Healthy Brain Development: Key Impacts & Interventions

(Subject to change) | click here for program at-a-glance

Wednesday, October 22

KEYNOTE 9:10 - 10:10 am \| Michael C. Lu, MD, MPH "Building a Smart & Healthy Brain: A Life-Course Perspective" In this keynote, Dr. Lu will describe the life-course perspective and its two major components: early programming and cumulative pathways. The implications of the life-course perspective for building a smart and healthy brain will also be discussed.
SESSION I 10:30 - 12 noon Click on workshop names for detailed descriptions.
Michael C. Lu -- Where it all Begins: The Impact of Preconception and Prenatal Care on Early Brain Development Speaker: Michael C. Lu, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of OB/GYN and Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles Description: When looking at how we can best impact healthy brain development, the earliest interventions--before birth--are critical. In this workshop, Dr. Lu will describe the components of preconception and prenatal care and their influences on early brain development. Dan Reece -- Brain Development 101 Speaker: Dan Reece, LCSW, Executive Director, Gerontology Institute, Sacred Heart Medical Center Description: This workshop will provide an introductory overview of some of the research about child brain growth and the implications of new findings. Information is presented from a practitioner’s perspective to help everyone begin to understand this rapidly expanding field of knowledge. This new information can give us expanded insight into how we as individuals, parents, professionals and engaged citizens can help maximize children’s opportunities to achieve their optimal potential. Flo Hilliard -- Inside the Biology & Culture of Sex & Gender: Science & Theory for Improving Services (repeated in Session II) Speaker: Flo Hilliard, MSH, Director, Gender Studies Project, University of Wisconsin-Madison Description: This workshop will present the emerging science of sex-based brain differences in males and females, adolescent brain development and the cultural impact on development, including parenting and substance use. Strategies will be explored for the most positive impacts on the developing male and female brain. Lisa Gatzke-Kopp -- There’s Something in the Air: The Invisible Effects of Nicotine on Brain Development (repeated in Session II) Speaker: Lisa Gatzke-Kopp, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Human Development & Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University Description: Unlike alcohol, nicotine exposure during pregnancy is not associated with characteristic physical malformations or significantly reduced IQ. Although warnings about smoking during pregnancy do focus on such physical effects as the risk for low birth weight, in actuality, more subtle disruptions in brain function are far more common. Furthermore, the adverse effects of nicotine exposure are more likely to manifest in behavioral and regulatory problems than in physical features. During this workshop, we will discuss the mechanisms by which nicotine exposure disrupts early brain development, sources of exposure pre- and postnatally, and both individual-level and policy-level recommendations for improving the developmental environment for children. Mark Miller -- Toxic Threats to Children’s Development Speaker: Mark Miller, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California, San Francisco Description: Neuro-developmental disabilities are clearly the result of complex interactions among genetic, environmental, and social factors that impact children during vulnerable periods of development. Research demonstrates that pervasive toxic substances, such as mercury, lead, PCBs, dioxins, pesticides, and others, can contribute to neurobehavioral and cognitive disorders and that human exposure to neurotoxic substances is widespread. As our knowledge about these chemicals has increased, the "safe" threshold of exposure has been revised downward for many chemicals. We will look at what is known about early life susceptibility to these preventable causes of harm. Kevin Burns -- Attachment and its Impact on Early Brain Development: The Circle of Security Approach to Treating Attachment Disorders Speaker: Kevin Burns, MS, Child and Family Therapist, Relief Nursery Description: This workshop will explore how brain development is influenced by our earliest relationships, resulting in potential lifelong attachment or relational strategies. We will also look at how the Circle of Security group therapy model treats attachment disorders. Dixon-Gray, Anderson, & Havel -- But is it Really FAS? Results from Oregon’s Fetal Alcohol Surveillance Project Speakers: Lesa Dixon-Gray, MSW, MPH, FAS Prevention Project Coordinator; John Anderson, Research Analyst; Emily Havel, Office of Family Health, Oregon Department of Human Services Description: In the US, the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is estimated to be between .05 – 2 per 1000. FAS prevalence in Oregon is unknown, and so a statewide Fetal Alcohol Surveillance System was established in 2005 with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. The goals of the project include identifying Oregon children born between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2006 who have clinical evidence suggestive of FAS or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) (case finding), and then abstracting medical record information (case ascertainment) to determine the presence or absence of FAS/FASD. This presentation will discuss the surveillance process, share initial findings from Oregon’s surveillance registry, and explain how knowledge of a prevalence estimate can assist in program and resource planning for children with FAS.
