We have exciting news regarding the MTSS for Student Success conference being held October 27-29 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. We can now offer the conference at no cost to attendees!
MTSS for Student Success: Sustainable Systems for Connecting School Communities
October 27-29th, 2026
We’re excited to share that planning for our upcoming conference is underway. While final details are still being confirmed, we want to let you know that another gathering focused on connection, learning, and meaningful dialogue is on the horizon.
Follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn for announcements and more details as they become available.
Programming and Meals
Pre-Conference
- Tuesday, October 27th from 7:30-4:00
- Two half-day sessions:
A: Mind Full or Mindful? Flexible Living in a Stressed-Out World
B: The Guide: Strengthening Mental Health Literacy to Promote Student Success
- Lunch is included
Conference
- Wednesday, October 28th from 7:30-4:00
- Thursday, October 29th from 7:30-3:15
- Your registration includes two keynotes and four strands with over 20 sessions to choose from. You’ll also enjoy our expert panel discussion, Wellness Haven, and our New Wellness Walkabout Resource Fair!
- Our 2026 strands are:
Restoration: Wellness Practices That Reconnect Us
Hope: Lived Experience to Guide Our Work
Insight: Research and Practices that Strengthen Connection
Design: Sustainable Systems for Connection and Hope
- Breakfast and Lunch are included both days
MTSS for Student Success: Pathways to Integrated School Mental Wellness
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Preconference
| 7:30-8:30 | Registration | |
| 8:30-11:30 | Session A - Room 106 Mind Full or Mindful? Flexible Living in a Stressed-Out World |
Session B - Room 108 The Guide: Strengthening Mental Health Literacy to Promote Student Success |
| 11:30-11:45 | Transition | |
| 11:45-12:45 | Lunch | |
| 12:45-1:00 | Transition | |
| 1:00-4:00 | Session A - Room 106 Mind Full or Mindful? Flexible Living in a Stressed-Out World |
Session B - Room 108 The Guide: Strengthening Mental Health Literacy to Promote Student Success |
Day One - October 28th
| 7:30-8:30 | Registration and Breakfast Day One | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30-9:00 | Welcome: Dr. Erin Sturgis | |||
| 9:00 -10:00 |
Keynote: Michelle Trujillo Cultivating Connections: Supporting the School Community through Renewing our Why, Revitalizing Relationships, and Being Restorative |
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| 10:00 -10:15 | Transition to Sessions | |||
| TIME and SESSION |
Restoration: Wellness Practices That Reconnect Us |
Hope: Lived Experience to Guide our Work Room 103 |
Insight: Research and Practices that Strengthen Connection Room 106 |
Design: Sustainable Systems for Connection and Hope |
| Session 1 10:15-11:45 (90 Minutes) |
Drawn Together: Creative Strategies for Building Trust and Connection |
Tiered Engagement With Families Dr. Kelly Henderson, Formed Families Forward Dr. Kris Herakovish-Curtis, VTSS RIC Alexis Miller, MSW Henrico County Public Schools Mac McArthur-Fox, Radford University T/TAC |
More Than a Seat: Fostering Belonging In Your Classroom |
Who’s Driving This Car? Navigating the Path to Authentic Empowerment for Students and Staff |
| 11:45-12:00 |
Transition to Lunch |
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| 12:00-1:30 (Panel 12:30-1:30) |
Lunch and Expert Panel |
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| 1:30-1:45 | Transition to Sessions | |||
| Session 2 1:45 - 2:45 (60 Minutes) |
Creative Pathways to Wellness: Guided Journaling and Art-Based Practices |
Bridging the Divide: Linking Community Mental Health Support with Public Education |
Supporting Mental Health Through Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Dr. Kim Dupre, VTSS-RIC Dr. David Naff Martinique Sealy Mitchell Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium, Virginia Commonwealth University |
Services for All Students Supported by AI: Tiers I-III Mental Health Supports for K-12 Schools |
| 2:45-3:00 | Break | |||
| Session 3 2:45 - 4:15 (90 minutes) |
The Back to Zero Framework: Building Emotionally Aware Spaces Where Joy Grows Dr. Joy, Joy Work EDU |
This Changes Everything! Real Stories of I’m Determined in Action |
Learning Together: Integrating the Arts into Teaching and Learning |
Systems to Support Youth in the Foster Care System |
Day Two - October 29th
| 7:30-8:30 | Registration and Breakfast Day Two | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30-8:45 | Welcome: Dr. Jodie Soracco | |||
| 8:45 -9:45 | Keynote:Clementina José, LMSW Praised but Not Seen: Creating Protective Spaces for the Humans Behind the Achievement |
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| 9:45-10:00 | Transition to Sessions | |||
| TIME and SESSION |
Restoration: Wellness Practices That Reconnect Us |
Hope: Lived Experience to Guide our Work Room 103 |
Insight: Research and Practices that Strengthen Connection Room 106 |
Design: Sustainable Systems for Connection and Hope |
| Session 4 10:00-11:15 (75 Minutes) |
Screenagers: Generation AI |
Hidden in Plain Sight: What Young People Want Us to See and What We Might Be Missing |
Cycling Improvement in Systems of Support Betty Mayer Prince William County Public Schools, Sue Dahnyel Loudon County Public Schools |
Cultivating Behavioral Success: Sowing Change, Harvesting Growth Cynthia Devers |
|
11:15-11:30 |
Transition to Lunch | |||
|
11:30 - 12:30 |
Lunch and Wellness Walkabout | |||
| 12:30-12:45 | Transition to Sessions | |||
| Session 5 12:45 - 1:45 (60 Minutes) |
Children, Screens, and Well-Being |
"MOVE"ing Towards Health Partnerships: Youth and Family Member Panel |
An Ecological Approach to Supporting Student Mental Health |
Rise, Reflect, Respond: |
| 1:45-2:00 | Break | |||
| Session 6 2:00-3030 (60 minutes) |
No Session |
Henrico CARES: Supporting the Mental Health and Wellness of Henrico's Youth and Families |
The Ripple Effect of Co-Regulation: Practices That Promote Safety, Connection, and Well-Being |
The Invisible Struggle: Seeing and Supporting Students with Internalizing Needs |
| 3:00-3:15 |
Pick Up Certificates |
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