News & Events 

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) has announced the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) STOP School Violence Program, aiming to enhance school safety through various initiatives. 

Program Objectives:

• Enhance School Climate: Implement solutions to improve the overall environment within schools.
• Establish Behavioral Threat Assessment and Intervention Teams: Create teams within schools to identify and address potential risks of violence.
• Introduce Technologies: Deploy tools such as anonymous reporting systems to aid in preventing violence.
• Apply Evidence-Based Strategies: Utilize proven methods to prevent acts of violence, equipping K–12 students, teachers, and staff with the necessary tools to recognize and respond effectively.

For comprehensive details and application instructions, please refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity using the link provided below. 

The annual Positive Change Virtual Conference is being held on April 2 & 3, 2025. This annual event is designed to offer helping professions with practical tools as well as inspiration and encouragement. This year's theme is 'Foundations for the Future: Integrative Behavioral Health Solutions'. Workshops will be dedicated towards supporting evidence-based practices in addiction and mental health prevention, treatment, and recovery.

For more information on the conference, cost, CEUs, and other conference offerings, please visit the link provided below.

The 2025 Pennsylvania Strengthening Families Conference will be held April 2nd - April 4th, 2025 in King of Prussia, PA. This year's theme is 'Social Connections that Strengthen Us'. This annual event is held for Parents as Teachers providers, Children's Trust Fund grantees, and Parent Cafes teams.

More information on the conference will be released soon and can be found by using the link below.

This webinar will provide an in-depth look at the effects of trauma on school-aged children and offer practical strategies for incorporating a trauma-informed lens into social-emotional and behavioral approaches. The webinar will be divided into two segments: one focusing on K-4th grade and the other on 5th-8th grade. In each segment, learners will explore risk and protective factors for trauma, as well as how trauma presents itself in children and youth. 

Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Time: 11 am to 12 pm 
Recording: This webinar will be recorded and posted with captions.
Act 48 Credit: Act 48 credits are available upon request.  
Accessibility: PSAYDN encourages all to participate in our learning opportunities. Please note that Zoom Captions will be enabled for this event. 
 

To register, click the link below

This webinar will focus on the 9th-12th grade educational community, examining the indicators and effects of trauma on high school students. Key to the discussion will be the creation of a safe and trusting environment in which high school students are willing to collaborate in their personal growth. The goal is to prepare educators to empower students, especially those impacted by trauma, with the tools they need to thrive in high school and as they transition into young adulthood.

Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Time: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm 
Recording: This webinar will be recorded and posted with captions.
Act 48 Credit: Act 48 credits are available upon request.  
Accessibility: PSAYDN encourages all to participate in our learning opportunities. Please note that Zoom Captions will be enabled for this event. 

To register, click the link below.
 

The 35th Annual CPA Conference, organized by the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance (CPA) in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), is scheduled for June 11–13, 2025, at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College, Pennsylvania. 

Attendees will have access to keynote sessions and various workshops, with virtual participants able to join select live-streamed sessions. All registrants will receive an invitation to the Whova app for session selection and networking opportunities.

This year's keynote speakers are:

• Arel Moodie, President/Founder of Reed Oak, will present "Unlock the Power of Your Team."
• Deacon Dzierzawski, President of Epiphany Community Services, will discuss "Prevention…Everyone Can Do It…Or Can They? Reframing the Prevention Discussion."
• Rikki Barton, Founder/Lead Consultant at Onward Consulting LLC, will address "A Dangerous Intersection: Social Media, Substance Use, Mental Health, and Exploitation."

*Registration closes on June 4, 2025. More information and the registration link can be found by clicking the link below.