Human trafficking is the fastest growing and tied as the second largest criminal industry worldwide, generating an estimated 

By reframing and humanizing an issue that is often sensationalized and stigmatized, we can begin to understand how human trafficking impacts our youth and families. This interactive presentation will help create a clearer vision of what human trafficking may look like in our Indiana communities.  

During this workshop you will: 

• understand the definitions of human trafficking under federal and state law; 
• recognize risk factors that make youth vulnerable to being exploited, as well as what makes them less likely to identify as a victim and less likely to leave a trafficking situation; 
• be able to identify victims and how to report a suspected case; and 
• learn what intervention and victim services are available locally, regionally and statewide. 

Stewards of Children® uses real people and real stories to show you how to protect children. This training is built on the foundation of The 5 Steps to Protecting Our ChildrenTM, an introductory guide for responsible adults interested in child sexual abuse prevention. You will hear from survivors as well as experts who work with children and families to confront abuse.  

Attend this training to: 

• gain an increased awareness of the prevalence, consequences, and circumstances of child sexual abuse; 
• learn new skills to help adults prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse; 
• discover how to make positive change to organizational policies and procedures; and 
• discover individual empowerment through actionable ways to make a difference. 

The mission of DARKNESS to LIGHT is to empower people to prevent child sexual abuse by educating adults about the steps they can take to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse. Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children® training is a proven, award-winning prevention program that teaches adults how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. 

Join us for this presentation to learn more about the impact of opioid and other drug issues in north central Indiana communities. You will hear current local data about substance use as well as gain a better understanding about some of the misconceptions of what addiction looks like.  

Members of the North Central Indiana Quick Response Team will discuss how integrating paramedicine, Peer-Based Recovery Supports and traditional clinical supports can increase access to care, decrease resistance to initiating recovery and serve as a catalyst to more broad community collaboration. 

The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion including information about local resources, services and initiatives. 

What happens when you put stories and data together? Big things.

Join this webinar to learn how data can help your organization capture, cultivate and communicate stories that will build your brand, promote your mission and support long- and short-term sustainability.

Clarence Hogan, center director of the Chicago Youth Centers – Sidney Epstein Youth Center, will guide you in:

• capturing and cultivating your clients’ stories
• using social media and promotional materials to share stories
• learning how to obtain data to aid in building stories

Don’t miss this opportunity to use the power of stories and data to support your organization and community!

Join us for an engaging presentation to learn about: 

• the warning signs of mental health conditions; 
• facts and statistics about mental health and youth; and  
• what steps to take if someone you know is showing symptoms of a mental health condition. 

This NAMI Ending the Silence presentation will include two leaders: one who shares an informative presentation and a young adult with a mental health condition who shares their journey of recovery. Participants can ask questions and gain understanding of this often-misunderstood topic. Through dialogue, we can help grow the movement to end stigma around mental health. 

Join us for this presentation to explore the true meaning of “trauma-informed” and how it impacts our clients, our colleagues and ourselves.

Attendees will gain an actionable approach to creating a trauma-informed workplace and career, using the definition laid forth by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

You will work to identify personal renewal goals that align with SAMHSA’s trauma-informed definition and be able to:

·       realize the work in which they engage can produce vicarious trauma, and why;

·       recognize signs of vicarious trauma in self, clients and colleagues;

·       respond to signs and enact a care plan; and

·      understand the importance of an ongoing care plan to reduce and prevent re-traumatization.

The IYI KIDS COUNT Conference is the Midwest’s largest gathering of youth-serving professionals. Gain practical resources from national experts, learn about best practice models from programs like yours, and make connections that last all year long. Explore timely and relevant issues for youth in the areas of health, social emotional learning, family engagement, equity and inclusion and more!

Youth Worker of the Year Award

As part of the conference, we’ll be celebrating a youth-serving superstar with the annual Youth Worker of the Year Award.

Nominations are being accepted now through Sept. 2, 2019, for the award, which honors an outstanding youth worker who demonstrates excellence in performance and leadership in their commitment to improving the lives of Indiana’s children.

You know the outstanding youth workers  in your community who deserve recognition — nominate someone today!

• Submit a nomination

Suicide has been the second-leading cause of death for Indiana youth between the ages of 15 and 24 since 2009. The National Survey of Children’s Health reports that depression is the most prevalent mental disorder experienced among adolescents, with 30.8 percent of Indiana high school students reporting feeling sad or hopeless to the point that they stopped doing some usual activities almost every day for two or more weeks in a row. According to Child Trends, youth who experience anxiety or depression face a higher risk of poor health outcomes as adults.  

Join us for this presentation to learn more about the mental health struggles facing youth in our community and across Indiana. We will discuss the impact of mental health challenges on youth and families and build awareness of what we can do as a community to have a positive effect to make a difference. 

Children who experience multiple adverse or traumatic childhood experiences, such as exposure to violence or negative family relationships, have the highest levels of risk for negative outcomes throughout life.  Nearly half (47.3%) of children in Indiana have experienced one or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). To support these children in a meaningful way, teachers and youth workers must have an understanding of the impact that trauma can have on the children they serve.  

This presentation will provide an understanding of ACEs and trauma, the stress response, and how such stressors can impact a child’s social, emotional, behavioral and cognitive development.  You will hear about multiple strategies that promote student resilience, which is the counterbalance to trauma and adversity. During this session you will learn to: 

• define the effects of ACES and trauma in terms of the stress response; 
• articulate the connection between trauma informed practices, social emotional learning, mental health, and academics in terms of brain development.; and 
• identify at least three strategies you can implement immediately to promote resilience, and therefore, impact student social, emotional and cognitive development. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC-Kaiser ACE Study, children who experience multiple adverse or traumatic childhood experiences, such as exposure to violence or negative family relationships, have the highest levels of risk for negative outcomes throughout life.  An increasing number of children are affected by past or current trauma that haunts their minds, dictates their behavior and sometimes leads to mental health diagnosis. To support these children in a meaningful way, youth workers must have an understanding of the impact that trauma can have on the children they serve. 

This presentation will address trauma, the forms it takes in children and youth, and practical applications for those who interact with children in a non-therapeutic setting. Attendees will: 

• learn about trauma and its impact on development; 
• understand adolescent behaviors in the context of trauma; 
• learn about the ARC Model and its use; and 
• understand what trauma-informed care consists of in youth programming