Jump Start 2026

Helping afterschool professionals explore engagement strategies that help youth feel seen, heard, valued, and connected beyond the school day. Discover how intentional everyday moments strengthen relationships, increase participation, and foster confidence, leadership, and future readiness. Engage in collaborative activities, reflection, and real-world scenarios, and walk away with an Engagement Strategy Plan and practical tools they can immediately implement to create meaningful experiences that lead to lasting impact.

Discipline, De-Escalation, and Positive Behavior Support.This workshop is for afterschool professionals who work with students, including those who display challenging behaviors. Participants will learn how to set clear expectations, use positive reinforcement and token programs, and guide youth through the SODAA process: Situation, Options, Disadvantages, Advantages, and Act. Afterschool professionals will walk away with practical tools to reduce power struggles, encourage positive choices, improve accountability, and help youth successfully return to program activities.

Can you come out to play? Join us for an interactive workshop powered by Playworks to experience the joy of games firsthand, and the power to leverage play as a vehicle for learning and well-being.We will explore the strategy behind purposeful play. You will learn specific, easy-to-implement games designed to actively support student learning, build inclusive communities, and foster personal growth. Why attend? You will walk away with a fresh toolkit of proven, low-resource activities and facilitation techniques to immediately transform your program's culture and keep kids engaged. Come ready to move, laugh, and harness the power of play!