The Head to Toe conference was founded 14 years ago on the tenet that physical and behavioral health issues have a direct impact on a student's academic success.  From its humble beginnings, Head to Toe has become the premiere educational conference for school nurses, counselors and social workers, attracting more than 700 attendees.  They are joined by teachers, school administrators, students, school-based health center staff, and community providers as they learn from local and national experts about critical youth and adolescent health issues, best practices that can be replicated in their schools and communities and current science-based information.

This year we have made sure that we have ample programming to address the needs of the behavioral health providers attending the conference.  You'll find workshops on psychotic disorders, trauma stabilization, working with groups, and trauma informed schools.  Nurses can attend sessions on assessing asthma, treating type 1 diabetes, immunizations, eye and oral health as well as a half-day preconference session on motivational interviewing for school nurses.  Sessions on cyberbullying, positive youth development, confidentiality laws and worksite wellness will benefit all attendees.

Special features for 2010 include a "mini-conference" on April 13 designed for school-based health coordinators and clinical staff.  There is also a full day preconference workshop on fetal alcohol syndrome. Join the New Mexico Alliance for School-based Health Care in celebration of their 10th anniversary at a special banquet. We will also have a keynote panel discussion to explore how to move New Mexico forward to a full-service community - special guests will be announced shortly.

Check the Web site often for special announcements and updates!

CONFERENCE NEWS