust-building practices, and how igniting the unique superpower of every partner reduces burden, strengthens partnerships, and unlocks sustainable scale. Attendees will gain practical learning applicable across regions.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB
Strand: Panel; Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Smoketree A-C

Civic Engagement and Service Learning: Empowering Your Kids to be Superheroes in Their Communities
Ryan McCarthy, PP, Executive Director, Global Kindness Initiative & The Kind Campus, San Francisco, CA

At a time when our country is facing severe social and political challenges, empowering our Youth to be community leaders is more important than ever before. Come learn and design fun, hands-on projects to help Youth become the superheroes their communities deserve!
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Palm Canyon A & B

Computer Science & Computational Thinking Pathways with LEGO® Education
Breanna Flores, MBA, Key Account Manager, LEGO Education, Rancho Mirage, CA 

This session explores how districts are building sustainable computer science pathways through robotics, coding, and problem-solving in expanded learning. Participants will engage with LEGO® Education and learn how to launch and scale district-level robotics competitions, and access shared lessons and online resources. District spotlights highlight real-world implementation and impact.
E, M, ULA, MLA
Strand: LEGO Education Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Mesquite C 

Designing Multi-Dimensional Learning Experiences
Kristen Henry, Ed.D., Sr. VP, Curriculum & Training; Ryanna Navaroli, M.Ed., Manager of Curriculum: STEAM & Primary, Elevo, San Diego, CA; Kari Adams, MA, Inclusive Leadership Center Director, Thompson Policy Institute, Orange, CA

Learning is most powerful when it engages the whole child, mind, body, and sense of purpose. This session explores how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the Science of Learning and Development (SoLD) work together to create inclusive, flexible learning experiences that support physical, mental, social-emotional, and academic growth.
PK, E, M, ULA, MLA
Strand: Elevo Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Mesquite B

Don't Hate the Core - Partner with It! Turn the Afterschool Drag into an Academic Powerhouse!
Ayo Coker, M.Ed., Program Development & Training Specialist III, Think Together, Ontario, CA

Academic outcomes are what funders and districts are increasingly focused on, heightening the need to position programs as drivers of student success. In this workshop, participants will learn how to translate district and state academic priorities into engaging after-school practices through interactive activities, small group strategy building, and peer-to-peer sharing to further strengthen partnerships that boost student achievement.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Think Together Strand; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Mesquite E/F

Expanding Student Success: State of Expanded Learning in CA
Michael Funk, Director, Expanded Learning Division, California Department of Education, Sacramento, CA; Heather Williams, Director, Policy & Outreach, California AfterSchool Network, Sacramento, CA

Join CDE, CAN, and others from the System of Support for Expanded Learning for a rich discussion on California's current Expanded Learning landscape, including the latest on ELO-P funding, federal policy implications, and critical updates on "Strategic Plan 3.0." Participants will have the opportunity to hear the latest updates from state leadership and engage in dialogue to help shape the future of Expanded Learning.
PK, E, M, H, HE, ULA, MLA, CB
Strand: BOOST Nation: Town Hall; Program Design, Development & Quality; CA Focus
Madera/Catalina 

Funology 101: The Science of Joy in Afterschool 
Clint Darr, M.Ed., Resource Center Coordinator, Missouri Afterschool Network, Fulton, MO

Laughter is powerful—it builds connections, reduces stress, and sparks creativity. In Funology 101, we explore the art and science of bringing humor, play, and joy into afterschool programs. Learn practical ways to infuse fun into daily routines, strengthen relationships through laughter, and create a culture where both youth and staff thrive. Because when learning is joyful, everyone wins!
PK, E, M, H, HE, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality
Plaza C

Improve Program Effectiveness with an Afterschool Management Software
Sanjeev Yamdagni, M.Tech, Vice President, EZReports Afterschool Management Software, Sugar Land, TX 

Come see why 10 State DOEs and 5,000 schools/CBOs nationwide rely on registration, live attendance, and reporting using EZReports, the comprehensive afterschool management software for grant-funded programs. EZReports meets the data collection and reporting requirements mandated for Federal 21st CCLC programs. EZReports also supports ASES, ASSETs, ELOP, and other grants with live attendance on mobile devices (parent PIN or badge scan), early release codes, automated student uploads, and surveys.
PK, E, M, H, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Medium Exhibitor Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality
Mesquite G/H

LGBTQ+101: Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth
Joseph Clark, MS, Director of Action & Advocacy, Oasis Center, Nashville, TN 

This workshop is designed to equip and empower educators and OST staff with the knowledge and tools needed to support and respect LGBTQ+ students so they can learn, grow, and thrive. Utilizing current school climate data, this session will offer introductory best practices on creating open and affirming spaces and classrooms for all young people, especially those who identify within the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
M, H, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Older Youth
Chino A/B

Master the Chaos - Turn Unruly Energy into Engaged Movement
Leslie Fisher, MA, Training and Curriculum Specialist; Sandy Slade, CEO & Founder, Skillastics, Corona, CA

Ever feel like your students have endless energy but zero focus? Discover simple, proven strategies to reduce chaos, boost participation, and make physical activity the highlight of your program. Using techniques modeled through the Skillastics® Physical Activity Program, you’ll learn how to turn high-energy groups into engaged, on-task teams—transforming activity time from stressful to smooth, fun, and effective.
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Large Exhibitor Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership
Primrose C&D

A Place to Breathe
Moderator: Coming Soon

A PLACE TO BREATHE explores the universality of trauma and resilience through the eyes of immigrant and refugee healthcare practitioners and patients. This feature-length documentary intertwines the personal journeys of those who are transcending their own obstacles by healing others. Combining cinema vérité and animation, the film highlights the creative strategies by which immigrant communities in the U.S. survive and thrive.

The film weaves together the arcs of Rodrigue (DR Congo), Socheat (Cambodia), Norma (Guatemala), and the young couple Edgar and Yania (Mexico and Uruguay) as they pursue their dreams of supporting their communities’ healing. Common ground and chance connections join these unique stories as the film humanizes those who have migrated here, sharing their wisdom and perspectives that enrich and strengthen our communities. This is more critical than ever with the devastating effects that COVID-19 is having on communities of color and immigrant populations. A PLACE TO BREATHE moves audiences to envision new understandings of wellness for all.
Strand: Film Festival
Horizon 1

The Power of Possibility: Creating Equitable Afterschool Experiences for All 
Edgar Guzman, Field Supervisor; Nicholas Anderson, MS, Site Supervisor, Santa Ana Unified School District-Expanded Learning Department, Santa Ana, CA

This interactive session redefines quality beyond funding, showing how programs can thrive at any budget level. Through real examples, collaboration, and hands-on activities, participants will explore a three-tiered framework (no, moderate, high budget) to adapt resources, empower staff, and sustain excellence. Attendees leave with practical tools and a renewed belief that great programs are built by vision, people, and purpose.
E, M, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership, Partnerships & Building Relationships; Sustainability
Plaza A

Program Planning for the Newer Educator
Jarod Wunneburger, M.Ed., Education Consultant, Thrive Point Studio, Plattsburgh, NY

Great programs start with great planning. Teaching inexperienced educators how to plan well can be a daunting task. Camp Timberlake has adapted the Natural Cycles model to create consistently great programming through a unified language around a simple and flexible model. This model will feel intuitive because it is, giving young educators a powerful tool. Participants will practice using the model and see how it can be used for a single activity or to plan an entire summer. 
M, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality
Andreas

Serving Well: An Exploration of What it Means to Be Well and Serve Well
Ashley Ellis, M.Ed., Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and Director of Enrichment, Atlanta Speech School, Atlanta, GA 

This session is a capacity-building workshop geared toward supporting practitioners' wellness and the sustainability of impactful work. In this workshop, participants will envision and define what it means to BE well individually and collectively. Participants will identify obstacles to wellness and create action plans to consistently reflect on and maintain their wellness in service.
E, M, H, HE, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Staff Leadership
Plaza B

YOU Are the Difference!
Manuel “Manny” Padia, M.Ed., Recreation Administrator, City of Glendale, Glendale, AZ

During this session, we will use a series of optical illusions to discuss the important roles that we, as Out-of-School Time professionals. play in the lives of our students and participants. Attendees will leave the session with a better appreciation for the importance of after school programs and be re-energized and motivated to take on the rest of the year because they have been reminded of just how amazing their job is!
E, M, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality
San Jacinto

Victorious Underdog
Roosevelt Sargent, Author/Speaker/Pastor, Roosevelt Sargent Speaks, Madison, TN

Victorious Underdog is a raw, honest, and gripping journey of a lived experience where pain is turned into purpose. Roosevelt shares a powerful true story of how God’s grace can reach even the most broken places and transform a life once counted out. Learn the journey that Roosevelt took to escape the darkness that’s claimed so many before him and how the streets re-write the final chapter of his story. My goal is to create a space where every person—regardless of background, ability, or circumstance—feels seen, valued, and reminded that their story matters.
M, H, HE, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Storyteller’s Cafe; Older Youth
Tapestry 

What is My Value Instructionally to the Educators I Supervise?
Baruti Kafele, MA (Principal Kafele), Retired Principal, Education Consultant/Speaker, Author, Jersey City, NJ

The presenter argues that, “The primary purpose of staff supervision is the continued improvement of instruction.” When the instructional side of leadership suffers, it adversely impacts the entire school academically. The presenter will provide attendees with strategies toward maintaining a focus on the instructional side of their leadership.
E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB
Strand: Staff Leadership
Pasadena

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AFTERNOON SESSIONS (2 HOURS)

2:45PM-4:45PM

25 Fabulous Enrichment Ideas (& Where to Get More)
Marisa Miller, Consultant, Afterschool Publishing, Santa Barbara, CA 

Engagement comes from High Quality Enrichment! Come explore a list of 25 Fabulous Enrichment Ideas and workshop on how to make them work at your site or in your larger multi-site program. We'll cover numerous low-cost and completely free resources to keep the fabulous ideas flowing once you are back home as well. A hands-on interactive experience as you customize a fabulous enrichment idea just right for your program!
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Ventura

