Prevention Professional Learning
2026-2027 Prevention Professional Learning
2026-2027 Prevention and Student Services Summit
The Utah State Board of Education’s (USBE) Behavior Support and Prevention teams are
excited to host a two-day Behavior Solutions Customized Workshop. This training, based
on the work of Dr. John Hannigan and colleagues, will provide a framework for establishing
and implementing proactive, tiered behavior supports. This approach is designed to
bridge the gap between academic and social behavior instruction through a systematic
structure. This workshop will move learning beyond theoretical concepts to build effective
interventions that reduce classroom disruption. Participants will leave with a customized
framework for their school. There is no cost for participants to attend this workshop,
however any and all travel costs will be the responsibility of the traveler, if applicable.
This training is designed for educators at all levels. School teams (teachers, administrators,
related service providers, etc.) are encouraged to attend together in order to facilitate
framework development.
September 24-25, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Utah Valley Convention Center
220 W Center Street, Provo, UT 84601
Please register via the 2026-2027 Behavior Support and Prevention Summit Registration Qualtrics survey.
2026-2027 Prevention Protective Factor In-Person Series
This engaging one-day, six-hour workshop explores the Protective Factors Framework,
a research-based, evidence-informed approach to promoting student, family, and community
well-being. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the five protective factors
and discover practical strategies for strengthening them within schools and communities.
Through interactive activities and real-world examples, attendees will learn how protective
factors can enhance student engagement, attendance, behavior, academic achievement,
and overall well-being. The workshop is designed to support schools in creating safe,
supportive environments where all students can thrive. This training is for anyone
working in the school system.
Protective Factors Framework Workshop Registration link
Monday, September 28, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Duchesne County School District - Board Room
1010 East 200 North, Roosevelt, UT 84066
Monday, November 30, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Canyons School District - Peaks Center
9361 South 300 East, Sandy, UT 84070
Friday, January 29, 2027 | 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Salt Lake County Area - Location TBD
Tuesday, February 9, 2027 | 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
USU Brigham City - Room D217
989 South Main Street, Brigham City, UT 84302
Tuesday, March 23, 2027 | 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Cedar City Area - Location TBD
Monday, April 12, 2027 | 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Utah County Area - Location TBD
2026-2027 Prevention Webinar Series
Join the Prevention and Student Services teams at the Utah State Board of Education
for a monthly webinar series focused on helping educators create the conditions that
support student success. Topics include protective factors, prevention science, behavior
support, and other evidence-informed practices that foster safe, supportive, and engaging
learning environments.
Sessions are held from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, except
in August and October, when webinars occur on the last Thursday of the month. You
only need to register once for the entire webinar series.
2026-2027 Prevention Webinar Series Registration (this will register you for ALL webinars)
August 27, 2026 - Beyond Prevention: Creating the Conditions for Student Success Through
Protective Factors and Positive Childhood Experiences
For many years, prevention efforts have focused on preventing problems. Today, prevention
science is increasingly focused instead on understanding what helps children, youth,
and families succeed. This webinar will explore the latest research on protective
factors, positive childhood experiences, resilience, and connectedness, and demonstrate
how the Protective Factor Framework (PFF) provides a practical roadmap for fostering
student success. Participants will learn how the Protective Factor Framework can be
used to strengthen student well-being, improve academic outcomes, and guide prevention
efforts at the individual, school, and system levels. Participants will leave with
practical strategies for building protective factors into their daily work and creating
environments where all students can thrive.
Beyond Prevention: Creating the Conditions for Student Success (YouTube)
Beyond Prevention - Creating the Conditions for Student Success through Protective
Factors and PCEs (Presentation)
September 17, 2026 - Connection Saves Lives: A School-Based Approach to Suicide Prevention
Participants will explore warning signs and risk factors for suicide, learn strategies
to foster protective factors and connectedness, and review resources and best practices
for supporting students in need. The session will also highlight the critical role
schools play in creating safe, supportive environments that promote student connection,
well-being, and help seeking behaviors.
Connection Saves Lives: A School-Based Approach to Suicide Prevention (YouTube)
Connection Saves Lives: A School-Based Approach to Suicide Prevention (Presentation)
October 29, 2026 - The Verbal Escalation Cycle: Another Key to Prevention
How do you prevent behaviors from escalating beyond verbal demonstration? The goal
of prevention and behavior support is to help students recognize their actions and
learn skills for future success. Adults can support students, even in the most stressful
of situations before behaviors become physical. Join us in exploring how to guide
students to de-escalation when they enter the verbal escalation cycle.
November 19, 2026 - The January Plan: Re-Setting Behavior Expectations
Once the school year nears the halfway point, educators begin to think about the return
from winter break and how to best guide students with Tier 1 classroom support. Whether
it is re-establishing expectations, adjusting the environment, or exploring higher-level
supports, November is the perfect time to draft out your January return to school
plan.
December 17, 2026 - Is it Sensory or is it Behavior?
As a school-based occupational therapist, this is one of the most common questions
I am asked. In this session, participants will become familiar with sensory systems
and how to determine the function behind many common behaviors in order to design
effective interventions.
January 21, 2027 - Incorporating the Protective Factors Framework into the Student
Intervention Early Warning System
Utah Code Section 53F-4-207 requires LEAs to implement an Early Warning System (EWS) that identifies students
at risk for academic failure early and provides timely, effective, evidence-based
intervention strategies that promote student success. This webinar will provide an
overview of foundational EWS requirements and explore how school administrators, teachers,
and behavior specialists can apply the Protective Factors Framework to strengthen
prevention and intervention strategies.