KEYNOTE 1:30 – 3:00 pm \| Ira J. Chasnoff, MD "The Nature of Nurture: Biology, Environment, and the Drug-Exposed Child" Over one million children per year are born exposed to maternal substances of abuse. This session will present the functional and structural changes that occur in the fetal brain when a woman uses alcohol, tobacco or illicit drugs during pregnancy, and the effects of that exposure on the child’s long-term developmental outcome
SESSION II 3:30 - 5:00 pm Click on workshop names for detailed descriptions.
Ira J. Chasnoff -- Neurocognitive Habilitation: A New Therapy for Children with Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol and Illicit Drugs Speaker: Ira J. Chasnoff, MD, President, Children’s Research Triangle, Professor, Clinical Pediatrics at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Description: This program will present a new research-based therapeutic curriculum that incorporates a dyadic model grounded in sensory integration therapy for children ages six to 12 years-old with prenatal exposure to alcohol and illicit drugs. The randomized controlled study through which this curriculum was developed demonstrated significant impact on the child’s executive functioning and self-regulatory capabilities. Flo Hilliard -- Inside the Biology & Culture of Sex & Gender: Science & Theory for Improving Services (repeated in Session I) Speaker: Flo Hilliard, MSH, Director, Gender Studies Project, University of Wisconsin-Madison Description: This workshop will present the emerging science of sex-based brain differences in males and females, adolescent brain development and the cultural impact on development, including parenting and substance use. Strategies will be explored for the most positive impacts on the developing male and female brain. Pauline Martel -- Brain Injury: A Hidden Disorder Speaker: Pauline Martel, BA, CPS, Director of Prevention and Training, ADAPT Description: Traumatic brain injuries, fetal alcohol and other drug effects and early childhood traumas often result in neurological changes that are often referred to as “hidden” conditions. Such changes frequently have significant medical, educational, behavioral, emotional, and financial impact on our children, their families, schools and communities. Workshop participants will receive information about brain changes and specific strategies to assist children, youth, their families, caregivers, and teachers in providing effective learning and support environments. Raleigh Philp -- ‘Tweens and Teens: Now That I Have a Neocortex…What Do I Do With It? (repeated in Session IV) Speaker: Raleigh Philp, MS, MAT, Consultant, Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University and Azusa Pacific University Description: Adolescents are on their way to becoming adults--but not yet there. The concept that Jay Giedd, Paul Thompson, Daniel Weinburger, and other researchers have shown to the public in very recent years suggests that neurological development is an important dimension of understanding our view of adolescents. This session is designed to help educators and other providers understand recent research about adolescent brain development and its implications for risk-taking and decision-making in adolescents. Part of the presentation will draw from recent findings reported in Engaging ‘Tweens and Teens: A Brain-Compatible Approach to Reaching Middle and High School Students written by the presenter. Several chapters, including information on drugs and the adolescent brain, will serve as resources to pose questions that providers need to consider as they work with teenagers. Lisa Gatzke-Kopp -- There’s Something in the Air: The Invisible Effects of Nicotine on Brain Development (repeated in Session I) Speaker: Lisa Gatzke-Kopp, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Human Development & Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University Description: Unlike alcohol, nicotine exposure during pregnancy is not associated with characteristic physical malformations or significantly reduced IQ. Although warnings about smoking during pregnancy do focus on such physical effects as the risk for low birth weight, in actuality, more subtle disruptions in brain function are far more common. Furthermore, the adverse effects of nicotine exposure are more likely to manifest in behavioral and regulatory problems than in physical features. During this workshop, we will discuss the mechanisms by which nicotine exposure disrupts early brain development, sources of exposure pre- and postnatally, and both individual-level and policy-level recommendations for improving the developmental environment for children. Deborah Padgett Coehlo -- Behavior Management Strategies for High Risk Children: Birth to Five Speaker: Deborah Padgett Coehlo, RN, C-PNP, PhD, Assistant Professor, Human Development & Family Sciences Program, Oregon State University Description: This session will review evidence-based practices for behavior management of the young child, including common parenting concerns such as crying, sleep disturbances, self injury, and unpredictable behavior. We will discuss common causes of concerning behaviors, complex diagnoses, treatment, and long-term outcomes. Borek & Frascella -- Exposure to Drugs of Abuse During Development: Implications for Adolescent Vulnerability to Substance Abuse Speakers: Nicolette Borek, Acting Chief, Behavioral & Brain Development Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse; Joseph Frascella, PhD, Director, Division of Clinical Neuroscience and Behavioral Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse Description: This workshop will present the latest research on how exposures during different periods of life (both prenatal and adolescent) may be related to adolescent vulnerability to substance abuse.