Active Minds, Strong Bodies: Building Connection and Confidence Through Play
Fred Rasuli, CEO, TSP Afterschool Programs, Turlock, CA

This interactive session explores how physical activity and team-based play can strengthen student engagement, attendance, and social-emotional skills. Participants experience fun, movement-based activities that can be easily implemented in afterschool programs to promote inclusion, teamwork, and confidence for all students.
PK, E, M, H, MLA, DS
Strand: Large Exhibitor Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality
Primrose C&D

The After-School Field Guide: From “IN” Charge to “IN” Sync with Students
Ray Trinidad, M.Ed., CEO, !Mpact People/Players, Chula Vista, CA

This interactive, field guide-inspired session helps staff create safe, empowering after-school spaces through positive discipline. Using real-world scenarios, hands-on activities, and a human-centered approach, participants will explore strategies to manage behavior, build trust, and foster a sense of belonging for students and staff alike. Walk away with ready-to-use tools, fresh insights, and a renewed mindset for leading with heart.
M, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Older Youth
San Jacinto 

Attendance Recovery & Expanded Learning: A Profitable Partnership
Katie Brackenridge, MPP, Consultant, Think Together, Oakland, CA

Are you still a mix of confused and interested in how to leverage Attendance Recovery? School year 2025-26 was the first year that the state’s Attendance Recovery policy allowed districts to recoup lost attendance dollars and learning. Learn from a diverse mix of district leaders who are building school/expanded learning partnerships to implement this tricky policy in ways that benefit expanded learning, the district, and, most importantly, students.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB
Strand: Think Together Strand; Partnerships & Building Relationships; CA Focus
Mesquite E/F

Beyond Fun: Building Real-World Skills and Career Awareness in TK - 8 Programs
Aidan King, M.Ed., Associate Director, Program Implementation, Elemental Hardware Enrichment, Oxnard, CA

We’re all here to change the narrative: out-of-school-time programs are not just "extras". They’re powerful engines for skill-building, confidence development, and career exposure — if we design them that way. Build your own take-home project in this session and discover how enrichment programs can deliver real-world learning outcomes in technical skills, SEL, and career awareness, making clear why this field deserves recognition and continued investment as part of the larger learning ecosystem.
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Medium Exhibitor Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality
Mesquite G/H 

BEYOND ICEBREAKERS! Innovative and NON-CRINGY Challenges to Engage
Eric Rowles, MS, CEO, Leading To Change, Huntersville, NC  

Get ready to move! In this HIGHLY interactive session, participants will experience how to take various risk-level activities (often mistakenly referred to as “ice breakers”) and turn them into powerful vehicles for youth participation and engagement. INNOVATIVE, energetic, and IMMEDIATELY replicable - be ready to walk out with a new catalogue of FREE tools that will lead to great program cohesion and youth participation. Follow the music and laughter for this standing room only session!
M, H, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality, Staff Leadership, Partnerships & Building Relationships, Older Youth
Santa Rosa

The Body Politic
Moderator: Coming Soon

Amid the George Floyd uprising, Brandon Scott, a young reform-minded leader, is elected mayor of Baltimore. His goal is to reduce gun violence in the city through a new, public health-focused, community-led approach, rather than relying solely on policing, as other leaders have done. With unfettered access, THE BODY POLITIC follows him and his team of young community leaders throughout their first year in City Hall, revealing their ambitious plan to lower the city's violence rate and challenge a long history of racism. As opposition mounts, Mayor Scott's commitment to his principles puts his political future in jeopardy. Cameras continue to follow to see if his holistic plan will lead to healing in Baltimore—and maybe even reveal a pathway forward for the nation.
Add grade levels
Strand: Film Festival
Horizon I 

Building Scalable Career-Ready Programs in Expanded Learning with High School Interns
Leticia Bradley, MA, District Administrator: Program Manager; Ingrid Aispuro, Personnel Liaison, Porterville Unified School District, Porterville, CA

Learn how Porterville Unified leveraged its Pathways and Expanded Learning programs to provide hands-on, career-aligned work experiences for more than 350 high school students during the 2024-2025 school year. Internships spanned engineering, coding, culinary arts, and health sciences, enabling students to learn in real-world settings, build leadership skills, and gain early exposure to the workforce. Leave with a roadmap for starting an internship program within expanded-learning settings.
H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Older Youth
Chino A/B

Charting the Course: Afterschool Policy in Trump’s Washington 
Jodi Grant, JD, Executive Director; Jennifer Rinehart, MA, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Programs, Afterschool Alliance, Washington, DC   

Afterschool and summer programs are currently facing unprecedented threats, while at the same time exciting new opportunities exist. In this town hall, afterschool policy experts break down the latest federal policies under the Trump administration and share practical advocacy and partnership strategies to help you navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and secure critical support for your programs. Leave with new ideas and strategies to ensure that our programs remain available for all youth
PK, E, M, H, HE, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: BOOST Nation: Town Hall; Staff Leadership, Partnerships & Building Relationships, Sustainability
Madera

Confidence Counts: Why Leadership Changes the Game for Adolescent Girls
Kelly Meredith, Director of Partnership Development, Lean In Girls, Austin, TX; Stephanie Florence, Senior Manager of Partnership Development, Lean In Girls, Chicago, IL

By middle school, many girls begin to doubt their abilities–holding back from taking risks, speaking up, and stepping into leadership. Afterschool programs can change that story! In this interactive session, discover how programs nationwide are using the FREE Lean In Girls curriculum to help girls ages 11-15 build confidence, resilience, and belonging. Experience hands-on activities, hear success stories, and leave with free, ready-to-use tools to bring this empowering program to your community.
M, H, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Older Youth
Plaza C

Evolving Models of Recruitment, Training, and Retention
Armany Mathias, Senior Director, Curriculum & Training, Teresa Rivas, Training Manager, Elevo, San Diego, CA

Programs succeed or fail through the staff working directly with students each day. This session will explore staffing and training strategies that lead to high-quality programs that provide consistency for staff and students year over year.
PK, E, M, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Elevo Strand; Staff Leadership
Mesquite B

How to Manage Your Superintendent, Cabinet, and Board
Moderator: Rod Hsiao, MPP, CEO, InPlay, San Mateo, CA
Panelists: Lupe Ruvalcaba, MS, Coordinator of Student Support Services, Alum Rock Union Elementary School District, San Jose, CA; Ginger Shea, Ed.D., Director of Enrichment and Special Programs, Oxnard School District, Oxnard, CA; Jason Viloria, Ed.D., Educational Consultant, School Leaders, Foothill Ranch, CA

Expanded learning coordinators often have to deliver on ambiguous goals handed down from above. Coordinators have to contend with a thicket of regulatory requirements, political minefields, and a leadership that may ask you to achieve programmatic goals without giving you the resources to accomplish them. What are effective strategies to manage your superiors so that you are given the necessary authority, discretion, and resources to deliver expanded learning programs to meet district goals?
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB
Strand: Panel; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Smoketree A-C

Insanity or Genius? The Magic of Camper Choice at Day Camp
Kristina Woznicki, Chief Executive Officer, The Summer Learning Collaborative, Inc., New Castle, DE

Discover how you can elevate your day camp culture by allowing campers to self-select their daily activities and how to overcome barriers for implementation. The session will discuss how SummerCollab has successfully implemented choice activities for campers in grades 1-8 and the magic that happens when kids make their own choices. If you are looking to improve culture, decrease camper behavior and/or enhance your staff development, then Magic of Camper Choice might be your solution.
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality
Plaza B

Lead Together: From Solo Burden to Shared Vision
Sweta Chawla, PharmD/MS, Leadership Coach, Vocal Empowerment and Mural Facilitator, Adjunct Professor, Albany, CA

In today’s changing educational landscape, old models of leadership—where one person carries every challenge—no longer work. Many educators lead through excellence as doers, but true leadership requires cultivating others, fostering connection, and leading with clarity. In this interactive session, Dr. Sweta Chawla helps participants reimagine leadership as a shared process that reduces burnout, deepens engagement, and builds cultures of growth and belonging.
E, M, H, HE, ULA, MLA
Strand: Staff Leadership
Pueblo A/B

The Leadership Compass: Mastering Your Leadership Style and How to Effectively Lead Others
Doug Luffborough, III, Ph.D., President & CEO, Higher Level Leadership LLC, Chula Vista, CA

How would you define yourself as a leader? Do you know your leadership style? Are you able to identify the leadership styles of others? Based on the directionals on a compass (North, South, East, and West), the purpose of this workshop is to enable participants to articulate at a higher level their dominant leadership style and, through inquisitive conversations, identify the leadership styles of others.
H, HE, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Plaza D

Play and Nature for Healing and Health
Daniel Hatcher, MPH, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Washington, DC; Blanca Orellana, Middle School and Multigenerational Programs Director, Bresee Foundation, Los Angeles, CA

Get ready to pause, breathe, and play. In this play-based workshop, we’ll explore how simple moments in nature can bring calm, spark creativity, and strengthen resilience for youth, families, and the adults who support them. Together, we’ll rediscover the awe and joy that connect us to ourselves, each other, and the world around us.
M, H, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Andreas 

The Power of Partnerships: Scaling Expanded Learning with Purpose
Carolyn Taylor, M.Ed., STEAM Project Manager, Lyricos Learning LLC., Laguna Niguel, CA 

Discover strategies to build sustainable partnerships, sustain team momentum, and lead with purpose. This session equips educators and leaders with practical tools to align collaborations, maintain energy during change, and foster retention-driven leadership. Walk away with actionable frameworks to strengthen partnerships, inspire teams, and scale expanded learning programs with lasting impact.
E, MLA, DS
Strand: Small Exhibitor Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Mesquite D

Science-Powered Expanded Learning
Paulette Donnellon, Key Account Manager, LEGO Education, San Diego, CA 