February 18, 2027 - MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) Processes and Supports
This session will cover the core components of MTSS, including universal screening,
data-based decision-making, and the three-tier continuum of support. Participants
will learn how to clearly differentiate between Tier 1, 2, and 3 interventions, use
progress-monitoring data effectively to match students with the right resources, and
establish collaborative school-based problem-solving teams to support students who
are struggling academically or behaviorally.
March 18, 2027 - Knowledge of Development - Cognitive Distortions
This webinar will equip school professionals with developmental frameworks to assist
students in identifying and addressing cognitive distortions (i.e. catastrophizing,
mind-reading, all or nothing thinking) in students across different age groups. Rather
than treating these thought patterns as isolated behavioral issues, participants will
explore how a student's evolving development shapes their interpretation. By understanding
the intersections of developmental milestones and thinking errors, educators will
gain age-appropriate strategies to help students build cognitive flexibility and foster
emotional resilience within the school environment.
April 15, 2027 - Beyond Compliance: Using Positive Behaviors Plans to Build Protective
Factors and Prevent Risky Behaviors
This webinar will explore the required elements of a Positive Behaviors Plan (Substance
Use Prevention Plan) under Utah Code Section 53G-10-407 and provide strategies for schools to address these requirements. Participants will
learn how Positive Behaviors Plans can strengthen protective factors such as social
connections, resilience, and cognitive, emotional, and social competencies that are
linked to reductions in substance use and other risky behaviors. Attendees will leave
with ideas for creating or refining a Positive Behaviors Plan that supports student
well-being and school connectedness.
May 20, 2027 - Strategies to Prevent Behavioral/Emotional Crises
Behavioral/emotional crises can occur in any school setting, even when strong supports
are in place. This webinar, based on Chapter 7 of the 2025 LRBI Technical Assistance
Manual, explores practical, proactive strategies that help reduce the likelihood of
behavioral/emotional crisis situations and support safe, positive outcomes for students
and staff.
Learning Portal
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Learning Portal is an online tool for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to request specific Professional
Learning (PL) and Technical Assistance (TA) support from the USBE. The information
submitted is used to help coordinate PL and TA across the state to ensure that LEA
needs are addressed and met in an efficient manner.
2025-2026 Prevention and Protective Factor Webinar Series
This is an opportunity to explore timely topics that support prevention, student well-being,
and school success. Webinars will also provide information on how to intentionally
incorporate the Protective Factor Framework into prevention work in schools.
2025-2026 Prevention and Student Services Webinar Series Flyer
Topics will include:
Suicide Prevention
Substance Use Prevention
Bullying Prevention
Cybersecurity Awareness
Addressing Challenging
Behaviors in the Classroom
Strategies to Support School Attendance
August 21, 2025 - Roles & Responsibilities YouTube
School-based Mental Health Roles and Responsibilities Presentation
School-based Mental Health Staff Roles and Responsibilities in the Education Setting
September 18, 2025 - The LiFEsports program YouTube
LifeSport Presentation
North Layton Jr. High School, Principal Corby Eason
2025-2026 USBE Prevention and Student Services Webinar Series
October - No Webinar
November 20, 2025 - Accountability Practices & Youth Court Panel YouTube
2025-2026 Prevention Webinar Series-Accountability Practices and Peer Court Presentation
December 18, 2025 - Bullying Prevention YouTube
2025-26 Prevention Webinar Series-Bullying Prevention
January 15, 2026 - Substance Use Prevention YouTube
2025-2026 Prevention Webinar Series-Substance Use Prevention Presentation
February 19, 2026 - Understanding and Supporting Student Mental Health in an Educational Setting YouTube
2025-2026 Understanding and Supporting Student Mental Health in an Educational Setting Presentation
*Note - Slides in the PDF are in a different order than they were presented in the live webinar.
March 19. 2026 - Child Sexual Abuse and Human Trafficking Prevention Instruction in Utah Schools YouTube
2025-2026 Child Sexual Abuse and Human Trafficking Prevention Instruction in Utah
Schools Presentation
April 16, 2026 - Behavior Support Basics YouTube
2025-2026 Foundational Behavior Support Training Presentation
May 21, 2026 - Check & Connect/Attendance Youtube
Utah's Check and Connect Mentor Program Overview Presentation
USBE Prevention Webinar: 2025 SHARP Survey Results Informational Webinar
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Prevention team will be hosting a webinar
with the Utah Department of Human Services regarding the Utah Student Health and Risk
Prevention (SHARP) survey.
This webinar will highlight some of the key state data results from the 2025 administration
of the SHARP survey. Attendees will learn about notable statewide trends reflected
in the data and explore ways these results can be used to guide prevention priorities,
planning, and ongoing collaborative efforts to support student health and well-being.
The webinar will be geared towards Local Education Agency (LEA) administrators, Student Services Directors, Prevention Specialists, School Counselors,
and all those engaged in Prevention work.
April 30, 2026 - 2025 SHARP Survey Results Informational Webinar YouTube
Learning Portal
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Learning Portal is an online tool for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to request specific Professional
Learning (PL) and Technical Assistance (TA) support from the USBE. The information
submitted is used to help coordinate PL and TA across the state to ensure that LEA
needs are addressed and met in an efficient manner.
