WCASD Parent & Community Workshops
WCCTC Community Workshops
All workshops listed below are free to attend by the WCASD community. Click on the event title for individual flyers. For more information, contact Kate Coulter at kcoulter@wcasd.net or 484-266-1216.
All of these sessions will be presented virtually through Zoom in partnership with West Chester Communities That Care. More information on these presentations can be found on the events page of the West Chester Communities That Care website.
Let's Talk About Mental Health
Watch the Recording
Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 6:30 to 8 pm
During this workshop, you will learn to recognize signs and symptoms, how to speak to your child and how to involve school staff, insights on a misunderstood topic, and much more.
Surprising Ways Successful People Grow with Grit
Watch the Recording
Thursday, September 23, 2025, from 6:30 to 8 pm
Based on his book Life is Disappointing and other Inspiring Thoughts, Dr. Bellace will discuss how great musicians, Olympic athletes, comedians and others have harnessed their pain, loss and failure to give rise to tremendous growth. Using humor and psychological research on coping skills, this virtual session helps participants to better understand the process of using disappointment as fuel to propel themselves forward.
KIDS’ CHARACTER COUNTS ONLINE and OFF
Watch the Recording
Monday, September 29, 2025, from 6:30 to 8 pm
Join us to learn key points for how to develop our online and “in real life ” character, PLUS learn skills for helping youth be safe online. This presentation will cover: online safety, social media addiction, and cyberbullying. ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Since 2012, Tom Thelen has spoken at over 900 schools and conferences and has been interviewed on NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS. Tom is a former Certified Instructor in Youth Mental Health First Aid, a training
program by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Can We Disagree Better?
Watch the Recording
March 11, 2025 at 6:30 to 8 pm
This important virtual training, called “Can We Disagree Better? Kids Learn By Listening,” explores parenting and the art of constructive disagreement, covering topics like the Us Vs. Them mentality, the value of unity in child development, and strategies to build mental toughness and strong, adaptable identities.
Creating Responsible Kids on Smartphones
No Recording Available
February 12, 2025, at 6:30 to 8 pm
This important in-person training, called “Suicide Prevention Training for All,” will explain the process of QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer. It is designed to help adults and students identify and support those in crisis to find help.
Suicide Prevention Training for All
No Recording Available
January 8, 2025, at 6 to 8 pm
This important in-person training, called “Suicide Prevention Training for All,” will explain the process of QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer. It is designed to help adults and students identify and support those in crisis to find help.
Understanding School and Community Mental Health Resources
Watch the Recording
December 3, 2024, at 6:30 pm
Navigating the maze of resources available to your child can be difficult and confusing. Please allow us to provide you with a roadmap of tiered interventions, definitions, and answers to questions that will help you make the right decisions for your child. Download the event flyer at Mental Health Resources Flyer or register today at wcctc.org/meet.
Marijuana and Mental Health
Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Take a deep dive with us to better understand the impact of medical marijuana on youth today. We’ll discuss the intersection of marijuana and mental health in our culture and learn to make accurate, research-based decisions when considering medical marijuana use for ourselves or children in our life.
Talk Now. Know How.
Watch the Recording
October 17th at 6:30 pm
Please join local prevention professional Loretta Cohen, MSW, shares current youth behavior trends from the PA Youth Survey. This informative virtual discussion will explain how to set your children up for success. Driven by science with a down to earth approach, this presentation with Q and A to follow will be well worth your time! Current trends regarding mental health and addictive substance use in youth will be the focus of this relevant and important workshop.
Finding Balance
Watch the Recording
Tuesday, September 24, at 6:30 p.m., via zoom.
We will talk about finding balance as a nurturer, disciplinarian, cheerleader, and accountability partner for your kids. We play many roles as parents. Join us online to discuss how to find success while wearing our many hats.
Love, Limits, and Listening
Watch the Recording
Wednesday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m., via zoom.
Build strong character and relationships that last with your children.
Bonding with Children through all their Ages and Stages
Watching the Recording
Thursday, February 15, at 6:30 p.m.
Bonding occurs across a lifespan. Understanding attachment styles and attunement to others can increase the ability to connect well with others and even reduce the likelihood of risk behavior. This workshop is an excellent way for parents and teachers alike to learn how to become secure attachment figures for their children or students.
Sleep and the Developing Brain
Watch the Recording
Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM via Zoom
Babies and tired parents aren’t the only ones who need lots of sleep. But how do we get rambunctious youth and over-pressured teens to prioritize their pillows? Join us to discuss helpful strategies.
Guiding Children through Stress
Watch the Recording
Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM via Zoom
Join us as we explore avenues for opening vulnerable communication with our children while staying true to our role as parents. We will dive more deeply into the topic of stress and we will learn: how stress impacts teens today to differentiate stress from anxiety and when to seek professional help
Defying Disappointment
To View the Recording, please email Loretta Cohen for the link
Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM via Zoom
Dr. Bellace will discuss how great musicians, Olympic athletes, comedians, and others have harnessed their pain, loss, and failure to give rise to tremendous growth. Using humor and psychological research on coping skills, this virtual session helps participants to better understand the process of using disappointment as fuel to propel themselves forward.
