Jump Start 2026

Effective leadership requires more than just communicating a mission—it demands team ownership. Learn how to transform your team into influential thought partners by building a communal vision. In this session, we will explore practical tools and strategies to cultivate a culture where team members contribute to program direction, share constructive feedback, and take true accountability for your organization's mission.

"This advanced leadership session connects strategic organizational communication with daily program management, focusing on how supervisors can empower front-line staff to build immediate trust with families. Led by a veteran communications director and a seasoned principal, this interactive workshop teaches leaders how to train their direct-care staff in clear, empathetic communication techniques that de-escalate parent concerns.

Attendees will leave equipped with a practical, three-step ""Bridge to Focus"" communication framework. This tool is designed to turn stressful daily interactions into positive, trusted connection points—proving that the little moments of deliberate, reframed communication yield big outcomes in staff retention and strategies for meaningful family engagement."

What do youth-serving adults across Utah say they need to develop confident youth leaders? This session shares findings from a statewide needs assessment of more than 225 professionals and volunteers working with youth, highlighting the greatest challenges they face, priority professional development needs, and the supports they believe would make the biggest difference. Learn what youth leaders across Utah identified as their biggest barriers, why ADHD and autism emerged as the highest training priorities, and how these findings can inform future staff development, programming, and resource planning. Whether you supervise staff, coordinate programs, or work directly with youth, this session will provide valuable insight into the evolving needs of Utah's youth-serving workforce.

Discover how adopting a coaching mindset as a supervisor can transform everyday interactions with staff into meaningful opportunities for fostering connection, growth, confidence, and ultimately, stronger program quality. We'll explore when to lead, when to manage, when to mentor, and when to coach; practice giving feedback that is both human-centered and actionable; strategize navigating difficult conversations with confidence and empathy; and learn tools for helping staff set goals, solve problems, and reflect on their own practice. Leave with practical coaching tools, conversation frameworks, and immediately implementable strategies that cultivate a positive team culture and strengthen staff performance to create the conditions for young people to thrive.

Afterschool leaders, program directors, and staff responsible for growth or sustainability will learn how to build programs that are ready for funding before the grant opportunity appears. This practical session will show how clear goals, measurable outcomes, strong partnerships, realistic budgets, and compelling stories work together to strengthen funding success. Participants will identify common gaps that weaken proposals and use a simple planning framework to assess their own program. Attendees will leave with practical tools to align strategy, program design, and resource development so they can pursue funding with greater clarity, confidence, and long-term sustainability.

Advocacy doesn't have to be a drag! While engaging policymakers can feel intimidating, the secret is simple: they’re just people who want real connection. As an afterschool pro, you already have the superpowers needed to win them over. In this session, we’ll ditch the "scary" stuff and discover how to use your existing skills—the same ones you use to connect with youth and families—to become an advocacy rockstar. Let’s reshape how you make the case for your program and turn "cumbersome" into "connection!"