Thursday, October 23

KEYNOTE 8:45 – 10:00 am \| Robert F. Anda, MD, MS "The Health & Social Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences Throughout the Lifespan" The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study demonstrates the relationship of childhood abuse, neglect, domestic violence and related experiences to health throughout the lifespan among more than 17,000 members of the Kaiser Health Plan. The findings are consistent with recent discoveries about the neurobiology of stress and the effect of stress on the developing central nervous system. Unlike other studies, the ACE study assessed a wide array of traumatic childhood experiences as well as many health and social problems from adolescence to late adulthood. The number of ACEs has a graded relationship to many common medical and public health problems. An overview of these concepts and findings from the study will be presented.
SESSION III 10:20 - 11:50 am Click on workshop names for detailed descriptions.
Robert F. Anda -- Adverse Childhood Experiences: Changing the Status Quo Speaker: Robert F. Anda, MD, MS, Senior Research Fellow, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Description: This workshop will build upon the information presented during the previous keynote. The relationship of adverse childhood experiences to obviously costly problems and implications for future policy and public health thinking for solutions will be explored. Pauline Martel -- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): Implications and Strategies for Education, Prevention and Treatment Interventions Speaker: Pauline Martel, BA CPS, Director of Prevention and Training, ADAPT Description: Because it is so widely used, we often forget that alcohol is a powerful drug. Alcohol can affect a baby’s development in the very first weeks, even before pregnancy is confirmed. Many of the problems that result are permanent. Prevention practitioners, educators and treatment providers will be provided an opportunity to learn effective strategies for intervening with those affected by FASD to provide the highest opportunity for individual success. Nigel Wrangham -- Community Coalition – The Brain in Action Speaker: Nigel Wrangham, CADC II, CPS, Trainer & Consultant in Community Development Description: Community coalitions are often created to assess needs and develop plans to improve the health and well-being of their constituents. How does coalition work compare to the structure and functions of our brains? How are the early stages of coalition development every bit as critical for community health as the early stages of brain development are for individual growth? This creative, interactive workshop will provide an overview of the basic components of both brains and coalitions and demonstrate how supporting healthy, growing brains matches supporting healthy community coalitions. James McKenna -- The Critical Role of Parental-Infant Contact, Breastfeeding and Proximity for the Developing Human Primate: Fostering Optimal Infant Brain Growth (repeated in Session V) Speaker: James McKenna, PhD, Director, Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory, University of Notre Dame This workshop will explore the contemporary mismatch between the human infant’s evolved innate biological needs and expectations for more continuous bodily contact with its parents and what more recent cultural micro-environments provide. Examination of human infant biology and parental tendencies, both in an evolutionary and more recent western cultural context will be discussed, and the potential negative consequences of withholding care-giving practices such as co-sleeping and breastfeeding which altogether represent what infants need and who they are. Deborah Waber -- The Developing Brain: How Poverty Shapes Cognition & School Function (repeated in Session IV) Speaker: Deborah Waber, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School/Children's Hospital Description: Why do children living in poverty so consistently perform more poorly than their more economically advantaged peers on tests of cognition and school achievement? This workshop will review findings from contemporary developmental cognitive neuroscience that provide new perspectives on this very troubling and seemingly intractable problem. Participants will have opportunities to learn about these new perspectives and discuss potential implications for educational approaches. Mark Miller -- Reducing Children’s Exposures to Environmental Chemicals Speaker: Mark Miller, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California, San Francisco Description: Utilizing the Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit, a program developed by the Physicians for Social Responsibility in collaboration with the UCSF Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, Dr. Miller will discuss the evidence for health impacts on children of common environmental chemicals and messages that may help families to reduce those exposures. Though developed for clinicians, these visually exciting and simple materials are accessible and useful for the full range of people working with the families of children. Access to the materials as well as a parent’s guide to environmental health resources will be provided. Jon Grant -- The Adolescent Brain and Impulsive Behaviors (repeated in Session V) Speaker: Jon Grant, MD, JD, MPH, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Description: Developmentally, adolescence is a period of increased risk-taking. This risk-taking may be characterized by multiple types of unhealthy behaviors - gambling, stealing, sex, and drug and alcohol use. These behaviors are often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This presentation will discuss the brain development associated with these types of risk-taking behaviors, the clinical features of these behaviors, how adolescent boys and girls differ with respect to risk-taking behaviors, and empirically validated treatments for these behaviors.