Success and Less Stress with Boundary Setting
Download and print Family Contract for Technology Use and Safety and Healthy Boundaries Checklist
Wednesday, September 27 at 6:30 pm via Zoom
For you, your kids, and your whole family's mental health, BOUNDARY SETTING is a critical piece of the parenting puzzle.
Talk Now. Know How.
Thursday, March 16 at 8:30 pm via Zoom
A conversation about raising resilient kids. Register to receive the Zoom link at wcctc.org/meet
Helping Children Find Passion & Purpose for Better Emotional Health
View the recording
Tuesday, February 28 at 6:30 pm via Zoom
Join Licensed Clinical Social Worker and professor of psychology, Janine Oliver, PhD. as we learn how to use everyday tasks and volunteerism as a launch pad for passion, purpose, and lifelong fulfillment.
Relentless Stress
September 29, 2022 via Zoom 6:30pm
Stress now seems part of every day life. Join Brian McGinley, LSW, with CCIU Training and Consultation as he discusses how to tear through the challenge of relentless stress. In this interactive session, adults learn to identify types of stress, recognize when it becomes harmful and how to best support children and adolescents through stressful situations.
Everyday Emotion Health
March, 2022
Mood Food
Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at 6:30 p.m.
View the Mood Food Program Recording
Summer, Alcohol, and Teens
Monday, April 19, 2021, at 6 p.m.
View the Summer, Alcohol, and Teens Recording
Technology and Mental Health: Explore the Connection
Thursday, May 20, 2021, at 6 p.m.
Registration Link: https://mobilizer4.wixsite.com/wcctc/event-details/technology-and-mental-health-explore-the-connection-1
It's Okay Not to Be Okay
Tuesday, September 29, 2021
View the It's Okay Not to Be Okay Recording
Technology and Emotional Health
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
View the Technology and Emotional Health Recording
HEALTHY COMMUNICATION
Carol DeMarco, WCASD Counselor
Connecting well with children and teens to build bonds that last and strengthen resiliency in youth.
Tuesday, November 9, 2021 @ 6:30 pm via Zoom
View the Healthy Communication Recording
Q.P.R. (Question, Persuade, Refer)
Tracy Berhinger, Chesco Dept of MH, CC Suicide Prevention Task Force
Hands on training to spot signs of suicide risk and, like CPR, practice effective responses
Tuesday, November 30, 2021 @ 6:30 pm at Spellman Education Center
Register now!www.wcctc.org/meet
WCASD Parent Workshops
Click on the event title for more information or contact Kate Coulter at kcoulter@wcasd.net or 484-266-1216.
All of these sessions were recorded through Zoom by WCASD Mental Health Specialists and other pupil services staff.
Visit the Community Workshop webpage for information on additional parent workshops.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Wednesday, April 13th, 7pm-8pm, Watch the Recording
The first session in the series will focus on the 5 competencies of Social Emotional Learning and how these competencies are essential in the classroom and in the home. We will establish Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making as the foundation for social, emotional, behavioral, and academic growth. As supportive adults in children’s lives, how can we model and engage in conversations about these competencies?
Mindfulness and Breathwork for Stress Management
April 13 at 6:30 pm via Zoom - Parent Workshop
View the recording from: Mindfulness and Breathwork for Stress Management
Health at Every Size
January 12, 2023 @ 6:30 pm. This an insightful talk about creating a healthy body-positive environment for you and your family.
View the recording from: Health at Every Size
Parenting in the LBGTQIA+ Community - a supportive parent training
November 3, 2022 at 6:30pm via zoom. Watch the video recording of the workshop.
A journey to look through two different lenses in this session: Parents of LGBTQIA+ youth and Youth with LGBTQIA+ parents. We will talk about how we can be supportive through either lens.
Mining the Treasures in your Child
Watch the Zoom meeting on Mining the Treasures in your Child as it guides families through helpful strategies for building strong foundations that set children on a healthy path for socio-emotional well-being and academic success.
The 5 Love Languages
Watch the Zoom meeting on The 5 Love Languages to learn about the benefits of identifying and understanding love languages.
Building Resilience in Your Child
Watch the Zoom meeting on Building Resilience in Your Child to learn ways to help children who are struggling emotionally.
Parenting Through a Pandemic and Beyond 2020
Watch the Zoom presentation with Rachael and Dr. Lou Parenting Through a Pandemic and Beyond 2020 to help families be emotionally healthy in 2021. Please review a helpful tip sheet shared from the presentation.
Impact of Stress: Strategies to Help
View Video Recording from Impact of Stress: Strategies to Help
Behavior and Contingencies
View Video Recording from Behavior and Contingencies
Supporting Positive Relationships
View the recording from Supporting Positive Relationships, PowerPoint Presentation
Signs of Struggling: Strategies to Help
View the recording from Signs of Struggling: Strategies to Help
Identifying Signs of Anxiety & Depression in Children
View the recording from Identifying Signs of Anxiety & Depression in Children and the slide show presentation from the mental health specialists
Parenting your Kids at the Speed Of Life: Everyday Strategies for Success!
These individual and virtual parenting classes with distinct topics and strategies are facilitated by Kate Coulter, MS, LPC, and Carol DeMarco, MSW - both WCASD counselors. Techniques and conversations are direct, easily applicable, and flexible enough to fit your family.