Public Consulting Group (PCG)

As education agencies across the country implement plans to support and re-engage students, families, and schools amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Public Consulting Group (PCG) is proud to offer integrated solutions that empower districts to meet the diverse needs—both basic and complex—of their learning communities. Guided by our strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we work closely with our education partners to promote successful outcomes for all students.

Click to learn more at:

• publicconsultinggroup.com/education

Mizzen Education

Our name, Mizzen, is all about working “at the middle” to connect educators with high-quality content, quality with equity, and passion with innovation. It stands for our unwavering commitment to foster stronger connections within the out-of-school time community.

As an independent nonprofit, our trusted Mizzen platform remains the same, but stay tuned for a whole new chapter of creative possibilities and collaborative learning adventures!

Connection also is at the heart of our rebranding. Let’s inspire a brighter future in education, together!

Click to learn more at:

• mizzen.org

• Become an Afterschool Hero

Interested sponsors should contact NJSACC via email here.

Conference Fees:

• $319 / 2 days

• $199 / 1 day

The conference fee includes conference materials, continental breakfast, lunch and break stations throughout the day.

NOTE: As part of our annual conference planning process, NJSACC regularly requests a waiver on the prohibition of in-State overnight travel that applies to school district staff. This allows principals or other school district staff to stay overnight. The waiver for NJSACC’s 2024 conference is forthcoming.

Conference Location and Accommodations:

The Marriott Princeton Hotel and Conference Center at Forrestal
100 College Road East, Princeton, NJ 08540

Room Reservations:

• Room Rates: $149 per night (single) / $159 per night (double)
• Reservations must be made by individual attendees directly with Marriott reservations at (800) 228-9290 or (609) 452-7800.
• When you call make sure to mention the NJSACC Conference and the dates of the conference in order to receive the conference rate.
• Click here to make your room reservations online.
• Room reservations must be made on or before Friday, April 12, 2024.

While we at NJSACC love children and they are a driving force behind the work we do, children may not attend the conference. The conference is a professional development opportunity for adults, and as such, we respectfully request that you take this time to focus on you. If you do bring children, we must insist that you make other arrangements during conference hours. Children will not be permitted in the lunch area or in the workshops.

This conference is funded in part by the:

• NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development as part of a Federal CCDF Block Grant Earmark federal funds under Every Student Succeeds Act, Title IV, Part B, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, through a grant agreement with the New Jersey Department of Education.

For questions, please contact Jessica Heiberg, Director of Program Services, at: jessicaheiberg@njsacc.org and 908-789-0259

FRIDAY: 8:00AM – 8:45AM > APRIL 26, 2024

Registration and Continental Breakfast Begins

Friday: 8:45am – 9:45am

Welcome and Opening Session

Daniel Hatcher, The Alliance for a Healthier Generation

Daniel Hatcher is the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Alliance for a Healthier Generation where he has served since 2008. During his time at Healthier Generation, Daniel developed and led a national youth advisory board and helped create afterschool standards for healthy eating and physical activity. A nationally recognized workshop facilitator, he has spoken at education and youth development conferences in over 35 states and Canada. Previously, Daniel served as Director of Outreach at Youth Service America where he supported a youth advisory council and helped organize Global Youth Service Day. Daniel has a BA in International Relations and a Master of Public Health, both from Western Kentucky University. In 2022, Daniel was certified in Mental Health First Aid and became a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide.

Friday Session 1: 10:00am – 11:30am

1. All You Need to Know About Licensing
2. Team Building for School Age Staff & Kids
3. Funding Available for Afterschool, Infant, and Preschool Meals served at your Center through the Child and Adult Care Food Program!
4. Tips, Tricks, Tools – Strategies for Training Adult Staff
5. Breaking Stereotypes and Inspiring STEM Learning through Children’s Books
6. Skillfully Working with People with Developmental Disabilities
7. Impactful Facilitator Tips: 6 Simple Strategies
8. NJ Quality Standards for Afterschool Deep Dive Part 1
9. Creating Quality Community Projects with a Purpose

Friday: 11:45am – 1:30Pm

Lunch and Showcase Alley

Showcase Alley takes place on Friday, April 26, 2024 and is a special 1 day opportunity for companies and/or organizations to promote their business by securing an exhibit table. Showcase Alley is designed so that ALL conference participants are channeled through the exhibits.

