ASD Creating the Connections: Developing Effective Social Communication . . . 

August 22, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

Creating the Connections: Developing Effective Social Communication Programming for Students on the Autism Spectrum
Flyer

 *Note~This is a live zoom training from ESU 10. Attendance in the Metro Region will only be available at ESU #3.

Audience:  This training is appropriate for teams working with students elementary through high school and could include resource teachers, SLPs, counselors, school psychologists, general education teachers, parents and administrators.
Description:  Social communication instruction is an important part of a comprehensive
program for students on the Autism Spectrum. This in-service will provide an overview of social
communication; from assessment and direct instruction to generalization for students
elementary age through high school. Interventions will be targeted to students with Autism that
have reliable communication skills and are in general education for core academics.

Participants will be able to:
? Connect individualized social-communication instruction to current Tier1 and Tier 2 SEBL 
    interventions
? Compare and contrast direct instruction in social communication vs. indirect learning
? Interpret assessment results to guide program development
? Understand the basics principles around teaching social communication (teach, practice, reinforce)
? Explore resources that may support programming for skill acquisition
? Identify strategies to educate peers and others about Autism
? Analyze interventions through a neuroaffirming lens

Coaching Cadre (Day 1 of 3) 

August 27, 2025

• ESU#3 Professional Learning
• Anderson , Lexie

In 2025-2026, the ESU #3 Coaching Cadre will deepen our knowledge for developing and implementing success criteria with Dr. Faddis.  Participants will collaboratively explore strategies for developing clear success criteria, empowering both teachers and students to understand and articulate learning intentions. This series will increase coaches' capabilities to guide teachers in co-constructing criteria that make learning intentions transparent for students, fostering greater student agency and leading to more profound student outcomes.  This collaborative coaching cadre will continue to build shared knowledge around best practices in instructional coaching and support for all models, formats, and designs of coaching.  Registration is required for all events.  There is no cost for attending ESU3 Coaching Cadre Sessions. Toni Faddis’ two sessions will require a registration fee.

Disclaimer: By participating in this event organized by ESU #3, you hereby grant permission to ESU #3 to use your image and likeness captured during the event for promotional and media purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, photographs, videos, and audio recordings. If you wish to withdraw your consent regarding the use of your media, please reach out to the primary contact of this event.

Planning a Bright Future: Secondary Transition (Day 1 of 3) 

September 3, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

Planning a Bright Future: Secondary Transition   Flyer
This is a three day cohort to truly delve into Transition Best Practices, Indicator 13
Compliance, Community Connections, and Student Engagement.

CPI Recertification Training 

September 4, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

CPI Recertification Training

-Be equipped with the skills, confidence, and an effective framework to safely manage and prevent difficult behavior. 

-With training, consulting, and support you enhance care and safety for everyone.

We’re thrilled to have you join us for this certification training!
To ensure you receive your certification, full attendance for the entire session is required. 
Please plan to arrive on time and stay through the scheduled hours. Unfortunately, late arrivals or early departures won’t be eligible for certification and will need to reschedule for another session.
Thank you for your understanding—we appreciate your dedication and look forward to seeing you there!


NOTE: The online link from CPI needs to be completed prior to the in-person attendance of this training. Both the online and in-person portions are required to receive certification.

Support for Students Exposed to Trauma (SSET) and Bounce Back Non-Clinical (BB NC) Curriculums (Day 1 of 3) 

September 8, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

Support for Students Exposed to Trauma (SSET) and Bounce Back Non-Clinical (BB NC) Curriculums

September 8, 2025       - in person at ESU #3
    October 6, 2025       - Via Zoom
November 3, 2025        - Via Zoom 

Presented by:  Emily Arkfeld, LCSW - Papillion La Vista Community Schools and Molly Schnabel, LCSW - Papillion La Vista Community Schools

Description:
SSET and Bounce Back-Non Clinical(BB-NC) are a school-based group intervention for students who have been exposed to traumatic events and are suffering from symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
-Populations Served: SSET: Grades 4-12; BB NC: Grades K-5
-Participants that complete the training will be able to offer BOTH SSET and BB NC within their school or district.
-In 10 easy-to-use group lessons, students who participate in SSET and BB NC increase levels of peer and parent support, as well as learn a wide variety of skill-building techniques to reduce current problems with: anxiety or nervousness, withdrawal or isolation, depressed mood, acting out in school, impulsive or risky behavior

Learning Outcomes:
-Review the definition of trauma and its impact, especially in the school setting
-Overview of group sessions, with resources shared and time to practice
-Discussion of stakeholder buy-in, parent engagement, possible barriers

Consultation:  Consultation is a recommended component of the training in order to maintain skills and integrity to the field of trauma informed work. This consultation also provides ongoing support to new group facilitators as they navigate the dynamics of their school setting. Topics will include: engaging difficult or high needs children, collaborating with parents and other professionals, handling ongoing mental health needs for children and families, adjusting sessions when unplanned conflicts arise, etc. Consultation will be two scheduled sessions via zoom for all participants.

