June 24 Rooted in Belonging Conference

  • Posted May 29, 2026
June 24 Rooted in Belonging Conference

Rooted in Belonging: Cultivating Resilient Schools & Minds

Mendocino County educators, counselors, and youth-serving professionals are invited to come together for Rooted in Belonging: Cultivating Resilient Schools & Minds, a two-day conference focused on supporting the whole student.

Taking place in Redwood Valley, interior Mendocino County June 24, 2026, this event is designed to create a collaborative space where participants can share practical strategies and real-world approaches to the challenges young people are facing today.

The conference centers on three key areas:

  • Student belonging and engagement
  • Mental health and wellness
  • Suicide prevention and connectedness
  • Resilient school communities
  • Practical strategies and collaborative learning

Participants can expect meaningful conversations, actionable ideas, and opportunities to connect with others working to strengthen school communities across the region.

REGISTER HERE

Keynote Speaker: Stan Collins

Stan Collins is a nationally recognized suicide prevention advocate and workshop presenter who has presented to more than half a million people on topics related to suicide prevention and mental health. Through his work, Collins has planned and coordinated strategic efforts focused on system-level change and has served on committees for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Suicide Prevention Resource Center related to suicide loss survivors.

Collins is the co-founder of Youth Creating Change, an organization that uses arts and film projects to educate youth about mental health and suicide prevention. He also serves as a member of the California Department of Education’s Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup. During the conference, Collins will deliver a keynote presentation and lead multiple workshops focused on suicide prevention, connectedness, and creating supportive school environments.

Breakout Session Highlights

Stan Collins Messaging Matters, Principles of Effective Communication for Suicide Prevention Maggie Steele Cultural Leadership and the heART of Wellness Amanda Pantaleon, LMFT & Vivianna Morfin, ASW The Intersectionality of Trauma, Mental Health & Culture: Understanding First-Gen Mental Health Within BIPOC Communities Stan Collins Planning for Living: Means Safety for Suicide Prevention Martha Lopez C.A.F.E.: Building Bridges for Community and Family Engagement Townley Saye & Bonnie Boek Mission: Possible – Using the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) to Build Safe, Connected Learning Environments Kaye-Lor Cruzado, Ph.D. Unlock the Power Within: Rewiring Engagement, Resilience, Wellbeing, and Belonging in K–12 – Backed by Research, Built for Reality

Stan Collins Messaging Matters, Principles of Effective Communication for Suicide Prevention Maggie Steele Cultural Leadership and the heART of Wellness Amanda Pantaleon, LMFT & Vivianna Morfin, ASW The Intersectionality of Trauma, Mental Health & Culture: Understanding First-Gen Mental Health Within BIPOC Communities Stan Collins Planning for Living: Means Safety for Suicide Prevention Martha Lopez C.A.F.E.: Building Bridges for Community and Family Engagement Townley Saye & Bonnie Boek Mission: Possible – Using the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) to Build Safe, Connected Learning Environments Kaye-Lor Cruzado, Ph.D. Unlock the Power Within: Rewiring Engagement, Resilience, Wellbeing, and Belonging in K–12 – Backed by Research, Built for Reality

Conference Details

• Wednesday, June 24, 2026
• 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Coyote Valley Wyndham Garden, Redwood Valley
• Free registration
• Continuing education units available

REGISTER HERE

Questions? Please contact Amanda Pantaleon, (707) 467-5145.