Jump Start 2026

Today’s students are marked by their intensity, particularly their emotional intensity. These emotional outbursts can be very disruptive and dysregulating to the students, as well as their peers, parents, teachers, and
community supports. Drawing on years of psychological experience, Dr. Zakreski will walk participants through several different trouble areas (i.e., peer relations, failure, social outings) and give concrete strategies on how to manage those feelings and behaviors at home, at school, and in the community.

Parents and professionals will benefit from this playful approach to self-compassion for the positive social-emotional well-being of school age and preschool children. They will be introduced to developing awareness and a sense of curiosity using the feelings habit animals. Resilience habit animals will help us know we are not alone and we can be kind to ourselves. These characters will support adults in practicing and modeling self-compassion with children by responding to mistakes and stress with understanding and resilience. The habit animals provide a shared language of habits that can be used as external compassionate voices and to teach specific self-compassion skills to children. Online resources about the curriculum, training, and how to incorporate in programs will be discussed.

This session helps elementary-aged youth connect with their community and teaches them how they can actively participate in reducing food waste. Learn how to help youth understand what food waste is, where it happens, and the impact it has, as well as how you can play an active role in reducing food waste in your own homes, school, and the community where you live. Walk away with a curriculum and resources to use in your afterschool program that will get kids having fun and being excited while learning how to make a difference within their sphere of influence.

After-school professionals are often the first to notice when a child is struggling, yet many receive little training in recognizing and responding to youth mental health concerns. This interactive session will help participants understand common mental health challenges, distinguish typical behavior from signs of concern, and view behavior through a trauma-informed lens. Attendees will learn practical strategies to prevent and respond to dysregulation, support emotional well-being, and know when additional support may be needed. Participants will leave with ready-to-use tools, activities, and resources they can immediately implement in their programs.

Most mental health models address struggles as they occur. But what if we focused instead on prevention — building sustainable well-being before problems start and giving students lifelong skills? The session will cover the evidence-based positive psychology topics WeBeWell teaches Utah youth in grades 6-12 — gratitude, applying strengths, goal setting, reframing negative thoughts, and more — and these skills' benefits. It also covers how to facilitate groups that engage adolescents, using a "Learn, Practice, Reflect, Connect" model backed by randomized controlled trials and published research with 667 Utah adolescents, proven to increase well-being and reduce depression and anxiety. Designed for administrators, afterschool staff, site leaders, and anyone invested in youth well-being.