Preschool and Kindergarten Paraprofessional Boot Camp (Day 1 of 2) 

September 12, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

Preschool and Kindergarten Paraprofessional Boot Camp   Flyer

Ready to Learn?
This 2 session bootcamp will equip early childhood paraprofessionals with knowledge and skills to maximize their ability to support children in the classroom. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with other paraprofessionals in the field.

TOPICS
-Tier One Classroom Practices
-Quality Interactions
-Supportive Conversations with Children
-Collaborative Teaming

Friday, Septemer 12, 2025
Friday, November 7, 2025
+ 2 hours of independent work off-site


*Provides 12 clock hours to Meet the Rule 11 Requirement

ASD Strategies for Students with Autism in the Gen Ed Classroom 

September 16, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

Strategies for Students with Autism in the General Education Classroom: Supports for Students with Autism who are  Participating in Grade Level Curriculum

Flyer

Presented by:  Teri McGill, NE ASD Network Regional Coordinator  and Ali Sweitzer, Metro Region Behavior Specialist


Location:  Live Virtual Zoom

Who should attend?

• Special Education & Paraeducators, General Education Teachers & Early Childhood Teachers who work with students with Autism who participate in grade level curriculum in the general education classroom.
• Family Members
• Community Providers
• Related Service Providers

This workshop will cover the following topics:

• A deeper dive into the unique characteristics of our bright and verbal Students with Autism
• Information on how to support your students with predicting activities throughout their day and how to prepare them for changes in the classroom and through-out the school community
• A description of a variety of visual supports to support positive behavior that can be utilized in the general education classroom 

Inclusive Practices Academy (Day 1 of 6) 

September 18, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

 Inclusive Practices Academy

The structure of this training is designed to empower teams with the knowledge and tools necessary to foster inclusive learning environments and build co-teaching partnerships. Each team must consist of at least one Special Education Teacher and one General Education Teacher, ensuring a collaborative approach to implementing newfound insights and practices to improve outcomes for all students. Outcomes will be developed throughout the series.

Day 1 - Conditions for Success: Developing Mindsets, Practices, and Co-Teaching Partnerships
Collaboration structures, teacher parity and collective responsibilities, co-teaching myths vs facts, learner variability

Day 2  - Co-Teaching: Effective Inclusive Environments
Foundations of co-teaching, creating effective environments, co-planning and scheduling, co-teaching models and incidental benefit

Day 3 - Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Foundations: Building a Roadmap Towards Inclusive Instructional Practices
UDL Framework, three principles of UDL, learner variability, tailoring instruction through IEPs, flexibility to support inclusive practices within your instructional model

Day 4 - Co-Teaching and Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)
Using the IEP as an instructional tool, key principles of SDI, connecting SDI to student needs and standards-based pre-requisite skills, high-leverage practices

Day 5 & 6 - Insights: Reflecting, Sharing, and Applying Learning to Shape the Next School Year
Building principals will be invited for “Conversation and Collaboration” to learn more about IPA and support goals for the upcoming school year.

Winning Every Day Community Agency Huddle 

September 19, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

Winning Every Day Community Agency Huddle   Flyer

We're excited to introduce a new, focused format for 2025: the Community Agency Huddle. This half-day event is specifically designed to cultivate stronger partnerships and enhance collaborative efforts between our schools and essential community mental health agencies, while maintaining fun and expanding your understanding of their valuable resources.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
-School Administrators
-Counselors
-Social Workers
-Psychologists
-Teachers
-Anyone passionate about supporting youth mental health!

What to expect:
-Informative Presentations: Hear directly from our local community agencies about the vital services they provide.
-Interactive Panel Discussion: Gain valuable insights and perspectives from a diverse group of experts.
-Collaborative Idea Sharing: Connect with fellow school professionals and exchange innovative strategies to support student well-being.

Preschool New Teacher Institute (Day 4 of 6) 

September 24, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

Preschool New Teacher Institute  Flyer
Teachers within their first 3 years of teaching in a preschool setting and their mentors.

Join us for this 6 session series! The registration link will register you for all 6 sessions.

