Bullying and teen suicide prevention among topics to be discussed at summit in Palm Springs today
Experts will address topics such as school violence and reducing bullying at the Riverside County Safe Schools Summit in Palm Springs Wednesday.
The event at the Palm Springs Convention Center starts at 8:30 a.m. and is geared toward educators and public agencies.
A free session for parents and guardians is scheduled at 6 p.m., according to the Riverside County Office of Education.
Michele Borba, an expert on parenting education, bullying and ethical development, will speak about strengthening children’s resiliency, reducing peer cruelty and “creating compassionate learning cultures,” according to a statement from organizers.
Jeffrey Cugno, an FBI special agent and coordinator from the Primary National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, will give a presentation on school violence, with an emphasis on characteristics of those who stage attacks on kindergarten-through-12th grade campuses.
Breakout session topics will include teen suicide prevention and awareness, child sex trafficking, youth drug trends, active shooter preparedness, bullying and cyber bullying, and gang awareness.
County Supervisor John Benoit, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Kenneth Young, and Jerry Wengerd, director of the Riverside County Department of Mental Health, will also speak.
The parents and guardians evening session includes dinner, materials, parking and a presentation featuring Borba. Translation will be available.
The event is put on by the Riverside County Office of Education and the Riverside County Department of Mental Health.
To register, go to www.rcoe.us or call Cheryl Dollar at (951) 826-6603 or email cdollar@rcoe.us.
