The Sessions

the sessions

We are hardwired to connect.
Biologically bound for belonging—
from our very beginnings.

In adolescence, new neural connections
foretell fierce friendships, first loves,
chosen families, and shared futures.

Yet in this moment of rupture,
as algorithms and agitators promise connection
but deliver its simulation,

And purveyors of fear and hate
cast difference as danger,
pit neighbor against neighbor,

We rise, pulled toward belonging,
drawn better together, proving community
is not a place—but a practice.

Come as you are

Return to your work with the fire of solidarity and real-world strategies. Be the reason someone feels safe and belongs. Join us for #HealthyTeen26 in San Diego, October 5-7, 2026.

Featured Sessions

About Kathleen

Kathleen Osta, LCSW, SEP, is the founder of the Adolescent Thriving Collaborative, an adolescent and family therapist, and a leading voice at the intersection of adolescent development, trauma recovery, and healing-centered systems change. With over 30 years of experience working with youth-supporting systems, Kathleen brings both clinical depth and systems-level perspective to questions of how young people learn, heal, and develop.

Her work translates cutting-edge research on the adolescent brain, attachment, and interpersonal neurobiology into practical tools and frameworks for teens, families, educators, and youth-supporting organizations. She holds advanced certifications in Somatic Experiencing and Integrated Trauma Therapy, and her thought leadership covers youth mental health and well-being, leadership for educational equity, and the importance of belonging and social connection.

Kathleen is guided by a fundamental belief that when we listen and understand what young people need—and commit to creating those conditions—every young person can thrive.

Wired to Belong: The Neuroscience of Connection and the Relationships That Help Adolescents Thrive

Kathleen Osta, LCSW, SEP ● Adolescent Thriving Collaborative

Opening Session: Monday, October 5, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM PT

Belonging isn’t a nice-to-have—it is a biological necessity. Adolescents are exquisitely sensitive to status, respect, and social connection; exclusion and disconnection activate threat responses that interfere with learning and growth.

This session explores how relationships are the foundation of healthy development and how context literally shapes the brain. Weaving together interpersonal neurobiology, attachment science, and developmental relationships, participants will delve into why belonging matters—and why young people must co-construct what belonging means for them.

Art as Resistance: Building Belonging through Creative Expression

Favianna Rodriguez ● Favianna Studios

Tuesday, October 6, 9:00 – 10:30 AM PT

We are hardwired to connect, and art may be one of our most powerful pathways to do so.

In this moment of rupture, as fear and opposition threaten the sexual and reproductive health of young people, this session invites you to experience art, storytelling, and culture as radical tools for belonging. Through a curated art talk and personal storytelling, we will explore how creative expression speaks to our hearts and imaginations, honoring the full diversity of young people’s lives and proving that difference is not a danger, but a gift.

Rooted in the facilitator’s personal journey of using art and storytelling to challenge shame and stigma around sex education, this session moves from inspiration to action. Participants will engage in a hands-on art activity, envisioning the world of YES they want for young people, because community is not a place, but a practice.

Leave with a sensory-driven framework for using creativity and storytelling as catalysts for equity, connection, and a future where all young people thrive.

About Favianna

Favianna Rodriguez is an interdisciplinary artist and cultural strategist. Her art and praxis address migration, reproductive justice, climate change, racial equity, and sexual freedom.

Favianna’s creative partnerships include institutions such as the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Ben & Jerry’s, Planned Parenthood, and the UN Climate Summit. A strategy advisor to artists of all genres, Favianna is regarded as one of the leading thinkers and personalities uniting art, culture, and social impact.

She is the founder and former president of The Center for Cultural Power, an organization igniting change at the intersection of art and social justice.

Opportunities to Belong: Demystifying What It Takes to Foster Belonging

DeLeon Gray, PhD, MA; Layla Garrett; & Alessia Griffin ● Black and Belonging

Wednesday, October 7, 2:30 – 4:00 PM PT

Belonging doesn’t just happen through relationships. It takes intentional effort to get to a place where “we’re in this together,” we honor multiple ways of knowing, and we implement organizational policies and norms shaped by young people.

Hear from the developer of the Opportunities to Belong framework, DeLeon Gray, about how various dimensions shape young people’s experiences of belonging. Learn from Black and Belonging Fellows, young people who will share their firsthand perspectives on what belonging—and its absence—actually feel like.

