Get to know us!
School-Based
Mental Health Roundtable
Rooted in restorative, trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices, we aim to foster hope and skills-building in educational and mental health professionals who serve youth.
Workshops & Learning
We provide cross-discipline professional development which enriches individuals and organizations with strategies for working with youth while reinvesting in staff directly.
Networking & Resources
No one person or organization can do it all. When considering whole child wellness, knowing the next best referral can make the difference between struggling and striving in the youth we serve.
Fellowship & Fun
Come early to mingle with new faces and resources. Join in lunch for a shared conversation. Meet up with long-time colleagues and friends to catch up. Leave with a renewed sense of connection.
Discover. Imagine. Learn.
Whole Child Focus
Takes Collaboration
Childhood is the foundation of lifelong learning. Providers who serve youth recognize operating in silos is costly, not only in money and resources, but most importantly, time. The School-Based Mental Health Roundtable aims to bridge this gap by:
Bringing together professionals from fields including education, mental health, social services, and more to network and exchange resources.
Offering FREE, cross-disciple professional development workshops by seasoned providers, educators, and coaches in a conference setting.
Exploring best-practices to support youth (and those professionals who serve them) in areas ranging from academic success, mental health & wellness, executive functioning, social emotional learning, school & community safety, and more.
Rooted & Rising - The Power of 10.
Reflecting. Reconnecting. Recommitting.
Roundtable Origins: Purpose, Passion & Patience
Event Co-Sponsors:
Cicero District 99
Sustainable Mental Wellness, Inc.
7+
Years of Programming
9,900+
Children Served
25+
Workshops Offered
1,000+
Professionals Reached
The Magic of Playful Learning
TEAM work makes the HEART work
The School-Based Mental Health Roundtable can't happen without the generous support of our committee members who volunteer much more than their time and talent...they offer their HEART and dedication to youth and provider wellness to make the Roundtable a reality.
Event Co-Founders & Co-Hosts:
Amanda S. Norris, M.A. - President at Sustainable Mental Wellness, Inc.
Dr. Jack Rein - Director of MTSS at Cicero District 99
Committee Members:
Allison Espinoza - Principal at Lincoln School, Cicero District 99
Anna Padron-Sikora, LCSW - Associate Director of Partner Success at Compass Health Centers
Demian LaPointe - Professional Learning Specialist at West40
Holly Allen, LCPC - School Counselor at Acero Schools
Jackie Pisano - Coordinator of Media & Public Relations at Cicero District 99
Michelle Halm, LPC, PEL - Co-Founder at Grief Connection Space
Sonya Rich, LCSW - District Mental Health Coach at Cicero District 99
Come together and join us
April 17, 2026 marks the 10th Roundtable in Northeastern Illinois
The School-Based Mental Health Roundtable's 10th conference is Friday, April 17, 2026 at Unity Junior High in Cicero, IL. This year's conference theme, Rooted and Rising- The Power of 10, is a reflection on lessons learned and new challenges to come.
Reflecting: We pause to reflect on the need to come together across disciplines as operating in a silo can be a barrier to youth academic and social emotional success.
Reconnecting: Coming together in person, despite the barriers, is necessary to cultivate a community of like-minded professionals who serve the best interests of youth.
Recommitting: This year we make a commitment to ourselves, our community, and the people we care about. Fostering joy in our craft of caring for others is essential to a healthy investment in everyone's future, our youth.
Join over 1,000+ education and mental health professionals who have attended our events.
Thank you to our program partners and community resource vendors.
Why Choose Us
Because every provider deserves a high five and a break at least once in a while
The School-Based Mental Health Roundtable is one of the only professional development programs in the Chicagoland area that offers so many benefits for FREE!
Continuing Education
5 continuing education credit hours are offered for free to Illinois licensed social workers and counselors (LCSW, LSW, LCPC, LPC) and Illinois Educators (CPDU, PDH).
Lunch on us!
Thanks to our generous lunch sponsor, Riveredge Hospital, we got your meal plan covered! Individually wrapped boxed lunches with preferred dietary options available!
Free Registration
Thanks to our host site, Unity Junior High (Cicero District 99) and registration sponsor, (Sustainable Mental Wellness, Inc.) the entire event is at no cost to participants.
Empowering Minds Through Endless Possibilities
Curious about our future events? Want to learn about facilitating a keynote or breakout sessions? Ready to get your hands dirty and volunteer? Contact us today for the most up to date programming and get connected!
Testimonials
What Attendees Are Saying
Whether its your first time at our event, or you've been with us since the beginning in 2019, attendees agree, "The School-Based Mental Health Roundtable reignites a desire to learn and foster personal and professional growth in best-practices in youth education, mental health, and community engagement."
"As a social worker in school, healthcare, and private practice settings, I always find the breakout sessions to be relevant to the work I do with adolescents."
Sandra Montes, LCSW, PEL, CADC
Owner & Therapist at InMotion Counseling
“One thing I value about the Roundtable is the timeliness of the topics and being able to take back implementable ideas and strategies. I also appreciate that there is not only focus on the work we do, but on us as educators and making sure that we learn ways to make sure we are OK, as well.”
Michelle Halm, LPC, PEL
Co-Founder at Grief Connection Space
“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men (adults).” Frederick Douglass. Early education, interventions and resources made available to students and families use the schools with the public health model framework that can have a huge impact on communities.”
Demian LaPointe, MAE, MEd.
Professional Learning Specialist at West40
"Connecting with our community partners and referral sources for students on a regular basis helps our social work team when students are in crisis. The Roundtable is a great opportunity to stay up to date and meet new people."
Sonya Rich, LCSW
District Mental Health Coach, Cicero District 99
Why Choose Us
Frequently Asked Questions
We provide more than just childcare—we create a nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn. Our play-based programs balance fun, creativity, and education, giving every child the tools to grow with confidence and curiosity.
1. Who typically attends this event?
A variety of professionals and community members attend each year. Our programming is mostly geared towards education and mental health professionals, either who serve youth in K-12 programming.
2. What is your learning philosophy?
Rooted in restorative, trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices, we aim to foster hope and skills-building in educational and mental health professionals who serve youth.
3. Are your speakers qualified?
Yes — all our workshops are presented by speakers who are professionals in their field of expertise. Whether a school teacher, administrator, school social worker, mental health therapist, organizational coach, or health & wellness professional, we focus on interventions that are evidence-based and culturally-minded.
4. Where and when is the next Roundtable conference event?
Our next School-Based Mental Health Roundtable is Friday, April 17, 2026 from 8:00am - 2:15pm at Unity Junior High in Cicero, IL. Parking instructions available upon registration. For more information check out our event program here.
5. Do you provide meals and snacks?
Yes, water is available throughout the day and a boxed lunch with sandwich, chips, and cookie is available to all participants at no cost. Dietary requests are available.
6. What makes your program different?
We build each Roundtable to have a healthy mixture of learning through multiple mediums. Each event offers ample networking, evidence-based learning, experiential activities and interactive programming.
7. How do I communicate with the committee?
Any questions or comments can be sent to Amanda S. Norris at [email protected].
8. Can I still sign up for the next Roundtable?
Each School-Based Mental Health Roundtable has limited seating at 120 participants. We do maintain a waitlist if there are cancellations. Current registration is available at the top of the site.
School-Based Mental Health Roundtable
Rooted in restorative, trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices, we aim to foster hope and skills-building in educational and mental health professionals who serve youth.
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