Conference begins at 8:30 with Champion for Children Awards
Keynote : Dr. Charisse Nixon: Charisse Nixon, Ph.D., serves as a Full Professor of Psychology at Penn State Behrend. She also serves as the Associate Director for the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Community Outreach, Research, and Evaluation—a Center dedicated to promoting and sustaining positive communities for youth. She trains educators in the areas of resilience, adolescent development, and bullying prevention throughout the United States. Her programs offer a unique integration of empirical research and practical strategies to help educators, mental health professionals, and caring adults create environments that optimize developmental outcomes for children and adolescents. She has recently written a Penn State course focused on the science of resilience. Her most current research focuses on the effectiveness of preventive interventions to promote students’ protective factors and reduce peer mistreatment in the school setting. Building students’ resilience through effective mentoring practices is a core tenet of Dr. Nixon’s work. Charisse has a heart for young people–for young people to actually thrive and not just survive.
Keynote Presentation Title:
Building resilience: The Importance of the Lens
Description:
This presentation addresses the pressing mental health needs of today’s youth and underscores the importance of cultivating a strength-based culture that promotes students’ well-being. Grounded in current research, the keynote highlights evidence-based strategies for fostering and sustaining a resilient mindset by strengthening supportive relationships and recognizing the developmental challenges young people face—especially those shaped by the adolescent brain. The role of growth, gratitude, and hope as core psychological drivers of resilient behavior, are emphasized throughout.
1st Breakout Options YOU WILL CHOOSE ONE WHEN YOU REGISTER
OPTION ONE: Keely Frye:
Presentation Title: Trauma & Cultural Informed Care
Description: As an advocate for victims of crime at the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Survivor Outreach Services program for 12 years I have had the opportunity to learn from elders who are wonderful cultural resources. The Tribe's connection to the land, their language and seven generations of ancestors remind us that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves. This knowledge is key to healing from past trauma, honoring resiliency and a path towards hope.
OPTION TWO:
Presenters: Sarah Holzschu & Megan King
Presentation Title: Building Resilient Communities: Addressing Child Abuse and Neglect in Northern Michigan
Description: This interactive presentation will explore best practices in Child Abuse Prevention and Education, with a focus on Trauma-Informed Care and Multidisciplinary collaboration. Participants will gain insight into the vital role of the Children's Advocacy Center and how coordinated team responses improve outcomes for child survivors and their families. The session will also highlight practical resources and tools that attendees can use to support healing, advocacy, and long-term stability for children impacted by abuse.
---------------LUNCH BREAK----------
2nd Breakout Options YOU WILL CHOOSE ONE WHEN YOU REGISTER
OPTION ONE:
Presenters: D. Scott Kelly MA, CAADC, MAC, CCS, and Leah Mayotte MA, CAADC, MAC, CCS
Presentation Title: Presentation Title: Understanding and Breaking the Childhood Trauma Cycle and Paths to Healing
Description: This presentation examines how children cope within dysfunctional families, including the roles they take on and the mistaken beliefs they form. It introduces key concepts from Patrick Carnes’ Addiction System, and the codependent and counter-dependent styles identified by Terry Gorski and Claudia Black. Participants will explore what healthy functioning looks like, how childhood trauma affects the brain and practical ways to heal and break generational trauma cycles.
OPTION TWO: Charisse Nixon Ph.D.
Presentation Title:
Description: This one-hour session will highlight the role of peer abuse (bullying), including but not limited to conceptualizing peer abuse as an ACE, the role of peer mistreatment underlying mental health issues, as well as how to break the cycle of bullies/victims. The role of empathy will be highlighted throughout.
Plenary: Matt Hamilton and the Shoe Club
Presentation Title:
Presentation Description: The Shoe Club is a student leadership program that inspires kids to value themselves and others by “walking a mile in someone else’s shoes.” During this presentation, we share how students engage in meaningful activities that build empathy, character, and community impact, from service projects and school initiatives to meeting inspiring role models and exploring real-life leadership lessons.
Through stories, shoes, and shared experiences, we show how Shoe Club empowers young people to find their voice, make a difference, and believe that who they are matters. Our community plays a vital role in this mission - proving that when individuals invest in kids, they help shape a more compassionate and resilient society. Together, we celebrate the unique value of every student and remind them that they already have the power to inspire themselves and others.
Conference wrap-up ending at 2:45pm
PARTICPANTS MUST COMPLETE AN EVALUATION.
Social Work CE: This training/event has been approved by the NASW-Michigan Chapter for 4.5 synchronous General social work CEs: Approval Number 20260417-CA-CAPE.
Limited number of scholarships available to parents/caregivers for attendance. If you need to request a scholarship, please email Lisa at director@CAPEace.org. No CE will be provided with scholarship registrations.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THIS CONFERENCE:
We are honored to have received Grant Support to help provide our 2026 CAPE Conference on April 17th!
Please join in thanking these generous contributors from:
Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation $5,000.00 Grant Support From: Fund for the Community, $2,690; Healthy Community Fund, $1,310; Ted and Brenda Frey Donor Advised Fund, $500; Jason and Maggie Kromm Fund, $500;
St. John's Episcopal Church of Harbor Springs; $4,500
Charlevoix County Community Foundation $3500 Boyne Mountain Fund for Youth, the Cliff and Beth Bye Fund for Youth, the Bob and Gay Pung Fund for Youth, the Towsley Fund for Youth, the Tunison-Garlock Fund for Youth, and the Youth Fund. Various donor advised funds.
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation $2000.00 Grant support from: Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation $500, donor advised fund Bishop Fund of Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation $1500.
We have received confirmation of in-kind support for CE from Munson Healthcare, Charlevoix-Emmet ISD, Great Start to Quality Northwest Resource Center.
These supporting agencies help us to make this important community event possible!
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