A program developed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) to improve mental health access for children in Arkansas is presenting the 2025 School-Based Mental Health Symposium on July 30 and 31.
The Arkansas Mental Health Access for Pediatric Primary Care (ARMAPP) program offers the symposium free of charge. The symposium is geared for school personnel, including administrators, teachers, counselors, principals, school nurses, intervention specialists, and support staff.
It will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. July 30 at the Embassy Suites at 11301 Financial Centre Parkway in Little Rock and will be followed by a virtual-only training session July 31.
Registration is required for the symposium. To register, visit redcap.link/ARMAPPsymposium. Financial assistance may be available to offset the cost of gas to Little Rock.
Now in its second year, the symposium is designed to support school personnel in understanding and responding to childhood trauma with practical, evidence-informed tools. This year’s theme, “Beyond Awareness: Empowering Educators to Respond to Childhood Trauma,” moves beyond identifying trauma to building real-world capacity within schools to meet students’ mental and behavioral health needs.
The symposium will feature nationally recognized keynote speakers and interactive breakout sessions, offering strategies to support students and strengthen school communities.
Ashley Bendiksen, a teen trauma survivor-turned-activist with expertise in the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault, will present “Be a Lifeline: Trauma-informed Strategies to Support Students and Build Resilience.” Bendiksen will serve as the opening plenary speaker.
Rick and Doris Bowman, “Team Bowman,” a certified trauma and relational neuroscience trainer and consultant, will discuss “Empowering Schools to Serve EVERY Student: Turning Trauma-Awareness into Transformational Practice” during the lunch plenary.
Evan Wilons, PhD, a trauma educator at the UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute, will present “What is TRIS,” the Arkansas Trauma Resource Initiative for Schools during the closing plenary session.
UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital are working together to improve access to mental health education and resources in both pediatric primary care settings and schools across Arkansas. ARMAPP aims to improve mental health access for children in Arkansas by bringing behavioral health experts into primary care settings and helping primary care providers recognize and manage behavioral health issues in children.
Valandra German, DrPH, MPH, program manager, said that in Arkansas, more than one in four children have experienced two or more adverse childhood experiences, which is significantly higher than the national average.
“Research shows that children exposed to trauma are more likely to face difficulties in behavior, academics, and long-term health outcomes,” German said. “Schools are often the first line of defense, yet many educators feel unprepared to respond.
“This symposium is designed to bridge that gap by arming school staff with insights and resources that can make a measurable difference in student success and well-being,” she continued. “We believe that participation in the symposium will strengthen schools’ capacity to address trauma and create safer, more supportive school environments.”