About this Event
Connect, learn and collaborate with professionals dedicated to supporting youth and families.
Through inspiring speakers and breakout sessions, discover practical strategies and resources to support local youth.
Event Details
Date: October 8, 2026
Doors Open: 8:30 AM
Location:
Road to Life Church
7056 W 450 N
Michigan City, IN
Thank you to our event sponsors, this event is free to attend and includes:
- Complimentary breakfast and lunch
- Youth & Family Resource Fair
- Complimentary attendee gift
- 5 CEUs for LSW, LCSW, LMFT and LMHC
- Networking opportunities with professionals from across the region
Keynote Presentation: Embracing Change
Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura
Gain valuable insight into navigating change and strengthening the systems that support children, youth and families.
Breakout Sessions: Learn From Leaders in the Field
Get ready for an engaging opportunity to learn, connect, and take away practical ideas you can use in your work and community!
During the event, you’ll have the chance to choose from the same four breakout sessions offered in either the morning or afternoon, giving you the flexibility to attend the time that works best for you.
Space is first come, first served, so be sure to choose the breakout session you’re most interested in when registering!
Breakout Session Option # 1: Improving Personal Performance
Presenter: Mallori DeSalle
Building Better Connections: Solving Challenges with LEGO® Serious Play
Discover the power of hands-on learning through LEGO® Serious Play®, an innovative facilitation method that helps participants think, communicate, and collaborate in new ways. In this interactive 60-minute workshop, attendees will use LEGO bricks to build models that represent ideas, experiences, and solutions related to working with youth and families. Through guided challenges, participants will explore communication, resilience, teamwork, and creative problem-solving while gaining insight into different perspectives. No building experience is required—this is not about constructing the "right" model, but about using storytelling and reflection to unlock meaningful conversations. Whether you work in education, juvenile justice, social services, mental health, or community organizations, this session will introduce practical techniques you can apply to strengthen engagement, foster collaboration, and support positive outcomes for the young people and families you serve. Participants will leave with a deeper appreciation for the value of play as a powerful tool for learning and connection.
Breakout Session Option # 2: Improving Youth, Family, and Community Outcomes
Presenter: Dr. LeRoy Burgess
Improving Adolescent Mental Health Care: Access, Treatment, and Outcomes
The breakout session focuses on three key priorities: adhering to mental health treatment recommendations, increasing access to adolescent treatment facilities, and developing a system to measure treatment outcomes. Participants will explore the need for consistent treatment, expanded services for adolescents, and meaningful outcome measures to evaluate effectiveness and improve the quality of care.
Breakout Session Option # 3: Implementation of Performance Improvement Practices
Presenter: School Care Team
Bridging Differences
Everyone benefits when we connect meaningfully despite inevitable differences! This interactive breakout session equips participants with practical communication strategies for navigating difficult conversations with empathy, curiosity, and confidence. Through engaging activities, reflection, and discussion, participants will explore how to build trust, seek understanding, identify common ground, and respond thoughtfully rather than reactively. Using the LASER framework, attendees will leave with actionable tools they can apply in their workplaces, families, and communities.
Breakout Session Option # 4: Courtroom Practices
Presenter: LaPorte Juvenile Court Staff
A Day in Court
This interactive breakout session allows participants to role-play different courtroom roles and experience the juvenile court process firsthand. Participants will explore each stage of a juvenile case, from the initial hearing through the judge’s decision and disposition, while learning about the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved. The session provides an engaging way to understand juvenile court procedures, youth rights, accountability, and rehabilitation.
Youth & Family Resource Fair
Connect with local agencies, providers and organizations serving youth and families throughout the day. Discover community resources, build partnerships and learn about programs available throughout the region.
Who Should Attend the Symposium?
If you work with children and teens, this is your space to learn and collaborate:
- Educators and school staff
- Behavioral health professionals and social workers
- Law enforcement and first responders
- Youth program leaders
- Court professionals
- Juvenile justice partners
- Community service providers
What You Can Expect
Leave inspired with practical tools, fresh perspectives and meaningful connections that will strengthen your work with children, teens and families. Through engaging presentations, interactive breakout sessions and networking opportunities, you'll gain tools you can put into action right away.
5 CEUs Available
5 CEUs will be provided through the Indiana Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist and Mental Health Counselor Board to provide Category 1 Continuing Education Programs for LSW, LCSW, LMFT and LMHC.
Interested in sponsoring?Help support the children, teens and families at the heart of this work. Community support helps make events like the Juvenile Symposium possible. If you or your organization would like to sponsor this event or be considered for sponsorship opportunities at future events, please contact Tyler Washluske at [email protected] or 219-874-5611 ext. 2515. Together, we will continue creating opportunities to support children, teens and families.
Event Questions?Please contact: Tyler Washluske, La Porte County Juvenile Justice Steering Committee at: [email protected] or 219-874-5611 ext. 2515
Event venue & nearby stays
Road to Life Church, 7056 W 450 N, Michigan City, United States
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