15th Annual Conference
May 15, 2026
PPAL’s conference is the LARGEST children’s mental health conference in New England. This conference is for both families and professionals.
This year’s conference promises to be an outstanding event, with our community gathering virtually to recognize the importance of lived experience, award our Children’s Mental Health Community Awards, and attend morning and afternoon workshops on a wide variety of topics within Children’s Mental Health. Enjoy a day of learning and leave feeling inspired and connected!
Opening Remarks
Commissioner Emily Bailey
Department of Mental Health
Commissioner Cecely Reardon
Department of Youth Services
Morning Workshops
Sheilah Gauch, M.Ed., LICSW (she/her)
Principal & Clinical Director, Dearborn Academy and Board of Directors, Look Foundation
Understanding and Supporting PANS/PANDAS
Learn how infections and viruses may trigger a wide range of neuropsychiatric responses, including OCD, eating disorders, ADHD, disabling anxiety, mood lability, rage, tics, marked shifts in reading and math skills, and more. We will talk about why these illnesses can be easily missed, how they are diagnosed, and what treatments are used to support children in regaining health. We will also explore the challenges children with PANS/PANDAS and their caregivers face, and discuss how it presents in a school setting and how educators can best support children with this diagnosis.
Ayanna Freedom, LICSW, RYT 500 (she/her)
Founder & Co-Director, B FREE Wellness Inc. and Founder & Owner, Ayanna Freedom Inc.
Healing in Hard Times: Navigating a Holistic Approach to Healing
This workshop will address how trauma shows up in the body for adults and children and how we can all benefit from a somatic healing approach to life, work, and relationships. This workshop will be interactive and experiential, giving participants tools to use to navigate stressful times in life and to calm the nervous system down.
Julian Washington, Esq. (he/they)
Staff Attorney, Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee
Overcoming Overdiscipline: Asserting Your School Discipline Rights
Once a student is disciplined by their school, the student and their family are entitled to several protections pursuant to Massachusetts State Law. The student’s rights depend on the type of discipline (suspension, expulsion, emergency removal, etc.) they receive. This workshop will discuss the types of “offenses” a student can receive discipline for, the types of discipline a student can be subject to, and the rights students and parents have for each type of discipline, including students with disabilities. Finally, we will discuss the impact of school avoidance on school discipline, particularly in the context of Child Requiring Assistance petitions
Suzy Langevin, LICSW, LADC I (she/her)
Assistant Vice President, Open Sky Community Services
“What Does That Even Mean?”: Understanding Therapy Models Without the Jargon
CBT, DBT, MI, CPT… sometimes, therapy sounds more like alphabet soup than a structured way to help. This workshop will seek to demystify some of the acronyms and ‘therapy speak’ to provide a basic understanding of several popular clinical models for intervention, with an emphasis on how to decide if that model is a good fit for you or a loved one.
Emily Rubin, LICSW, MSW, MA (she/her)
Director of Sibling Support, E.K. Shriver Center, Assistant Professor in Psychiatry, UMass Chan Medical School, and Teaching Associate in Psychiatry, Part-time, Harvard Medical School
Supporting SIBLINGS of Youth with Mental & Behavioral Health Needs
The workshop will address the impact of a child’s mental & behavioral health issues on siblings, the importance of supporting siblings, parenting strategies to build resiliency and minimize trauma among siblings, and resources.
Raquel Quezada (she/her)
President, Cambiando El Mundo De Necesidades Especiales (Changing the World of People with Disabilities Foundation)
Mamá, tú también necesitas sanar (Mom, You Need to Heal Too)
Esta conferencia es una experiencia profunda y transformadora dirigida a madres de hijos con discapacidad. A través de una narrativa honesta y poderosa, la presentadora comparte su propia historia desde el momento del diagnóstico, revelando la “mochila emocional” que muchas madres cargan en silencio: miedo, culpa, ansiedad, depresión y rechazo.
