Welcome

The School Symposium is an annual event hosted in partnership with DMH, LACOE and UCLA that is intended to bring awareness and dialogue about important issues that affect the school community. Focusing on the African Proverb “It Takes a Village,” this year’s School & Community Symposium focused on how school communities can come together to heal after experiencing the challenges associated with the pandemic.  This first part of a four part series included remarks from Dr. Jonathan Sherin, Director of LA County Department of Mental Health, Dr. Debra Duardo, Superintendent of Los Angeles County Office of Education.  It also featured Dr. Tyrone Howard, Director of the Center for Transformation of Schools at UCLA, speaking on opportunities for a stronger return after the pandemic.  The symposium also featured a youth podcast featuring a group of students speaking of their experiences during COVID-19 and some of the challenges they have endured.

This second part of a four-part series included keynote speaker Dr. Catherine Mogil, UCLA Professor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Director of the Family Stress Clinic, and Co-Director of the DMH + UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence. Dr. Mogil highlighted the importance of Creating a Safety Net to Build Resilience. There was a Healing Arts segment that included social-emotional tools and available resources to the school village. In addition, high school students shared their perspectives on resilience.