Vendors, Prizes & Fun!

Join the fun in Showcase Alley! You never know what you are going to see and what new resources you might find. Come and chat with all of our vendors! And as always, there are lots of prize baskets! Each attendee gets 5 tickets to drop in the bags for a chance to win.

Prizes are delivered during sessions 2 & 3. The next lucky winner could be you! Whether you eat first or visit the ballroom first is up to you. But either way, you want to make sure that you don’t miss this!

Friday Session 2: 1:30pm – 3:00pm

10. Come and Play: Fun, non-competitive games for afterschool children ages 6-13 years
11. Leadership 101: How Do You Keep the Music Playing
12. Workplace Professionalism
13. Planning Support for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder
14. Supporting Informal STEM Learning by Encouraging Youth Voice and Integrating Role Models
15. Milk…It Sure Does a Body Good
16. NBA Math Hoops – Creating the Next Math Champion
17. NJ Quality Standards for Afterschool Deep Dive Part 2
18. Addressing Mental Health Through Social Emotional Learning

Friday Session 3: 3:15pm – 4:30pm

19. What’s the Bottom Line? Afterschool Programs Budgeting Strategies for Beginners
20. Summer Camp Planning: Tips, Fun and More
21. Connect and Move: Rainbow Walk, Nature BINGO, and The Walking Classroom
22. Turning Down the Heat on Behavior
23. Financial Literacy, Families and Fun
24. Everyday Resilience Attitudes
25. 9 Ways to Build Smooth Sailing & Successful Relationships with Youth
26. Time Management for OST Program Leadership
27. “You Are the Key”: Equipping You to Deliver Your Story

Saturday: 8:00am – 8:30am > April 27, 2024

Registration and Continental Breakfast Begins

Saturday: 8:30am – 9:30am

Welcome and Opening Session

Roz and Jed Buck, Roz and Jed Training And Consulting

Roz and Jed Buck have done what many married couples consider to be “the impossible”…They have worked together, side by side, for over 20 years. From 2004 – 2016, they owned and directed Meadowbrook Day Camp, a large private day camp in New Jersey, where they trained a staff of over 400 each summer. Since launching Roz and Jed Training & Consulting in 2016, their innovative training techniques and energetic presentations have consistently generated outstanding reviews at a wide variety of conferences and workshops focused on training youth development professionals. They successfully provide Two Voices, Customized Content, and Real Experience.  Session organizers receive comments like “Easily the BEST session of the day”, “TONS of great ideas to share with our staff!”, “Fun, active, going to use this immediately!”, and simply “AWESOME”. Roz and Jed have shared their messages with thousands of individuals while presenting both keynote and breakout sessions at conferences and private workshops in 31 different states and Canada in the past 7 years.

Saturday Session 1: 9:45am – 11:15am

28. Including Tweens & Teens in Summer Programs
29. STEM: Developing an Engineering Mindset in Youth
30. Bring on the Fun with Games for Everyone!
31. Activity Planning to Keep Kids Engaged!
32. The New Jersey Quality Standards for Afterschool (NJQSA): Overview
33. An Introduction to the LGBTQIAA+ Spectrum
34. Leveraging NAA Core Knowledge, Skills and Competencies for Comprehensive Staff Development
35. Learning Disguised as Fun
36. Triple Threat Design Camp

Saturday: 11:30am – 12:15Pm

Lunch

Saturday Session 2: 12:30pm – 1:45pm

37. Responding to Unsafe Behavior
38. Understanding the Impact of Stress on Behavior and the Role We Can Play by Loaning Our Calm
39. Using Hope to Teach About Climate Change
40. The ABCs of Playground Safety
41. 21st Century Afterschool Science Project (21st CASP)
42. Stress Management: Rewrite Your Stress Story
43. Hands-On STEM
44. Grow More Leaders
45. Financial Literacy, Families and Fun