Durante 90 minutos, las participantes no solo reflexionan sobre su realidad emocional, sino que también reciben herramientas prácticas para sanar, soltar el pasado, perdonar y priorizar su bienestar. La conferencia integra ejercicios en vivo, momentos de introspección y declaraciones colectivas que fortalecen la esperanza, la resiliencia y la paz interior.
Más que una charla, es un espacio seguro donde las madres comprenden que no están solas y que cuidarse a sí mismas es el primer paso para cuidar mejor a sus hijos y transformar su hogar.
Afternoon Workshops
Edith Bazile (she/her)
Founder & Executive Director, Black Advocates for Educational Excellence
Literacy as Liberation: Gateways to Ensuring the Right to Read
Research shows that ninety-five percent of students can learn to read, regardless of disability, so why are so many still struggling? This workshop examines how children learn to read and clarifies what dyslexia is and is not within the context of evidence-based literacy instruction. Participants will explore the role of early identification and targeted intervention, how to determine whether supports are producing meaningful progress, and what steps to take when growth is not occurring. Grounded in research and practical application, this session will explore data-informed strategies that strengthen literacy pathways for racially and linguistically diverse students and support measurable progress toward every child’s right to read.
Lydia Proulx (they/them)
Owner & Peer Support Specialist, Space Cases ADHD Coaching & Peer Support
Demonstrating Care for Transgender Young People
Join us to learn about what you can do and say to show transgender and gender nonconforming young people that they matter to you and our communities. We will use small groups and a large group discussion to learn how we can hold ourselves – and other supportive adults! – accountable to transgender and gender nonconforming young people in our lives.
Susie Gurley (she/her)
Creator & Host, Just A Mom Podcast
You Are Not Alone, and There Is Hope: The Story of the Just A Mom Podcast
This is a candid, vulnerable presentation where I talk about the incredible difficulties as well as some of the victories of raising a child with mental needs. I share some of the things I have learned over the three years and one hundred and twenty episodes of my Just A Mom podcast. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions as well.
Mercy Tandoh, LMHC, LPC, LCPC (she/her)
Founder & CEO, RAI Counseling Services
Embodied Wellness: A Holistic Approach to Mental Health for Parents and Professionals
This interactive workshop explores mental health through a holistic and somatic lens, emphasizing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and environment. Participants will learn practical strategies to recognize stress signals, regulate their nervous system, and foster resilience in both personal and professional spaces. By integrating strategies like mindful movement, breathwork, and nervous-system–friendly techniques, attendees will leave with tools to support themselves and others more effectively. This session is designed for parents, educators, and professionals seeking sustainable mental wellness and deeper self-awareness.
Ed-Dee G. Williams, MSW, Ph.D. (he/him)
Assistant Professor, Boston College School of Social Work and Director, Black Mental Wellness Research Lab
Understanding the Mental Health of Black Autistic Youth
This workshop will explore the vital mental health experiences of Black autistic youth and youth of color, highlighting their unique challenges with mood disorders. By adopting a sociocultural approach, we will uncover powerful insights and tailored strategies to support and empower these underserved communities.
Sheyla Rosario, Psy.D. (she/her)
Outpatient Mental Health Clinician & In-home Therapy Clinician, The Child & Family Wellness Center
Conoce tus derechos: Acceso a la educación especial (Get to Know Your Rights: Access to Special Education)
La charla enfatiza que los servicios de educación especial son un derecho legal y moral, no un privilegio. Según la Ley de Educación para Individuos con Discapacidades (IDEA), los niños con discapacidades tienen derecho a una Educación Pública Gratuita y Apropiada (FAPE) en el Entorno Menos Restrictivo. Los servicios de educación especial, incluidos los PEI y los Planes 504, están diseñados para eliminar barreras y brindar apoyo individualizado para que cada niño pueda prosperar académica, social y emocionalmente. El discurso destaca la importancia de la identificación temprana, la defensa familiar y la colaboración entre escuelas y familias. Exhorta a los educadores y profesionales a defender la equidad, garantizar la correcta implementación de los servicios y proteger la dignidad y el potencial de cada niño. En definitiva, enmarca la educación especial como una cuestión de derechos humanos, acceso y oportunidad.