KEYNOTE LUNCH 11:50 am – 1:20 pm \| Deborah Waber, PhD "NIH MRI Study on Normal Brain Development: What is It and What Will We Learn from It?" The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Study on Normal Brain Development is a groundbreaking project that will provide a portrait of the structural development of the human brain along with cognitive and behavioral development from birth to early adulthood in a representative sample of U.S. children. This session will provide an overview of the project and examples of some of the early findings.
SESSION IV 1:40 - 3:10 pm Click on workshop names for detailed descriptions.
Deborah Waber -- The Developing Brain: How Poverty Shapes Cognition & School Function (repeated in Session III) Speaker: Deborah Waber, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School/Children's Hospital Description: Why do children living in poverty so consistently perform more poorly than their more economically advantaged peers on tests of cognition and school achievement? This workshop will review findings from contemporary developmental cognitive neuroscience that provide new perspectives on this very troubling and seemingly intractable problem. Participants will have opportunities to learn about these new perspectives and discuss potential implications for educational approaches. Wendy Burgoyne -- Prevention: The Front Line in Addressing Alcohol and Other Drug Use in Pregnancy Speaker: Wendy Burgoyne, H BSc, Health Promotion Consultant, Best Start Resource Centre, Ontario, Canada Description: This presentation will provide an overview of prevention strategies that have been shown to be effective in addressing substance use in pregnancy. Substance use in pregnancy is a complex issue, with deep underlying factors. Comprehensive approaches are needed, including a range of prevention approaches. This workshop will help service providers initiate or expand their toolbox of prevention strategies for substance use in pregnancy. Deborah Padget Coehlo -- Behavior Management Strategies for High Risk Children: The School Age Child Speaker: Deborah Padgett Coehlo, RN, C-PNP, PhD, Assistant Professor, Human Development & Family Sciences Program, Oregon State University Description: This workshop will review evidence-based practices for behavior management of the school-aged child, including common parenting concerns such as aggressive behaviors, attention deficit and impulsivity, self injury, academic failure and poor social and relationship skills. We will discuss common causes of concerning behaviors, complex diagnoses, treatment (including medication considerations), and long-term outcomes. Dennis D. Embry -- Cost-Effective Approaches to Remedying Deficiencies in Essential Brain Nutrients and Behaviors (repeated in Session V) Speaker: Dennis D. Embry, Ph.D., President/CEO, PAXIS Institute Description: Humans have the largest brains proportionately for terrestrial animals, with only some marine mammals approaching this ratio of brain to body mass. This presentation first explores the evolutionary mechanisms of the human brain in terms of essential brain nutrients and behaviors, which were selected for the evolutionary advantage. Then, the presentation shows by powerful epidemiological data that American infants, children and adults are deficient in these essential nutrients and behaviors; these deficiencies are now accounting for the bulk of our public and private expenditures of safety, health and education with profound negative effects on lifespan and social well-being and economic productivity. The final part of the presentation focuses on how these deficiencies can be remedied by low-cost approaches that can be undertaken personally and politically for a positive future for our own children and the future of our communities and country. Eric Martin -- Early Onset Substance Abuse: A Precursor to Chronic Addiction? Speaker: Eric Martin, MA, CADC III, Executive Director, Addiction Counselor Certification Board of Oregon Description: Does early onset substance abuse cause addiction or more entrenched addictive disorders later in life? Join Eric Martin for a 90 minute exploration of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) research regarding the impact of early onset substance abuse, the nature of substance abusing offenders in "the system," and NIDA research efforts to examine the impact of early use on the Orbitofrontal Cortex and Genetic Expression: Chromatin Remodeling. Eric will also tell you about the new Tobacco & Cocaine Vaccines currently under development. Could we simply vaccinate kids for drugs? Kristen Rogers -- Nurse-Family Partnership: The Lifelong Impact of Supporting Attachment and Bonding Speaker: Kristen Rogers, MSW, Program Developer, Northwest Region, Nurse-Family Partnership Description: The Nurse-Family Partnership is an intensive home visiting program for low-income, first-time parents. This session will describe the program and detail the outcomes that have been documented through thirty years of longitudinal research. In particular, the session will focus on how serving parents during pregnancy and in the early years of their child's life can impact the healthy brain development of the child as well as the life courses of both the child and the parent. Raleigh Philp -- ‘Tweens and Teens: Now That I Have a Neocortex…What Do I Do With It? (repeated in Session II) Speaker: Raleigh Philp, MS, MAT, Consultant, Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University and Azusa Pacific University Description: Adolescents are on their way to becoming adults--but not yet there. The concept that Jay Giedd, Paul Thompson, Daniel Weinburger, and other researchers have shown to the public in very recent years suggests that neurological development is an important dimension of understanding our view of adolescents. This session is designed to help educators and other providers understand recent research about adolescent brain development and its implications for risk-taking and decision-making in adolescents. Part of the presentation will draw from recent findings reported in Engaging ‘Tweens and Teens: A Brain-Compatible Approach to Reaching Middle and High School Students written by the presenter. Several chapters, including information on drugs and the adolescent brain, will serve as resources to pose questions that providers need to consider as they work with teenagers.

