Upcoming events.
Calm + Confident Parenting Series: PRESCHOOLERS - Big Feelings, Small Humans: How to Respond Without Losing Your Cool
Join for a FREE monthly 30-minute psychoeducational webinar for parents of preschoolers who want to feel more Calm + Confident. Preschool sessions will be the second Monday of each month at 10am EST. Registration is required each month. For parents of multiple kids - teen sessions are available as well!
February's Preschool session is: Big Feelings, Small Humans: How to Respond Without Losing Your Cool
Register for the event by completing this form: https://forms.gle/1EGXa7dsQeaSNBFi6
Calm + Confident Parenting Series: TEEN - Motivation, School, and Screens: What Actually Helps
Join for a FREE monthly 30-minute psychoeducational webinar for parents of teens who want to feel more Calm + Confident. Teen sessions will be the second Sunday of each month at 8pm EST. Registration is required each month. For parents of multiple kids - preschool sessions are available as well!
February's Teen session is: Motivation, School, and Screens: What Actually Helps
Register for the event by completing this form: https://forms.gle/fcWUDXD76qNXEEeG8
Self-care in a selfless profession
We come into this profession wanting to help adults and children grow. It is a job that we love and the people who come through the doors at the Y become friends (and some like family!). However, these last few years have been challenging in a variety of ways - and we can feel the weight of those challenges. And while we all believe in the power of self-care, it can be hard to prioritize and continue our own strategies for self-love and self-priority. This session will walk participants through the power of self-care, as well as cognitive blocks that keep us from both short- and long-term self-care success.
Trauma-informed classroom management: A practical application of compassion with boundaries
Trauma-informed care is not permissive—and effective boundaries are essential for safety, learning, and connection. This session bridges compassion and structure by offering practical, trauma-informed classroom management strategies that support both children and educators. Participants will learn how to set and hold clear, consistent boundaries while remaining relational, regulated, and responsive, even in moments of stress, dysregulation, and challenging behavior.
Calm + Confident Parenting Series: TEEN - Raising a Capable Teen Without Micromanaging or Losing Connection
Join for a FREE monthly 30-minute psychoeducational webinar for parents of teens who want to feel more Calm + Confident. Teen sessions will be the second Sunday of each month at 8pm EST. Registration is required each month. For parents of multiple kids - preschool sessions are available as well!
March’s Teen session is: Raising a Capable Teen Without Micromanaging or Losing Connection
Register for the event by completing this form: https://forms.gle/rqzHR1D3UUzN3epv8
Calm + Confident Parenting Series: PRESCHOOLERS - Getting Cooperation Without Bribes, Threats, or Power Struggles
Join for a FREE monthly 30-minute psychoeducational webinar for parents of preschoolers who want to feel more Calm + Confident. Preschool sessions will be the second Monday of each month at 10am EST. Registration is required each month. For parents of multiple kids - teen sessions are available as well!
March's Preschool session is: Getting Cooperation Without Bribes, Threats, or Power Struggles
Register for the event by completing this form: https://forms.gle/2k2o3Mwv5hSbrmsT8
Calm + Confident Parenting Series: TEEN - Why Everything Turns Into a Fight (and How to Stop It)
Join for a FREE monthly 30-minute psychoeducational webinar for parents of teens who want to feel more Calm + Confident. Teen sessions will be the second Sunday of each month at 8pm EST. Registration is required each month. For parents of multiple kids - preschool sessions are available as well!
April’s Teen session is: Why Everything Turns Into a Fight (and How to Stop It)
Register for the event by completing this form: https://forms.gle/qsqtjDChMwduzyfXA
Calm + Confident Parenting Series: PRESCHOOLERS - Tantrums, Transitions, and Public Meltdowns
Join for a FREE monthly 30-minute psychoeducational webinar for parents of preschoolers who want to feel more Calm + Confident. Preschool sessions will be the second Monday of each month at 10am EST. Registration is required each month. For parents of multiple kids - teen sessions are available as well!
April's Preschool session is: Tantrums, Transitions, and Public Meltdowns
Register for the event by completing this form: https://forms.gle/EpCpzVVMSu8sognq6
Trauma-Informed Classroom Management: A Practical Application of Compassion with Boundaries
This deep-dive equips early childhood educators with actionable strategies for managing classrooms through a trauma-informed lens. Participants will explore how to balance empathy and structure, creating safe, predictable environments that support emotional regulation and learning. Through real-world examples and practical tools, educators will learn how to implement compassionate boundaries that foster resilience, connection, and positive behavior in young children.
Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom (Biting, Running, Throwing, Hitting, oh my!)
Behavior is all about communication. It tells us something may not be okay. However, biting, running, throwing, and hitting are all developmentally appropriate - in some children in some environments. This session will help teachers recognize the difference between developmentally appropriate challenging behavior and that which might be a sign of a deeper issue. We will also discuss specific ways to minimize problem behavior regardless of its origin (either developmentally appropriate or something deeper).
