Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions (www.CASEL.org). Several hundred well-designed studies have documented that well-planned and well-implemented SEL programming can positively affect a broad range of student social, health, behavioral and academic outcomes.

This conference is designed to provide quality professional development opportunities for school administrators, school psychologists, school counselors, social workers, youth development workers, early childhood professionals, student support specialists, staff who serve on SAP teams, alternative education teachers, homeless liaisons, foster care points of contact and other professionals who work on behalf of children and youth.