SESSION V 3:30 - 5:00 Click on workshop names for detailed descriptions.
Jon Grant -- The Adolescent Brain and Impulsive Behaviors (repeated in Session III) Speaker: Jon Grant, MD, JD, MPH, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Description: Developmentally, adolescence is a period of increased risk-taking. This risk-taking may be characterized by multiple types of unhealthy behaviors - gambling, stealing, sex, and drug and alcohol use. These behaviors are often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This presentation will discuss the brain development associated with these types of risk-taking behaviors, the clinical features of these behaviors, how adolescent boys and girls differ with respect to risk-taking behaviors, and empirically validated treatments for these behaviors. James McKenna -- The Critical Role of Parental-Infant Contact, Breastfeeding and Proximity for the Developing Human Primate: Fostering Optimal Infant Brain Growth (repeated in Session III) Speaker: James McKenna, PhD, Director, Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory, University of Notre Dame Description: This workshop will explore the contemporary mismatch between the human infant’s evolved innate biological needs and expectations for more continuous bodily contact with its parents and what more recent cultural micro-environments provide. Examination of human infant biology and parental tendencies, both in an evolutionary and more recent western cultural context will be discussed, and the potential negative consequences of withholding care-giving practices such as co-sleeping and breastfeeding which altogether represent what infants need and who they are. Michael Leeds -- Mindfulness in Counseling and Therapy Speaker: Michael Leeds, PhD, Trainer, Consultant and Psychotherapist Description: There is growing evidence that mindfulness training has beneficial outcomes in the treatment of a variety of psychological and physical ailments. Participants will revisit the concept of memes, review mind/body theory, and reflect upon vitality and skill acquisition. This workshop will clarify the contribution of flow theory to mindfulness skills, describe the goals of mindfulness-based clinical treatment strategies, and develop consideration for a variety of skill development techniques to promote mindfulness. By the end of this workshop, participants will have reviewed techniques that allow clients to learn to be in control of their own mind, instead of letting the mind be in control them. This is accomplished by developing skills in paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally. Wendy Burgoyne -- Supporting Change: Screening for Alcohol and Other Drug Use in Pregnancy Speaker: Wendy Burgoyne, H BSc, Health Promotion Consultant, Best Start Resource Centre, Ontario, Canada Description: Substance use in pregnancy is a serious and complex issue, but service providers can help, starting with effective screening strategies. Screening for alcohol and other drug use is the first step in assisting a pregnant woman to address her substance use. This workshop will increase skills in screening for substance use and in responding to disclosure of substance use in pregnancy. It will provide background information and interactive opportunities that can assist in the development of effective practices in screening for prenatal alcohol and drug use. Dennis D. Embry -- Cost-Effective Approaches to Remedying Deficiencies in Essential Brain Nutrients and Behaviors (repeated in Session IV) Speaker: Dennis D. Embry, PhD, President/CEO, PAXIS Institute Description: Humans have the largest brains proportionately for terrestrial animals, with only some marine mammals approaching this ratio of brain to body mass. This presentation first explores the evolutionary mechanisms of the human brain in terms of essential brain nutrients and behaviors, which were