Topics will include:
-Classroom design
-Daily schedule 
-Teaching rules and expectations
-Early Literacy and Math
-Lesson planning
-Working with paraeducators
-Home visits
-Teaching Strategies GOLD

Check-in meetings will be held on the off months.

A Comprehensive and Compassionate Approach for Addressing Problem Behavior (Day 1 of 2) 

September 25, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

A Comprehensive and Compassionate Approach for Addressing Problem Behavior 2-Day Workshop
Flyer

Presented by:  Greg Hanley Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA

This training will be live- streamed and held at:
*Participants must attend at watch site.
South Sioux City- Exact location TBD

7:30am -3:30pm MST

Participants who would like to submit contact hours to a school/professional development organization will be provided a certificate of attendance. The ASD
network is an ACE provider and will offer Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA)Type 2 CEUs from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. 7 hours per day/14 total
CEUs.

Description:
This training is hosted by the ASD Network and designed with school teams in mind (school psychologists, teachers, related service providers, etc.) who work with students
who routinely engage in severe problem behavior, such as self-injury, physical aggression toward others, and property destruction.

Practical Functional Assessment and Skill-Based Treatment (PFA and SBT) is an intervention for individuals who routinely engage in severe problem behavior that
focuses on teaching students communication, tolerance, and cooperation while prioritizing safety, dignity, rapport, and peaceful progress for the individual. The purpose
of PFA/SBT is to teach skills to provide freedom from problem behavior, to empower the individual to behave safely and productively in spite of everyday challenges, and to
build and maintain strong, trusting relationships. This intervention model is intended to be used with individuals who routinely engage in severe problem behavior, such as self-injury, physical aggression toward others, and property destruction. 

ASD 2 Day -Traditional Structured Teach (Day 1 of 2) 

September 30, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

ASD 2 Day -Traditional Structured Teach

Flyer

Presenters:  Teri McGill, Metro Region Coordinator and Ali Sweitzer, Metro Region Behavior Specialist

Audience:  
This workshop is intended for classroom teachers, speech/language pathologists, resource specialists,   
parents, community providers, related service providers, and paraeducators who work with students
(Pre-K – 21) with Autism who have more significant and complex support needs. Participants will  
receive links to files that include examples of tasks, schedules, and visuals. 

Description: 
Participants will learn the important components of structured teaching as well as the following:
-Overview and Physical Structure 
-Schedules, mini schedules, routines
-Visual Structure
-Work Systems, Schedules and Tasks
-Play and Leisure
-Putting it altogether and Resources 

Considering one of their current students, participants will have the opportunity to apply some of the new knowledge learned.

Cognitive Coaching Foundation Training Session 5-8 (Day 2 of 4) 

October 1, 2025

• ESU#3 Professional Learning
• Anderson , Lexie

Part II: Cognitive Coaching (Days 5-8)

Cognitive Coaching Seminars® are an eight-day training. You must have completed Days 1-4 before you can take days 5-8. During days 1–4 you learned the Planning Conversation Map and the Reflecting Conversation Map as well as the tools of Cognitive CoachingSM. Days 5–8 will provide for skill refinement and understanding of the Problem-Resolving Map as well as strengthening your identity as a mediator of thinking and your use of the skills of pausing, paraphrasing, and posing questions.

• Integration of the maps and tools from Part 1
• Flexibility in coaching for human uniqueness
• Detection and mediation of cognitive shift
• Refined mediation skills and coaching capabilities
• Extended coaching skills to mediate self-directed learning in others when they are struggling with a problem
• Fluency with the tool cluster of pacing
• Enhanced personal acuity, ways of attending, listening, and responding
• Internalized Problem-Resolving Map
• Fluency with the tool cluster of leading
• Integrated maps and tools of Cognitive CoachingSM

ASD Verbal Behavior Programming Day 

October 2, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

Verbal Behavior Programming Day

Flyer

This programming day is set up to support participants who do not have their own in-district VB coaches. 

Description: 
-Participants will work with Verbal Behavior Coaches in order to plan and create an individualized VB program for one target student.  
-Participants will get the opportunity to practice using errorless teaching to instruct the specific targets chosen for their student.

Participants must bring the following to this VB programming session:
-Completed assessment of known and target skills for your specific student
-ABLLS-R book and Data notebook you received in the training
-Additional color copies of each skill tracking sheet and graph (several for each operant)
-Materials listed on this sheet at this Link 

Early Childhood Learning Labs 

October 3, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

October 3rd, 2025: Literacy

Join us for these informative sessions designed to enhance your teaching strategies and improve educational outcomes in early childhood settings. This is a valuable opportunity for professional development and networking with peers. We look forward to seeing you there!

