Welcome to Head to Toe 16!

It seems like only yesterday we were holding the very first Head to Toe Conference. Back then, our attendance was a mere 150 people with three different breakout session offerings. Now, 16 years later, we estimate our attendance at 650 people, offering 60 breakout sessions plus four preconference sessions! Head to Toe has certainly matured over the past 16 years and through it all we’ve always managed to keep our goal of improving student health and academic success at the forefront.  

Each year we try to address critical youth and adolescent health issues, explore best practices that can be replicated in your schools and communities, and provide quality networking time with colleagues in an enthusiastic and supportive atmosphere. This year promises to deliver the same classic Head to Toe experience with a sweet twist: it’s our 16th birthday, and we plan on celebrating with you!

We have two dynamic keynote presenters this year; Dr. Amy Schalet presenting a different approach to teen pregnancy prevention, and Jeff Wolfsberg, a nationally recognized drug education specialist. We are offering an entire opioid prevention track, including the screening of No Exceptions, a film about opioid abuse in New Mexico produced by the Human Services Department, Behavioral Health Services Division. You’ll see youth involvement in some of the breakout sessions and a plenary presentation by Teen Truth, a youth-driven student assembly model that is sure to deliver an impact. Each of our keynote and plenary presenters will host book signings throughout the conference, so make sure to stop by the conference bookstore to pick up your copy of their best-selling books.

This year our session summary booklet and PowerPoint handouts will be given to attendees on an official Head to Toe thumb drive! Laptop charging stations and complimentary Wi-Fi will be available in the exhibit area for you as well. Session summary booklets and extra thumb drives can be purchased during the online registration process, along with your own commemorative Head to Toe 16 t-shirt! 

Growing up together the last 16 years we have learned a lot from each other. We can always count on you to challenge and inspire us to improve the quality of Head to Toe. Because of you this is sure to be our best year yet, so get ready to help us blow out our candles and celebrate our sweet 16, see you there!