selected for the evolutionary advantage. Then, the presentation shows by powerful epidemiological data that American infants, children and adults are deficient in these essential nutrients and behaviors; these deficiencies are now accounting for the bulk of our public and private expenditures of safety, health and education with profound negative effects on lifespan and social well-being and economic productivity. The final part of the presentation focuses on how these deficiencies can be remedied by low-cost approaches that can be undertaken personally and politically for a positive future for our own children and the future of our communities and country. Susie Dey -- Breaking the Cycles of Child Abuse and Substance Addiction: A New Model for Practitioners Speakers: Willamette Family \| Family Reunion Project Presentation Team Panel Susie Dey, MSW, Development Director, Willamette Family, Inc., Edith Baumgart, Manager, Willamette Family Child Development Center and Family Reunion Project Kelli Burns, CADC II:,Clinical Supervisor of the Women’s Residential Treatment Program and Admissions, Willamette Family, Inc. Eva Williams, Women’s Intensive Outpatient Treatment Counselor at Willamette Family, Inc. Kelli Augustadt, Child Welfare Worker Mary Ellen Riley, RN, Medical Foster Parent, Family Reunion Program, Willamette Family, Inc. Description: Discover an innovative, emerging practice that offers an alternative to foster care for children whose parents are struggling to overcome substance addiction. The convergence of addiction and child abuse is overwhelming child welfare agencies, devastating families, and ultimately leads to a generational pattern that repeats the cycles. The Family Reunion Model developed by Willamette Family, Inc. is effectively reuniting children in foster care with their mothers while she is in residential or intensive outpatient treatment for addiction, utilizing evidence based practices that combine targeted family preservation and reunification services, therapeutic visitation, early childhood development interventions, and intensive parent education. Larry Lombard -- The Use of Medications (on and off label) in Children and Adolescents and Possible Impacts on Addiction and Other Issues Later in Life Speaker: Larry Lombard, BS, BA, CDP, NCAC II, Quality Assurance Manager, Serenity Lane Description: Using the right medications for the right child at the right time and for the right duration can make a positive difference in successful treatment of conditions from ADHD to bi-polar to schizophrenia. Determining the right diagnosis and the right drug regimen and whether it is helping or making the condition more severe is difficult. There is some evidence that proper treatment of ADHD will decrease the likelihood of developing addiction later in life, but that is not clear. Now with the increasing use of various drugs to a whole host of herbal and mega dose vitamin preparations being used (both on and off label) in children, will this increase or decrease addiction later in life? This and other questions will be explored in this workshop.

Friday, October 24

KEYNOTE 8:45 - 10:00 am \| Horacio Sanchez, MEd, MS "It's Not Rocket Science, It Is Brain Science: The Magic of Resiliency" What if mental health, education and substance abuse services could all adopt a paradigm that would help them be more successful in dealing with emotional problems, trauma, addiction, and even barriers that prevent systems change? It’s not rocket science, it is brain science. Advancements in brain science can now unify the understanding of these problems and provide direction of what must be done as an effective course of treatment. Anyone who is struggling with treating or educating those suffering from these mental health related issues should not miss this keynote.
SESSION VI 10:15 - 11:45 am Click on workshop names for detailed descriptions.
