Chapman University’s Attallah College of Educational Studies held its second annual “Imagining a Resilient Future” conference, an event dedicated to addressing critical issues faced by youth in schools. While the 2023 conference focused on helping students attend school and thrive, the 2024 conference centered on enhancing support for LGBTQIA+ youth. The one-day event, hosted by Attallah College’s School Counseling and School Psychology (CSP) programs, welcomed school psychologists, counselors, and educators from the Chapman community and its partner school districts. Attendees explored new methods for identifying, understanding, and addressing the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of LGBTQIA+ students. 

Imagining a Resilient Future in the Schools

Led by Associate Professors of School Psychology Amy Jane Griffiths and Kelly Kennedy, the conference featured various presentations designed to help participants create supportive and inclusive school climates. 

In the opening session, “Helping LGBTQ+ Students Thrive: Understanding and Supporting Mental Health,” Kennedy, Griffiths, and Attallah College Ph.D. student Rachel Torres discussed frameworks like Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and the Minority Stress Theory. Kennedy shared findings from the California Healthy Kids Survey, highlighting the significant, positive impact of creating safe and affirming spaces in schools. Griffiths and Torres focused on evidence-based interventions, equipping the practitioner-based audience with a wealth of actionable resources to support LGBTQ+ students effectively. 

“Creating a welcoming environment where students feel respected and safe is essential,” Griffiths said. “When we approach mental health support with an inclusive mindset, we’re addressing the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ youth and empowering educators to build resilience in our students.” 

Imagining a Resilient Future in the Schools

The event’s second session, “Cross-disciplinary Approaches to Supporting Student Mental Health in the Schools,” showcased the importance of collaborative solutions in student support. Griffiths and Kennedy facilitated the panel featuring Sara C. Young, J.D., Ph.D.; Cynthia Olaya, Ed.S.; and Michael Gorse, Ph.D., who offered cross-disciplinary insights into student mental health initiatives, with a particular focus on legal changes and implications for school-based practitioners. 

“Chapman’s Attallah College is committed to preparing our future school-based practitioners with the resources and knowledge needed to build positive, inclusive environments,” said Dean Roxanne Greitz Miller. “This conference exemplifies our dedication to ensuring that every student has a supportive space in school to thrive.” 

The day concluded with a presentation by Assistant Professor of School Psychology Zachary Maupin as he shared resources available for practitioners and families. All attendees received electronic access to these resources after the conference.  

Attendees also enjoyed raffles and giveaways of faculty books and Attallah College swag, facilitated by Instructional Assistant Professor of School Psychology Jeanne Anne Carriere and Assistant Professor of School Psychology Anna Abdou, with overall support from CSP Administrative Coordinator Hunter Esquivel. Attendance to the conference was free, but donations were welcome for the Julian Sadasivaiah Endowed Graduate Student Fellowship in Mental Health.  

With each year’s focus evolving, the “Imagining a Resilient Future” conference continues to inspire meaningful change by equipping educators and counselors with strategies to address students’ needs.