Discover how hands-on science experiences can drive student engagement, academic growth, and attendance in before- and after-school programs. This strand focuses on introductory science models for expanded learning, academic alignment across the day, and practical district examples. Sessions demonstrate how science-centered play supports curiosity, equity, and learning acceleration.
E, M, ULA, MLA, DS 
Strand: LEGO Education Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Mesquite C

Shaping the Future: Advancing the Education, Health, and Human Services Ecosystem Plan
Vanessa Hernandez, Senior Specialist, Policy & Outreach; Nat Rosales, Specialist, Policy & Outreach, California AfterSchool Network, Sacramento, CA

This timely session provides a look at emerging themes and progress made since March while offering space to influence the final direction of the education, health, and human services ecosystem plan. Participants will help shape a cohesive, future-ready framework for Expanded Learning.
PK, E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: California AfterSchool Network Strand; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Sustainability; CA Focus
Smoketree D/E

Stop Simulating, Start Advocating: Rethinking Disability Simulations
Sylvia Mac, Ph.D., Associate Director, Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity (CEEN), University of San Diego (USD), San Diego, CA

Many out-of-school-time programs rely on disability simulations (e.g., blindfolds, wheelchairs, or sensory-restriction activities) to build empathy and awareness. While well-intentioned, research shows that these activities frequently reinforce pity, fear, and stereotypes. Participants will leave with practical ways to reimagine awareness activities, so they highlight barriers in the environment, not deficits in individuals, moving toward advocacy instead of sympathy.
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality
Catalina

We’ve Got Your Back®: Superpowers for Safety in After-School Programs - The After-School Experience
Michael Kimball, President and CEO, M.C. Kimball and Associates, Seaside, CA; Summer Prather-Smith, Ed.D., Director of Engagement and School Climate, Santa Rita Union School District, Salinas, CA

Rooted in the Santa Rita Union School District’s We’ve Got Your Back® framework, this session shows how after-school programs can extend safety and SEL learning through hands-on, trauma-informed activities. Participants explore playful “safety superpowers” like Super Eyes, Super Friend, and Super Decider, using games, mindfulness, and teamwork to build calm, connection, and belonging across all learning environments.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand:
Plaza A

Wellness as Liberation: Creating Healing-Centered Spaces for Youth to Thrive
Abra Smith, MS, Executive Director; Jane Asumadu, Out-of-School Time Development Guide, Kalamazoo Youth Development Network, Kalamazoo, MI

This session centers on the intersection of wellness, equity, and resiliency. Participants will explore how they can create healing-centered, liberatory environments where youth feel safe, seen, and empowered to lead. This session will equip adults with the tools to support youth in having healing-centered discussions around race and other societal issues. This session provides practical strategies for promoting the social and emotional skills of identity, belonging, and agency.
M, H, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Older Youth
Palm Canyon A&B 

When the Heat is On: Communicating Through Conflict
Erika Bare, M.Ed., Superintendent/Author, South Umpqua SD/Connecting Through Conversation, Ashland, OR; Tiffany Burns, M.Ed., Faculty Instructor/Author, Southern Oregon University/Connecting Through Conversation, Ashland, OR

Keep your cool when the heat is on! Increase your skill set navigating tricky conversations guaranteed to come our way. We explore practical strategies to ensure calm when things get heated. We will also apply communication strategies to de-escalate and diffuse potentially explosive situations, AND discuss ways to avoid escalation in the first place. Additionally, we share a number of practical and immediately applicable strategies to build connection in these increasingly divisive times.
E, M, H, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Staff Leadership
Pasadena

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THURSDAY, APRIL 30th 

MORNING SESSIONS (2 HOURS)

10:00AM-12:00PM

8 Steps to Getting Your Esports Club Started
Claire LaBeaux, Chief Advancement Officer, NASEF (Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations), Brookhaven, GA

Ready to launch your scholastic esports program? In this interactive session, learn NASEF’s “8 Steps to Starting Your Esports Club,” a practical roadmap for schools, educators, and organizations. Explore real-world successes, challenges, and best practices, and discover how NASEF can jump-start your program with free toolkits, curriculum, and a supportive global community. We’ll take you from “don’t know” to “let’s go!”
M, H, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality
Plaza D

Ambassador Youth Employment: The Cyclical Impact of Cross Age Mentoring
Moderator: David Truong, Youth Specialist III, Sacramento City Unified School District Youth Development Support Services, Sacramento, CA
Panelists: Vanessa Reyes, Youth Service Specialist, Sacramento City Unified School District Youth Development Support Services, Sacramento, CA

Learn to leverage student leadership through a work force development lens while impacting and strengthening feeder pattern relationships. This student and adult panel provides an overview of our Ambassador Youth Employment (AYE!) program and offers direct testimony from present and past participants along with the support staff that create the cohesion of a sustainable program.
E, M, H
Strand: Panel; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Older Youth
Smoketree A-C

Attendance Recovery & Academic Hour Solutions with LEGO® Education
Denise Phillips, Solution Architect, LEGO Education, Groveland, CA

This workshop reimagines attendance recovery and academic hour through meaningful, standards-aligned, play-based learning. Participants will explore integrating science, ELA, math, and ELD with Attendance Recovery and Academic Hours. Sessions offer flexible implementation options—including one-day, multi-day, and four-hour models—that prioritize engagement over compliance.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: LEGO Education Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Sustainability
Mesquite C

Building Durable Skills in Afterschool: Hands-on Strategies to Help Students Thrive
Carol McElvain, JD, Co-Founder, PAVE Educational Consulting, Glen Ellyn, IL; Alison Wineberg, MS, Education Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Madison, WI

Discover what “durable skills” are and why they matter for youth success. In this interactive session, afterschool professionals will try hands-on strategies to build these life skills into daily programming. Leave with ready-to-use tools, an action plan, and ways to help students take charge of their own skill growth.
M, H, MLA, CB
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Older Youth
Pueblo A/B

Building Social, Emotional, and Physical Wellness Through Play: The U.S. Soccer Foundation Model
Bruno Marchesi, MA, Director of Programs, U.S. Soccer Foundation, Washington, DC

Discover how soccer can transform after-school and summer learning spaces into hubs of social, emotional, and physical growth. The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Soccer for Success and Coach-Mentor trainings equip educators and program leaders with evidence-based strategies to promote wellness, mentorship, and belonging through play. Participants will leave with practical tools, lesson plans, and frameworks to engage youth in ways that are active, inclusive, and purpose-driven—on and off the field.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Ventura 

Connection Counts: Leveraging PDSA for Double-Digit Absenteeism Reduction
Scott Payne, MA, Director ELOP- Student Services, Mary Wendland, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent- Student Services, Hemet Unified School District, Hemet, CA 

Chronic absenteeism is a persistent challenge, but Hemet Unified School District (HUSD) Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) offers a proven roadmap for success. Discover the mechanics behind HUSD’s "Connection Counts" initiative, which reduced chronic absenteeism by 17.7%. This innovative workshop details a strategic approach focused on two core pillars: building strong, meaningful student-school relationships and delivering targeted support to re-engage frequently absent students.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Sustainability
Plaza C

Doing Strategic Planning Right: Lessons from LA’s BEST
Michele Broadnax, MBA, President & CEO, LA's BEST, Los Angeles, CA

Learn how to use strategic planning to grow alignment in your team, strengthen partnerships, and clarify an aspirational vision. Using LA’s BEST’s experience as a guide, this session will help you create a focal question to shape your strategy, reimagine your organization’s impact and sustainability, and identify the right stakeholders to bring your vision to life. Walk away with tools and templates to lead an inclusive, effective strategic planning process.
PK, E, ULA, MLA, CB
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Sustainability
Palm Canyon A/B

Emotional Health: Recognizing it in Yourself, Your Staff, and Your Students
Marissa Carlson, MS, CPS, Executive Director; Maura McGowan, CPS, Program Director, NH Teen Institute, Auburn, NH

Our ability to monitor and manage our emotional health has become more important than ever to our own well-being and the relationships we have with those at home and in the workplace. In addition to being able to identify and take steps to further understand aspects of their own emotional health and wellness, this workshop will offer participants tools that can be brought to all of those they support through their jobs and in their lives.
M, H, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Older Youth
Plaza B

From Voice to Power: Building Student-Led Systems for Change
Melissa Erickson, M.Ed., Executive Director, Alliance for Public Schools, Lithia, FL; Julia Sarmiento-Cohen, M.Ed., Resiliency, Character, and Life Skills Education Supervisor, Hillsborough County, Ruskin, FL; Aleasha Stevens, M.Ed., PMP, Senior Director of Education Services, 7 Mindsets, Roswell, GA

What happens when students move beyond giving input and share power in the decision-making process? Explore lessons learned from over a decade of student leadership work in the nation’s 7th largest school district. This is not a program—it’s a process that empowers students to design, lead, and refine initiatives based on the needs of their school communities. Participants will learn how student-led efforts improve school climate, increase engagement, and foster a stronger sense of belonging.
M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships
San Jacinto

Get FAST and FURIOUS with Omnikin!
Scotty Williams, M.Ed., US Coordinator; PJ Hamel, Omnikin International Trainer, Omnikin, Charlottesville, VA

Join in this fast-paced, action-packed session that will leave your students begging for more! With everything from intense fitness games to hilarious partner tag activities to the ultimate cooperative team sport of Kin-Ball, this session will have it all! Omnikin’s wide range of products are crowd pleasers by themselves, but these activities will solidify that the gym is the place to be in your school. So what are you waiting for?!? Come join Team Omnikin today and blow your students away!
E, M, H, HE, MLA, DS 
Strand: Outdoor Activity Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership
PSCC East Lawn

Innovate Anyway: Creativity within Compliance in Expanded Learning
Alexis Prehm, Improvement Coach, Think Together, Huntington Beach, CA 

This session tackles a growing challenge in out-of-school time programs: staying innovative and student-centered while meeting complex compliance requirements tied to state and federal funding. As California continues to invest in Expanded Learning, the expectations for both accountability and creativity are rising. This session supports BOOST’s mission to empower youth providers, offering strategies for designing high-quality, flexible programming that thrives within regulation, not despite it.
E, M, MLA, CB
Strand: Think Together Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership
Mesquite E/F