Saturday Session 3: 2:00pm – 3:15pm

46. Get Ready to Get Creative and Bring the Music!

Kenrick Wagner is a social entrepreneur and hip hop artist with over 15 years of professional musical experience as a music educator, performer, recording artist, published author and producer. Mr. Wagner’s life’s work has been dedicated to providing top-quality youth programming and building a generation of leaders that will use creativity to learn and thrive. Kenrick believes that one of the biggest challenges we face today in youth development is building an inclusive culture for young people to express themselves through music. To address these issues Kenrick has created “It’s a Rap for Good: Creating Positive Classroom Culture” ; a workshop that introduces educators to techniques and tools that break the barriers of hip hop culture in the classroom. This workshop has been well received by both regional and national organizations. As a Hip Hop Artist and producer, Kenrick has released 3 albums, BQE Volume 1 and BQE Volume 2 and The Maturation of Mister Wagner. Kenrick has secured Keynotes with the American Camping Association, NJSACC, Affinity Health New York and various companies Nationwide. In addition Mr. Wagner has also been featured in Forbes Magazine and Fox 5 News and Beyonce’s Bey Good foundation for work in partnership with Statebags Incorporated www.statebags.com.

Click here to download the Conference 2024 Brochure

Friday Session 1: 10:00am – 11:30am > April 26, 2024

1. All You Need to Know About Licensing

Are you thinking about starting an afterschool program?  Maybe you already run a program but just have some questions about licensing regulations.  Staff from the Office of Licensing are here to help by presenting information from the Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers and answering all of your licensing questions.

Inspection Staff, Office of Licensing, NJ Department of Children & Families, Trenton

2. Team Building for School Age Staff & Kids

Always valuable, teambuilding with your staff teams and school age kids is now more important than ever! Join us for this hands-on workshop where we’ll share and explore lots of fun, interactive, reflective team building activities that strengthen and build bonds, communication, and support. Come dressed to play and have fun!

Dagmar Wojcik, Quality Team Director, NJSACC, Westfield

3. Funding Available for Afterschool, Infant, and Preschool Meals served at your Center through the Child and Adult Care Food Program!

Would you like to receive funding to assist you in serving healthy meals to children attending your infant, preschool, or afterschool program? Federal funding is available through the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Child and Adult Care Food Program. Infant and Preschool programs can be reimbursed for serving children daily breakfast, lunch, and snack meals.  Afterschool programs can be reimbursed for serving children a dinner and snack meal after every school day, on weekends, and during school breaks. Please join us to learn about the New Jersey CACFP and how easy it is to become a sponsor or site. 

Esther Ihekuna, NJDA CACFP Nutrition Program Specialist, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Trenton

Marissa Waldron, NJDA CACFP Nutrition Program Specialist, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Trenton

4. Tips, Tricks, Tools – Strategies for Training Adult Staff

This workshop is most appropriate for staff supervisors, trainers, and resource specialists.

Although the ultimate goal is to support children and youth in inclusive school-age programs, we achieve it by empowering the adult staff and providers through quality training. Learn tips for gathering information about the adult learner’s interests and needs, tricks for navigating challenging conversations and interactions, and tools to strengthen your presentation and coaching skills. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences within engaging group activities, and will leave with new resources for their training and coaching toolboxes. 

Phillip Collazo, MSEd, CYT, Education and Training Specialist, Kids Included Together, Fort Lauderdale, FL

5. Breaking Stereotypes and Inspiring STEM Learning through Children’s Books 

Research shows that children benefit greatly from seeing themselves represented in the stories they read. Children’s books have the power to counter stereotypes, challenge norms, and open minds to new perspectives and ideas. But it can be challenging for educators to find quality children’s books that are diverse and representative, especially when it comes to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Join the National Girls Collaborative Project for this interactive workshop on using STEM-themed picture books to provide elementary school children with an inspiring introduction to STEM concepts and careers, with a focus on after-school settings. Participants will leave this workshop with a variety of resources including STEM picture book lists, links to freely accessible STEM e-books in English and Spanish, and free lesson plans and other curricular resources that can be implemented in a variety of settings

Karen Peterson, CEO, National Girls Collaborative Project, Seattle, WA

Amanda Sullivan, Senior Program Developer, National Girls Collaborative Project, Seattle, WA

 6. Skillfully Working with People with Developmental Disabilities

How inclusive is your program for youth with developmental disabilities? Participants in this workshop will expand their knowledge of common developmental disabilities and learn strategies to build accommodating programs to better engage individuals in programs. This workshop is an overview of the Developmental Disabilities Training Series developed by Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

Kelly Dziak, Morris County 4-H Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Morristown

7. Impactful Facilitator Tips: 6 Simple Strategies

Whether you have been working in an afterschool program for years or only days, this session is for you!  You will explore, learn, and engage in hands-on activities, personal connections, and learn six strategies to utilize with youth from all backgrounds. We will facilitate dialogue about how to develop strong relationships with youth, lead by example, and inspire your students.

