Adult Training

Youth at the Helm: Driving Successful Prevention with a Youth-Led Approach

March 4, 2025 - Quest Conference Center - Polaris

Learn the foundational elements of youth-led prevention

Date: March 4, 2025

Time: 9:00 am - 4:15 pm

Location: Quest Conference Center

9200 Worthington Rd Ste 400, Westerville, OH 43082

Thanks to funding provided by OhioMHAS, this training will be provided at no cost to Ohio adults that work with young people.

Ohio educators, youth group leaders, and adult allies

Join us for a dynamic training designed to equip adults the knowledge, tools, and inspiration to make a lasting impact through youth-led prevention. This engaging and interactive day is perfect for those who are new to the field of youth-led prevention or those who would like to further develop their existing program.

This training will:

  • Define the core principles of youth-led prevention and its potential to create meaningful change.

  • Explore the science of connection and its positive influence on young people’s mental and behavioral health.

  • Highlight key areas of youth skill development to equip young people with tools for lifelong success.

  • Guide participants in harnessing youth skills to strengthen their program.

With expert insights from Matt Bellace, PhD, and Ty Sells, Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant, this training is a must for anyone committed to fostering youth leadership and creating stronger communities through the power of youth-led prevention.

Earn CEUs while enhancing your professional development.

We have applied for 6 hours of CEUs in Prevention Education through the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board.

This free training is limited to adults in Ohio. To host this or similar trainings in your state, please contact Julia Hall at jhall@compdrug.org

MEET THE PRESENTERS

Matt Bellace, PhD

Dr. Bellace has a PhD in clinical psychology with a subspecialty in clinical neuropsychology, the study of the brain and behavior. He was twice awarded the Student Intramural Research and Training Award (IRTA) in neuroscience by the National Institutes of Mental Health to study memory. His clinical training included working with patients at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Philadelphia), assessing learning disorders in a pediatric neuropsychology private practice in suburban Philadelphia and performing cognitive behavioral therapy at Drexel University’s Student Counseling Center. Matt completed his clinical internship working with traumatic brain and spinal cord injury patients at The Mount Sinai Medical in New York City. In 2005, Matt successfully defended his dissertation, “Activation of the Hippocampus During Emotional Learning,” later published in the International Journal of Neuroscience.

Ty Sells, OCPC

Recognized as an individual who cares deeply for the well being of youth, Ty is known for his charisma and leadership. Not just a speaker, Ty brings over 30 years of experience in drug prevention, community service, and youth development. Ty is an Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant, has a BA in Communication from The Ohio State University and is currently the Director of Speaker Services for Youth to Youth International in Columbus, Ohio. In 2012, Ty was awarded the “Prevention Innovator of the Year” Award by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for his development of creative prevention trainings and consultation with schools and organizations across the state. He has developed a number of trainings, workshops, and presentations for both youth and adults to address the many complex issues that confront today’s young people.

AGENDA

8:30 am - 9:00 am Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 am - 9:30 am Goals, Games and Get Acquainted

9:30 am - 10:30 am What Is (and is not) Youth-Led Prevention

10:30 am - 10:45 am Break

10:45 am - 12:00 pm Why Youth-Led Matters?

12:00 pm - 12:45 pm Lunch

12:45 pm - 1:30 pm Elements of Effective Prevention

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm What Skills Are We Developing?

2:30 pm - 2:45 pm Break

2:45 pm - 3:45 pm Honing for Impact

3:45 pm - 4:15 pm Questions/Dealing with Tricky Situations