Leadership in this Moment - How We All Impact Social Change
Leslye Lugo, Senior Specialist, Policy & Outreach; Malia Villarreal, Senior Specialist, Policy & Outreach; Heather Williams, Director, Policy & Outreach, California AfterSchool Network, Sacramento, CA

Dive into how social change really happens, the role each person plays in advancing change, and how you fit into the larger picture. Together, we’ll unpack the many ways individuals, organizations, and networks spark influence and how you can channel your own impact to fuel meaningful change and support youth flourishing.
PK, E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: California AfterSchool Network Strand; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; CA Focus
Smoketree D/E

One Vision, One Program: Reimagining What’s Possible in Expanded Learning
Emily Tay, MPA, Expanded Learning Program Consultant; Suzanne Hill, Expanded Learning Program Consultant, Los Angeles County Office of Education, Downey, CA

As CA’s Expanded Learning landscape evolves, LEAs are exploring ways to streamline operations and braid funding in Expanded Learning. This workshop introduces the Single, Comprehensive Expanded Learning Program (SCP), which integrates ASES, 21st CCLC, ASSETs, and ELO-P. Participants will learn how SCPs enhance efficiency, equity, and sustainability. Come engage in interactive activities to assess system alignment and leave with actionable steps to improve data, compliance, and student access.
PK, E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Sustainability; CA Focus
Andreas

Operationalizing Love: Developing A Critical Theory of Love in Our Social Justice Work
Durryle Brooks, Ph.D., Founder, Love and Justice Consulting, Baltimore, MD

What’s the role of love in our social justice work? Grounded in Black liberation theology and Black feminist thought, this session explores how love is shaped by systems and how redefining it can deepen healing, accountability, and collective transformation. Participants will apply the Critical Theory of Love framework as a competency for advancing justice-centered pedagogy and leadership.
E, M, H, HE, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Staff Leadership
Catalina

Reframing Behavior Through the Art of the Warm Demander
K'lon Benson, Training Manager; Manuel Avina, Curriculum & Training Manager; Julio Garcia, Training Manager, Elevo, San Diego, CA

Expanded learning programs offer powerful, often underutilized spaces to shape young people’s social, emotional, and academic development. This session explores how these environments can be intentionally leveraged to build strong developmental relationships that foster a deep sense of belonging, while also maintaining clear, high expectations for behavior and growth.
PK, E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Elevo Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership
Mesquite B

Resilience: The Power of One
Shree Walker, Ed.D., Educator, Author, Speaker, Resilient Walker, LLC, Los Angeles, CA

Resilience: The Power of One invites participants to discover how one person’s courage can spark collective change. Through storytelling, reflection, and hands-on activities, participants explore personal resilience, purpose, and the impact of their choices—proving that one resilient heart can inspire hope, healing, and transformation in others.
E, M, H, HE, ULA, MLA, B, DS
Strand: Storyteller’s Cafe; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Older Youth
Tapestry

The Smartest Kids in the World
Moderator: Coming Soon

In many ways, THE SMARTEST KIDS IN THE WORLD is a classic coming-of-age, road-trip film – wide-eyed U.S. high school kids, recognizably American in their bravado, setting out to discover the world. What each of them knows at the beginning of their journey as a foreign exchange student is that something is missing in their public high school in the United States. They are not getting what they need and want. They are in various ways stuck, or bored, or unchallenged, and they long for something more. The film acknowledges that the students’ teachers are also not getting what they need and want, and that the students’ parents feel frustrated and powerless in the face of the system. Much has been written about the challenges and failures of education in America. But this film is not about parents or teachers or educational theory; it is about students. Our students. Our children. What do they think about their education? What is their experience and their insight? What do we have to learn by listening to them? Every walk to school, evening study session, and classroom moment is from the students’ point of view. By going with them as they experience high school outside the U.S., we see their openness to adventure and possibility, their discovery, and their wisdom. Over the course of a year, each of them discovers, in differing ways, that schools outside the United States are simply harder; students elsewhere are asked to do more, and they do it. In South Korea, students revere education. There is a camaraderie and a sense of peer support. Students collect everyone’s cell phone at the beginning of each day, they clean their own classrooms, and they cheer each other on at the big test at the end of the year. In European countries, students have more autonomy and free time than in the United States. They have a degree of responsibility for their own education, and they achieve remarkable results. Based on Amanda Ripley’s important book, this film tells the personal stories of four American exchange students whose worldviews shifted as they experienced new cultures and classrooms, and how their journeys impacted their expectations of themselves and their futures.
Strand: Film Festival; Older Youth
Horizon I  

Startup Thinking for ELO-P Success: Build. Reflect. Improve. Repeat.
Shauna Hultgrien, Business Development Manager, 6crickets, Bellevue, WA

What happens when Expanded Learning leaders think like start-ups? Join this lively panel to hear how ELO-P teams use the Build-Reflect-Improve-Repeat framework to grow flexible programs that evolve with their students and partners. From CALPADS and attendance recovery to design and implementation, learn how iteration, collaboration, and data-driven insights fuel continuous improvement.
E, M, ULA
Strand: Small Exhibitor Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality
Mesquite D

STEAM-Powered Learning: Play-based Activities for Young Innovators
Jan Zatloukal, Curriculum Designer, PCS Edventures, Meridian, ID

Discover play-based STEAM learning for TK–8! Explore three dynamic stations: Cubelets Bot Builder for hands-on engineering and robotics, Rockin’ Robots with Sphero indi blending coding and music, and Drone Designers, where teams choreograph and code creative aerial performances. Leave inspired with interactive, age-appropriate ideas to spark curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving in your program!
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Medium Exhibitor Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality
Mesquite G/H

Spotting Neurodivergence in the Wild: A Guide to Our Differently Wired Kids
Matthew Zakreski, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist and Professional Speaker, The Neurodiversity Collective, Succasunna, NJ

One in five people is neurodivergent, which means that they have different brains (i.e., ADHD, giftedness, Autism, dyslexia) and ways of interacting with the world. Understanding the neurodiversity of our students empowers teachers, administration, and coaches to not only support their needs but also amplify their significant strengths. When we collaborate well with our neurodivergent students, we improve our culture, output, and performance.
M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Pasadena

Supporting Young Minds: Exploring Mental Health Screening, Free Skill Building Resources, and Data Trends for Advocacy
Theresa Nguyen, LCSW, Chief Research Officer, Mental Health America, Alexandria, VA

Recent funding and policy changes, and the rise of digital technologies, have created a new landscape for supporting youth mental health. Join Mental Health America (MHA) to learn about the data MHA is collecting on youth mental health trends, resources for mental health screening in schools, and free toolkits that include skill-building materials for students. This town hall discussion will explore current challenges in your local community and available supports to strengthen youth mental health.
M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: BOOST Nation: Town Hall; Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Madera 

Teach the Brain, Change the World: Innovative Strategies that Teach Peace and Decrease Behavior Referrals
Lyndsay Morris, M.Ed., Founder of Generation Wellness, Generation Wellness, Olympia, WA

When students and adults understand how their brains function under stress and the “why” behind their impulsivity, anger, frustration, and lack of focus, we empower them to make positive choices and master self-regulation. This interactive session provides the blueprint for not only teaching emotional regulation but also creating spaces that promote self-regulation and well-being.
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Santa Rosa

A Time Management Matrix for Principals
David Franklin, Ed.D., Author / Professor of Educational Leadership, The Principal's Desk, Eagle, ID

In the busy world of education leadership, principals juggle countless responsibilities on a daily basis. From handling administrative tasks and addressing student concerns to fostering staff development and community relations, the demands can seem endless. Sometimes you are putting out hypothetical fires, and sometimes you are putting out real fires. Learning how to navigate a time management matrix can allow school leaders to focus on the tasks that really matter.
PK, E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Sustainability
Chino A/B

TK/K Success in Afterschool: Strategies That Work
Rahele Atabaki, M.Ed., Coordinator, Sacramento County Office of Education, Mather, CA

This interactive session offers practical strategies to support TK and Kindergarten students in afterschool and summer programs. Participants will learn how to create engaging, developmentally appropriate activities, foster social-emotional growth, and build supportive learning environments. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to help early learners thrive academically, socially, and emotionally in expanded learning settings.
PK, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Plaza A

Unconventional Fun: A Session of Non-Traditional Games
Madison Roloff, Sr. Territory Sales Representative, Gopher Sport, Owatonna, MN

"Unconventional Fun: A Session of Non-Traditional Games" invites participants to step outside the box and engage in a variety of exciting, offbeat games that break the mold of typical team-building exercises. Designed to get everyone moving, thinking, and bonding, these games provide a refreshing and fun way to energize teams, spark connections, and build trust in a lively, relaxed environment. Get ready for a playful and memorable experience!
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Large Exhibitor Showcase; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Primrose C&D

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AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS I

1:15PM-2:30PM (1.25 hours) 

The Art of Confidence: Creativity, Connection, and Courage in OST Programs
Joshua Faden, MAT, President & Founder, Community of Teachers, Washington, DC

Unleash the art of confidence! In this playful, hands-on workshop, participants will explore The Confidence Constellation and Challenge Cycle—creative frameworks that help youth embrace challenges, build resilience, and celebrate growth. Through color, movement, and imagination, you’ll design Confidence Creatures, Crests, and Constellations and leave with fun, ready-to-use tools to spark confidence and curiosity in every learner.
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Plaza A

Beyond the Game: Building Culturally Responsive Organizational Capacity in Out-of-School Time
Julián Alonso Restrepo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA

Out-of-School Time (OST) programs support youth growth, but without cultural responsiveness, they risk reinforcing inequities. This interactive workshop, based on the study “Cultural Responsiveness and Organizational Capacity in Sport-Based Youth Development,” explores how internal capacity shapes authentic cross-cultural engagement. Through a real-world case study, reflection, and action planning, participants will align key capacity areas with equity-driven, culturally responsive practices.
M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership
Pueblo A/B