Jeffrey L. Jordan, Mindful Co-Founder, kid-grit, Jersey City

8. NJ Quality Standards for Afterschool Deep Dive Part 1

In this comprehensive, hands-on introduction to the NJ Quality Standards for Afterschool (NJQSA), staff will learn the “why”, “how”, & value of regular self-assessment of their program.

Staff will gain a stronger understanding of why self-assessment using a proven tool such as the NJQSA leads to better overall program quality for youth & staff, understand how to competently use the tool, and be able to develop and implement a quality improvement plan for their school age afterschool program.

Patricia Pugliese, Technical Assistance Specialist, NJSACC, Westfield

9. Creating Quality Community Projects with a Purpose

Afterschool programming offers young people a chance to socialize, receive homework help, and decompress from the school day. It should also be an opportunity for young people to engage with the community through projects that service their community. This presentation will give providers ideas for how to facilitate project creation with students to engage with community partners and meet a highlighted community need. Such projects not only support the beneficiaries directly, but they also provide students with community service experience (and hours) and funding opportunities for afterschool programs.

Randy Miller, Training Consultant, NJSACC, Westfield

Friday Session 2: 1:30pm – 3:00pm > April 26, 2024

10. Come and Play: Fun, non-competitive games for afterschool children ages 6-13 years

Come and play!  Learn to engage children of varying ages in developmentally appropriate games that will help children develop skills in all domains, including fine motor, gross motor, cognitive, language and social/emotional.  Explore how to make modifications so that children of all ages can play together through playful, non-competitive games designed for children aged 6-13 years old.  Come prepared to play, learn and have fun!

Beverly Ramos, Lead Trainer, Rutgers Southern Regional Child Care Resource & Referral Agency, Woodbury

11. Leadership 101: How Do You Keep the Music Playing

This engaging Leadership 101 workshop will feature Experience Program Director, Dr. Allen Potts, from the Roselle 21st Century Community Learning Center. This workshop will prove beneficial for novice Program Directors and Site Coordinators and even experienced administration. Leadership 101 will focus on best practices geared towards grants management, staff walkthroughs, attendance, enrichment lesson structure, budget, recruitment and retention strategies and many other areas of professional leadership organization. Using the Quality Standard model of Administration, the participants will be empowered through life examples to lead toward programmatic success.

Dr. Allen S. Potts, Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Program Director, Roselle Borough Public Schools, Roselle

12. Workplace Professionalism

Proper workplace etiquette can build relationships and increase productivity, yet many professionals have never had a chance to discuss what workplace etiquette or professionalism means to them. This 90-minute session covers topics such as communicating effectively and appropriately, always finding a way to be productive, humor in the workplace, appearance and attire, communication, and time and tardiness. Do we all agree on what it means to be professional? Let’s find out!

Elizabeth C. Salerno, Training Coordinator, Rutgers School of Social Work, Institute for Families, New Jersey Child Support Institute, Parsippany

13. Planning Support for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder impacts the developmental skills of children and youth in a variety of ways that can impact their participation and relationships. Although no two children on the Spectrum are exactly alike, participants will learn practical strategies for supporting neuro-diverse youth in all out-of-school programs. This workshop will explore strategies to support social interactions, communication, and sensory processing needs.

Phillip Collazo, MSEd, CYT, Education and Training Specialist, Kids Included Together, Fort Lauderdale, FL

14. Supporting Informal STEM Learning by Encouraging Youth Voice and Integrating Role Models

This session will focus on strengthening afterschool and summer programs’ efforts to provide quality STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning opportunities. It will introduce key strategies grounded in the Access to STEM Framework, including activities that aim to foster youth voice and facilitate positive experiences with STEM. Through the lens of the framework, this session will explore the importance of introducing STEM role models as a key strategy to encourage youth participation in STEM. Presenters will share research-based resources for planning a role model experience, including high-quality online resources that showcase STEM professionals and guidance for connecting to STEM professionals locally.