Calm + Confident Parenting Series: TEEN - Setting Limits Without Yelling, Lecturing, or Giving In
Join for a FREE monthly 30-minute psychoeducational webinar for parents of teens who want to feel more Calm + Confident. Teen sessions will be the second Sunday of each month at 8pm EST. Registration is required each month. For parents of multiple kids - preschool sessions are available as well!
May’s Teen session is: Setting Limits Without Yelling, Lecturing, or Giving In
Register for the event by completing this form: https://forms.gle/d5r2fhYbi9GuxErj7
Calm + Confident Parenting Series: PRESCHOOLERS - Is This ‘Normal’ or Should I Be Concerned?
Join for a FREE monthly 30-minute psychoeducational webinar for parents of preschoolers who want to feel more Calm + Confident. Preschool sessions will be the second Monday of each month at 10am EST. Registration is required each month. For parents of multiple kids - teen sessions are available as well!
May's Preschool session is: Is This ‘Normal’ or Should I Be Concerned?
Register for the event by completing this form: https://forms.gle/5cu22VkkJHKTBykP6
Tiny Hands, Big Impact: When Challenging Behaviors Shake Educator Values
Challenging behaviors don’t just test classroom strategies—they often challenge educators’ core values, beliefs, and sense of competence. This session explores how young children’s behavior can activate adult stress, frustration, and value conflicts, and why this matters for effective practice. Participants will gain a compassionate, developmentally informed lens for understanding behavior, while learning practical strategies to stay grounded, aligned with personal values, and responsive—rather than reactive—when emotions run high.
Trauma-informed classroom management: Practical applications of compassion with boundaries
Trauma-informed care is not permissive—and effective boundaries are essential for safety, learning, and connection. This session bridges compassion and structure by offering practical, trauma-informed classroom management strategies that support both children and educators. Participants will learn how to set and hold clear, consistent boundaries while remaining relational, regulated, and responsive, even in moments of stress, dysregulation, and challenging behavior.
Calm + Confident Parenting Series: PRESCHOOLERS - Raising Emotionally Aware Kids Without Being Permissive
Join for a FREE monthly 30-minute psychoeducational webinar for parents of preschoolers who want to feel more Calm + Confident. Preschool sessions will be the second Monday of each month at 10am EST. Registration is required each month. For parents of multiple kids - teen sessions are available as well!
June’s Preschool session is: Raising Emotionally Aware Kids Without Being Permissive
Register for the event by completing this form: https://forms.gle/iNwM2uibbQFEYW8o9
Calm + Confident Parenting Series: TEEN - When Your Teen Shuts Down, Lies, or Says ‘Whatever
Join for a FREE monthly 30-minute psychoeducational webinar for parents of teens who want to feel more Calm + Confident. Teen sessions will be the second Sunday of each month at 8pm EST. Registration is required each month. For parents of multiple kids - preschool sessions are available as well!
June’s Teen session is: When Your Teen Shuts Down, Lies, or Says ‘Whatever
Register for the event by completing this form: https://forms.gle/zWaVtADLQd3mPCSk7
Calm + Confident Parenting Series: PRESCHOOLERS - Why ‘Time-Outs’ Don’t Work (and What to Do Instead)
Join for a FREE monthly 30-minute psychoeducational webinar for parents of preschoolers who want to feel more Calm + Confident. Preschool sessions will be the second Monday of each month at 10am EST. Registration is required each month. For parents of multiple kids - teen sessions are available as well!
January's Preschool session is: Why ‘Time-Outs’ Don’t Work (and What to Do Instead)
Register for the event by completing this form: https://forms.gle/G4fRAJhQksZzD5CB6
Calm + Confident Parenting Series: TEEN - Supporting Mental Health Without Overreacting or Underreacting
Join for a FREE monthly 30-minute psychoeducational webinar for parents of teens who want to feel more Calm + Confident. Teen sessions will be the second Sunday of each month at 8pm EST. Registration is required each month. For parents of multiple kids - preschool sessions are available as well!
January's Teen session is: Supporting Mental Health Without Overreacting or Underreacting
Register for the event by completing this form: https://forms.gle/DLntY1V1XvvkxCC19
Grief and Joy during the Holiday Season: A Focus on Boundaries and Clear Expectations
This reflective and supportive workshop invites early childhood educators to explore the complex emotional landscape of the holiday season—where grief and joy often coexist. Through guided discussion, practical strategies, and creative activities, participants will learn how to recognize and respond to children's emotional needs, honor diverse family experiences, and cultivate a classroom environment that balances celebration with sensitivity. Whether facing personal loss or supporting children through theirs, educators will leave with tools to foster resilience, empathy, and meaningful connection during this time of year. Lunch will be provided!
Thanks to generous funding from our partner ECI TRAC, this session valued at $45 is free for all early childhood educators in East Central Indiana, regardless of PLI membership status.
Self-Care in a Selfless Profession
We all come into the early childhood profession wanting to help young children grow. It is a job that we love and the students who come through our doors steal our hearts. However, these last few years have been challenging in a variety of ways - and we can feel the weight of those challenges. And while we all believe in the power of self-care, it can be hard to prioritize and continue our own strategies for self-love and self-priority. This session will walk participants through the power of self-care, as well as cognitive blocks that keep us from both short- and long-term self-care success.
