Jump Start 2026: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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11:00am MDT

Empowering the Next Generation: A Youth Leadership Training

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This training will benefit program coordinators and staff who are interested in building leadership skills in youth.You will learn to teach tangible leadership skills that youth can practice within the afterschool environment and carry into their adult lives. These include peer mentoring, conflict resolution, activity planning, service learning, group leadership, and advocacy.This training will equip you with tools and strategies to cultivate a strong youth leadership component in your program. By empowering youth to take ownership, serve as positive role models, and lead with purpose, you can boost engagement, improve program quality, and create a more meaningful and impactful afterschool environment.

Speakers

Mason Pappas

Afterschool Consultant, Utah Afterschool Network

Before joining UAN as an Afterschool Consultant, Mason Pappas, a Utah native, spent five years working in afterschool and summer programs with the YMCA in Salt Lake City and Ogden. His passion for youth development began while working as a school custodian at a site that hosted afterschool... Read More →

Lilianna Akalonu

Family Liaison, Promise South Salt Lake

This year, Lili Akalonu will celebrate 10 years of working in afterschool programs, but her journey in afterschool started long before that. At just 8 years old, Lili became a club kid at the Boys & Girls Club, where her passion for becoming an afterschool leader first began. That... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Ballroom 3

Developing High Quality Programs, Program Planning and Development

Program Serving Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth

11:00am MDT

Habits for Health and Happiness

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Grand Ballroom B

Limited Capacity seats available

When emotions run high, it’s easy to feel exhausted and make choices that don't lead to lasting happiness. But what if the key to navigating those moments starts with the habits we build every day? The healthy choices we model and encourage in children can shape their futures for years to come. Join us as we explore a holistic approach to health—connecting physical wellness, mental well-being, and meaningful relationships—to create positive habits and lifestyles where children can truly thrive.

Speakers

Kristen Knoche

Lead Afterschool Consultant, Utah Afterschool Network

Kristen Knoche is an Afterschool Consultant with the Utah Afterschool Network. She graduated from UVU with a bachelor's degree in Speech Communication. She has enjoyed advocating for youth with multiple organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, UVU PREP, GEAR UP, Community... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Grand Ballroom B

Healthy Eating and Physical Activity | Safety & Wellness, Safety and Wellness

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Safety and Wellness

11:00am MDT

Addressing Bullying Behavior

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Meeting Room 202

Limited Capacity seats available

Helping students who are involved in “bullying behavior” develop
their prosocial skills contributes to a positive classroom environment.
In this training, you will learn best practices for intervening and
resolving bullying scenarios.

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 202

Prevention, Safety and Wellness

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Safety and Wellness
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth

11:00am MDT

Staying in your Window: Understanding the Window of Tolerance

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Ballroom 2

Limited Capacity seats available

This presentation will lead the attendees through what the Window of Tolerance is and how it impacts students' behavior in the classroom. Attendees will be given the science behind regulation of students and self, what happens when students' environment moves beyond their own windows and how to better help students stay within their own windows so that learning can occur.

Speakers

Amie Huggins

TBRI Coach for Schools, Raise the Future

Amie Huggins M.Ed. has been a teacher in the classroom for 30 years. She has also a foster/adopt mom, a grandma and a TBRI Practitioner. She is the co-author of the book Creating a Connected Classroom with Marti Smith. Her dream is that all people who work with kids understand the... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Ballroom 2

Prevention, Child/Youth Growth and Development

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Admin & Leadership
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth

11:00am MDT

Social Development Strategy in the Classroom and Beyond

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Meeting Room 201

Limited Capacity seats available

With most students spending about 20% of their year in a classroom, creating bonds with teachers and afterschool professionals provides students with protective factors that last beyond the classroom into adulthood. In this interactive and connecting breakout session, attendees will walk away with proven strategies to provide opportunities, skills, and recognition to youth to promote healthy outcomes. Every child needs one trusted adult to believe in them. We provide a way to become that person for the youth in our community.