Karen Peterson, CEO, National Girls Collaborative Project, Seattle, WA

Amanda Sullivan, Senior Program Developer, National Girls Collaborative Project, Seattle, WA

15. Milk…It Sure Does a Body Good

Participants will learn about milk from the farm to the table through an overview of 5-lessons which also include cooking demos, snack ideas (with dairy alternatives), and virtual/in person farm tour resources. 

Melissa Bright, Somerset County 4-H Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County, Bridgewater

Shailja Mathur, Somerset County FCHS Educator, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County, Bridgewater

16. NBA Math Hoops – Creating the Next Math Champion

NBA Math Hoops leverages the game of basketball and the NBA/WNBA brands to build fundamental math and social-emotional skills through a physical and digital basketball-themed board game, a curriculum, and a community program experience. Designed for students in grades 4-8, this free program develops students’ algebra readiness prior to entering high school, while strengthening important skills including self-regulation and executive function. The NBA Math Hoops program is implemented in in-school, out-of-school, and home learning environments.

Through the training, educators will learn best practices for implementing the NBA Math Hoops game and curriculum, gain free access to the Learn Fresh program management platform and all program materials, and learn about opportunities to extend students’ learning through virtual and in-person community events. Educators will immediately gain access to all materials needed to begin implementing with students in their programs and classrooms.

Staff, Learn Fresh, Philadelphia, PA

17. NJ Quality Standards for Afterschool Deep Dive Part 2

* Participants must have taken the NJQSA Deep Dive Part 1 in Session 1 to participate in this session.

Building on the work and information covered in Part 1, participants will continue exploring the Standards. 

Patricia Pugliese, Technical Assistance Specialist, NJSACC, Westfield

18. Addressing Mental Health Through Social Emotional Learning

Participants in afterschool and out-of-time programs are not exempt from the challenges deriving from matters of mental health. Issues of mental health confronted by students can impact their academic performance, their relationships and overall well-being. This workshop is designed to provide knowledge as to how matters of mental health can negatively impact students while also providing directors and staff with tools and strategies on how to work with students to address mental health issues via social emotional learning, in the context of afterschool programming. 

Randy Miller, Training Consultant, NJSACC, Westfield

Friday Session 3: 3:15pm – 4:30pm > April 26, 2024

19. What’s the Bottom Line?  Afterschool Programs Budgeting Strategies for Beginners

What is the all in cost to run your afterschool program? In order for your program to be successful, you need to have a firm grip on all of your expenses from staff and rent all the way down to toner for the copier. This session for those new to budgeting, will help you learn to budget effectively, especially during difficult times.

Suad Gacham, NJSACC Board Member, Director of Family and Children’s Services, Bergen Family Center, Englewood

20. Summer Camp Planning: Tips, Fun and More

Summer Camp is right around the corner!  Come to the perfect session to discuss summer camp guidelines, planning ideas, and of course, all while networking with others and having fun. 

Melissa Conklin, NJSACC Board Member, SACC/STEP Coordinator, Cherry Hill Public Schools, Cherry Hill

21. Connect and Move: Rainbow Walk, Nature BINGO, and The Walking Classroom

Take a mindful movement break with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation as we bring family engagement resources, like Rainbow Walk and Silly Speedy Conversation Starters, to life in a fun and interactive way. Come prepared to reconnect with yourself and others. Attendees will have the opportunity to try out The Walking Classroom WalkKit and a few lucky attendees will win their own device.

Daniel Hatcher, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Washington DC

22. Turning Down the Heat on Behavior

Children use behavior. Providers are challenged by behavior. This training will introduce the Kids Included Together (KIT) Behavior Thermometer to help participants distinguish between typical, challenging, concerning, and unsafe behavior. 

