International Bullying Prevention Association to Host Regional Conference in Michigan

​Educators, counselors, parents and community agency staff from the Midwest region will gather at Beaumont Hospital’s Campus in Royal Oak, Michigan, on October 1, to kick off National Bullying Prevention Month.

The Michigan Bullying Prevention Conference, hosted by the International Bullying Prevention Association (IBPA), will unite diverse groups of youth advocates to discuss bullying and peer aggression. They will also develop strategies and solutions to take back to their schools and communities.

Patti Agatston, Ph.D., a national cyberbullying expert and IBPA president, and Anne Collier, founder of the iCanHelpLine, will open up the conference with a keynote and discussion on “Cyberbullying and Digital Citizenship Strategies.”

Workshop topics include restorative practices, school climate, bullying and suicide, effective communication strategies, cyberbullying and legal aspects of bullying and many more.

Registration is $25 per person and includes breakfast and lunch. Professional development credits are available. Principals, teachers, counselors, liaison officers, social workers, school board members and those working in community agencies are encouraged to attend.

The conference will be preceded by a free event for parents and adult family members covering information and strategies specific to online safety. Karuna Nain, Facebook global safety manager, will present “Navigating the Social World with Your Teens — Insights from Facebook,” on Thursday, September 29. Registration is required for this event.

The Michigan Bullying Prevention Conference is sponsored by Beaumont Children’s, NoBLE (No Bullying Live Empowered) and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Additional support comes from the Michigan Elementary and Secondary Principals Association (MEMSPA).

For more information or to register for the conference, visit www.ibpaworld.org/mi.

The International Bullying Prevention Association's mission is to advance bullying prevention best practices.

Media Contact: Rasheda K. Williams, 248-629-0334, r.williams@ibpaworld.org

About NoBLE Anti-bullying Program

The No Bullying Live Empowered (NoBLE) Program is a Beaumont Children's initiative providing integrated education, guidance and support for bullied children and families affected by bullying. The program is interested in understanding the consequences  and needs of youth exposed to bullying, recognizing that victims, witnesses, and bullies are all at risk for lifelong problems. The program provides a healthcare perspective on this issue and explores innovative ways to partner families, healthcare providers, educators, and other organizations to address bullying and its impact. Major support for the NoBLE program is provided by Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and community donations.