Speakers

Lori Larsen

Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Weber Human Services

Lori Larsen has worked in the mental health field for the past seven years serving people with mental illness and substance use disorder. She managed and ran two residential facilities with 28 staff, and up to 36 clients. Her passion for helping people improve their lives resulted... Read More →

David Sekulich

Ogden Communities That Care Coalition Coordinator, Weber Human Services

David Sekulich is a community advocate with extensive experience in substance use prevention and recovery support. His work centers on implementing evidence-based strategies that strengthen public health responses to the opioid crisis and increase equitable access to life-saving interventions... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 201

Youth Development, Youth Engagement Voice and Choice

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Youth Engagement Voice and Choice
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Child/Youth Growth and Development

1:30pm MDT

Creating Safe Spaces in Afterschool Programs

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Ballroom 2

Limited Capacity seats available

This interactive session equips afterschool staff at all levels with practical strategies for creating safe, supportive, and inclusive program environments. Participants will explore proactive approaches to behavior management and strategies for responding to challenging behaviors in ways that strengthen relationships and foster a positive program culture. Participants will leave with practical tools they can implement in their own programs.

Speakers

Brandis Stockman

Program Manager for Education, National League of Cities

Brandis Stockman is the Executive Director of OST Training That “Sticks” and Program
Manager for Education and Workforce Success with the National League of Cities. She has 25+
years of experience supporting youth and families, including overseeing school-based and
afterschool p... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Ballroom 2

Developing High Quality Programs, Professional Development and Leadership

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Professional Development and Leadership

1:30pm MDT

YARN: The Ultimate Makerspace

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Meeting Room 202

Limited Capacity seats available

In this highly interactive session, you'll experience hands-on yarn activities that require little more than inexpensive supplies and a spirit of curiosity. Explore fiber arts, collaborative challenges, and creative invitations that foster problem-solving, persistence, fine motor skills, social connection, and youth leadership. You'll discover practical, low-cost ideas that can be adapted for a wide range of ages and abilities.
Together, we'll explore the WEAVE framework for designing meaningful afterschool experiences: Welcome, Explore, Achieve, Value, and Empower. You'll leave with fresh inspiration, practical resources, and a new appreciation for how one simple material can unlock endless possibilities for creativity, belonging, and learning.

Speakers

Marlin Taylor

SACC Specialist, Utah Afterschool Network

Marlin Taylor is a School-Age Child Care Specialist with the Utah Afterschool Network, where she conducts statewide quality observations and coaching. Her background spans linguistics research and university-level teaching, preschool education with a focus on project-based STEAM learning... Read More →

Janelle Gutierrez

Afterschool Consultant, Utah Afterschool Network

Janelle Gutierrez is an Afterschool Consultant with the Utah Afterschool Network. Holding a degree from BYU Idaho in Child Development, she is a dedicated youth development professional with more than 20 years of experience serving children and families through early childhood and... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 202

Developing High Quality Programs, Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth

Program Serving Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth

2:45pm MDT

Beyond Social Media: Understanding the Emerging Digital Challenges Facing Today's Youth

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Meeting Room 201

Limited Capacity seats available

Afterschool professionals are supporting young people in a digital landscape that looks dramatically different than it did just a few years ago. Today's youth are navigating AI chatbots, influencer culture, sports betting ads, deepfakes, online scams, and algorithm-driven platforms that shape how they think, connect, and make decisions. This interactive session moves beyond traditional internet safety to explore emerging digital trends through real-world scenarios, discussion, and hands-on activities. Participants will learn to recognize potential risks while building youth digital resilience through critical thinking, media literacy, and decision-making skills.

