Adapting to Meet Military-Connected Students’ Needs

Description: Part 2 of the series: "Strength Based Advocacy and Collaboration" Dr. Pamela Fenning and Dr. Gregory Leskin join MCEC's Georgia McKown to discuss the importance of shifting curriculum and strategies to meet military-connected students where they are academically, behaviorally and socially-emotionally. They also discuss opportunities to leverage multi-tiered systems of support in the process of assisting military connected students and their families.    Show Notes: Book: “School Supports for Children in Military Families” by Dr. Pamela Fenning   https://www.guilford.com/books/School-Supports-for-Students-in-Military-Families/Pamela-Fenning/9781462546930    Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission  https://mic3.net/    Military Student Identifier (MSI) and Impact Aid  https://www.militarychild.org/programs/videos-for-education-professionals    MCEC Global Summit Pre-Conference PD Sessions Preparing Communities to Support Military Connected Youth: Lessons Learned from the Field- Session 1: https://youtu.be/kIs6Oh7_CDY     Preparing Communities to Support Military Connected Youth: Lessons Learned from the Field Session 2: https://youtu.be/FivpzL3qygU   Podcast Episode 1: MTSS Identify, Respond, Prevent and Intervene for a Positive School Environment https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mtss-identify-respond-prevent-and-intervene-for/id1386801038?i=1000593478258   Student Transition Resources: https://www.militarychild.org/cprlparents   Bio: Pamela Fenning, PhD is a Professor in the School Psychology program at Loyola University Chicago and a licensed school and clinical psychologist in Illinois and co-chair of the School Psychology Program. She also serves as the associate dean for research in Loyola’s School of Education. Her research, clinical and teaching interests focus on multi-tiered systems of supports, particularly in the behavioral realm, the development and implementation of equitable discipline policies and practices, and support of military families and students. She has edited or co-authored four books on youth sexual health, school-based application of childhood psychopathology, support of military youth and equitable discipline with minoritized youth with disabilities. She has served as the chair of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Professional Positions Committee, the Council of Directors of School Psychology Programs (CDSPP) and the president of the the Trainers of School Psychologists.   Dr. Gregory Leskin is licensed clinical psychologist and serves as Director, NCTSN Military and Veteran Families and Children Program and the Academy on Child Traumatic Stress at the UCLA/Duke University’s National Center for Child Traumatic Stress. Dr. Leskin directs the NCTSN/DoD Academy on Child Trauma, an online training and social media platform developed to train DoD Family Advocacy Program staff clinical skills related to child trauma and behavioral health prevention for military families and children. Previously, Dr. Leskin has worked as a Clinical Researcher and Director of Clinical Training at the National Center for PTSD, Stanford University and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. He completed a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) post-doctoral fellowship at the National Center for PTSD at the Boston VA Medical Center. Dr. Leskin has written, consulted, and lectured on a number of clinical topics, including risk factors facing military-connected children, combat-related PTSD, impact of deployment on families and children, and promoting psychological resilience and well-being. He is the primary developer for the MiTi Kids program bringing together Military Informed and Trauma informed Principles for organizations to serve the needs of military and Veteran Families.   Georgia McKown is the Director of Planning, Analysis, and Evaluation at MCEC. Her work experience prior to this role included instructional design, pre-service teacher education, and elementary education. Georgia is currently finishing her PhD in Learning Sciences at Clemson University, where she has focused on education of military-connected children, education technology, and teacher preparation.