Phillip Collazo, MSEd, CYT, Education and Training Specialist, Kids Included Together, Fort Lauderdale, FL

23. Financial Literacy, Families and Fun

Financial literacy is a crucial skill for children to develop. What better way to introduce the concept than with a fun activity that you can do with your whole program?  This workshop will show you how to host a marketplace that will get your children and their families involved.  Students will be introduced to the concept of the global economy by coming up with products to market that spark their interest, research what supplies they need, learn how to work within a budget, and learn about loans. You won’t want to miss this!

Maria Rivera-Butler, Consultant, NJSACC, Westfield

24. Everyday Resilience Attitudes

Attitudes can be thought of as lenses through which we view our day-to-day lives. Shifting them doesn’t cost any money but can reduce stress and increase our ability to bounce back from stressful experiences. During this interactive session we will review and practice 9 attitude shifts with the hope that participants will find one or more that resonate with them. We care for ourselves so that we can care for others!

Rebecca H. Bryan, DNP, APN, Executive Director, Office of Resilience, New Jersey Department of Children and Families, Trenton

Idalmis Lamourt, Assistant Director, Office of Resilience, New Jersey Department of Children and Families, Trenton

25. 9 Ways to Build Smooth Sailing & Successful Relationships with Youth

In this session, participants will learn how to communicate with care and strength to build relationships for more impactful delivery of instruction and activities. We will navigate how to create safe spaces, build rapport, establish trust, and use positive behavioral strategies with 9 intentional ideas and methods.

Jeffrey L. Jordan, Mindful Co-Founder, kid-grit, Jersey City

26. Time Management for OST Program Leadership

Do you find yourself overwhelmed often with the responsibilities of running an OST program? Unlock the secrets to effective time management and elevate your OST program to new heights! This workshop is designed specifically for program providers looking to streamline their operations, enhance productivity, and create a healthier working environment for both themselves and their staff. Site Coordinators, Site supervisors, and Project Directors are encouraged to attend.

Kandece Francis, Quality Coach, NJSACC, Westfield

Tyneisha Gibbs, Director of Policy and Youth Advocacy, NJSACC, Westfield

27. “You Are the Key”: Equipping You to Deliver Your Story

Discover the storyteller within you in this interactive workshop with Mizzen Education CEO, Carlos Santini! Uncover the art of storytelling as we journey through knowing yourself, understanding your audience, and mastering the delicate balance of inspiration and information. This workshop isn’t just about crafting a speech; it’s a transformative experience designed to unleash your potential as a captivating storyteller. Join us and leave ready to shine on any stage!

Carlos Santini, CEO, Mizzen Education, Los Angeles, CA

Saturday Session 1: 9:45am – 11:15am > April 27, 2024

28. Including Tweens & Teens in Summer Programs

Planning summer camp activities that tweens and teens want to participate in can be a challenge. In this workshop, participants will have the chance to practice group process strategies that strengthen social interactions, team work, and capture the interests of their children/youth. Join us for a fun group activity that helps participants use creative brainstorming, categorizing, and expanding strategies to strengthen inclusive summer camp programming. 

Phillip Collazo, MSEd, CYT, Education and Training Specialist, Kids Included Together, Fort Lauderdale, FL

29. STEM: Developing an Engineering Mindset in Youth

Help! Someone needs a water rescue. Can you engineer a rescue shuttle to reach them? After investigating how shuttle variables affect flight distance, you’ll imagine, plan, create, and test a solution. As you do, you’ll reflect on the engineering practices you are using and how to support these practices and engineering mindset with youth. Finally, you’ll learn about a suite of free engineering resources designed for afterschool programs.  

Shannon McManus, Director, Professional Learning PK12 Education, Museum of Science, Boston, MA

30. Bring on the Fun with Games for Everyone!

There are so many obligations in a child’s school day, so bring on the fun in out-of-school-time! This workshop is a quick “how to” on choosing and delivering a variety of games that bring out the best in a group of kids. Most where no one is eliminated; many with limited materials; all active, engaging, and fun. Please come prepared to play in this interactive, hands on workshop.

Dagmar Wojcik, NJSACC Quality Team Director, NJSACC

31. Activity Planning to Keep Kids Engaged!

Are your kids engaged?  Did you know that having planned activities can lead to decreased misbehaviors in your group/program? In this hands-on workshop, we will review the components of effective activity plans, including ways to develop clear learning objectives, apportion time, incorporate different learning styles, and keep youth engaged. Activity plan templates, curriculum resources, and organizational planning tools will be provided.  Appropriate for all levels of staff.

