1A.  Creating Safe, Empowered Spaces After School with the Choose Love Formula™, Scarlett Lewis, Founder, The Choose Love Movement – Transform your after-school program into a sanctuary where every student thrives, heals, and discovers their power to choose love over fear. Join Scarlett Lewis, founder of the global Choose Love Movement, as she unveils the groundbreaking Choose Love Formula™ and Choice Moment Model—neuroscience-backed tools that turn emotional chaos into connection and belonging. This isn’t just another workshop—it’s your blueprint for creating the peaceful, resilient classrooms you’ve always envisioned. Learn how to teach students to pause in their most challenging moments, transform reactive behavior into thoughtful responses, and build the emotional intelligence that changes lives. Walk away with actionable strategies that will revolutionize how your students navigate trauma, stress, and conflict—because when love leads, everything changes. Social Emotional Learning, Early Elementary, Older Elementary, Middle School, High School

1B.  From Chaos to Calm: Mastering Behavior with Confidence, Keysha Evans, CT’s Paraprofessional of the Year – This dynamic workshop equips staff with practical strategies to confidently manage challenging behaviors in before- and after-school settings. Participants will explore real-life scenarios, proactive approaches, and de-escalation techniques that promote positive outcomes and stronger student relationships. Together, we’ll shift the mindset from reactive to responsive—empowering educators to create structured, supportive environments where all children can thrive. Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned pro, this session will leave you feeling prepared, encouraged, and in control. Diversity Equity Inclusion, Behavior Management, Special Needs/Inclusion, Supervision/Management, Youth Voice and Choice, Early Elementary, Older Elementary, Middle School

1C.  Hands-On Learning: Why Screen-Free Time Matters for Kids, Caroline Fazzina, Keane Kids Afterschool Enrichment Program and Keane Hands-on Learning – In an increasingly digital world, children are spending more time on screens than ever before. But what are they missing when the devices are turned on – and what can they gain when they’re turned off? This session explores the critical role that screen-free time plays in childhood development, including its impact on creativity, problem-solving, social skills, and emotional regulation. Participants will learn about the research-backed benefits of unplugged play and hands-on learning experiences, and leave with a toolkit of fun, practical, and enriching screen-free activities. Attendees will also have the chance to try out several of these activities during the session. Play based Learning, Early Elementary School, Older Elementary School

1D.  Secrets for Winning Teams, Tracy Cheney, Three Cheers Consulting with TLC – Communicating both effectively and efficiently (they are not the same!) is imperative for being a good leader. Appropriate communication is also an excellent way to build and sustain a team atmosphere. This training will examine what gets in the way of effective communication and strategies to implement to get the team back on track. Supervision/Management, Afterschool Leaders, Early Elementary School

1E.  Ready, Set, STEM! Resource-Rich Strategies for Educators, Shannon Moss, Robotics and Beyond – STEM learning doesn’t have to be in a science lab, and it doesn’t have to be taught by a scientist. It can be integrated into everything educators do. In this hands-on session, you’ll explore STEM strategies, discover easy-to-implement activities, and gain access to a wide variety of free and low-cost resources that make STEM fun and accessible for young learners. Most importantly, educators will leave with digital resources and give the confidence and tools to spark curiosity with meaningful STEM learning. While this workshop is especially helpful for non-STEM educators, it also offers fresh ideas and updated resources for experienced STEM teachers looking to recharge their practice. STEM, Afterschool Leaders, Play-based Learning, Early Elementary School, Older Elementary School, Middle School

1F.  Optimized Partnership: Supporting Schools Through High-Impact SEL Practices, Julie Goldstein, LCSW, EdD and Steve Boyle, 2-4-1 Care – Out-of-school-time experts, school administrators and teachers, and researchers agree that after-school programs support student success while supporting families through high-quality enrichment opportunities. Did you know that through intentional social-emotional learning activities and approaches, your program has the power to add to support children’s social-emotional development and add value to your school communities? In this interactive workshop, join leaders from 2-4-1 CARE to learn more about: social-emotional learning and child development, 2-4-1’s play-based, research-backed TOP Self approach, and how you can apply this information and the tools within your valuable and important role as an after-school provider. Participants will be provided with practical, easy-to-use activities and practices to take back to your program and help make a difference for kids and their school. Social Emotional Learning, Afterschool Leaders, Play-based Learning, Youth Voice and Choice, Early Elementary School, Older Elementary School, Middle School

2A.  NBA Math Hoops – Creating the Next Math Champion, Angeline Kamara, Learn Fresh – NBA Math Hoops leverages the game of basketball and the NBA/WNBA brands to build fundamental math skills through a physical and digital basketball-themed board game, a curriculum, and a community program experience. Designed for students in grades 4-8, this free program develops students’ algebra readiness prior to entering high school, while strengthening important skills including self-regulation and executive function. The NBA Math Hoops program is implemented in in-school, out-of-school, and home learning environments. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), Social Emotional Learning, Play-based Learning, Older Elementary School, Middle School

2B.  Leading OST Staff, Nichelle Harris, Ten Speed Consulting, LLC – New to managing teams of adults? Empower your staff leadership through this workshop focused on effectively leading teams of adults. Discuss proven strategies for understanding, addressing, and positively influencing staff behaviors. Gain insights into recognizing and addressing potential challenges, creating a harmonious and productive team environment. Discover techniques to provide constructive feedback, inspire accountability, and nurture professional growth among your staff. Supervision/Management, Afterschool Leaders, Early Elementary, Older Elementary, Middle School, High School

