Livermore Learns

Facilitator: Cristina Rita, Alameda County Crisis Support Services

Description: Join us for an important presentation on youth suicide prevention in recognition of Suicide Prevention Month. This session will provide crucial insights into recognizing the warning signs of suicide, understanding the risk factors, and learning how to have open and supportive conversations with your child. You will also receive practical resources and strategies to help you create a safe and supportive home environment.

Facilitators: Kaiser Permanente - Jess Metzinger, ACSW and Thomas Roche Jr., PsyD

Description:  Did you know that 9% of people in the U.S. will face an eating disorder diagnosis in their lifetime? It's common for eating disorders to begin during preadolescence or adolescence, with the middle school years being a particular risk. Join us to learn how to recognize the signs of disordered eating and what treatment looks like for young people diagnosed with eating disorders. We will also provide tips on how to encourage positive relationships with food and body image to help establish healthy habits for a lifetime.

Facilitators: Kaiser Permanente - Jess Metzinger, ACSW and Thomas Roche Jr., PsyD

Description:  LGBTQ+ youth can face unique challenges that affect their mental health and educational and social lives. This webinar will explore the general concepts of sex, gender, and orientations, and discuss the development of identity and the coming-out process. We will also share ways you can best support your LGBTQ+ child and what resources are available for youth, parents, caretakers, and educators.

Facilitators:Liisa Hanninen-Danner, PhD (LVJUSD Wellness Coordinator)  and Lizette Medina (LVJUSD Intern Counselor)

Description:  Join us to learn about mental health protective factors and how they not only protect against mental health disorders but are also essential elements of mental health and what it means to thrive. Mental health resources available from our District and schools, as well as information on supports and services provided by our local mental health partner organizations, will also be discussed.

Facilitators: Kaiser Permanente Postdoctoral Residents - Ji Yun Lee, PhD, Monika Barta, PsyD and Erin Yokote, PsyD

Description:  Navigating school, outside activities, family life, and being a child or teenager can be a positive experience but it can also be challenging and nerve-wracking. This presentation will highlight some of the major stressors that impact youths, particularly in the Tri-Valley area, and how these stressors may increase one’s level of anxiety. Common signs, interventions and treatment approaches, and resources will be covered to help youths and parents understand anxiety and find ways to improve overall well-being.

Facilitators: Kaiser Permanente Postdoctoral Residents - Ji Yun Lee, PhD, Monika Barta, PsyD and Erin Yokote, PsyD

Description: The holiday season can be a time of joy and celebration, but it can also be a stressful time for many families. We will explore the impacts that stress can have on your student's mental health as they navigate this time of year.

We will talk about stress and mental health concerns in children and adolescents, as well as provide suggestions for responding to behaviors that may be of concern. Coping strategies, parenting strategies, and holiday-themed self-care activities will be provided.

Facilitators: Kaiser Permanente Postdoctoral Residents - Ji Yun Lee, PhD, Monika Barta, PsyD and Erin Yokote, PsyD

Description: This webinar will be a resource for parents interested in how to best prevent, monitor, or intervene with problematic internet use during childhood or adolescence. We will examine how early and easy access to the internet and digital technologies impact children and adolescents and will review recent research to explain the relationship between unhealthy internet use and mental health outcomes. We will also present signs of problematic internet use and various strategies for intervention and prevention in the home and school settings.

Facilitators: Kaiser Permanente Postdoctoral Residents - Suyeu Kuo, PsyD and Rebecca Smith, PsyD

Description: This webinar will help parents prepare for potential challenges of reduced structure, routine, and social engagement for students over summer. Parents will learn tips for how to engage students socially, help them to develop hobbies and activities, limit screen time, and reduce isolation.

Facilitator: LVJUSD Wellness Coordinator Liisa Hanninen-Danner, PhD

Description: More than two-thirds of children report experiencing a traumatic event by the age of 16. The majority of children are able to recover following trauma and many develop coping and resiliency skills. Parents will learn what childhood trauma is, the common reactions to trauma based on factors such as the child's developmental level and repeated exposure to trauma, and strategies for supporting children who have experienced trauma and helping them to develop resiliency and coping skills.

Facilitators: LVJUSD Counselors Zachary Radecke and Jocelyn Rountree

Description: Parents and students will learn tips for managing stress and the importance of self-care for teens. Information shared will be geared toward middle & high school parents and students.

Facilitator: LVJUSD Program Specialist Mallory Rachel, Ed.S. NCSP

Description: Come spend an hour focused on you! In this one-hour presentation, we will spend time talking about what work/life balance is, why it's important, and most importantly how we can begin to incorporate practices in our daily lives to move in that direction. My hope is that this hour feels like a mini-retreat, so come with your cup of tea, a favorite journal or some paper to write on, and a quiet space (even if it's your car- no judgments here) to grab a little "you" time!