Patricia Pugliese, Technical Assistance Specialist, NJSACC, Westfield

32. The New Jersey Quality Standards for Afterschool (NJQSA): Overview

Now even more user friendly and updated with a stronger sense of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, come learn hands on how our latest version of the New Jersey Quality Standards for Afterschool (NJQSA) can help guide your program to be the best that it can be! This easy to use tool helps school age leaders explore the strengths of their program in six core areas: Administration; Human Relationships; Safety and Environmental Health; Indoor and Outdoor Environment; Programming and Activities; and Healthy Behavior: Nutrition and Physical Activity; and provides guidelines on how to use this towards developing, building, and strengthening high quality programs and best practice.

Sarah Cruz, Director of Special Projects, NJSACC, Westfield

33. An Introduction to the LGBTQIAA+ Spectrum

This 90-minute session will introduce participants to five critical concepts related to the gender and sexuality spectrums. Participants will be able to differentiate between gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and sex assigned at birth and have a clearer understanding of why the LGBTQIAA+ acronym is so important and dynamic.

Elizabeth C. Salerno, Training Coordinator, Rutgers School of Social Work, Institute for Families, New Jersey Child Support Institute, Parsippany

34. Leveraging NAA Core Knowledge, Skills and Competencies for Comprehensive Staff Development

Join us for a dynamic workshop where participants will delve into the essential elements of the National Afterschool Association (NAA) Core Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies (CKSCs). This session will guide attendees in identifying their assets through completion of the CKSCs Self-Assessment. Based upon the results, participants will complete an individual professional development plan. This workshop offers a unique opportunity for participants to share and learn from each other’s promising practices, ultimately fostering a collaborative and effective approach to staff development.

Tyneisha Gibbs, Director of Policy and Youth Advocacy, NJSACC, Westfield

35. Learning Disguised as Fun

They think they are having fun…you know they are learning! This session will share some easy, no-prop games that After School Staff can use to reinforce a wide variety of math and language concepts from the classroom in a fun, exciting way. Participants will have so much fun, they won’t realize how much they are learning!

Jed and Roz Buck, Founders, Roz and Jed Training & Consulting, Hawley, PA

36. Triple Threat Design Camp

Have you ever had a great idea that turned into a dud in front of the kids? Had no plan or materials but created the most amazing activity seemingly out of thin air? Does your staff have the autonomy to implement their solution-oriented ideas? Great programs follow simple principles that lead to student and staff engagement. Bring one idea for a course, event, or activity and spend some time with us workshopping it into a real Triple Threat (Highly-Engaging, Youth-Led, & Brain-Friendly)! 

Through this interactive workshop, participants will work collaboratively with the Mizzen Education Team and fellow peers in the room to bring an idea to life through best practices of youth and staff engagement. Attendees will not only take the idea they bring and walk away with a plan but will also have the skills and knowledge of continuing to enhance or create their programs back in their communities. 

Carlos Santini, CEO, Mizzen Education, Los Angeles, CA

Saturday Session 2: 12:30pm – 1:45pm > April 27, 2024

37. Responding to Unsafe Behavior

In this workshop, we’ll explore different characteristics of children who use unsafe behavior, the underlying influences on those behaviors, and how our own perceptions can influence our responses. We’ll look at options for interpreting and responding to behavior in new and effective ways.

Phillip Collazo, MSEd, CYT, Education and Training Specialist, Kids Included Together, Fort Lauderdale, FL

38. Understanding the Impact of Stress on Behavior and the Role We Can Play by Loaning Our Calm

Stress is the underlying cause of many challenging behaviors. This is true for children with and without identified special needs, as well as for adults. In this workshop we will check in with ourselves and explore how we may become a source of calm for the children in our care. We will focus on the Human Relationships category of the NJ Quality Standards for Afterschool specifically examining how staff can relate to all youth in positive ways (Standard 26) and how staff can respond appropriately to the individual needs, and stressors, of all youth (Standard 27).