Speakers

Kaitlyn Handley

Digital Trainer, Digital Citizenship Foundation

Kaitlyn Handley is a Digital Trainer with the Digital Citizenship Foundation, where she delivers educational programs for children, teens, and parents on safe, healthy, and responsible technology use. Through her work, she empowers individuals and families to navigate the digital... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Meeting Room 201

Developing High Quality Programs, Professional Development and Leadership

Program Serving Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Professional Development and Leadership

2:45pm MDT

Co-Workers, Not Competitors: Cultivating Trust & Communication in School Partnerships

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Meeting Room 203

Limited Capacity seats available

We’ve all been there: a classroom left messy, a forgotten gym key, or a miscommunicated student incident that derails a relationship. This session is a sanctuary for Utah youth workers to talk about the real-world friction of school partnerships—and how to fix it. We will blend deep relationship-building with practical communication strategies, giving you the tools to co-create boundaries and build unshakeable trust with your school-day partners.

Speakers

Lauren Levorsen

School Alignment & Data Specialist, Utah Afterschool Network

Lauren Levorsen is the School Alignment and Data Specialist at the Utah Afterschool Network. She has a B.S. in Marriage & Family Studies from BYU-Idaho and an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from the University of Georgia. She happened upon afterschool programming by accident during... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Meeting Room 203

Developing High Quality Programs, Family School and Community Relationships

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Admin & Leadership
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Family School and Community Relationships
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Program Planning and Development

2:45pm MDT

Strategies for Supporting Growing Brains

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Meeting Room 101

Limited Capacity seats available

90% of brain development happens before age 5. The remaining 10% is mostly what we see developing in the kids we work with. This session will cover specific strategies for supporting that remaining growth in an intentional, fun, and meaningful way. Participants will walk away with new considerations as they build lesson plans of their own and can incorporate brain based strategies for learning.

Speakers

Angie Toone

School-Age Child Care Specialist, Utah Afterschool Network

Angie Toone is a school age childcare specialist with the Utah Afterschool Network. Angie completed her master's degree in Human Development and Social Policy at the University of Utah. She is passionate about creating safe spaces for young people to explore the world and finding... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Meeting Room 101

Developing High Quality Programs, Child/Youth Growth and Development

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Child/Youth Growth and Development

2:45pm MDT

Prevention Science: Small Moments That Can Change a Life

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Grand Ballroom B

Limited Capacity seats available

Did you know that you have the power to change a young person’s trajectory in just five minutes? In this interactive session, afterschool professionals will explore how Prevention Science and intentional interactions can significantly enhance protective factors such as resilience, belonging, and confidence in youth. Through motivational activities and thought-provoking reflections, participants will learn about the five simple steps to create little moments that lead to big outcomes. Making a difference in prevention efforts takes a village, and it can start with you. By the end of this session, you will be equipped with evidence-based strategies that you can immediately implement in your schools and communities.

Speakers

Moniksha (Mony) Madan

Prevention Program Manager, Volunteers of America, UTAH

Moniksha Madan is the Program Manager of the Prevention Services at Volunteers of America, Utah. She oversees a team of certified Prevention Specialists who implement evidence-based Social-Emotional Learning and Substance Abuse Prevention curricula in Title 1 schools and community... Read More →

Joshua Figueroa

Prevention Specialist, Volunteers of America, UTAH

Joshua Figueroa is a certified prevention specialist with Volunteers of America. In this role, he teaches evidence-based social-emotional learning curriculum to students within the Salt Lake City School District. Teaching throughout the Salt Lake Valley, he has had the opportunity... Read More →

Alexis Mainord

Prevention Specialist, Volunteers of America, UTAH

Alexis Mainord is a Prevention Specialist at Volunteers of America where she facilitates social and emotional learning groups with youth throughout the school year, during summer programs, and in after-school programs. She also helps facilitate other community resources, such as parenting... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Grand Ballroom B

Prevention, Safety and Wellness

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Safety and Wellness
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Child/Youth Growth and Development

11:00am MDT

11:00am MDT

11:00am MDT

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11:00am MDT

1:30pm MDT

1:30pm MDT

2:45pm MDT

2:45pm MDT

2:45pm MDT

2:45pm MDT

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