Middletown, NY – Registration is now open for the 26^th Making Healthful Decisions Conference which will focus on Building Connection, Community and Belonging.  This content filled day will provide participants with stress reducing, regenerative and practical tools that will support them in their work and at home and will benefit children, youth and adults.  Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess, Orange and Sullivan Counties, and their organizing partners including Dutchess Community College, BOCES Dutchess County, Garnet Health, Maternal-Infant Services Network (MiSN), Orange County Government (Community Outreach and Healthy Families), Sullivan 180, SUNY Bridges are thrilled to offer this event on Friday, November 1, 2024 at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, NY.  “Our goal is to create a day that provides educators, human service professionals and parents the chance to gain exceptional information that one can immediately apply at home or to the work they do, while building community with others.” said Julika von Stackelberg, Family and Community Resilience Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County.

Garnet Health is our legacy sponsor who has been a generous sponsor for years, as well as Dutchess Community College for their generous donation of offering the conference space and enthusiasm for this event, along with Dutchess BOCES who will assist with offering CTLE credits to those who need it.

The all-day conference will be held in person and the cost to attend is $80, with a discounted rate for seniors and students of $60.   The program includes a keynote presentation about Transforming Stigma into Strength by motivational speaker, Mike Veny. Mike brings knowledge along with high energy entertainment.  The day will commence with words from Dr. Ebony Green of Cornerstone Equity Consultants where she will explore the profound impact of working together as a community and the essential role of collective care in building stronger, more resilient societies.   The conference is packed with seven additional breakout sessions in the morning and afternoon.  Breakout topics and presenters are:

• Black/BIUPOC Maternal Health in the Hudson Valley: Building a Community Begins at Birth - Denise Bolds
• Soulful Connections: Harnessing Empathy to Power – Leah Gooch
• The Art of Co-regulations and Connections: From a Polyvagal Perspective – Melissa O’Connor/Jennifer Simpkins
• The Choosing Love Mindset: Thriving not just Surviving Post Traumatic Growth - Scarlett Lewis
• A Trauma Informed Approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Jaye Holly
• Handle with Care Program - Marla Behler, Frank Guglieri and Matthew Kraisky
• Connection: Collaborating with Community Resources for Youth ages 0-21 – Michelle Varvaro

The program will also include a vibrant panel discussion around the daily stressors faced by families of children with special needs. The day will culminate with a trio of educators from SUNY New Paltz who will bring the program together with In here/Out There: Integrating Contemplative Practices in Our Life and Our Work.  

For more information and to register, please visit

CCE Orange website: https://cceorangecounty.org/events/2024/11/01/making-healthful-decisions-conference-2024

To register: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E190538&id=842

If you are interested in obtaining CTLE credit or have other questions, please reach out to Carol McLaughlin for more information. She can be reached at Cornell Cooperative Extension at 845-344-1234 or email to cm798@cornell.edu

Cornell Cooperative Extension and its partnerships provide programs for Orange County residents on youth and family development; nutrition, health, and food safety; community and economic vitality; and agricultural sustainability through Cornell based research.  Committed to Orange County, we design programs to meet local needs to enable people to improve their lives and communities.  For more information call Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County at 845-344-1234 or visit our website at www.cceorangecounty.org.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

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