Many factors play a role in a child's prospects for success in school. Healthy social and emotional development is integral to a child's readiness for school and continued educational success. Children who have behavioral and emotional problems that are not addressed early in their school careers run the risk of falling behind their peers academically. How can schools and communities best address the needs of such children and their parents?

This web conference will discuss research on programs that further the social and emotional development of children. We will highlight one program that has improved outcomes for young children by screening them for behavioral problems and referring them to appropriate services. We will discuss the benefits of integrating programs into school systems and retaining the support and involvement of parents, teachers and school officials. Finally, we will discuss the funding and policy changes necessary to facilitate such programs.

Speakers:

• Seth Bernstein, Behavioral Health Administrator, Health Care District of Palm Beach County
• Julie Spielberger, Research Fellow, Chapin Hall Center for Children
• Elaine Zimmerman, Executive Director, Connecticut Commission on Children
• Moderator: Martha Shirk, Author, On Their Own: What Happens to Kids When They Age Out of the Foster Care System

The web conference is free for attendees and space is limited. To join the web conference, you need a computer with an Internet connection. The audio portion of the conference is available by telephone or over the Internet. To learn more about what you need to participate in the web conference, review the technical requirements.