With all the stress and trauma facing youth these days, it’s more important than ever to provide support early, before serious problems develop. Join us to hear about innovative prevention programs being offered in Manatee County schools. Student, family and school perspectives will be offered on how these programs can help. Featured Speakers: Jessica Kruger is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who currently serves as Centerstone’s Manager of School Based, Prevention, and Intervention Programs. Anthony Longo is a senior at Palmetto High School, where he serves in many different clubs at societies. Anthony has grown in confidence as an educator and leader. As part of this he volunteered to deliver the ReNEW program at his school, educating struggling freshmen and sophomores on how to handle toxic stress and anxiety through understanding how the brain functions and what we can do to heal and care for ourselves mentally and physiologically. Valerie Green has been with Healthy Teens since September of 2021. Her core belief is that relationship-building is fundamental in every aspect of life. Ally Bergmann is the Executive Director of North River Prevention Partners, a nonprofit dedicated to creating community partnerships to implement universal substance abuse prevention strategies to promote the health and safety of individuals across the lifespan, especially among youth. Ally understands the devastation of substance abuse and addiction first-hand, becoming a champion for prevention while working as a substance abuse counselor. Sara Sanders is the Mental Health Coordinator and Lead School Psychologist for the School District of Manatee, where she has served for almost 20 years after graduating from Southeast High School and the University of Central Florida. As part of the School District's ESE Department, Sara supports students, teachers, professional support staff, and parents in creating the best possible learning experiences for our students in ways that care for their physical, emotional and mental well-being.

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