Parent Speaker Series

All DASD parents are welcome to join us for informational sessions to support student health and well-being.

Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: DASD Central Office (540 Trestle Place, Downingtown, PA 19335)*unless otherwise noted*
All Parent Speaker Series Events will be live-streamed. Click event titles to view past presentations.

Schedule: 
Internet Safety
Joe Myers, Community Outreach Supervisor, The Crime Victim’s Center
Learn how to better understand the internet, where kids learn to use it and how to build healthier boundaries

Accessing Behavioral Health Services
Regan Sarmento,M. Ed. Adolescent Service Liaison, Onward Behavioral Health
Learn how to access treatment in the community and better understand levels of care

Managing Grief and Loss Around the Holiday Season
Lara Krawchuk, LCSW, Healing Concepts, LLC
The holidays can be an especially difficult time for those facing grief and loss. Learn tools to help manage your emotions and find support in the community.

January 21: Recognizing Signs of Depression and Suicide, Mental Health Awareness
**AT LMS LIBRARY***
Matthew Wintersteen, Ph.D, Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
What are the signs of depression and suicide? How can you protect your child? Answer these questions and more while learning best practices to keep your child safe.

February 6: Screening of "Screenagers Next Chapter"
**AT DHS WEST**
"Screenagers Next Chapter" reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and offers solutions on how adults can empower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance.

February 18: Drug Trends and Vaping in Our Youth
Sean Rogers and Caroline Fenkel, Center for Families, Malvern, PA
What are the signs and symptoms of substance use and vaping? Learn how to recognize these behaviors in children and find support.

March 17: Screening of "Resilience" and Panel Discussion
**LOCATION TO BE DETERMINED**
With the Chester County ACES Coalition
As the new documentary "Resilience" reveals, toxic stress can trigger hormones that wreak havoc on the brains and bodies of children, putting them at a greater risk for disease, homelessness, prison time, and early death. Learn more about the biology of stress and the science of hope.

April 14: Supporting Your Child in the Transition to College and Helping Them Access Mental Health Care During the Post-Secondary Years
Dr. Leanne Valentine, West Chester University and Holly O’Connell, A Path to Hope
Learn how to support your child in the transition to college and help them to find access to mental health care during the post-secondary years. 

May 19: EMBRACING SUMMER!
Keli Laverty, Be Rooted
Learn strategies for a successful summer, including ways to manage the summer transition and downtime in order to build inner resources and resilience in our kids.