SAP Professional Development Day 2025

The Council on Chemical Abuse & Caron Treatment Centers invite you to register for Berks County Professional Development Day For Student Assistance Professionals

Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 8:00 am. – 3:15 pm
Berks County Intermediate Unit
Check-in begins at 7:30 am

Registration opens April 1, 2025
SAP Award Nominations due May 2, 2025
Act 48 credits available to all participants who complete the survey after the final session.

The Council on Chemical Abuse and Caron Treatment Centers invite you to register for a full day of training focusing on topics related to K-12 SAP teams. This event will be held in-person at the Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU). Lunch will be provided. We will also recognize schools, teams, and individuals during the Berks’ SAP Awards Presentation. This event is offered at no cost, thanks to the Council on Chemical Abuse, Berks County Intermediate Unit and Caron Treatment Centers.

CLICK FOR FULL 2025 SAP Professional Development Day Agenda

Workshops & Presenters

Keynote – Relationships First, Everything Else Second:
Presenter: Amy Moritz, M.Ed, Education and Outreach Program Manager, Office of Public Engagement, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
In this keynote, we will explore the power of connection and its impact on human development – how even the smallest of moments that show genuine regard can be magically restorative and can change the trajectory of students’ lives.

Workshop – Cultivating Student Belonging and Engagement:
Presenters: Amy Moritz, M.Ed, Education and Outreach Program Manager & Michelle Gwinn Nutter, M.Ed., Director, Office of Public Engagement, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
This workshop takes a deeper dive into the science of learning and development introduced in the keynote address. Participants in this workshop will explore the ways in which we can cultivate meaningful relationships, honor students’ dignity and uniqueness, increase their sense of belonging, and ultimately maximize motivation and engagement in the learning process.
Workshop – Navigating Trauma: Practical Approaches to Supporting Students.
Presenters: Jessica Schoonmaker, DSW, LCSW, School Social Worker, Reading High School & Jennifer Hoffa, LSW, MAEd Certified School Social Worker Governor Mifflin School District (grades 5-8)
This session is designed to increase knowledge and awareness about trauma-informed practices in the school setting so that any school staff member who encounters a student (or colleague) who is struggling is better prepared to support this individual in an empathetic and non-retraumatizing manner.

Workshop – Using SAP Best Practices to Make a Difference

Presenter: Christine B. Joy, Ph.D, Regional Coordinator from the PA Network for Student Assistance Services
This session, developed by the Pennsylvania Network for Student Assistance Services (PNSAS), offers a practical walkthrough of SAP best practices organized by each phase of the SAP process: referral, data collection, action planning, and follow-up.

Facilitators
Teresa M. Tieman Detweiler, MA, Certified Prevention Specialist, Council on Chemical Abuse

Jennifer Moyer, Education Alliance Operations Coordinator, Caron Treatment Centers

NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR A JOE LAUGINIGER SAP AWARD

Nominations due May 2, 2025

Do you know a SAP team, individual or group that should be celebrated for their work in SAP? It’s never too early to nominate someone for a Joe Lauginiger – Berks County SAP Award!
Nominations are now open for these awards:

Creativity Award: This award recognizes a school group or program that promotes prevention initiatives and/or highlights Student Assistance Program values such as healthy coping skills, positive health choices, behavioral health support promotion in a new and exciting manner.
Celebrated SAP Team Award: This award highlights a SAP team that has made great strides in improving their SAP process, educating their faculty and community about SAP or generally helping more students through their Student Assistance Program.
SAP Supporter Award: This honor recognizes an individual who has made a significant impact on SAP programming in their school or the Berks County community. This person supports the healthy development of children, access to behavioral health services, and prevention initiatives.