In this webinar, Dr. Heidi Rueda will discuss the implementation and pilot evaluation of Mind Matters: Overcoming Adversity and Building Resilience among middle- and high-school youth attending an after-school program in one of the most impoverished areas of San Antonio, Texas. She will be joined by two former and one current graduate students. Youth participated in the curriculum just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which created a unique opportunity to assess their perceptions in person immediately following its implementation, and by phone three months later when they were not able attend school or the after-school program.

Objectives:

Webinar participants will be able to:

1. Describe the population, program contexts, and evaluation study that was conducted.
2. Explore youth’s perspectives of the program, including what they learned during the program and skills they continued to utilize during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Explore practitioners’ perspectives of the program, including potential adaptations for Hispanic middle- and high-school youth.

Presenters: Dr. Heidi Rueda, MSW, PhD, University of Texas, San Antonio, joined by Abigail Vera, LMSW, Arminda Marcial, LMSW, and Catherine Perri, BA, LCDC

Who should attend: Educators, practitioners, counselors, program managers, researchers, policy makers, and anyone interested in SEL, ACES, MTSS, youth relationship education, or trauma.

Resources:

• Hispanic Youth Case Study
• September 2021 Webinar Slide Deck
• Pilot Program Offers Lessons to Youth to Help Overcome Adversity