This session will move from research to reflection to practice. Through a live self-assessment, roundtable application, and a curated menu of concrete starter moves, attendees will identify their leading strength, uncover their blind spots, and leave with tools designed for immediate use with their teams to foster belonging.

About DeLeon

Dr. DeLeon Gray works jointly with young people, educators, parents, leaders, and mentors to unpack the concept of belonging in ways that are developmentally appropriate and contextually relevant.

As CEO of Black and Belonging, Dr. Gray combines his leadership skills with a passion for exposing young people to the social and professional experiences they deserve. In his faculty role at NC State University, Dr. Gray has developed doctoral courses on school belonging, community engagement, and grant writing.

Gray also received the Best Article Award from the American Psychological Association for his Opportunities to Belong framework. Black Enterprise featured Gray as one of 100 men of color who are living up to a standard of excellence in their respective industries.

In his personal life, DeLeon cherishes family events, often sharing the joyous experience of welcoming his Baby Gray into the world with a Black-Tie Baby Shower.

About Layla

Layla Garrett is a freshman at J.D. Clement Early College in Durham, NC. She has represented her school system nationally at the American Educational Research Association and has received numerous accolades as a songstress and area leader.

About Alessia

Alessia Griffin is a freshman at Hillside High School in Durham, NC. She has previously served as an International Baccalaureate Ambassador and has served as an exhibitor for the Durham Public Schools Foundation Sneaker Ball.

learning add-ons

These intensive, skill-building training sessions are an additional cost to the general conference ticket and have limited capacity.

About Porscha

Dr. Lee Porscha Moore (she/her/ella) is a fun-loving, lifelong learner committed to walking with children, young people, and families as they reconnect with their inner superhero. Porscha lives in her intersectionality and navigates this world as a Black cisgender woman.

Outside of facilitating and guiding training, Porscha juggles many hats, including roles as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing individual and group therapy and as a college instructor at various California state universities, private colleges, and community colleges throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Porscha is a proud first-generation college graduate who has earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, San Bernardino, two master’s degrees in social work with an emphasis in community mental health, a degree in communications from California State University, East Bay, and a doctorate in education from San Francisco State University.

Porscha communicates through laughter and sarcasm, as she challenges those she works with and serves to never stop challenging the status quo.

Moving Beyond Trauma-Informed by Bringing Healing-Centered Engagement into Schools and Nonprofits

Lee Porscha Moore, EdD, LCSW ● Flourish Agenda

Full-Day Training Session: Monday, October 5, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM PT
Cost: $225 (Early Bird Rate)

Trauma-informed care was the starting line—now it’s time to finish the race. While shifting our awareness to trauma was a vital first step, our schools and nonprofits need more than just harm reduction; they need a roadmap for collective joy.

Join Dr. Lee Porscha Moore for an interactive deep dive into Healing Centered Engagement (HCE). We’re moving past “What happened to you?” to focus on “What’s right with you?”

In this session, you’ll learn how to center culture, identity, and community as the ultimate tools for well-being. Come ready to challenge the status quo, prevent burnout through radical self-awareness, and build spaces where young people don’t just recover—they flourish.

Beats, Baddies, & Bodies: The Hypersexualization of Black Women

Tee Morgan, MEd & Tara Norman ● Planned Parenthood of Northern Central and Southern New Jersey

Full-Day Training Session: Monday, October 5, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM PT
Cost: $225 (Early Bird Rate)

This ain’t your typical training, this is a real conversation. Beats, Baddies & Bodies dives into how music, reality TV, and social media shape the way we see Black women’s bodies, worth, and credibility, especially in healthcare spaces. From viral lyrics to dating shows, we’ll unpack how the media becomes the loudest teacher in the room.

Grounded in the B.A.D.D.I.E. Framework—Building media awareness, Acknowledging history, Disrupting bias, Developing critical consciousness, Interrogating narratives, and Empowering action—this session blends culture, conversation, and critical thinking. Through lyric analysis, real-world examples, and interactive activities, participants will explore the tension between empowerment and exploitation and how those narratives show up in the care we give.

Come ready to think, feel, and maybe even rethink what “baddie” really means because the goal isn’t just awareness, it’s action.

