Less Behaviors, Better Relationships (Series Begins Feb. 14, 2025) – The Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth, Inc.

For this webinar series, participants will automatically be enrolled in all 5 sessions.

REGISTRATION CLOSED)

Speaker

Leandro “Leo” Rosa, LICSW, Family and Educational Wellness (FEW) Center

Description

We have all seen it. The behaviors students are exhibiting at school are getting more and more challenging. More highly trained school personnel are needed to address the challenging behaviors, build better relationships and have a vast toolbox for students, parents and professionals. Building this toolbox takes expertise, experience and trial and error. This is why Leandro “Leo” Rosa has developed “Less Behaviors, Better Relationships” training. Both trainers have more than 35 years combined experience in Public Schools, Specialized Private Schools, Counseling Centers and Mental Health Agencies.

“Less Behaviors, Better Relationships” focuses on approaches from Applied Behavioral Analysis, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Social Learning Theory and others to build a toolbox that can be accessed by parents, professionals and students to address negative behaviors, build positive behaviors and build pro-social relationships that focus on values of positive regard, mutual respect and building healthy habits. By building better relationships, students can increase the time they are available to learn, parents can address conflict with ease and professionals can feel confident about their interventions. This webinar will allow professionals to further understand student behaviors and gain a toolbox of interventions to address change, conflict, risky behaviors and the challenges of growing up after COVID.

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must attend all 5 sessions and successfully pass a quiz following Session 5. Following 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. If you are not eligible for PDPs and/or CEUs, you may apply for a Certificate of Attendance.

In this session, participants will start by getting to know the presenters as well as discuss self-care, interests, hobbies and the training outline. Participants will learn to look at the “clinical picture” as it relates to themselves and the student they interact with. Participants will learn about child development, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities and mental health diagnosis. Discussing the “clinical picture” will allow participants to understand students and their diagnosis as it relates to relationship building and rapport building.

In Session 2, participants will learn about how to build relationships by building rapport and unconditional positive regard. Presenters will dive deep into how to build rapport by praise, interests, incentives and repairing relationships. Participants will receive tools focused on proactive strategies, visual aids and evidenced based interventions focused on do’s and don’ts.

Session 3 is focused on development of shared language and approaches that have been proven to address effective communication. Tools include “I feel” statements, observational learning, verbal vs non-verbal communication, choices and gaining cooperation. Participants will learn approaches they can implement immediately and witness successful intervention

Participants will receive more than 20 tools to address de-escalation with respect, dignity and effectiveness. Some of the tools include helpful vs. unhelpful language, empathy, validation, feedback sandwich and many more. Participants will walk away with handouts regarding de-escalation techniques they can use to prevent escalation and prevent crisis.

In this session, participants will also learn about reinforcement as it relates to Applied Behavioral Analysis and the function of behavior. Participants will learn the definition of reinforcement, how to use reinforcement for effective behavior change and understand the functions of behaviors. Participants will receive tools to help with transitions including previewing, expectations utilizing reinforcement to help with transitions. Trainers will discuss what not to do when intervening and how to measure success for real change.

Participants will learn the basics of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and how to implement CBT in their own personal lives and during student intervention. Participants will also learn the inter-relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviors and how they interact with decision making and maladaptive behaviors. Participants will receive tools defining and addressing cognitive distortions, the dysfunctional response cycle and confronting cognitive distortions.

About the Speakers

Leandro “Leo” Rosa (he/him) has dedicated his life to helping children and families. The son of Dominican immigrants, Leo is fluent in Spanish and uses his bicultural social work expertise to build a strong rapport with adolescents, young adults, and families. Utilizing a strengths-based approach with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Leo works diligently to help improve the lives of his clients. He assists clients to discover and develop their strengths – enabling them successfully navigate life’s challenges. Throughout his 20+ years of professional experience, Leo has worked in a variety of settings including schools, homes, and various agencies. His approach to family therapy is based on the Structural Family Therapy modality, which helps family members identify their roles and better organize their existing “family map” to become a more functional and supportive family unit. When not working, Leo enjoys walks on the beach, supporting his favorite sports teams, and traveling to the Caribbean. He often says, “The sun, the beach, the wind; as I get older my appreciation for all these little things in life keeps growing!”

evaluation

session 1 slides

SESSION 2 SLIDES

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 following Session 5.

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.

Enrollment in this course closed on 02/14/2025.

If you are seeking to receive CEUs and/or PDPs, please click Register Now. Once you complete the webinar series, you will be able to take quizzes for CEUs and/or PDPs. Upon completion of each quiz, you will receive a certificate.

All sessions are 9:30 – 11:30 am