Tovah Klein  (View Bio)

Resilience Starts with Us: Who I Am Impacts What I Do

 

We bring our full selves to work with families. How we show up guides what we do and how available we are to genuinely connect.  Working with families that face a range of stresses and traumas brings meaning and challenges.  

 

This presentation will cover what it means to be aware of who we are - emotions, state of mind, what we bring from our past and how we are doing in the present, the role of shame and vulnerability- and how we are impacted by families we work with. We will define resilience and its importance in a world filled with uncertainty, discuss how to increase self-understanding as a step to taking care of ourselves, and learn hands-on methods for handling challenging moments and staying grounded when working with families. 

  

Debbie Farr  (View Bio)

Navigating the Negatives: Using H.A.L. F. to Build Resilience

 

In anything we do, we hit bumps in our road, whether that’s in ourselves, our jobs, or our families.  The parents we work with experience bumps too- sometimes big ones.  Understanding ourselves and the tenets of positive communication dovetail with lesser-practiced strategies for resilience - Humor, Amusement, Laughter, and Fun – H.A.L.F.! 

 

As humans, we have the unique ability to choose our outlook.  This isn’t about seeing the world through rose-colored glasses, but about learning how to navigate those inevitable negatives through strategies such as reframing, nature, humor, the arts, etc.  Through discussion and activities, learn new skills to use for yourself and the families you work with that can lead to resilience.  And yes – we’ll have a bit of fun along the way so you can go home feeling H.A.L.F. more resilient!

 

Nancy Nybergh  (View Bio)

Split Happens: Core Principles That Help Families Build Resilience As They Navigate Divorce/Separation

 

Divorce and separation can be an overwhelming emotional journey, bringing up feelings of grief, fear, anger, guilt, and trauma for both parents and children. These intense emotions can cloud judgment, leading to reactions that unintentionally harm the very children parents are striving to protect. Parents may also face a shift in their financial situation and, in many cases, the added stress of navigating the court system.

 

In response to these challenges, New York State developed a parent education program in 2006 to help parents who are divorcing or separating better understand and manage their emotional reactions. In this session, we’ll explore the program’s proven strategies that help parents address the emotional and logistical difficulties they face. By examining the core principles of communication, conflict resolution, and emotional management, participants will hone tools to help clients reduce conflict, keep children out of the middle of struggles, and prioritize the well-being of children.

 

Q&A Panel

 

Moderator: Kimberly Kopko  (View Bio)

Panelists:  Tovah, Nancy, Debbie

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Associate Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension

Director, The Parenting Project: Healthy Children, Families & Communities

 

Kimberly Kopko received her Ph.D. in Child Development from the Department of Human Development at Cornell University and joined the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research (BCTR) in the College of Human Ecology.  Her research and Extension work examines child development and parenting and family processes.  Current research and outreach projects include: parenting and youth development, parenting and child learning, and the use of research and evidence-based parent education programs to promote positive parenting and strengthen families. Ongoing academic and research interests include the development of portable parenting models and global early childhood education and care.