Corinne G. Catalano, Ph.D., IMH-E, Montclair State University Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health, Montclair

39. Using Hope to Teach About Climate Change

In this session we will explore how to teach about climate change with hope as a central theme. Using activities from the EcoSchools program and lessons from the Resilience in Schools Consortium, participants will learn about climate change impacts on New Jersey, and engage in fun and thought-provoking activities for elementary and middle school students. You will leave with new ideas about how you and your students can foster hope and take action on climate change.   

Roberta Hunter, Education Program Manager, New Jersey Audubon, Bernardsville

40. The ABCs of Playground Safety

In this engaging, newly updated workshop, learn how to properly analyze playgrounds for potential problems and hazards; recognize unsafe play; effectively monitor play areas; develop methods of communication for use in emergency situations; and learn how to develop an effective supervision plan to reduce injuries and promote safe play. 

TJ Coakley, BS, MBA, CPT, NJSACC Board Member, Co-Owner, Harrison Kids and Fun and Fit Aftercare, Mullica Hill

41. 21st Century Afterschool Science Project (21st CASP)

Explore water and water ecosystems in this hands-on sampler of activities to be found in CASP’s free, inquiry based, science curriculum that’s fun for all school age programs. This is a great STEM resource to add to your afterschool program to engage staff and students in the wonders of science! 

Kandece Francis, Quality Coach, NJSACC, Westfield

Arlyn Jimenez, Quality Coach, NJSACC, Westfield

42. Stress Management: Rewrite Your Stress Story

Stress can have a major impact on all aspects of your life. This 75-minute interactive session will help you identify daily stress management techniques to implement into your life. In this session, you’ll assess your specific stressors and learn how to make stress your friend—that is, view stress as a positive force rather than a negative one. This positive thinking that usually comes with optimism, is a key part of effective stress management. Demonstrations and group activities will present ways to relieve both mental and physical stress, and you’ll walk away with proven stress tips that are easy to use.

Elizabeth C. Salerno, Training Coordinator, Rutgers School of Social Work, Institute for Families, New Jersey Child Support Institute, Parsippany

43. Hands-On STEM

In this interactive workshop you will learn STEM-themed and inquiry-based activities that work great in engaging kids or even in staff development sessions. This workshop will include tips to use when leading these activities at your sites, as well as a discussion on extension activities to supplement the training. 

Mike MacEwan, Training Consultant, NJSACC, Westfield

44. Grow More Leaders

We all know that no leader can do everything without assistance from a strong team. One of our most important roles as leaders is to shape and empower the next generation of leaders. This interactive session focuses on experiential and participant-centered activities that will give us tools to use in training young, emerging leaders within our organizations as well as strengthening our personal leadership skills.

Jed and Roz Buck, Founders, Roz and Jed Training & Consulting, Hawley, PA

45. Financial Literacy, Families and Fun

Financial literacy is a crucial skill for children to develop. What better way to introduce the concept than with a fun activity that you can do with your whole program?  This workshop will show you how to host a marketplace that will get your children and their families involved.  Students will be introduced to the concept of the global economy by coming up with products to market that spark their interest, research what supplies they need, learn how to work within a budget, and learn about loans. You won’t want to miss this!

Maria Rivera-Butler, Consultant, NJSACC, Westfield

Saturday Session 3: 2:00pm – 3:15pm > April 27, 2024

46. Get Ready to Get Creative and Bring the Music!

Come wrap up the conference in this fun and interactive workshop! Project Gametime is ready to bring the fun with this workshop that strengthens composition, collaboration and performance skills! Participants will divide into teams, create their own hip hop song, using elements of hip hop song writing. Participants will have access to backing tracks (instrumentals), end rhymes, metaphors and similes for inspiration. Groups will then display their very own “Commercial Hit Song” in a concert format.  You don’t want to miss this!

The Project Gametime Crew

Kenrick “Rick” Wagner, Founder & Facilitator

Roger Redhead, Lead Facilitator

Tyhiem Floyd, Program Manager

The Untouchable DJ Fame, Director of Sound

• View the 2024 Conference brochure here
• View the 2023 Conference brochure here
• View the 2022 Conference brochure here
• View the 2022 Conference highlights here
• View the 2019 Conference brochure here
• View the 2018 Conference brochure here