About Tee

Tee Morgan, MEd (she/her), is an Affiliate Trainer at Planned Parenthood of Northern Central and Southern New Jersey (PPNCSNJ), a learning strategist, and host of The Way We Werk podcast. A proud Jersey native, she is dedicated to empowering young people and women while fostering transformative learning cultures. Tee earned her BA at Thomas Edison State University in NJ in 2025 and completed her MEd in Adult Education and Training at American College of Education. Tee is a published author, publishing company owner, and in-demand speaker known for her vibrant energy and dynamic facilitation style. She excels at transforming complex or sensitive topics into engaging, meaningful learning experiences for diverse audiences. Formerly a middle school educator in Philadelphia, she now focuses on advancing quality sex education, reproductive justice, and inclusive practices in healthcare training spaces. Having designed over 30 workshops and custom programs, Tee embodies a “beyond the four walls” approach, believing education is both a window and a key.

About Tara

Tara Norman (she/her) serves as the Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity for Planned Parenthood of Northern Central and Southern New Jersey (PPNCSNJ). As a people-focused professional, Tara is passionate about aligning with missions that advocate for and serve communities of color. Her commitment is to ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion are meaningfully reflected in organizational culture, legislation, advocacy, and healthcare delivery. Tara is a devoted advocate, educator, and leader in the fight to disrupt systemic barriers and improve health outcomes.

About Jaclyn

Jaclyn Friedman (she/her) is the founder and executive director of EducateUS, where she is leading the effort to build a movement of sex ed voters in the U.S.

A lifelong activist, advocate, and organizer, Friedman’s work has globally popularized the affirmative consent standard of sexual consent. Her first book, Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power and a World Without Rape, was one of Publisher’s Weekly’s Top 100 Books of 2009 and has inspired new laws in five U.S. states, as well as policies on countless campuses across the country and the world.

She also spearheaded the legendary #FBrape campaign, which forced Facebook to address and exclude content that promotes or trivializes violence against women under their hate speech policy, and is founder and former executive director of Women, Action & the Media (WAM!).

Building a Movement for Sex Education: From Theory to Your Custom Action Plan

Jaclyn Friedman ● EducateUS

Full-Day Training Session: Monday, October 5, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM PT
Cost: $225 (Early Bird Rate)

Do you want to inspire your community to take action for sex education, but aren’t sure how to, given the specifics of your workplace, or your opposition, or other constraints?

Spend a day with Jaclyn Friedman, founder and executive director of EducateUS, and a small group of other like-minded advocates and educators from around the country to develop an action plan tailored just for you, plus a toolbox full of other tools you can use, as the need arises.

You’ll learn how to apply the theory of change that will lead you right to the tactics most likely to work in your specific context, how to build buy-in to get your plans greenlit, and how to pivot like a pro when you hit a roadblock. If you want to develop a sense of belonging among folks who support your work so they keep coming back to take action with you again and again, this is the Learning Add-On for you!

Beyond the Curriculum: Leveling Up Your Sex Ed Skills

Jerrica Davis, MPH ● Healthy Teen Network

Half-Day Training Session: Monday, October 5, 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM PT
Cost: $110 (Early Bird Rate)

Comprehensive sex education programs give us the what: the essential, evidence-based knowledge that all young people deserve. But what about the how: the skills that help bring it to life?

In this interactive three-hour Learning Add-On, we’ll move beyond curriculum-based content to build the skills and confidence needed to teach high-quality, impactful sexual health education.

Together, we’ll build on the essential sex ed content we all know and love, strengthen those key skills that keep young people engaged and excited to learn, and share valuable feedback and strategies with fellow participants.

You’ll leave this session with practical tools for facilitating age-appropriate and developmentally responsive sex education and a stronger, more confident understanding of your role as a sexuality educator.

About Jerrica

Jerrica Davis (she/her) is a Senior Manager with Healthy Teen Network and is passionate about all things youth development, reproductive justice, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health.

With experience in facilitating sexual health and social-emotional learning programs for adolescent girls, she loves empowering young people and is excited to help others do the same. Jerrica is a seasoned pro at facilitating sexual health and youth development programs and trainings around topics such as healthy relationships, STI prevention and treatment, and youth engagement. She believes in ensuring that all young people, especially those from underserved communities, are equipped with the tools and services they need to achieve optimal health.

When she’s not dreaming of a better world for future generations, you can find Jerrica enjoying brunch with friends, binge-watching reality TV and true crime documentaries, or having a Disney movie sing-along with her two young kiddos.

