25th Annual Stand Up for a Brighter Tomorrow Conference

Join us for the 25th Annual Stand Up for a Brighter Tomorrow Conference in Prestonsburg, Kentucky on March 26, 2026!

Registration is now open.

March 26th, 8am. Doors open at 7:45am.

Stand Up for a Brighter Tomorrow is an annual Behavioral Health Conference focused on the emotional well-being of children, adolescents, and young adults. This conference benefits professionals, parents, and others interested in strengthening their understanding of trauma, interpersonal violence, and emotional and behavioral challenges affecting youth and families.

• There is no registration fee to attend the conference and there is no charge for continuing education credits.
• Lunch will be provided.
• Door prizes will be available.
• Please notify Heather Greene ([email protected]) or Renee Conn ([email protected]) if you find you cannot attend after registration so that others can be registered after maximum capacity is reached.

Registration will close when maximum capacity is reached.

Workshops include: Lost in Transition: Meeting the Emotional Needs of Transitional Age Youth; Intergenerational Patterns: When Parents' Histories Shape Children's Emotional Health; Green Dot Youth Outreach Prevention Education & Partnerships: "No one has to do EVERYTHING but everyone has to do SOMETHING."; and Behind the Chaos Curtain: The Silent Trauma of Children Living with Violence and Exploitation.

Continuing education credits are approved by the Kentucky Board of Social Work for 1–8 credit hours per session: KBSW 2026021 – Behind the Chaos Curtain; KBSW 2026020 – Intergenerational Patterns; KBSW 2026023 – Lost in Transition; and KBSW 2026022 – Green Dot Youth Outreach Prevention Education & Partnerships. Approval is pending with the Kentucky Board of Examiners in Psychology and the Licensed Professional Board of Counselors. Attendees must attend an entire workshop and complete a written evaluation to receive CEU credit.

This conference is hosted by Mountain Comprehensive Care Center’s Healing Program for Survivors of Sexual Assault & Interpersonal Violence. Funded in whole or part with public funds.

Sponsors for The Healing Program’s Stand Up for a Brighter Tomorrow Conference: Mountain Comprehensive Care Center’s Project Launch, providing assessments, screenings, diagnoses, and referrals, including autism assessments, for children 0–8 in Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Magoffin, Martin, and Pike counties; and Big Sandy ADD, which includes programs such as Community Collaboration for Children – Families First that educate, strengthen, and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Plenary

Be the Someone — Breaking Cycles Through the Power of Presence

Presenter: Joseph Little, MBA

Joseph Little, MBA, founder of Joe Little Inspires and author of Me and Poverty: A Journey of Inspiration and Escape, shares lived and professional insight to equip adults who serve youth to better understand trauma, poverty, addiction, resilience, and the impact of being the steady presence a young person needs.

Workshop Agenda:

Workshop 1 Details

Lost in Transition: Meeting the Emotional Needs of Transitional Age Youth

Presenter: Presenter: Ethan Doebel, BSSW, TAY Coordinator, MCCC

Transitional Age Youth (ages 14–26) often fall between child and adult systems during a pivotal stage of development. This session explores key emotional and service gaps and highlights trauma-informed, strength-based strategies to improve engagement, build life skills, and support stability into adulthood.

Level: Intermediate

Workshop 2 Details

Intergenerational Patterns: When Parents' Histories Shape Children's Emotional Health

Presenter: Tasha Miller, LPCC-S, RPT, Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, MCCC

Children are shaped by emotional patterns carried across generations. This session examines how caregivers’ early attachment experiences influence stress responses and parenting behaviors. Participants will learn practical, relationship-based strategies that strengthen connection and support intentional caregiving.

Level: Intermediate

Workshops 3 Details

Green Dot Youth Outreach Prevention Education & Partnerships: "No one has to do EVERYTHING but everyone has to do SOMETHING."

Presenters:

Kimberly Reynolds, MA, Green Dot Facilitator, MCCC
Leslie Fannin, MA, Green Dot Facilitator, MCCC

Green Dot Youth Outreach, part of The Healing Program and supported by KASAP, works to reduce power-based violence in high schools. This session introduces the 3 D’s of bystander intervention and practical strategies that build safer school communities.

Level: Beginner

Workshop 4 Details

Behind the Chaos Curtain: The Silent Trauma of Children Living with Violence and Exploitation

Presenter: Ricky Lynn, Detective, Frankfort Police Department

Children exposed to violence, exploitation, and substance-impacted homes face increased vulnerability to abuse and trafficking. This session strengthens identification of warning signs and reviews trauma-informed, multidisciplinary response strategies that protect youth and reduce retraumatization.

Level: Beginner

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Host or Publisher Mountain Comprehensive Care Center