Afterschool Symposium 2023

Prime Time’s Afterschool Symposium offered attendees inspiration, innovative strategies, activities, programs, systems and policies that complement ways in which out-of-school time programs, practitioners and the field can “SHIFT” (Stop, Hold space, Imagine, Feel the change and Take action). Click here for full event recap including video, photos and presentations. 

Workshops

Click on the title of the workshop to view presentation. 

Building the Boat While We Are Still in It 

Ernest Mitchell and Benjamin Dexter ll, Improvisational Educator , The Intelligent Fools  

Attend this fun workshop where you will engage in interactive games and activities that can be done in groups with youth to promote creativity, critical thinking, public speaking and communication skills through improvisation.  Refresh your toolbox of games and attention-getters through this interactive art form that helps youth build confidence, self-esteem and emotional awareness through fun interactive games. 

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Investing in Program Staff 

 Lili Murphy , Executive Director , Florida After School, Inc.  

In a field where time, talent and treasure are limited, how can we create a culture where program staff feel empowered and excited to come to work daily? This hands-on presentation will discuss some strategies for creating a supportive and engaging work culture and give tools that can be utilized to support front-line staff. Participants will discuss some of the challenges program leaders are facing in keeping their programs fully staffed and learn strategies they can implement to design a work environment that is warm, welcoming and inviting to front-line staff. Attend this workshop to learn and practice team-building activities to develop a collaborative culture.   

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The Impact of ACEs and Positive Childhood Experiences in the Afterschool Setting

Anne-Marie Brown , Director of Education and Trauma Services , Center for Child Counseling  

This interactive workshop provides an overview of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), taking participants into a deeper dive of Stop and Hold Space. It focuses on the impact of toxic stress on the developing brain and how this might impact behavior in daily life. Learn how to integrate PCEs for youth by providing a safe and nurturing, trauma-informed out-of-school time program to have a positive lifelong impact on the youth you serve. Walk away with ways to promote resilience in youth and create a positive caregiver-youth relationship.  

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Navigating Today’s Digital World  

William Desravines Jr., Lead Facilitator , Youth Speak Out International  

This interactive presentation will address the need for out-of-school time practitioners to be more aware of what youth are experiencing when operating in the digital world. Participants will discuss and learn the importance of media balance, privacy / security, digital footprints, relationships / communication, cyberbullying and digital drama. Through hands-on activities participants will learn strategies to have comfortable conversations with children and families as they create proficient digital citizens.   

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Shift is Key 

Caleb Wesco, Owner, #LetsGetMotivated Experience  

Afterschool staff experience joy and stressful moments that come with the job. Join Caleb Wersco, a former afterschool practitioner, in this interactive workshop that will encourage directors and staff that “Shift is Key to unlocking greatness in their program.”   “Shift” is “key” to unlocking capital performance in your entire afterschool program. However, “SH_FT is not complete unless ‘I’ am involved.”  

Caleb Wesco’s motto is “Let’s Get Motivated.” He encourages individuals, teams and organizations to get the M.O.S.T out of their life. M.O.S.T is his acronym, assisting audiences to get Motivated, Organized, Started toward their goals and hit the Target.  

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 Understanding Grief and Bereavement in Children 

Léi Y. Levinsky-Sun, Training and Program Coordinator, The Children’s Bereavement Center  

Participants will engage in an interactive presentation where they will learn about grief and bereavement in children.  During this session, participants explore different aspects of grief and gain a better understanding of how it impacts children and families. They will learn about different support strategies to help grievers in need, explore factors that facilitate or hinder effective coping and learn effective intervention strategies to provide support to families. The services that The Children’s Bereavement Center provides to grieving children and families will also be discussed.  

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Exhibitors On-the-Go

TechTerra Education

Community Partner of South Florida

Palm Beach County Youth Services Department

Improv to Improve, LLC

Palm Beach State College

Skillastics

Girls on the Run Palm Beach

The Brain Workout Academy

Event Sponsors

The Council is a local, special-purpose government created by Palm Beach County voters in 1986 and
reauthorized in 2014. For more than 30 years, it has provided leadership, funding, services
and research on behalf of the county’s children so they grow up healthy, safe and strong.

Palm Beach State College programs are led by full-time and adjunct professors with powerful real-world experience.
Start a new career or build your skills. Your goals are here for the taking, in a place designed for you.

Mizzen is a unique digital platform designed by, for, and with out-of-school time educators
that gives free access to over 1,400 pieces of content (and growing) across 10 content areas
like STEM, Entrepreneurship, and the Arts for grades K-12, as well as professional
development resources like facilitation tips and personal well-being resources. Mizzen collaborates
with experts in the field like Jazz at Lincoln Center, Pulitzer Center, PBS Student Reporting Labs,
and !Mpact players to create content specifically for out-of-school time spaces.