Beyond the School Bell: Elevating Mental Health Supports for Students and Families
Sohil Sud, MD, Director, Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CalHHS), Sacramento, CA; Mary Beth Boyer, Ed.D., Education Programs Consultant, California Department of Education, Sacramento, CA

Leaders from CYBHI and CDE will share how state investments are transforming schools and expanded learning programs into hubs of prevention and early support. The session highlights free digital tools (Soluna, Mirror, BrightLife Kids), peer-to-peer and family engagement, and CYBHI investments such as the Fee Schedule, free trainings, and Wellness Coaches. CDE will show how districts are integrating these supports beyond the school day.
M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Partnerships & Building Relationships; CA Focus
Pasadena

Coaching for Impact: 12 Practices to Elevate Youth Development in Sport
Jessy Newman, Principal Researcher, American Institutes for Research (AIR), Chicago, IL

Learn how the Million Coaches Challenge and its partners are transforming youth sport by equipping coaches with 12 core practices that foster safe, inclusive, and growth-focused environments. Connect out-of-school time program quality standards with practical tools and resources to elevate youth development through sport.
E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality, Staff Leadership, Partnerships & Building Relationships, Older Youth
Plaza B

Family & Community Engagement Through STEM with LEGO® Education
Breanna Flores, MBA, Key Account Manager, LEGO Education, Rancho Mirage, CA 

Learn how districts are using STEM and purposeful play to create inclusive, joyful learning experiences for families and communities. This strand highlights Family STEM Nights, low-entry PLK models, and take-home learning experiences that remove barriers to participation. A district spotlight will share scalable strategies for building strong home-to-school connections.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: LEGO Education Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Sustainability
Mesquite C

Feed More, Spend Less: Expanding Access to Free Meals
Courtney Lockridge, Executive Director, Impact LA, Los Angeles, CA

Learn how expanded learning programs can access free after-school and summer meals through federally funded meal sponsorships. This workshop walks participants through eligibility, application steps, and compliance basics. Attendees can even apply on the spot and leave ready to feed more students while spending less.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Chino A/B

From Duplication to Innovation - Partnerships that Break the Mold
Manuel Avina, Curriculum & Training Manager; Kristen Henry, Ed.D., Sr VP, Curriculum & Training, Elevo, San Diego, CA; Esther Garcia, MA, Special Projects Coordinator, Rowland Unified School District, Rowland Heights, CA 

District, community, and thought leaders will discuss building programs and partnerships through a whole child lens. They will explore how districts and their expanded learning partners can integrate in-school and out-of-school time initiatives without duplicating efforts, to reach underserved students, and better serve all students.
PK, E, M, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Elevo Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Mesquite B

From Foster Care to Future Builder - From Unseen to Unstoppable
Janelle Matthews, Regional Partnerships Manager, PLAYWORKS, Oakland, CA

Former foster youth Janelle Matthews shares her journey from the system to success, inspiring youth and adults to create spaces of belonging. This workshop explores how being seen and heard transforms lives, teaching empathy, advocacy, and inclusion across all ages, empowering participants to lead with compassion and purpose.
E, M, H, MLA, DS
Strand: Storytellers Cafe; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Tapestry

Game Changers: Elevating Staff Engagement in Play
Gregg Lauderdale, M.S., CEO; Lisa Damon, MS, Account Manager, GL Consulting, LLC, Afton, MN

This interactive, hands-on workshop is designed to equip staff with practical strategies to significantly enhance their engagement and connection with children and youth during gym time, outdoor games, and physical activities. Moving beyond simply supervising, participants will learn how to actively facilitate a positive, inclusive, and skill-building environment.
PK, E, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership
Santa Rosa 

In N Out: Take Space to Pause on the Go
Chizu Ukachi-Nwata, Youth Co-Lab Leader, California Department of Public Health, Office of Health Equity, Napa, CA; Stefanie Boltz, Project Manager, California Health and Human Services Agency, Sacramento, CA

Join us in learning about the CDPH-OHE's pioneering campaign, Take Space to Pause, and how you can bring and incorporate some of those very best ideas, tools, and resources right to youth in your community, integrating Take Space to Pause (TSTP) in and out of the classroom. Discover the campaign’s piece de resistance - the Pause Plan. Create your very own and leave with a game plan on how you can carry TSTP with you on the go - wherever, whenever - and gain additional resources courtesy of the CYBHI to complement the Pause Plan! This interactive workshop will cover the story behind the campaign, what Take Space to Pause is, a guided activity whereby participants get to create their own pause plans alongside Stefanie and Chizu, examples of what TSTP integration can look like in and out of the classroom and a spotlight on additional resources highlighting the campaign’s “Move Through It, Think Through It, and Talk Through It model”.
M, H, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Older Youth
Mesquite A

Innovating Together: Partnering to Meet the Needs of Students with Disabilities Beyond the School Day
Asha Levert-McDowell, Assistant Director Expanded Learning; Audrey Dawkins, M.Ed., Expanded Learning Opportunities Manager, Napa County Office of Education, Napa, CA 

This interactive workshop highlights how intentional collaboration between school districts and county offices of education can transform Expanded Learning programs into inclusive spaces that fully support students with disabilities. Participants will explore our model that bridges the school day and afterschool environments, ensuring continuity of care, learning, and belonging. Through shared lessons learned, presenters will demonstrate how cross-agency partnerships can remove barriers.
PK, E, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships, Sustainability
San Jacinto 

Leading With Culture – Creating Schools That All Students Want to Attend
Shaun Hurtado, M.Ed., Principal, Modesto City Schools, La Loma Junior High, Modesto, CA 

Leading with Culture helps you build schools students want to attend. We’ll contrast toxic vs. positive culture, apply the 5 Pillars (Relationships, Trust, Vision, Community, Habits). Practice No-Dot student mapping and quick-win tools such as music & mood, PBIS ‘catch them being good, and gratitude to boost belonging and results.
E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Palm Canyon A&B

Locker Room Talk
Moderator: Coming Soon

The docu-short LOCKER ROOM TALK follows the Kingston Tigers over the course of their football season, both on and off the field, as they seek the championship and redefine what it means to be men. Along the way, through the power of true storytelling, they face the cultural expectations of masculinity head-on and ultimately, share deeply personal stories about love, loss, and triumph. Whether or not the Tigers win the game, a bigger battle has been won: the team has changed the way they view women and themselves. The goal of LOCKER ROOM TALK is to inspire men and boys to become empowered to speak up for themselves, each other, and in the face of violence against women. The stories, vulnerability, and bravery of the young men featured in the film will inspire change in other teams, high school and college students, and adults, making the world a freer and safer place for us all.
Strand: Film Festival
Horizon I

Mappineering Your Future: A Visual Path to Achieving Your Best Life
John Diggs, Your Mappineering Mentor, John Diggs, Consulting, Gilbert, AZ

In "Mappineering Your Future: A Visual Path to Achieving Your Best Life," John Diggs will teach you how to create a personalized mind map to unlock clarity, set powerful goals, and overcome obstacles. You’ll discover how to map out your vision for health, wealth, success, and happiness, while building resilience and focus to achieve your dreams. Walk away with a clear, actionable plan to design the life you truly desire.
H, HE, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Ventura 

NBA Math Hoops - Creating the Next Math Champion
Hunter Strickland, MBA, Senior Regional Program Coordinator, Learn Fresh, Philadelphia, PA

Through the training, educators will learn best practices for implementing the NBA Math Hoops game and curriculum, gain free access to the Learn Fresh program management platform and all associated program materials, and discover opportunities to extend students’ learning through virtual and in-person community events. Educators will immediately gain access to all necessary materials to begin implementing the program with students in their classrooms.
M, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Medium Exhibitor Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality
Mesquite G/H

Operation Outbreak: An Infectious Way to Learn
Moderator: Liesl McConchie, M.Ed., Math With the Brain in Mind, San Diego, CA
Panel: Todd Brown, Ed.D., Co-founder, Director of Innovation and Training, Operation Outbreak, Staunton, VA; Micah Ross, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology, Utah Valley University, Orem, UT; Teresa Kung, M.Ed., Teacher, West Career and Technical Academy, Las Vegas, NV 

The Operation Outbreak interactive panel will be a Q&A providing lived experiences from teachers on how student-run simulations teach outbreak dynamics, data literacy, and community preparedness. Hear classroom examples, research insights, and implementation tips. Also, you will leave with access to free curricula, setup, and implementation guidance.
H, HE, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Panel; Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Older Youth
Smoketree A-C

Rooted in Connection: Restorative Practices in Our Everyday Actions
Vannary Jim, MS, Training and Development Specialist, Think Together, San Bernardino, CA

Restorative Justice isn't just for responding to conflict, this is a way of life. Restorative Justice believes a community is defined as a group of people deeply interconnected through relationships. When there is a healthy balance of relationships THAT enables the community to function well and thrive. In this interactive session, participants will explore practices including circle processes and restorative conversations as tools for community building.
E, M, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Think Together Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Mesquite E/F 

Sparking STEM Career Interest: Engaging Diverse Teens Through Teen Science Cafés
Sheila James, Manager, STEM Next Opportunity Fund/Teen Science Café, Conway, SC

Discover how Teen Science Cafés ignite curiosity and confidence by empowering teens to lead hands-on STEM learning experiences. This interactive session introduces a free, nationally supported model that helps educators create inclusive, youth-led programs connecting teens with STEM experts.
M, H, HE, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Partnerships & Building Relationships; Older Youth
Plaza C 

Strengthening Systems: Quality as the Foundation for Thriving Programs
Troy Selvey, Manager, Equity & Quality; Peter Alton, Specialist, Equity & Quality, California AfterSchool Network, Sacramento, CA

Quality isn’t a checklist—it’s a system-wide commitment. This session illustrates how quality practices shape positive conditions across afterschool, expanded learning, health, and human services. Participants will explore tools for building a culture of continuous improvement and aligning partners around shared definitions of quality.
PK, E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: California AfterSchool Network Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Sustainability; CA Focus
Smoketree D/E

