Temple University will host the 44th Annual School Psychology, Counseling Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Conference on Friday, March 21, 2025. This year's conference, a collaborative effort with the Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania, the School District of Philadelphia and CORA Services, will bring together experts, scholars and practitioners to address pressing issues in mental health and education.

A Timely and Impactful Keynote

One of the highlights of the conference is the keynote address by Germán A. Cadenas, associate professor of clinical psychology at Rutgers University's Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) and the inaugural associate director of the Center for Youth Social Emotional Wellness (CYSEW).

Cadenas, an immigrant from Latin America, has dedicated his career to the psychology of immigration and critical consciousness as a tool for social justice. His research has informed policies and programs that support undocumented students in higher education and has reached congressional leaders, the White House, federal courts and the United Nations.

His keynote presentation, "Holding Sanctuary for Immigrant Youth and Families in Educational Spaces," will examine the profound impact of immigration policies on youth and young adults, offering evidence-based strategies to create safe, affirming and empowering educational environments. Drawing from liberation psychology and community-based participatory action research, Cadenas will discuss the importance of transforming educational practices and policies to better support immigrant families.

Reflecting on the importance of this discussion, Heidi Hutman, conference coordinator and faculty member in counseling psychology at Temple University, emphasized: "We have an incredibly timely lineup of speakers, particularly our keynote. This is a pivotal moment nationally for supporting immigrants and immigrant youth, and Germán's work aligns with the values of school psychology, ABA and counseling psychology. His strengths-based, social justice-oriented approach makes him an ideal keynote for this year's conference."

Cadenas echoed this sentiment, highlighting the urgency of creating supportive spaces for immigrant youth.

"We must have conversations about keeping our communities safe and supporting immigrant youth in their growth and development. My keynote will address the mental health challenges caused by anti-immigrant policies and, more importantly, how we can move from awareness to action. Sanctuary is more than a policy—it is a practice, a relationship and a commitment to creating safe spaces in schools and communities."

A Day of Insight and Professional Growth

The conference will feature a range of thought-provoking sessions led by distinguished speakers, including:

• Session 1 (10:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.)
  
  • "How Kids Learn Reading, Math and Literally Everything: Using Behavioral Science to Inform Academic Instruction" - Shana Levi-Nielsen, PhD, NCSP, BCBA (Temple University)
  • "Navigating the Depths: Enhancing Suicide Risk Assessment Skills" - Jessica Reinhardt, PhD, NCSP (Temple University)
• Lunch & Poster Session (12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.)
• Session 2 (1:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.)
  
  • "Assessment Planning for Different English Learner Profiles" - Sofia Pham, PhD, NCSP (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine)
  • "Culturally and Structurally Responsive Supervision: An Ethical Mandate" - Melanie M. Wilcox, PhD, ABPP (University at Albany)
• Session 3 (5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.)
  
  • "Advocacy in Action: Student-led Panel" featuring Monica McHale-Small, PhD; Beverly Kirby, MS, BCBA, LBA; and Rachel Ascione, PsyD

Registration and Additional Information

Join Temple University for a day of meaningful dialogue, expert insights, and professional growth as we advance mental health and education for all communities. Conference registration will close on March 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Interested attendees can register at https://education.temple.edu/schoolpsychology/conference.