Who Should Attend: Preschool teachers AND their teaching teams, including paraprofessionals, as well as related service providers.

Support for Students Exposed to Trauma (SSET) and Bounce Back Non-Clinical (BB NC) Curriculums (Day 2 of 3) 

October 6, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

Support for Students Exposed to Trauma (SSET) and Bounce Back Non-Clinical (BB NC) Curriculums

September 8, 2025       - in person at ESU #3
    October 6, 2025       - Via Zoom
November 3, 2025        - Via Zoom 

Presented by:  Emily Arkfeld, LCSW - Papillion La Vista Community Schools and Molly Schnabel, LCSW - Papillion La Vista Community Schools

Description:
SSET and Bounce Back-Non Clinical(BB-NC) are a school-based group intervention for students who have been exposed to traumatic events and are suffering from symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
-Populations Served: SSET: Grades 4-12; BB NC: Grades K-5
-Participants that complete the training will be able to offer BOTH SSET and BB NC within their school or district.
-In 10 easy-to-use group lessons, students who participate in SSET and BB NC increase levels of peer and parent support, as well as learn a wide variety of skill-building techniques to reduce current problems with: anxiety or nervousness, withdrawal or isolation, depressed mood, acting out in school, impulsive or risky behavior

Learning Outcomes:
-Review the definition of trauma and its impact, especially in the school setting
-Overview of group sessions, with resources shared and time to practice
-Discussion of stakeholder buy-in, parent engagement, possible barriers

Consultation:  Consultation is a recommended component of the training in order to maintain skills and integrity to the field of trauma informed work. This consultation also provides ongoing support to new group facilitators as they navigate the dynamics of their school setting. Topics will include: engaging difficult or high needs children, collaborating with parents and other professionals, handling ongoing mental health needs for children and families, adjusting sessions when unplanned conflicts arise, etc. Consultation will be two scheduled sessions via zoom for all participants.

Visible Instructional Leadership Year 1 - Session 1 

October 14, 2025

• ESU#3 Professional Learning
• Kennedy, Jennifer

Outcomes:

Identify and use specific strategies to impact daily instruction as an Instructional Leader.

Build knowledge of how to design systems to implement immediately and ideas for how to sustain systems.

Includes the Best Seller book “How Leadership Works”

Session 2 is on January 28th. Click here to register.

Disclaimer: By participating in this event organized by ESU #3, you hereby grant permission to ESU #3 to use your image and likeness captured during the event for promotional and media purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, photographs, videos, and audio recordings. If you wish to withdraw your consent regarding the use of your media, please reach out to the primary contact of this event.

Leveraging MTSS through Foundational Restorative Practices (Day 1 of 3) 

October 16, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

Leveraging MTSS through Foundational Restorative Practices


What is Restorative Practices?
Restorative Practices is a comprehensive approach to support connection and community building in schools and establish structures to repair harm. When implemented comprehensively and systematically, this approach has been found to reduce violence, unwanted behavior and bullying, and to increase restoration of relationships. When implemented within a multi-tiered structure, like MTSS, it significantly improves school culture and decreases the use of exclusionary discipline practices.

What is the structure of the training series?
This immersive training series includes three full-day sessions with built-in time for implementation, designed to support your MTSS systems. It is intended for Leadership Teams, such as your MTSS Team, Teachers and Teacher Leaders, and other Support Staff. Participants will leave with tools and strategies that can be applied immediately. This training is based on the Ali Hearn Coaching and Consulting Model.

NeMTSS Tier 2 Targeted Series (Day 1 of 2) 

October 20, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

NeMTSS Tier 2 Targeted Series  Flyer

Monday, October 20th, 2025

Tier 2 Overview and Check-In/Check-Out-
Teams will learn the essential components of Tier 2 social, emotional, and behavioral practices within a MTSS, including the use of data to identify unmet needs and create a continuum of support. Steps will be identified to develop a system that allows for the efficient application of Tier 2 practices.
Check-In/Check-Out (Hawken, 2020) is an easy to implement, evidence-based
intervention that provides students with positive connections with adults, and increased feedback on their performance throughout the day. Teams will learn how to install CICO, the essential components of the intervention, and how to monitor student progress.

Thursday, January 15th, 2026

Tier 2 Beyond Check-In/Check-Out and SEB Groups-
This training focuses on implementing additional Tier 2 supports with an emphasis on direct teaching of social and emotional skills and modifying interventions to meet student needs, including utilizing function-based thinking to determine appropriate support. A focus will also be on exploring Social, Emotional, Behavioral groups including analyzing data and entry criteria as well as categories of SEB to meet identified needs.