Supercharge Expanded Learning: District Success Stories of Smart Systems & Community Partnerships
Shilpa Dalmia, Co-Founder and CTO, ActivityHero, Palo Alto, CA; Dr. Amber Gascoigne, Director of Expanded Learning, Palm Springs Unified School District, Palm Springs, CA 

Join Dr. Amber Gascoigne, Palm Springs USD’s Director of Expanded Learning, and Shilpa Dalmia, ActivityHero’s Co-Founder/CTO, for an interactive discussion on designing and running impactful before- and after-school programs. Gain a behind-the-scenes look at Palm Springs’ unique approach and discover how to leverage systems and local partnerships for streamlined processes, enhanced attendance/enrollment, and robust community engagement. There’ll be time for peer collaboration and strategic planning. 
E, ULA, MLA
Strand: Small Exhibitor Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Mesquite D  

Telling a Bigger Story: Using Race Class Gender Narrative to Advance LGBTQ+ Justice
Anthony Brisson, MAT, Senior Policy Analyst/Program Specialist, National Education Association (NEA), Washington, DC

This session explores how the Race Class Gender Narrative (RCGN) framework can strengthen LGBTQ+ advocacy and communications. Participants will learn how to tell stories that connect across identities and experiences, framing LGBTQ+ rights as a shared struggle for dignity, safety, and freedom. Through examples, discussion, and practical exercises, we’ll examine how to counter divisive narratives and build solidarity across race, class, and gender lines to move hearts, minds, and policy.
PK, E, M, H, HE, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: BOOST Nation: Town Hall; Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Sustainability
Madera

Turning Numbers into Narratives: Using Data to Win Support for Afterschool
Jennifer Rinehart, MA, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Programs, Afterschool Alliance, Washington, DC 

Discover how to transform data into compelling stories that capture funders’ and policymakers’ attention. Using insights from the newly released America After 3PM report and other research, this session will show how to weave data into persuasive grant proposals and advocacy efforts that highlight afterschool’s impact and make a strong case for continued investment in youth.
E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB 
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Sustainability
Andreas

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AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS II

3:45PM-5:15PM (1.5 hours) 

#iAmImpact Presents: Healing Circles
Nathan Houston, Founder/CEO, #iAmImpact, Sacramento, CA

Tired of recycled PD that talks at you instead of to you? Step into a #iAmImpact Healing Circle—a radical space for truth, healing, and transformation. Through raw dialogue and restorative practice, educators and leaders rediscover purpose, release burnout, and realize the change their schools need starts within. This isn’t about more content—it’s about more YOU. Real. Restorative. Revolutionary.
E, M, H, HE, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Santa Rosa 

Better Together: Crafting Powerful Community Partnerships
Nicole Marshall-Wheeler, M.A., 4-H Youth Development Advisor, University of California 4-H Youth Development Program, Oroville, CA; Marianne Bird, M.S., Emeritus 4-H Youth Development Advisor, University of California 4-H Youth Development Program, Sacramento, CA; Grace Belt, M.A., Youth, Family, and Communities Advisory, University of California 4-H Youth Development Program, Eureka, CA; Ally Lemmer, M.A., 4-H Healthy Living Academic Coordinator, University of California 4-H Youth Development Program, Davis, CA 

There are benefits and challenges in engaging community partners in ExL programs. Forming strong partnerships takes time, trust, and commitment. Based on a recent study, we’ll explore data-driven strategies for successful collaboration. Participants will explore challenges and rewards in establishing partnerships; how connecting and cooperating differs from collaborating; key considerations throughout the partnership process; and leave with a toolkit to support building partnership of their own.
E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Partnerships & Building Relationships
Catalina 

Beyond Compliance: Building Cultures of Continuous Improvement in Expanded Learning
Lisa Rice, Senior CQI Specialist; Patrick Freeland, MS, Director of Statewide Quality Improvement Systems, The Forum for Youth Investment, Washington, DC

The California Department of Education calls on expanded learning programs to engage in continuous quality improvement (CQI) using the state’s Quality Standards as a guide. In this interactive session, participants will explore how observation and reflection strengthen staff practice, build a culture of learning, and turn CQI into a powerful tool for improving the daily experiences of children and youth.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; CA Focus
Ventura

College and Career in Expanded Learning
David Guzman, Expanded Learning Program Site Coordinator, Modesto City Schools, Modesto, CA

Come and learn how Modesto City Schools involves college and career in the expanded learning world in grades 6-12. Students explore post-secondary options, build career readiness skills, and set future goals. Through interactive activities, guest speakers, and hands-on projects, students gain knowledge about college pathways, vocational training, and workforce opportunities, empowering them to make informed decisions about their education and career journey.
M, H, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Older Youth
Plaza A

The Compass Care Program: A Wraparound Approach Helping Families and Schools Address Chronic Absenteeism
Moderator: Jonathan Nakamoto, Ph.D., Senior Research Associate, WestEd, Seal Beach, CA
Panelists: Jaz Ponce, Wellness Coach, Seneca Family of Agencies, Los Angeles, CA; Rebeca Cerna, MPH, Senior Director, WestEd, Seal Beach, CA

Compass Care is a family-centered wraparound program using strengths-based practices to address barriers to student attendance. The workshop begins with an overview of the program by a Wellness Coach, followed by WestEd’s review of preliminary positive findings from an evaluation of Compass Care and a summary of how to evaluate chronic absenteeism programs. Finally, WestEd will contextualize how Compass Care fits in with other California initiatives and approaches to improving school climate.
M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Panel; Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Older Youth; CA Focus
Smoketree A-C

Connected Supports: Integrating Mental Health and Expanded Learning
Donielle Prince, MS, Ed, Ph.D., Senior Specialist, Equity & Quality; Jeff Davis, Executive Director, California AfterSchool Network, Sacramento, CA

When schools and Expanded Learning programs collaborate effectively, student supports become stronger and more seamless. This session provides practical strategies for creating self-sustaining systems that promote mental health, engagement, and overall well-being.
PK, E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: California AfterSchool Network Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships; CA Focus
Smoketree D/E 

The Connection Lab: Building Social + Communication Skills Through Play and Dog Therapy
Cara Zelas, AMS, Early Childhood Educator, Author, SEL Specialist, Big World of Little Dude, New Canaan, CT 

Step into The Connection Lab, a hands-on workshop where play meets purpose. Discover how research-based, dog-therapy–inspired strategies can help children strengthen communication, cooperation, and kindness. Through storytelling, movement, and creative group activities, early childhood educators will gain simple, low-prep tools to foster social-emotional growth. Walk away with adaptable ideas you can implement right away, no dog required!
PK, E, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality
Mesquite A

Cooking is Hot, Hot, Hot!
Ann Butler, Founder, The Edible Education Group, Midlothian, VA

Just starting a cooking program? Or want to hear the story of successful culinary programs?  This is the hands-on session for you. Join the Edible Education Group team, where you will be provided with resources, examples, and stories of successful culinary programs throughout California and beyond.  Join our chef to create a simple, delicious recipe you can enjoy and replicate with your students.
E, M, H, DS
Strand: Small Exhibitor Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality
Mesquite D 

Designing High-Impact STEAM Experiences with LEGO® Education
Denise Phillips, Solution Architect, LEGO Education, Groveland, CA

This strand focuses on designing engaging, themed STEAM experiences that sustain student curiosity during summer and throughout the school year. Participants will explore LEGO® Education–aligned themes such as Build the Change, Build to Launch, and Hannah’s STEAM Heroes, along with repeatable, remixable activity models that support consistent, high-quality implementation across expanded learning settings.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: LEGO Education Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Sustainability
Mesquite C

Empowering Middle Schoolers to Make Healthy Choices: Implementing FREE Underage Drinking Prevention Education Curriculum
Leticia Barr, MAT, MS, Education Advisory Board Member; Thomas Grane, Director, Educational Programs, Responsibility.org, Washington, DC

By focusing on SEL, educators play a crucial role in guiding students to say “NO” to underage drinking. Ask, Listen, Learn: Kids and Alcohol Don’t Mix free underage drinking prevention program empowers kids ages 9-13 to say “YES” to a healthy lifestyle. This session will provide best practices for empowering students to make healthy choices through free SEL and brain-based resources that teach the impact of underage drinking and marijuana use, and how both negatively impact kids’ mental health.
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Palm Canyon A&B

Every Body Moves!: Leading Inclusive and Engaging Physical Activities for Youth
Jeff Mushkin, MPH, Content Development Manager, SPARK, Owatonna, MN 

An inclusive physical activity ensures that ALL youth can participate regardless of age, background, identity, or ability, and where ALL youth receive similar opportunities to be active and engaged. This session will share fun games suitable for all populations, strategies for selecting appropriate activities, ways to modify activities to promote inclusion, and techniques for managing youth groups in an activity setting. Join us to learn how to create fun, active, and inclusive experiences for your program!
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Large Exhibitor Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership
Primrose C&D

Facilitating After School STEAM Workshops with KiwiCo
Courtney Morgan, Senior Curriculum Specialist; Emma Zang-Schwartz, MPH, Senior Manager, Education, KiwiCo Education, Mountain View, CA 

See what hands-on STEAM learning could look like in your program. This workshop will provide you with the tools, strategies, and resources needed to implement engaging STEM activities that spark curiosity and creativity in students, all while keeping them unplugged. Participants will have the opportunity to build alongside us, showcasing a sample of programming that can be easily integrated into their own afterschool curricula and appeals to diverse learning styles and age groups.
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Medium Exhibitor Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Mesquite G/H 

Fireboys
Moderator: Coming Soon

FIREBOYS is the untold story of young men incarcerated in California who are offered a way out: by fighting wildfires. Immersive and personal, this coming-of-age story is told from the perspectives of young men as they summon the courage to fight fires and confront their pasts.
Alex Bailon, 18, whom we meet in prison, and Chuy Hernandez, 20, who is about to be released after serving his sentence, have both enrolled as volunteer firefighters for the California Department of Corrections and Cal Fire’s conservation “fire” camp program. Among the 43 camps across the state, Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp alone is staffed exclusively by juveniles -- young people under the age of 21.
Following these young men from prison, fighting wildfires in the forests of California, and finally, back to their homes on the outside, Fireboys examines a correctional path that is both hopeful and destructive; California’s fire camps support Alex and Chuy’s rehabilitation but also exploit their labor to address one of the state’s most urgent environmental problems.
Strand: Film Festival
Horizon I

