THE SPEAKERS
Cheyenne Makinia
Topic: "How Can I Help?"
Hear what some of our Rusk County families are challenged with and the importance of having supportive adults and places for students to work through those challenges. Learn more about what to report, when to report, and what information is important to gather to help keep youth safe.
Bio: Cheyenne Makinia works for Rusk County Children and Family as the CST Coordinator and Foster Care Coordinator. She volunteers with NAMI Barron County and is the acting president of the affiliate.
Hear what some of our Rusk County families are challenged with and the importance of having supportive adults and places for students to work through those challenges. Learn more about what to report, when to report, and what information is important to gather to help keep youth safe.
Bio: Cheyenne Makinia works for Rusk County Children and Family as the CST Coordinator and Foster Care Coordinator. She volunteers with NAMI Barron County and is the acting president of the affiliate.
Gerry Berg
Topic: "How does Domestic Abuse affect our students?"
Gerry will share from her years of educational and personal life experiences the devastating affects domestic abuse has on our students. How can we recognize the signs, ask the questions, and offer help when we are faced with these situations.
Bio: Gerry Berg has over 35 years of experience in child development education and when working at the college level, created and taught several degree programs including Early Childhood, Psychology, Human Services, and Grant Writing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood, a master’s in psychology and another in education, and recently completed her doctoral studies in Psychology, focusing on mediation and conflict resolution. This background has served to reinforce the work she does with victims of domestic violence in achieving life goals and healing from trauma. Gerry is herself a survivor of domestic violence and is committed to helping others who have similar lived experience.
Gerry will share from her years of educational and personal life experiences the devastating affects domestic abuse has on our students. How can we recognize the signs, ask the questions, and offer help when we are faced with these situations.
Bio: Gerry Berg has over 35 years of experience in child development education and when working at the college level, created and taught several degree programs including Early Childhood, Psychology, Human Services, and Grant Writing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood, a master’s in psychology and another in education, and recently completed her doctoral studies in Psychology, focusing on mediation and conflict resolution. This background has served to reinforce the work she does with victims of domestic violence in achieving life goals and healing from trauma. Gerry is herself a survivor of domestic violence and is committed to helping others who have similar lived experience.
Leslie cole, MS, LPC-IT, SAC-IT
Topic: "Steps for Behavior Management"
Leslie will be talking about how to work with students who have behavior situations. How can you as a volunteer help them recognize why they are responding the way they are? What is effective management that will help the student to grow and be who God wants them to be? She will do some role play to show how to put it all together.
Bio: Leslie is Licensed Professional Counselor - in training at Family Therapy Associates, LLC based in both Eau Claire, and Menomonie offices. Leslie received a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UW-Stout, with a focus in Substance Use and Addiction Counseling. Additionally, Leslie obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a focus on Christian Counseling at Liberty University.
Leslie has experience in various residential care/group homes with foster care adolescents and teens with behavioral and substance issues. Additionally, Leslie was previously a residential manager of a safe house in North Carolina for girls ages 12-21 who had been rescued from sex trafficking. Leslie assisted in working with teens to transition back to a safe/healthy life, as well as provided training and education on sex trafficking in the United States. Leslie has a passion of working with children/adolescents, college-aged young adults, and adults who are experiencing struggles with anxiety, depression, trauma, interpersonal relationships, communication effectiveness, emotional dysregulation, and substance abuse.
Leslie will be talking about how to work with students who have behavior situations. How can you as a volunteer help them recognize why they are responding the way they are? What is effective management that will help the student to grow and be who God wants them to be? She will do some role play to show how to put it all together.
Bio: Leslie is Licensed Professional Counselor - in training at Family Therapy Associates, LLC based in both Eau Claire, and Menomonie offices. Leslie received a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UW-Stout, with a focus in Substance Use and Addiction Counseling. Additionally, Leslie obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a focus on Christian Counseling at Liberty University.
Leslie has experience in various residential care/group homes with foster care adolescents and teens with behavioral and substance issues. Additionally, Leslie was previously a residential manager of a safe house in North Carolina for girls ages 12-21 who had been rescued from sex trafficking. Leslie assisted in working with teens to transition back to a safe/healthy life, as well as provided training and education on sex trafficking in the United States. Leslie has a passion of working with children/adolescents, college-aged young adults, and adults who are experiencing struggles with anxiety, depression, trauma, interpersonal relationships, communication effectiveness, emotional dysregulation, and substance abuse.
Dr. Jeremy Allard
Topic: "Sharing Your Story"
Sharing your most important stories of life and faith can be natural and easy.
Bio: Dr. Jeremy Allard has been working with students for over 25 years as a pastor, coach, and speaker. Engaged in many local community efforts his contributions are evidence to the knowledge, experience and genuine concern he brings to supporting our youth. He is passionate about helping kids understand they amazing value and reaching their full potential.
Sharing your most important stories of life and faith can be natural and easy.
Bio: Dr. Jeremy Allard has been working with students for over 25 years as a pastor, coach, and speaker. Engaged in many local community efforts his contributions are evidence to the knowledge, experience and genuine concern he brings to supporting our youth. He is passionate about helping kids understand they amazing value and reaching their full potential.