Meet Our Conference Keynotes
 

Restorative Justice

Keynote: Bob Costello

Bob Costello has been working with disadvantaged youth since 1986. With more than two decades of experience in the fields of mental health, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, inpatient and outpatient services and alternative education, Bob has brought restorative practices training to professionals throughout the United States and the world in education, law enforcement and criminal justice, counseling, social work, business and other areas. Bob has also worked extensively with students and parents to educate them in the concepts of restorative practices. He has appeared on radio numerous times as a spokesperson for restorative practices and restorative justice, most notably on the acclaimed National Public Radio program “Justice Talking.” Those who have had the pleasure to work with Bob or attend one of his training sessions describe him as “entertaining, knowledgeable and an expert at overcoming resistance.” Bob is the director of training and consulting for the International Institute for Restorative Practices, the world’s largest provider of restorative practices training.

 

 

Let's Talk: Getting Real About Teens and Drugs

Keynote: Marsha Rosenbaum, PhD

Marsha Rosenbaum, PhD is director of the Safety First Project and director of the San Francisco office of the Drug Policy Alliance. For nearly 20 years, Marsha was the principal investigator on National Institute on Drug Abuse funded studies of heroin addiction, methadone maintenance treatment, MDMA (Ecstasy), cocaine, and drug use during pregnancy. She is the author of three books on women and
drugs, four booklets on youth and drugs, and numerous scholarly articles about drug use, addiction, treatment and drug policy. Marsha is a nationally recognized speaker on youth and drugs, drug education, and drug policy. She received her doctorate in medical sociology from the University of California at San Francisco.

 

 

UpFront: A New Direction in School-based Drug Prevention

Keynote: Chuck Ries

Chuck Ries, the director of UpFront Programs and the Oakland High School Student Assistance Program, has been exploring the relationship between drugs, the individual and society for 37 years, the last nine at Oakland High School in California. Chuck combines student feedback, hands-on experience, and current scientific research to create programs that are rated exemplary by the students
and district they serve. Seeking a more humane and harmonious relationship
with authority and the juvenile justice system, Chuck embraces and utilizes the
principles of restorative practices.

 

 

 

Stories from San Juan County

Keynote: Randy Large

Randy Large is the former director and current vice president of the board of the San Juan Safe Communities Initiative, Inc., a community organization composed of representatives from government, treatment, prevention, law enforcement, schools, the faith-based community, and many others. Randy serves on the board of the Better Business Bureau, San Juan County Partnership, Totah Behavioral Health Authority, and Leadership San Juan. His past positions include board president of People Assisting The Homeless (PATH), president of Leadership San Juan, and service on various local committees and boards. Randy owns Sherrie’s Studio (a portrait studio in Farmington), and is president of Consulting Consortium, Inc., a business consulting firm.