From Interest to Identity: Helping Youth See Themselves in STEM
Nancy Scales-Coddington, MBA, Founder, Creative Director, SciComm Solutions, Ithaca, NY

Youth develop stronger STEM identities when they see themselves as capable creators, problem-solvers, and innovators. This interactive, research-informed session explores how out-of-school programs uniquely shape STEM Identity. Participants will gain practical, inclusive strategies to foster confidence, belonging, and persistence—turning curiosity into lasting engagement and identity in STEM.
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality
Sierra

How to Plan and Facilitate Transformative AND Joyful Team Meetings
Brooklyn Joseph, M.Ed., Lead Program Facilitator, Lead by Learning, Oakland, CA

Turn your team meetings into powerful learning opportunities. This hands-on workshop provides a ready-to-use framework and facilitation strategies to design purposeful, engaging, and joyful professional learning. Participants will explore practical protocols, learn how to create psychological safety, and practice structuring meetings that honor your team. Leave with a complete template and concrete tools to lead meetings where your team feels valued, learns deeply, and takes meaningful action.
E, M, H, HE, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Staff Leadership
Chino A/B

Inclusion After the Bell: Strategies to Support Students with Disabilities in After-School Programs
Robin Elliott, Ed.D., Associate Dean, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY

This interactive session equips after-school educators with practical tools to make enrichment programs more inclusive for students with disabilities. Participants will explore Universal Design for Learning (UDL), SEL-based strategies, and adaptable activity modifications that promote belonging and engagement for all learners. Walk away with easy-to-implement supports and collaborative practices that empower both staff and students to thrive in inclusive after-school environments.
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership
Plaza D 

Leading with the Brain in Mind: Applying Neuroscience to Youth Development Leadership
Gwen Bagley, MA, Organizational Development Consultant, Federal Way, WA

Youth development professionals inspire and guide young people while leading teams in complex environments. Advances in neuroscience reveal how people learn, connect, and thrive. This interactive workshop shows how leaders can apply brain science to build trust, foster collaboration, and create inclusive cultures where staff and students feel belonging and purpose. Participants will gain practical, neuroscience-based strategies to strengthen leadership and decision-making.
E, MLA, DS
Strand: Staff Leadership
Mesquite B 

Onboarding and Retention: Building a Strong Foundation for Sustainable OST Programming
Jessica Baker, MA, Director of Learning and Extended Day Programs; Ken Geisick, Ed.D., Superintendent; Esther Rosario, Leadership and MTSS Consortium Coach, Saratoga Union School District, Saratoga, CA

Explore proven onboarding and PD strategies, taking away guides and training tools to integrate staff into your organization's culture. We'll dive into how this ongoing process ensures program quality and aligns with initiatives. The workshop examines tailoring PD to diverse needs, helping staff feel welcomed, informed, and prepared to contribute effectively. This framework builds a robust, supportive system, strengthening program excellence and boosting staff retention.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Sustainability
Pueblo A/B

The Power of Partners: Leveraging Partnerships to Strengthen Program Success
Tiffany Roberson, MS, Deputy Executive Director, Hudson Guild, New York, NY 

Successful child care and youth programs thrive through strategic partnerships—with families, schools, and communities. The Power of Partners explores how these connections improve outcomes, especially in underserved areas. Using the Three P’s—Prioritize, Pivot, Persist—participants will gain practical tools to build trust, leverage resources, and sustain collaboration despite challenges like limited funding or low engagement.
PK, E, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Partnerships & Building Relationships
Andreas 

The Prime Time Games - A Truly Inclusive Interscholastic Sports Program
Peter Straus, Executive Director; Atonye Nyingifa, MBA, Regional Director, Prime Time Games, Team Prime Time, Inc., Los Angeles, CA

The Prime Time Games is a truly inclusive, evidence-based, interscholastic sports model that gives students with and without disabilities the chance to compete together in the only league of its kind. It is a single program that satisfies two educational priorities: Social Emotional Learning and Inclusion. This workshop will detail everything needed - from funding opportunities (ELO-P, ASES, LCAP, etc.) to CBO integration to training - in order to start your own league. Idea for grades 4-12.
E, M, H, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Older Youth
Plaza C

Resilience Is Everything
Dee Hankins, Inspirational Speaker, Dee Hankins Consulting, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Join Dee Hankins, who transformed 18 years in foster care into a masterclass in resilience, and discover why your ability to bounce back is your most valuable asset. Prepare to laugh, cry, and deeply reflect on your own journey. This workshop isn't just about surviving; it's about thriving. Providing practical tools to navigate life's unexpected turns. Learn how to convert setbacks into powerful steppingstones, turning negative experiences into positive life lessons and true resilience.
E, M, H, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Older Youth
San Jacinto 

Responding to Myths and Misinformation about LGBTQ+ Youth
Rebby Kern, Deputy Director, Welcoming Schools, Human Rights Campaign, Washington, DC

Learn how to respond when misinformation or bias-based comments arise in your program. This interactive session builds staff confidence to address myths about LGBTQ+ youth, model inclusive language, and redirect conversations toward respect and belonging. Participants will practice real scenarios and leave with ready-to-use strategies and resources.
E, M, H, HE, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Older Youth
Pasadena 

Risky Business in Expanded Learning
Jeanette Cruz, MPA, Sr. Director of Risk Management, Think Together, Santa Ana, CA 

This session will guide attendees through real-world methods to identify, analyze, and mitigate potential exposures, empowering organizations to create safer, more resilient environments. Participants will explore how data-driven insights can transform risk management in expanded learning programs through interactive discussion and practical application, and learn how intentional safety strategies and proactive risk mitigation can prevent incidents and strengthen organizational sustainability.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB
Strand: Think Together Strand; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Sustainability
Mesquite E/F

Social Emotional Learning as Essential Practice: Adapting SEL Learning Standards to Nurture Development in OST
Yolanda Luna-Mroz, MA, Vice President of Youth Development; Kenny Riley, MA, Senior Director of Youth Development; Sidika Balogun, MSW, Social Emotional Learning Manager, Carole Robertson Center for Learning, Chicago, IL 

We will examine effective ways to integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) in out-of-school-time (OST) programming. We will present an overview of the current landscape and trends in SEL, and why SEL is critical in OST. Participants will learn about our SEL framework, curriculum design and use and how we have built staff capacity, training, and buy-in around SEL integration. Participants will walk away with concrete tools to create their own SEL framework and training guides.
E, M, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality
Plaza B

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FRIDAY, MAY 1st 

MORNING WORKSHOPS 

9:15AM-11:15AM (2 HOURS)

Building Belonging with Bots: Trauma-Informed AI Tools for Tutors Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness
Angelique Singh, Ed.D., Curriculum and Assessment Specialist, School on Wheels, Los Angeles, CA

Learn how School on Wheels is using trauma-informed AI tools to help volunteer tutors build connection, trust, and belonging with students experiencing homelessness. This session explores how bots like SOWbot can support SEL, offer real-time guidance, and empower educators working in out-of-school and high-mobility settings.
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships
Ventura 

Coaching with Empathy
Kim O'Shea, Program Manager of Southern California and Southwest Regions, Positive Coaching Alliance, Oakland, CA

This research-based workshop demonstrates how to seamlessly integrate empathy into everyday working with others by creating strong connections, listening to others, and understanding how others' experiences impact how they show up to your program. Attendees will take away tangible tools for creating an empathetic environment, where all members feel safe, seen, heard, and valued.
M, H, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Older Youth
Palm Canyon A&B  

Community Walks, Field Trips, Panels, and Beyond! Adding Career Exploration Components to Your Middle School Program
Alexandra “Alex” Fendrich, M.Ed., Middle School Career Exploration Program Director, ExpandED Schools, New York, NY

In this workshop, we’ll explore various ways to bring career-connected learning to your program. Together, we’ll reflect on our own career journeys and examine the steps to implement successful career exploration with middle school youth. You’ll learn about middle school career exploration activities, tools to support middle school youth in their transition to high school, and even plan your very own community walk, field trip, or panel for your site!
M, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships
San Jacinto 

Connected Systems: How PBIS Strengthens Expanded Learning Programs
Molly Stoeckel, MA, Director of Older Youth Programs, Think Together, Los Angeles, CA; Mallory Baquero, MA, Director of Elementary and Early Learning Programs, Think Together, Whittier, CA

This session explores what it truly means to bring PBIS into Think Together’s expanded learning programs. Participants will examine how structured behavior systems advance equity, reduce punitive responses, and create consistent, supportive environments for students and staff after the bell. Through real-world scenarios and practical planning, teams will leave with concrete tools, site-level next steps, and a clear view of how this work connects to our ongoing PBIS training and support series.
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Think Together Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality
Mesquite E/F 

Connecting Community Through Service and Safety: Building Bridges Between ELOP Schools, Families, and the Heart of a City
Laura North, M.Ed., District Director, English Language Learners and Expanded Learning; Linda Simmons, MS, Community Schools Coordinator, Kingsburg Elementary Charter, Kingsburg, CA; Valerie MacAdam, Administrative Assistant of ELOP and EL, Kingsburg Elementary Charter School District, Selma, CA

Discover how Kingsburg, California, transformed its after-school program into a bridge connecting schools, families, and the community. This session showcases two replicable initiatives—Kingsburg You Matter Day and Safety Day—that unite students, families, and local partners through service and collaboration. Leave inspired with practical ideas to build trust, foster belonging, and strengthen community connections.
E, M, H, ULA, MLA, DS 
Strand: Partnerships & Building Relationships
Plaza D

Create, Connect, Collaborate: Unlocking SEL with Easy-to-Implement Robotics & Engineering
Ann Goodwin, M.Ed., Solution Architect; Nik Gatan, Sr. Account Executive, Southern California, Sphero, Greenville, TX

