Bullying Prevention with Stars Nashville

Name: Bullying Prevention with Stars Nashville
Start: 2026-04-18T12:00:00-05:00
Location: STARS Nashville

Schedule

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026 at 12:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

STARS Nashville | Nashville, TN

Join AutismTN for an in-person presentation from STARS Nashville on how parents/caregivers and individuals can prevent and respond to bullying.
Participants will choose from attending a family-focused or individual-focused session to explore issues related to bullying prevention and intervention for parents and young people, including those on the autism spectrum. This discussion will include tips for parents and individuals on how to spot signs of bullying, as well as how to respond when bullying occurs. Additionally, participants will discuss the best ways for young people to deal with issues related to bullying at school, home, and in the community.
Bullying Prevention with Nashville Stars is made possible in part through the generous support of the Metropolitan Nashville Community Safety Grant. Their partnership helps us provide welcoming spaces for connecting through common interests and community.
About STARS
STARS’ mission has been to help all young people pursue their unlimited potential. They provide hope, health, connection and compassion through prevention, intervention, treatment and training.
STARS has served some of our most disenfranchised populations by providing school-based prevention and intervention services, as well as intensive outpatient treatment services for adolescents with substance use and co-occurring disorders. Their programs have helped increase school attachment, attendance and grades, as well as improve decision-making skills and refusal of alcohol, drugs and sexual activity. They have witnessed higher individual resilience and lower rates of suspensions, expulsions, bullying, violence and delinquency. STARS promotes an increased positive orientation to the future and youth involvement in the community.
About the Presenters
Rodger Dinwiddie has been the CEO of STARS-Nashville, an evidenced-based Student Assistance Program, since 1986. Prior to joining STARS, he served as the Executive Director of another nonprofit organization working with the juvenile court for five years and was a classroom teacher in the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools for seven years.
Rodger is an Olweus Technical Assistance Consultant for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program and Safe Dates Program, and he serves as the Tennessee State Olweus Coordinator in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education and Clemson University. He currently provides consultation in the areas of best practices in bullying prevention and intervention, school climate improvement, bullying in the workplace, improving workplace relationships and culture, substance misuse, as well as the development of social emotional competencies. Rodger is also a national trainer for the Hazelden/Betty Ford Center. He is a Past-President of the International Bullying Prevention Association and former president of the National Student Assistance Association.
Matt Gress is a Senior Program Manager, counselor, and trainer at STARS. Matt is also a certified Prevention Specialist through the state of Tennessee and a certified trainer of trainers with the “Olweus Bullying Program”, “True North”, and “Restorative Practices.” He facilitates trainings, workshops, and presentations for mental health professionals, teachers, administrators, parents, students, and the community.
Have questions about this event? Contact us at [email protected] or call our Resource Helpline at (615) 270-2077.