2C.  Narrative 4: Storytelling as a Tool for SEL and Youth Empowerment, Jen McCool, Narrative 4 – Join us for an interactive workshop where you’ll discover the transformative power of storytelling through the innovative Narrative 4 program. This session will include engaging activities based on our Essential Principles of curiosity, imagination, deep listening, and positive action that educators can take back to their students as well as a deep dive into our core methodology, the Story Exchange. The Story Exchange, backed by research, breaks down barriers and develops empathy, connection, self-awareness, and other SEL skills in young people, empowering them to make their voices heard. Participants will be asked to share a brief, personal story as part of the workshop. Social Emotional Learning, Youth Voice and Choice, Early Elementary, Older Elementary, Middle School, High School

2D.  Fun and Games for a Sustainable World, Lesleigh Drake & Derrick Vernier, Nature’s Classroom – Discover interdisciplinary, hands-on activities that foster environmental awareness among students while building skills in STEM, literacy, and geography. Participate in games, role-playing, and problem-solving challenges that help students explore their connection to the environment. Activities address natural resource use, population trends, wildlife habitat, fresh water and our changing climate. The presented activities work with a variety of learning styles and build skills in communication and cooperation. STEM, Take It and Run, Older Elementary School

2E.   Engaging Students 101: Strategies to Keep Students Engaged, Tiana Brown, Norwalk Housing Authority – Discover simple strategies for staff to create and engage students in high-quality project learning activities. You will learn ten ideas that you can start practicing today to help you create more moments of flow and better connections with your participants. Take It and Run, Afterschool Leaders, Youth Voice and Choice, Early Elementary, Older Elementary, Middle School, High School

2F. Building Communication Skills for Resolving Conflicts, Amanda Amtmanis, Middletown Public Schools – Since the arrival of Smartphones, in-person interactions have declined.  This has limited children’s opportunities for developing communication skills.  One way that this issue reveals itself is through conflicts and an inability to resolve them.  This session explores the ways that communication is integral to the process of resolving conflicts and introduces games and activities to help children develop their communication skills. Behavior Management, Social Emotional Learning, Take It and Run (participants will leave with easy-to-use plans/activities), Play-based Learning, Early Elementary School, Older Elementary School

3A. Skill Progressions for SEL in Active Play, Amanda Amtmanis, Middletown Public Schools – T-ball and training wheels are examples of the concept of skills progressions in action for developing motor skills.  If a child is lacking the skills to do something, a skillful teacher or coach will break it down in a way that is manageable to help them progress.  In this session, we will be applying this concept to the development of social and emotional competencies through active play.  Come prepared to move and walk away with an increased understanding of skill progressions, as well as some new active games to add to your collection. Diversity Equity Inclusion, Behavior Management, Special Needs/Inclusion, Social Emotional Learning, Active/Nutrition, Play-based Learning, Early Elementary School, Older Elementary School

3B.  Engaging STEM Activities 2025!, 2025 CTNCY STEM CLASP Cohort – Are you always on the lookout for fun activities that you can take back to your program and run with tomorrow? What if we told you we have a whole week’s worth of activities for you? What if we told you it comes with the supplies you need to do these activities, that it wouldn’t be expensive to replace so you could do them again without a big supply order? What if those activities were also hands-on, minds-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) focused activities that don’t require a fancy technical STEM background? What if those activities had been tested and tweaked for effectiveness and FUN to work with kids in OST already? What if you could try out these activities, ask questions and feel confident about it today? Did I mention that at the end you’d get the supplies (free) to do this with your program at least once? Join us for an all-new CLASP STEM 2025 presentation led by current participants (your in-the-field peers) in the Network’s 2025 CLASP STEM cohort! STEM, Take It and Run, Early Elementary School, Older Elementary School

3C.  An Introduction to HOPE: Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences, Samantha Forbes, MA, Amplify Inc –Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) is a strengths-based framework for understanding how positive experiences (PCEs) in childhood lay the foundation for healthy development even in the face of adversity. In this workshop, participants will explore the core PCEs and the four building blocks of HOPE, gaining practical strategies for how they can foster these experiences in the classroom and beyond. Behavior Management, Social Emotional Learning, Afterschool Leaders, Early Elementary, Older Elementary, Middle School, High School

3D.  Change the Voltage (Conflict Resolution), Nichelle Harris, Ten Speed Consulting, LLC – Conflict is a natural part of life, but how can we create a plan to positively resolve conflict with others we work with or supervise? In this workshop we will look at techniques to ensure our OST program is a safe place where we communicate effectively with others. Leaders will learn strategies to have tough conversations and create paths for resolution of ongoing, uncomfortable situations.  Afterschool Leaders, Supervision/Management, Early Elementary, Older Elementary, Middle School, High School

3E. Bite-Sized Program Quality Improvement, Dr. Ken Anthony, CTNCY – Engaging staff in program quality improvement efforts doesn’t have to send them running the other way. When we think about improving something it usually means work. Approaching quality in bite sized pieces allows program staff to engage and gain confidence in specific areas. The Connecticut Network for Children and Youth’s Afterschool Quality Improvement Suite (CT-ASQuIS), includes the newly updated Quality Standards and Guidelines (CT-QSAG), Quality Self-Assessment Tool (CT-QSAT), the Drive to Quality Campaign, and accompanying resources offers programs a low-stakes resource that help get quality improvement efforts moving. Join our session and get your journey started. Afterschool Leaders, Supervision/Management, Early Elementary, Older Elementary, Middle School, High School

3F. How to Talk so Kids Will Listen & And Listen So Kids Will Talk, Melissa Ault – Based on the classic work by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish this workshop teaches adults how to communicate with kids of all ages. Teaching us to talk less and more effectively and listen better, this workshop promises to make real changes in all of your relationships. Participants will learn specific techniques as well as the philosophy behind this empowering approach to communication. Social Emotional Learning, Afterschool Leaders, Early Elementary, Older Elementary, Middle School