Success Criteria Session 1 

October 22, 2025

• ESU#3 Professional Learning
• Kennedy, Jennifer

This is a 2 part series. Register here for Session 2 on March 4, 2026

ASD One Day Overview of Intensive Teaching of VB 

October 29, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

Flyer
Presenters:  Teri McGill, Metro Region Coordinator and Ali Sweitzer, Metro Region Behavior  Specialist

Audience:  This training is only for staff who currently work with a teacher/SLP who has completed the 3-Day, Intensive Teaching of Verbal Behavior and is using the programming with student(s).

Description: 
*Participants will learn important behavioral teaching principles including what is verbal behavior, discrete trial training, reinforcement, pairing, prompting and shaping
*Participants will learn the verbal operants
*Participants will learn how to use errorless teaching techniques and error correction to  help improve skill acquisition
*Participants will receive hands-on instruction and practice on errorless teaching and error  correction using the card sort system

Support for Students Exposed to Trauma (SSET) and Bounce Back Non-Clinical (BB NC) Curriculums (Day 3 of 3) 

November 3, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

Support for Students Exposed to Trauma (SSET) and Bounce Back Non-Clinical (BB NC) Curriculums

September 8, 2025       - in person at ESU #3
    October 6, 2025       - Via Zoom
November 3, 2025        - Via Zoom 

Presented by:  Emily Arkfeld, LCSW - Papillion La Vista Community Schools and Molly Schnabel, LCSW - Papillion La Vista Community Schools

Description:
SSET and Bounce Back-Non Clinical(BB-NC) are a school-based group intervention for students who have been exposed to traumatic events and are suffering from symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
-Populations Served: SSET: Grades 4-12; BB NC: Grades K-5
-Participants that complete the training will be able to offer BOTH SSET and BB NC within their school or district.
-In 10 easy-to-use group lessons, students who participate in SSET and BB NC increase levels of peer and parent support, as well as learn a wide variety of skill-building techniques to reduce current problems with: anxiety or nervousness, withdrawal or isolation, depressed mood, acting out in school, impulsive or risky behavior

Learning Outcomes:
-Review the definition of trauma and its impact, especially in the school setting
-Overview of group sessions, with resources shared and time to practice
-Discussion of stakeholder buy-in, parent engagement, possible barriers

Consultation:  Consultation is a recommended component of the training in order to maintain skills and integrity to the field of trauma informed work. This consultation also provides ongoing support to new group facilitators as they navigate the dynamics of their school setting. Topics will include: engaging difficult or high needs children, collaborating with parents and other professionals, handling ongoing mental health needs for children and families, adjusting sessions when unplanned conflicts arise, etc. Consultation will be two scheduled sessions via zoom for all participants.

Special Education Facilitators and the Leadership Grind (Day 3 of 6) 

November 4, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

Special Education Facilitators and the Leadership Grind

Empowering leaders to support, implement, and elevate special education practices.

Intended audience:
Special Education Facilitators, Supervisors, Coordinators, Leaders

Outcomes:
-Outline the responsibilities of a facilitator and develop effective approaches to help teachers successfully apply theoretical knowledge in practical classroom settings.
-Practice communication skills and equip facilitators with techniques to build and sustain strong collaborative partnerships.
-Provide practical tools and identify strategies to effectively support and hold teachers accountable for the implementation of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) and development of compliant and high-quality Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
-Apply evidence-based practices to foster inclusive learning environments. -

HAL: Quiz Bowl Grade - 6 

November 6, 2025

• ESU#3 Professional Learning
• Anderson , Lexie

Students competing in academic quiz bowl competitions will answer questions from a variety of topics.  

Disclaimer: By participating in this event organized by ESU #3, you hereby grant permission to ESU #3 to use your image and likeness captured during the event for promotional and media purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, photographs, videos, and audio recordings. If you wish to withdraw your consent regarding the use of your media, please reach out to the primary contact of this event.

Preschool and Kindergarten Paraprofessional Boot Camp (Day 2 of 2) 

November 7, 2025

• ESU#3 Student Services
• Harvey, Amy

Preschool and Kindergarten Paraprofessional Boot Camp   Flyer

Ready to Learn?
This 2 session bootcamp will equip early childhood paraprofessionals with knowledge and skills to maximize their ability to support children in the classroom. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with other paraprofessionals in the field.

TOPICS
-Tier One Classroom Practices
-Quality Interactions
-Supportive Conversations with Children
-Collaborative Teaming

Friday, Septemer 12, 2025
Friday, November 7, 2025
+ 2 hours of independent work off-site


*Provides 12 clock hours to Meet the Rule 11 Requirement