Discover how to deliver SEL-boosting experiences with low-prep Sphero robotics and engineering.  See examples of ready-to-go lessons, how they connect to SEL, and even get hands-on with one! Whether you are running sessions with students yourself or planning for multi-site implementation, we’ve got you covered. 
PK, E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Small Exhibitor Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality
Mesquite D 

Data to Direction: Expanded Learning Survey Insights with LEGO® Education
Denise Phillips, Solution Architect, LEGO Education, Groveland, CA

This panel session shares key insights from the Expanded Learning Survey, highlighting what districts and practitioners identified as their greatest needs, challenges, and opportunities. Panelists will discuss survey findings, reflect on emerging themes, and explore how LEGO® Education and partners can better support expanded learning programs. Participants will engage in guided discussion and leave with a clearer understanding of how survey data can inform strategy, planning, and next steps.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB
Strand: LEGO Education Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Sustainability
Mesquite C

Findings from the California Department of Education’s 2023 and 2025 Legislative Reports on Expanded Learning Programs
Jonathan Nakamoto, Ph.D., Senior Research Associate, WestEd, Seal Beach, CA; Shannon McCullough, Ph.D., Research Manager, WestEd, Detroit, MI 

The California Department of Education reported to the Legislature on its Expanded Learning Programs (ASES, 21st CCLC, and ASSETs) in 2023 and 2025. Using data from 2020–21 and 2022–23, this workshop provides an overview of the type and quality of these programs and the characteristics of the students participating in them. The workshop reviews the programs’ positive impact on school-day attendance, mathematics achievement, English language proficiency, and college and career readiness.
E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Sustainability; CA Focus
Chino A/B

Flex Your SEL Muscles: Engaging and Fun Tools for Building Resilient Students and Empowered Staff
Lori Woodley-Langendorff, MS, PPS, Founder, Chief Visionary Officer, All It Takes, Simi Valley, CA 

This experientially fun and reflective workshop will equip participants with tools to support not only students, but also staff in strengthening their own social-emotional muscles. The 6-SEL Muscles support adults and youth, even those who are resistant, to manage stressful situations effectively, model resilience, communicate responsibly, and foster collaboration. The SEL Muscles ensure both youth and adults are prepared to successfully navigate challenges and celebrate wins.
M, H, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership
Sierra 

From the Classroom to the Court: Integrating Pickleball into PE and After-School Programs
Randall Bedwell, MA, Executive Director, Tennessee Junior Pickleball Association, Inc., Paris, TN

Discover how pickleball can transform PE and after-school programs! Learn TJPA’s strategies for launching inclusive, low-cost, and engaging pickleball programming that builds skills, confidence, and teamwork. Explore equipment, training, community partnerships, and competitive pathways like tournaments and state championships. Leave with actionable tools to engage students, support equity, and strengthen school and community connections through the power of pickleball.
E, M, H, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality, Staff Leadership, Partnerships & Building Relationships
Santa Rosa 

The Hidden Link Between Emotions and Learning: Unlocking Executive Function in Every Child
Sonia Toledo, Ph.D., Founder & CEO, Dignity of Children, Inc., New York, NY 

Emotions are central to how children learn, make decisions, and succeed. This session explores the link between emotional intelligence and executive function, showing how self-awareness, regulation, and empathy enhance focus, planning, and adaptability. Participants will gain practical strategies to foster emotional safety and resilience, empowering students to thrive academically and emotionally.
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality
Mesquite B 

HOKALI Action Lab: Exploring Robotics, Dance, Sports, and Martial Arts
Delfina Corso Rodriguez, Content Developer & Learning Analyst, HOKALI, San Francisco, CA

Our showcase will feature four dynamic stations where participants can experience HOKALI’s exciting programs:  Robotics: Build a robot in 1 minute and compete for the best design!  Dance: Follow a fun TikTok-style choreography and show your moves.  Sports: Test your aim with a basketball challenge using a football.  Martial Arts: Kick and punch targets, showing your speed and power.  Each station is designed to challenge creativity and skills in a hands-on, immersive way.
PK, MLA, DS 
Strand: Large Exhibitor Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality
Primrose C&D

"Juntos Somos Familia”- Every Student Has a Seat at the Table
Rafael Dominguez, President, Breakfast Club RHS, Bellflower, CA

Join this hands-on training that helps staff create a culture of belonging where every student feels safe, valued, and seen. Through storytelling, interactive activities, and practical tools like micro-affirmations and greeting routines, participants learn how to strengthen daily connections and build a “Juntos Somos Familia” environment where every child truly has a seat at the table.
H, MLA, DS
Strand: Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Older Youth
Pueblo A/B

Ladders to Leadership – Innovation in Staffing!
Michael Waters, Program Coordinator - Director of Community Education, Westlake City Schools, Westlake, OH

Building a framework for a staffing model that establishes a continuum, where students are afforded the opportunity to transition from student to high school volunteer, to paid student aide, to college instructor, and into leadership. This will provide a consistent stream of mission-oriented talent.
E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Older Youth
Plaza A

Leveraging Multilingualism in the Classroom as a Tool for Learning
Amy Feehan, MAT, M.Ed., Senior Director of Program; Rebecca Flores, Ph.D., Director, Program Design, New Teacher Center, Sacramento, CA; Vanessa Espitia, Ed.D., Coordinator II Early Childhood Development and Community Engagement, Milpitas Unified School District, Milpitas, CA

Over one million English learners attend CA schools, yet half of teachers feel unprepared to teach multilingual learners (MLLs). NTC and its partners from Milpitas Unified School District and Salinas City Elementary School District will discuss how professional learning deepened coaches’ knowledge of high-leverage strategies for MLLs. Participants will learn tangible approaches for preparing coaches to provide job-embedded support to create inclusive, accessible classrooms in their communities.
PK, E, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Sustainability
Pasadena

Make a Circle
Moderator: Coming Soon

From an award-winning filmmaking team, MAKE A CIRCLE follows a group of child care providers who are determined to change how our society values the education of its youngest citizens. With a mix of humor, outrage, and passion, MAKE A CIRCLE captures the unfolding stories of Patricia, a leader of a new union for child care providers, as she fights on behalf of a largely immigrant workforce; Charlotte, another union member who tirelessly lifts up the low-income families in her care; and Anne, the director of a large preschool, who finds novel ways to value and support her teachers when jobs at McDonald's are offering higher pay. Within their stories are interludes that offer a cinematic window into the unique, imaginative world of the young children in their care. The film culminates as thousands of union members march on their state capitol demanding better working conditions, just as their contract is set to expire. Weaving together the magic they create in the classroom, the struggles they endure at home, and their tireless activism for their profession, MAKE A CIRCLE is a moving portrait of life as an early childhood educator and a promising blueprint for fixing our broken child care system.
Strand: Film Festival
Horizon I

STEM without Screens
Jody Nova, MS, VP Product, Brains & Motion, Allendale, MI

Discover Brains & Motion’s patented STEM without Screens™—a hands-on, tech-light approach that turns everyday materials into high-energy engineering, coding logic, and physics challenges. Try classroom-ready builds, learn facilitation moves that spark collaboration and creativity, and leave with a toolkit for engaging, standards-aligned K–8 STEM—no devices required.
E, MLA, DS
Strand: Medium Exhibitor Showcase; Program Design, Development & Quality
Mesquite G/H

Teaching is a Work of Heart - Supporting Your Talent to Support Your Students
Katy Wick, Champions Regional Director, KinderCare-Champions, Portland, OR; Anastasia Rivas, Champions Regional Director, KinderCare-Champions, Lake Oswego, OR

Now is the perfect time to invest in your teachers to give them the confidence that they need to implement quality out-of-school programs with intentionality and care to best support the students they serve. Join an interactive session to learn about what all teams need to feel supported, to think critically about your staff and what they need to do their best work in program, and to develop a plan to address any gaps you identify so you can head home with the confidence to make a difference.
E, ULA, MLA, DS
Strand: Staff Leadership
Andreas

Youth Development Practitioners: Intentionally Creating Pathways for Careers Into, Within, and Beyond Expanded Learning
Bill Fennessy, Senior Specialist, Equity & Quality; Crystal Jo (CJ) Blanchard, Specialist, Equity & Quality; Lupita Perez, Senior Specialist, California AfterSchool Network, Sacramento, CA

Youth Development Practitioners are an essential yet often under-utilized force within our education, health, social, human, and public service systems. This workshop invites participants to examine practical workforce strategies, ranging from student leadership and mentorship to job shadowing, internships, and apprenticeships. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the various programming opportunities to help them identify which strategies they could implement and support.
H, HE, ULA, MLA, CB, DS

Strand: California AfterSchool Network Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Older Youth; CA Focus
Smoketree D/E 

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EXTRA CREDIT

1:00PM-3:00PM (2 HOURS) 

Please note that space is limited in our Extra Credit session. You must be pre-registered by April 15. On-site registration is not available.

Please visit https://www.boostconference.org/eventskeynotes#extra_credit for more information. If you have questions about adding this Extra Credit session to your existing online account, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Turning Insights into Action: Taking our Learning Home to Build the Programs Kids Need and Want

You have attended workshops, networking events, and met with exhibitors - now what? Take this opportunity to intentionally connect with your colleagues and begin planning your next steps.

The goal of this planning retreat is to provide attendees and teams with a chance to engage in a facilitated experience to download all of their learning from the week, share what they are passionate about applying/implementing at their site or in their role supporting sites, and collaborate to identify concrete next steps to ensure the learning is integrated into their continuous quality improvement plans.
San Jacinto

   

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FOR ADDITIONAL WORKSHOP AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITY LOGISTICS, PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING PAGES: 

BOOST Film Festival | BOOST Live Podcast Lounge | BOOST Nation: Town Hall Meetings

Camp Inspire Workshops | Exhibitor Showcase Workshops | Get on the Bus Workshops

Inspiration Station Workshops | Master Classes | Panel Sessions

Pre-Conference Academies | Workshop Strand Sponsors