Answer the Call

Thank you for your interest in presenting at #HealthyTeen26, but the 2026 Call for Proposals has closed!

agenda-at-a-glance

All times are in Pacific Time (PT).

***Times and content subject to change***

Monday, October 5
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM	Full-Day Learning Add-On
12:30 PM – 3:30 PM	Half-Day Learning Add-On
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM	Exhibit Hall Open
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM	General Session
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM	Networking Reception

Tuesday, October 6
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM	Exhibit Hall Open
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM	General Session
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM	Workshops
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM	Awards Lunch
1:45 PM – 3:00 PM	Workshops
3:15 PM – 4:30 PM	Workshops
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM	BIPOC Connect
8:00 PM – 9:30 PM	Queer Connect

Wednesday, October 7
8:30 AM – 2:30 PM	Exhibit Hall Open
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM	Workshops
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM	Workshops
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM	Lunch
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM	Roundtable Sessions
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM	General Session

Join us in San Diego

Join us at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina—a relaxing waterfront resort nestled along the beautiful shores of Mission Bay in sunny San Diego.

With sweeping bay views, a private marina, multiple pools and waterslides, a spa, and on-site dining, the hotel offers the perfect blend of comfort and coastal charm.

Whether you’re unwinding after conference sessions on a sunset cruise or sipping cocktails by the pool, this resort delivers relaxation and inspiration in equal measure. Just minutes from beaches, walking and biking paths, and a wide variety of water activities, Mission Bay invites you to dive into the best of San Diego’s laid-back, bayfront lifestyle.

We have secured a special rate for a limited number of rooms. The discounted room block is expected to sell out, so we highly recommend reserving your room as soon as possible.

Reservations will be available soon.

ROOM TYPE	SINGLE/DOUBLE	TRIPLE	QUAD
Guest Room	$259	$284	$309
Guest Room: Federal Government*	$194	$219	$244

Prices shown are base rates only and do not include applicable taxes and fees.

*Rate is dependent on the prevailing Federal Government Per Diem and is subject to change.

Boost Your Brand

Grab the spotlight with these exhibiting and advertising sponsorship opportunities.

All Access Pass

Exhibitor

Showcase your services and resources while connecting directly with a passionate community of professionals dedicated to supporting young people. As an exhibitor, you’ll be positioned at the heart of the conference experience—giving you meaningful opportunities to engage, share, and build lasting relationships.

Position your organization as a trusted resource in the field while expanding your reach and impact.

Benefits include:

Full conference access for one exhibitor, so you can participate in sessions, networking, and events alongside attendees
Dedicated exhibit table in a high-traffic area, ensuring consistent visibility and engagement throughout the conference
Direct connection opportunities with attendees actively seeking tools, resources, and partnerships
Increased brand visibility through logo placement on the conference website, mobile app, and presentation slides—with a direct link to the webpage of your choice

First Class

Egram Advertiser

Want your work in front of a highly engaged audience? Our weekly e-newsletter, the Egram, is one of the most trusted spaces in our organization—featuring consistently high open rates and a readership of youth-supporting professionals who actively engage with our resources, events, and opportunities.

Amplify your visibility and connect your work with the people most likely to engage, share, and take action.

Benefits include:

Two featured placements in the Egram, giving you dedicated space to highlight your resources, programs, or services to a network that values innovation and collaboration
Flexible scheduling for your two features within a two-week window—perfect for building early buzz or aligning with key dates
Increased brand visibility through logo placement on the conference website, mobile app, and presentation slides—with a direct link to the webpage of your choice

Highlight Reel

Conference App Advertiser

Without a printed program, the conference app is where attendees go to plan their experience, explore sessions, and stay connected. Advertising in the app puts your message front and center in a dynamic, highly visible space designed for engagement. Whether you’re promoting a session, sharing a resource, or highlighting a call to action, this is your opportunity to meet attendees in the moment.

Put your message directly in attendees’ hands—driving real-time engagement and action throughout the conference.

Benefits include:

Prominent in-app placement with a linked graphic featured throughout the conference, ensuring consistent visibility
Targeted engagement through one in-app push notification, delivering your call to action directly to attendees
Increased brand visibility through logo placement on the conference website, mobile app, and presentation slides—with a direct link to the webpage of your choice