Thanks to generous funding from our partner ECI TRAC, this session valued at $45 is free for all early childhood educators in East Central Indiana, regardless of PLI membership status.
Monday Morning Reset: Your fresh start for parenting with purpose.
Parenting is full of both joy and challenge—and every Monday is a chance to begin again.
That’s why I created Monday Morning Reset—a 4-week, live parenting series designed to help you parent with more calm, presence, and purpose.
Each Monday, you are invited to join a live, virtual webinar for a short, practical reset to guide your week—whether it’s choosing words that matter, showing up fully, grounding as your best self, or creating a vision for the future.
The Goal: Small shifts each week add up to big impact for you and your child.
Starting Monday, November 3, 2025 at 8:00 AM EST, and continuing the next three Mondays in November, join me for Monday Morning Reset.
Each 45-minute session combines research-backed strategies with practical tools you can use right away. You’ll also have the chance to ask questions and get support in real time.
Think of it as your weekly reset—a fresh start to ground yourself, parent with purpose, and step into the week feeling calm and confident.
5 Ineffective Things We Say to Kids and Why They Don't Work
As adults, we often say things like, “we don’t run in the hallways.” (while children are, indeed, running in the hallway). Or “no thank you.” “Use your words.” This session for early childhood educations will teach you why those aren’t the most helpful, as well as other ways to communicate more effectively.
Thanks to generous funding from By5 Muncie and their partner ECI TRAC, this session valued at $25 is free for all early childhood educators in East Central Indiana, regardless of PLI membership status.
This session is virtual only.
Leading with Heart and Backbone: Compassionate Accountability in a Mental Health-Aware Era
Session Description:
In today’s mental health-aware workplace, leaders are called to embody both empathy and clarity—leading with heart and backbone. This 90-minute session offers practical tools and reflective dialogue to help leaders navigate the tension between compassion and accountability. Participants will explore how to set boundaries without losing connection, respond to emotional challenges with integrity, and foster a culture of psychological safety while maintaining clarity of expectations. Through vignettes, guided exercises, and peer exchange, leaders will leave with renewed confidence to lead with both courage and care.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Identify key principles of compassionate accountability and understand how they apply to leadership in emotionally complex environments.
Practice communication strategies that balance empathy with clarity when setting expectations, giving feedback, or navigating difficult conversations.
Develop a personalized leadership approach that supports mental health awareness while maintaining team performance and psychological safety.
Cost: $25
Register here: Nonprofit Support Network - Shafer Leadership Academy
Kindergarten 101: Virtual Bootcamp for parents of incoming kindergartners
Help your child build confidence, emotional resilience, and strong social skills before stepping into kindergarten! This engaging summer class equips parents with practical strategies to support their child's emotional growth, manage big feelings, and foster positive interactions with peers. Through weekly, expert guidance, and real-world activities, you'll gain the tools to create a supportive and emotionally nurturing environment at home—setting the stage for a successful transition to school.
Join us for this empowering summer program and give your little one the foundation they need to thrive in kindergarten and beyond!
This program includes TWO Live Zoom Sessions on Sunday, June 1 and Sunday, June 29 at 7:30pm EST. The cost is $27. Each week, weekly videos and resources will be sent to your inbox!
To learn more about the program - See our Services Page.
Register here: https://forms.gle/9i3g3MUCUGUpJUVP7
Restorative Practices for leaders in youth-serving spaces
More information to come soon!
Two-day mini conference at the By5 Professional Learning Institute.
Addressing Challenging Behavior in the classroom Part 1
Behavior communicates needs. Being able to distinguish between developmentally appropriate actions and those behaviors that might suggest there are deeper issues is crucial. This session will help teachers identify and manage challenging behaviors while minimizing problems, whether they're typical or more serious. We'll also explore evidence-based strategies for circle time and transitions, focusing on age-appropriate practices to reduce behavior issues. Attendees will learn practical techniques, practice them, and receive feedback, equipping them to enhance classroom management with ease.
ONLINE and in-person at the By5 Professional Learning Institute. Register here: Addressing Challenging Behaviors Pt. 1 (constantcontactpages.com)
Connection and Instruction: Your two biggest tools for the classroom
Getting kids to listen is crucial in the classroom, and building strong connections daily is a key preventive technique. This session will teach you how to quickly establish these connections, making it easier to guide students through routines and expectations. Additionally, you'll learn a powerful tool where students listen and respond to your words—by mastering Effective Instruction Delivery (EID), high-probability commands, and behavior momentum. By combining these strategies, you can enhance classroom management and create an environment where students are engaged and responsive.
ONLINE only. Register here: Connection and Instruction: Your Two Biggest Tools for the Classroom (constantcontactpages.com)
“I am ok.” Suicide Prevention Presentation Deliverance Temple
Bringing awareness to suicide and how we can intervene is one effective strategy to minimize these tragedies from happening in our community. Come join us for a brief, but powerful, evening of remembering, loving, and learning together as a community.