Jump Start 2026

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.

Afterschool directors, site coordinators, and youth development professionals play a vital role in helping Utah's children and working families thrive. As Utah faces a shortage of affordable child care, before-school, afterschool, and summer programs have become an essential part of the solution. In this interactive session, participants will explore Utah's child care landscape, discover how out-of-school time programs strengthen families and the workforce, and practice simple storytelling strategies that build community support. Attendees will leave with practical tools to communicate their program's impact, strengthen partnerships, and confidently advocate for the resources children and youth need to succeed.

Afterschool professionals and youth educators: managing challenging behaviors can often feel overwhelming, but connection is the key to transformation. In this interactive session, explore innovative, practical strategies designed to reach school-age youth when traditional behavior management falls short. Discover how relational approaches, creative de-escalation techniques, and intentional engagement can turn moments of friction into opportunities for growth. Walk away with an actionable toolkit of low-cost, high-impact strategies, real-world activity ideas, and practical resources you can implement immediately in your program. Join us to transform how you respond to complex behaviors and build lasting, positive connections with the youth you serve.