Each May the Institute holds a signature conference that brings together local, national and international experts to present the newest information related to violence prevention and intervention strategies. The numerous attendees include teachers, school counselors, principals, mental health professionals, social workers, service agency personnel, police officers, judges, religious leaders and policymakers. Renowned psychologist Don Meichenbaum, Ph.D., our Scientific Director and a founding member of the Institute, arranges the conference agenda and speakers. We partner with the University of Miami’s Dunspaugh-Dalton Community and Educational Well-being Research Center, located within the School of Education and Human Development.
Topics run the spectrum of violence prevention and have included the following:
- preventive interventions with children
- adolescents and their families
- strengthening resilience
- family violence
- interpersonal violence
- human trafficking
- childhood aggression
- depression and suicide
- school and community violence
- nurturing emotional and behavioral well-being
- trauma-focused intervention for children, adolescents and families
Other symposia include our fall conference, Silence the Violence forums and specialized conferences in response to a community need.
Education Series on Bullying Prevention – Bullying is a major contributing factor in incidents of violence, particularly school violence. The Institute sponsors an educational series of seminars and workshops for teachers, school counselors, mental health professionals and law enforcement personnel, as well as University of Miami counseling education classes. The Institute hosts annual Youth Conferences on Bullying Prevention, facilitated by international experts on childhood aggression, for students and faculty from area elementary and middle schools.
