For this webinar series, participants will automatically be enrolled in all 5 sessions.
SpeakerS
Description
This five-part webinar series explores comprehensive approaches to supporting LGBTQ+ students in both schools and community-based settings. Participants will gain insights from a legal expert on state and federal case law impacting schools and LGBTQ+ students, and will also hear from practitioners, educators, and community organizations on best practices for promoting mental health and fostering a strong sense of belonging.
To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must attend all 5 sessions and successfully pass a quiz following Session 5. Within 24 hours of the live webinar, registrants will be emailed a link to view the recorded webinar. The recording will be made available for 7 days after each session.
About the SpeakerS
Sheila Kelly, M.A., LMHC, (she/her) is a mental health professional with a strong background in supporting children and adolescents. After earning her undergraduate degree from Boston College and her master’s from the University of San Francisco, Sheila began her career as a therapist and Clinical Program Director, focusing on intensive therapeutic care for youth facing complex trauma. Since 2008, she has been a School Counselor at Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School in Devens, Mass., where she addresses a wide range of mental health, social, and emotional concerns for students and families. Passionate about promoting mental health and well-being, Sheila advocates for LGBTQ+ youth and diverse populations, leading school-wide mental health and diversity initiatives. With 14 years of experience advising the Gender & Sexuality Alliance, she is deeply committed to fostering equitable and safe environments for all students, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in school culture and community.
Tony Leone (he/him) is the program director at NAGLY, The North Shore Alliance of LGBTQIA+ Youth. He proudly serves the LGBTQIA+ community from kindergarten through age 23. Tony received his undergrad in psychology and graduate degree in mental health counseling. Tony has been in the field for 8+ years and specializes in group support.
Tony began his career in the human services field while in his undergrad studying juvenile psychology. He worked within the schools, in after school programs, and specialized with adolescent youth on the autism spectrum. Tony then received his graduate degree in mental health counseling and continued his direct care work as a counselor along with being the program director at NAGLY.
Catherine L. Lyons , Esq., (she/her) is a graduate of New England School of Law, magna cum laude, and she currently represents school districts exclusively in all aspects of education law before state and federal agencies, as well as in state and federal court, with a particular emphasis on special education matters. Cat has a Master’s Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Texas Tech University, and was previously employed as a certified speech-language pathologist in both the private and public sectors prior to becoming an attorney. Cat also has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education from Texas Tech University. Cat has completed the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s mediation training requirements pursuant to Rule 8 of the Uniform Rules on Dispute Resolution. Cat is the Co-Chair of the annual Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education School Law Conference and is a member of the Massachusetts Council of School Attorneys, as well as the National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys. In addition to representing school districts in special education and related general education matters, Cat is a frequent speaker at professional conferences, workshops, and seminars.
Jai Madden, MSW, LCSW, (he/him) is a trauma-informed educator, speaker, advocate, and practicing clinical social worker seeking to transform mental health and health services towards a more profound expression of health, equity, and justice. Jai has experiences in various settings, including residential programs with adolescents on the autism spectrum, school-based counseling, child welfare, hospital emergency room social worker, outpatient therapy, and in-home/wrap services through the Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) model.
Jai started as a youth advocate in Jamaica around reproductive health rights, where he planned and designed curriculums for middle and high schools and piloted a self-esteem program across the schools he worked in. Having realized the injustice his clients faced with broken systems, he changed his path to pursue social work.
Jai has the added value of helping clients navigate systems while supporting them therapeutically. His clinical areas of interest are crisis interventions, ADHD, addictions/recovery, career, domestic violence, grief and loss, LGBTQIA+, trauma, depression, anxiety, empowerment, relationships, men’s issues, personal growth, DEI, and social justice perspectives in clinical treatment.
Cinzia D. Solari, Ph.D. (she/her) is Professor of Sociology at the University of Massachusetts Boston. A feminist ethnographer, her research explores the intersections of gender, migration, and nationalism. She is the author of two award-winning books: On the Shoulders of Grandmothers: Gender, Migration, and Post-Soviet Nation-State Building (Routledge, 2017) and The Gender Order of Neoliberalism(Polity, 2023). Her current research focuses on the experiences of trans and nonbinary high school students, aiming to better understand their lives within educational settings and the broader community. Dr. Solari is also the founder of FAMILY+ (Families Advocating for LGBTQ+ Inclusion), a local parent organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for queer youth.
Membership Information
Most MPY webinars are available ONLY to current staff from member districts and organizations. Public school memberships include police and fire personnel. Former and retired employees and members of committees, including but not limited to, PTO/PTA, PAC, School Improvement Councils, Health Councils, Drug/Alcohol Councils, and school volunteers, are not considered MPY members.
PDPs and CEUs
MPY is an approved Professional Development Provider through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (Provider No. F20180079). Professional Development Points (PDPs) are offered for most MPY professional development webinars. PDPs are issued in 10 hour increments, per DESE requirements.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for clinical staff through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association, Inc. (MaMHCA). The NASW and the MaMHCA approve each event individually. CEUs may be given in hourly increments.
To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must pass the quiz.
Event Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend a MPY webinar you must cancel, through Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org, one business day before the webinar.
For MPY hybrid conferences, the date in-person registration closes will be posted on MPY’s website. Virtual conference registration will close one business day before the hybrid conference. You cannot cancel or switch your registration from in-person to virtual after in-person registration closes. Please email Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org with any questions regarding registration.
All sessions are 9:30 – 11:30 am