Facilitator: Mallory Rachel, LVJUSD School Psychologist

Description:  Want to help your child become a better problem-solver?
Join us for practical tips on helping your student to build strong social problem-solving skills. We will discuss the differences between tattling and telling and clarify the differences between bullying and other negative behaviors. The goal is to gain new strategies to help your student develop flexible thinking and problem-solving skills.

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Facilitator: Mallory Rachel, LVJUSD School Psychologist on Special Assignment

Description: Schools throughout our District have established Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) systems to promote positive academic, behavioral, and social-emotional outcomes for all students. Learn what PBIS is and how you can apply these strategies at home to help your child develop skills he or she can use at school and throughout their lives.

Facilitator: LVJUSD Wellness Coordinator Liisa Hanninen-Danner, PhD

Description: Growth Mindset is the belief that we can improve our abilities and skills. Having a growth mindset can support success in school and life in general. Students with a growth mindset are typically motivated learners who tackle challenges, seek learning opportunities and value feedback. With practice, a growth mindset can be developed. Join us to learn some strategies to cultivate a growth mindset in your child and/or yourself!

Facilitators: LVJUSD School Psychologist on Special Assignment Liisa Hanninen Danner, PhD and LVJUSD Program Specialist Mallory Rachel, NCSP

Description: Social-Emotional learning (SEL) skills support success in school and life in general. Join this webinar to learn what social-emotional learning is, why it's important, how SEL is taught in school, and practical tips on how you can support your child in developing and practicing social-emotional learning skills at home.

Facilitator: Livermore Police Department Sergeant Marc Plute

Description: Join us for a comprehensive overview of various illegal substances, including detailed descriptions, packaging identifiers, and the potential short-term and long-term effects vaping and substance use can have on your child’s physical and mental health. We will also explore drug abuse prevention strategies and provide communication strategies to help you initiate open conversations with your child.

Facilitators: Kaiser Permanente Postdoctoral Residents - Ji Yun Lee, PhD, Monika Barta, PsyD and Erin Yokote, PsyD

Description: The California Department of Education (CDE) recently published a release citing fentanyl as a growing epidemic impacting California’s youth. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. According to the CDE in the last decade, fentanyl related deaths rose from 82 youth deaths in 2012 to more than 6,000 in 2021.

This presentation will provide an overview of fentanyl statistics, warning signs of potential exposure, and signs of general opioid use. Recommendations on how to talk with youth about risks of fentanyl and other opioids will also be reviewed.

Facilitators: Julie Pamer from TeenEsteem+

Description: Join us as we explore the powerful influence of technology on our kids. Learn how to help your child navigate the digital world safely, set healthy boundaries, and effectively monitor their online activity. This session will provide practical strategies to guide your child in balancing screen time and developing responsible habits.

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Facilitators: Julie Pamer, Mitzie Beasley, and Lindsey Wirgler from TeenEsteem+

Description: Are you considering buying your child a smartphone? Join us as we cover everything you need to know about the digital world before handing your child their first phone. We’ll discuss how to manage the interim period, how to assess if your child is ready, and share practical tips to help with a smooth transition.

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additional resources

Facilitator: LVJUSD Wellness Coordinator Liisa Hanninen-Danner, PhD

Description: Navigating friendships during the elementary school years can be a complex and sometimes challenging experience for students.

Join us for the first Livermore Learns event of the 2024/25 school year where we’ll explore the typical stages of friendship development, the vital connection between social-emotional learning skills and friendships, and practical strategies to help your student build healthy, lasting relationships.

Facilitator: Matthew Hart, LVJUSD Director of Assessment and Accountability

Description: Join us to gain a greater understanding of the wide variety of data used to measure the growth of your student in academics, behavior, and social-emotional learning. We will discuss what methods the State of California uses to evaluate the performance of our district, as well as the metrics that LVJUSD has developed to assess our effectiveness and prioritization of our programs.

Facilitator: Livermore Police Department Sergeant Marc Plute

Description: In today's interconnected world, cell phones are an integral part of our lives, but it's crucial to use them safely and responsibly. Join us for a discussion on student cell phone safety that includes information on scams, peer pressure, and cyberbullying. We will also explore ways social media can impact your student's behavior and share essential safety precautions to help safeguard your student in the digital age.

Facilitators: The Hume Center - Jessica McCarrick, B.S., Trainee and Jessica Martins, PsyD

Description: Join us for the last webinar of the school year, presented by The Hume Behavioral Health and Training Center, to learn ways to establish and maintain boundaries with your child or adolescent when challenging emotions arise. Understand what healthy boundaries are and the reasons they are crucial for building strong, healthy relationships.

Facilitator: Caroline Doidge, MA, BCBA - LVJUSD Behavior Analyst Supervisor

Description: In support of Autism Awareness Month, we will explore strategies that parents can use to help prepare their child for emergency situations. Learn ways to help your child with special needs interact with first responders and receive ideas on how to develop a family emergency plan. Additional public safety resources will also be provided.