2026 Conference Archive

Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Putnam County School District

First Presenter’s Email Address

rsurrency@my.putnamschools.org

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Dr. Surrency is in his 47th year of education serving as the elected superintendent of the Putnam County School District in his 2nd term. After serving as a school teacher, assistant principal, and principal for 38 years, he retired and ran for the office of superintendent in 2016. Putnam County has an enrollment of 10,000 students with 13 schools. Dr. Surrency has made significant improvements in his district by improving the district graduation rates from 54.9% in 2015 to 92.5% in 2021, the largest increase in the State of Florida during the same time period. Under the leadership of Dr. Surrency, construction has begun to build 9 new schools over the next 10 years as part of the district’s revitalization program. He led a campaign to raise $300 Million in a referendum to build 6 of the schools. The other 3 will be paid with state appropriations. In December, 2022 Dr. Surrency was named the 2023 State Superintendent of the Year for Florida. Dr. Surrency and his wife Penny have 6 children and 10 grandchildren.

Second Presenter's Institution

Putnam County School District

Second Presenter’s Email Address

d2drew@my.putnamschools.org

Second Presenter's Brief Biography

Diana Drew is an educator with 29 years of experience in education at both the elementary and secondary levels as a teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal and principal. She is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for students. Currently, she serves as Director of Student Services for the Putnam County School District in Florida. Her focus revolves around championing student success through tailored programs, counseling services, and initiatives that promote holistic development. She is passionate about empowering students to thrive academically, socially, and personally during their educational journey, including ensuring they understand the power of resilience. She is excited to share the strategies and mindset shifts that empower individuals to bounce back from adversity. With a focus on practical approaches and real-life examples in educational settings, Diana aims to inspire audiences to harness their resilience for personal and professional growth.

Third Presenter's Institution

Putnam County School District

Third Presenter’s Email Address

k1simmons@my.putnamschools.org

Third Presenter's Brief Biography

Kimberly Simmons is the Clinical Supervisor for the Mental Wellness Department at Putnam County School District. A licensed mental health therapist and qualified supervisor through the state of Florida, Kimberly brings over 12 years of experience working with adolescents facing mental health disorders, substance abuse, family systems issues, and trauma. Since joining the district in 2018, when the Mental Wellness Department was founded, she has been instrumental in expanding the program into a holistic service that addresses the diverse needs of students. Kimberly is passionate about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and fostering a supportive environment for students to thrive emotionally and academically.

Submitter

I am submitting this proposal as one of the presenter(s)

Location

Scarbrough 3

Strand #1

Health: Mental & Physical Health

Strand #2

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Relevance

Our proposal outlines our efforts as a school district to increase mental health awareness, foster communication and engagement with parents and families, and improve social emotional interventions through the use of unique therapeutic modalities and curriculums.

Brief Program Description

This program explores cutting-edge mental health interventions that foster resilience and increase engagement. By moving beyond traditional methods, it introduces innovative approaches like animal-assisted therapy, experiential therapy, telehealth therapy and mindfulness-based techniques. Participants will learn how these unique interventions can effectively address mental health challenges that students face in schools, workplaces, and communities, promoting long-term well-being and emotional strength. The program highlights real-world examples, practical strategies and offers tools to build healthier, more resilient environments.

Summary

This presentation focuses on addressing the growing mental health challenges in schools, workplaces, and communities through innovative strategies. Traditional approaches often fall short in engaging individuals and promoting long-term resilience. By introducing unique interventions, such as animal-assisted therapy, creative arts, and digital tools, we can build a more holistic mental health support system. The presentation will cover: Current Mental Health Challenges- A brief overview of prevalent issues such as stress, anxiety, and disengagement, and the need for novel approaches. Discussion of Innovative Interventions- Exploration of what makes an intervention innovative and why it’s critical for addressing diverse mental health needs. Building Resilience- Strategies and examples of interventions that foster resilience, including mindfulness, community-based initiatives, and peer support programs. Enhancing Engagement- Techniques to actively involve individuals in their mental health care through creative, therapeutic, and technology-based interventions. By showcasing successful case studies and innovative solutions, this presentation will inspire stakeholders to adopt and integrate these approaches, ultimately leading to improved mental health outcomes and more supportive environments.

Evidence

This proposal, “Innovative Approaches to Mental Health: Promoting Resilience and Engagement Through Unique Interventions” is based on widespread research and promising practices.

Animal-Assisted Therapy has both emotional and behavioral benefits. Numerous studies have shown that AAT can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while improving mood and overall emotional well-being. Research in schools and therapeutic settings shows that AAT can improve social interactions, communication, and cognitive function, particularly in children with developmental or social difficulties. Additionally, studies with children with autism have reported improvements in social skills and reductions in problem behaviors after AAT interventions.

Experiential therapy focuses on engaging the student in activities (such as role-playing, art, or adventure therapy) to access emotions tied to past experiences. Research has shown it to be effective in treating trauma, particularly in children and adolescents. Experiential techniques help students externalize their emotions and work through them in a safe, controlled environment. It has been found that experiential therapy increases engagement and motivation in therapeutic work, making it especially effective with younger populations. It can reduce symptoms of anxiety and PTSD and build problem-solving skills and self-efficacy.

Telehealth therapy has gained widespread validation, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies indicate that teletherapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Research also shows that telehealth improves access to care, particularly for people in rural or underserved areas. Many students report high satisfaction due to the convenience and flexibility of accessing therapy from their own homes, school, or work settings.

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), are well-supported by evidence showing their ability to reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. A large body of research, including randomized controlled trials, has demonstrated their efficacy in enhancing emotional regulation, reducing rumination, and increasing positive mood. Studies have shown that mindfulness techniques can also enhance cognitive function, improve attention, and help with emotion regulation. Each of these therapeutic modalities has been extensively researched, demonstrating field-tested effectiveness in improving mental health outcomes across different populations.

Learning Objective 1

Identify innovative mental health interventions that promote resilience and engagement in various settings such as schools, workplaces, and communities.

Learning Objective 2

Understand the evidence-based benefits of unique approaches like animal-assisted therapy, experiential therapy, and telehealth in mental health treatment.

Learning Objective 3

Discuss strategies for implementing these innovative interventions to increase engagement and foster long-term resilience.

Keyword Descriptors

Promoting resilience, mental health barriers, mental health innovation, emerging interventions, enhancing engagement, highlighting success

Presentation Year

2026

Start Date

3-2-2026 1:00 PM

End Date

3-2-2026 2:15 PM

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Mar 2nd, 1:00 PM Mar 2nd, 2:15 PM

Innovative Approaches to Mental Health: Promoting Resilience and Engagement Through Unique Interventions

Scarbrough 3

This program explores cutting-edge mental health interventions that foster resilience and increase engagement. By moving beyond traditional methods, it introduces innovative approaches like animal-assisted therapy, experiential therapy, telehealth therapy and mindfulness-based techniques. Participants will learn how these unique interventions can effectively address mental health challenges that students face in schools, workplaces, and communities, promoting long-term well-being and emotional strength. The program highlights real-world examples, practical strategies and offers tools to build healthier, more resilient environments.