Horacio Sanchez -- The Perfect Intervention Speaker: Horacio Sanchez, MEd, MS, President and CEO, Resiliency, Inc. Description: The reward pathway in the human brain is intricately involved in chemical addiction and persistent behavioral problems. Recent advancements in the human brain have revealed that treatment design must impact this region of the brain to enable long-term recovery. Learn how to design the perfect intervention to the human brain in order to produce lasting change. Judy Willis -- Brain-Friendly Teaching Strategies to Build Memory, Focus and Motivation Speaker: Judy Willis, MD, MEd, Neurologist, Educational Consultant and Classroom Teacher Description: We know that brain-research based strategies not only help children with learning and behavioral challenges but are also effective for all students. After reviewing current research about how information is processed by the brain to become knowledge, Dr. Willis will describe the strategies to help children sustain attention, control focus, build strong long-term memories, develop higher-level thinking, practice creative problem solving, and increase motivation and skills for long term goal development and achievement. Dr. Willis's *RAD* strategies will give teachers classroom ready tools to help all students achieve their maximal potential in school and life. Ronald G. Barr -- Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome (Abusive Head Trauma) Through the Period of PURPLE Crying Speaker: Ronald G. Barr, MA, MDCM, FRCPC, Director, Centre for Community Child Health Research; Director, Experience-based Brain & Biological Development Program, Canadian Institute of Advanced Research Description: This workshop will introduce participants to the Period of PURPLE Crying primary community prevention program. It will include: (1) a review of the empirical data supporting the seriousness of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), the new conceptualization of early infant crying as a normal developmental phenomenon, and the data showing the importance of early increased crying as a stimulus for SBS; (2) a description of the development of prevention materials based on this evidence; (3) an overview of the randomized controlled trials showing its efficacy in changing knowledge and behaviors relevant to SBS; and (4) requirements and strategies for implementation in communities and states. Participants are invited to contribute to strategies that would make implementation work in their own community settings. Charlotte Peterson -- Lessons From Around the World: In Search of Positive Parenting Speaker: Charlotte Peterson, PhD, Founder/Director, Oregon Network of Infant Mental Health Description: Early nurturing affects brain development and one’s ability to become intimate and trusting, or fearful and mistrusting, in all future relationships. In this workshop, parenting practices from nonviolent cultures that appear to help children become more able to regulate emotion and creatively problem solve will be examined. Universal nurturing practices that promote attachment between infants and parents will be presented, along with an intimate look at how children are revered and cared for in Balinese and Tibetan villages. Information will be shared about extended family support and governmental assistance in other western countries that help support new families to better nurture their youngsters. Philip A. Fisher -- Intervening Early to Improve Young Foster Children’s Brain Development Speaker: Philip A. Fisher, PhD, Research Scientist, Oregon Social Learning Center Description: In this workshop, information will be presented about the ways in which neglect and maltreatment impact the brain development of children in foster care, and how these alterations may help to explain some of the common behavioral problems commonly seen in foster children (e.g., impulsivity, aggression, anxiety). We will then describe several family-based therapeutic treatment programs that have been specifically designed to improve outcomes for young foster children by targeting the brain-based vulnerabilities in this population. Finally, results will be presented from several ongoing studies documenting positive effects of these treatment programs on both children’s behavior and brain functioning. Kevin Marks -- Developmental, Social-emotional, Autism and Psychosocial Screening: Tools and Practices Speaker: Kevin Marks, MD, Pediatrician, Peace Health Medical Group Description:This presentation will be focused on the most effective and feasible general developmental, social-emotional, language and cognitive-specific, autism-specific, family psychosocial and post-partum mood disorder screening tools for use in a primary care setting. "Best practices" for early childhood surveillance and screening will be reviewed so clinicians can more promptly identify and provide early intervention for children with (and at risk for) developmental and/or behavioral delays or disorders. The presentation will also emphasize the importance of better interlinking clinicians and parents alike with available community resources. The efforts and progress of Oregon's ABCD (Assuring Better Child Health and Development) screening initiative will be shared. The primary directive of the ABCD project is to dramatically improve the developmental-behavioral outcomes of children statewide. Rachel Carnes -- “Look at me, I’m becoming neurologically hardwired!” Learn the Baby Brain Dance! Speaker: Rachel Carnes, B.A., Founder and Executive Director, Sparkplug Dance Description: Enjoy a lively hands-on workshop as we approach the many ways that movement helps baby’s developing brain and how we can use current brain research - in movement, music and social play - to help us to stimulate and nurture our children. This workshop will examine the connection between movement and correlated physical and cognitive skills and explore creative movement activities that focus on the social and emotional intelligence. This offering will be a mixture of dance and discussion so come prepared to move, learn and have fun!
KEYNOTE LUNCH 11:45 am - 1:15 pm Nancy K. Young MSW, PhD "It's Monday Morning, What Do We Do Now? Road Maps to New Destinations" The multiple needs of children and families in the child welfare system affected by substance use disorders require comprehensive services. While there are significant barriers to providing comprehensive services, there are collaborative efforts that have moved beyond these barriers. This keynote will discuss common barriers to collaboration and will review innovative strategies that are emerging across the country to create and sustain an integrated and flexible continuum of care for children and families. At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to describe the barriers that can affect a state’s or community’s ability to provide comprehensive services for children and families, discuss the self-assessment framework and identify areas that may affect collaboration, and discover ways to identify and map funding streams that can be used to develop and sustain comprehensive services.

From the 2007 Healthy Brain Development Conference:
Best conference in 23 years!
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