The SPAN Youth Hub

Emotional intelligence, or EI, refers to the ability to understand and control one's emotions. On average, those with "high" EI will stay calm in dire situations and recognize when others are in emotional distress; those with "low" EI have difficulty expressing their feelings or needs. Identifying and improving one's EI is an important skill to learn.  Daniel Goleman Introduces Emotional Intelligence On YouTube, Daniel Goleman's Introduces Emotional Intelligence is a brief introduction to emotional intelligence.  Watch the video here:    The Importance of Emotional Intelligence The importance of emotional intelligence can be seen in higher self-esteem, better listening skills, improved coordination, and much more. Read about real-world examples  here:  https://positivepsychology.com/importance-of-emotional-intelligence/ How Emotionally Intelligent Are You? Take a test with 15 questions about handling and understanding emotional responses. After comple...

Disability awareness can help against harmful stigmas and stereotypes. People with disabilities should speak on issues and experiences that are unique to their lives. Increasing awareness of these issues creates an interconnected global community. Overcoming Obstacles Check out  Overcoming Obstacles , a TedTalk with Steven Claunch revisiting how he never allowed his disability to ruin his life but how he learned to adapt to the unique situations of life.  Watch the video here:    Challenges for People with Disabilitie s Another valuable part of encouraging disability awareness is learning specific terms and abbreviations related to the disability community. For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas.  Read more here:  https://ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/challenges-for-people-with-disabilities   Increasing physical  activity among adults  with disabi...

2023 Parent Leadership Conference Speak Up! Take Action! Create Change! Together We Rise! Join us to enhance your leadership and advocacy skills, whether you are an emerging or seasoned leader! The conference will offer thought-provoking speakers and informational breakout sessions to provide the tools and inspiration to advocate for infants, toddlers, children, and youth. Hear from a panel of State Agency Leaders sharing updates and opportunities for family engagement. Attend sessions related to helping families access educational, childcare, or healthcare services and learn how to navigate child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Listen to youth leaders who will share their stories of developing self-advocacy skills. Acquire strategies to ensure accessibility, diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging in our advocacy efforts.  Attend breakout sessions designed for: Parents and Family Members  Emerging Family Leaders  Seasoned Family Leaders Diverse Family Leader...

Being active can mean an intense workout at home or a gym, pushing one's body to its limits to lose weight and/or build confidence. That's great, but physical activity can be a walk in the park, a morning stretch, or a fun aerobics class like Zumba. Working Towards Wellbeing Physical activity is any intentional activity that involves moving our body to our limits. We engage in physical activity every day! Check out the Black Dog Institute YouTube channel for examples of different types of physical activity. Watch it here:  Increasing physical  activity among adults  with disabilities Fo r people with disabilities, physical activity can be inclusive such as adaptive fitness. Any kind of movement you are comfortable with is a form of physical activity.  Read more from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on  aerobic  physical activity options matching each person's  abilities . Find it here:  https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhe...

2023 Parent Leadership Conference Speak Up! Take Action! Create Change! Together We Rise! Join us to enhance your leadership and advocacy skills, whether you are an emerging or seasoned leader! The conference will offer thought-provoking speakers and informational breakout sessions to provide the tools and inspiration to advocate for infants, toddlers, children, and youth. Hear from a panel of State Agency Leaders sharing updates and opportunities for family engagement. Attend sessions related to helping families access educational, childcare, or healthcare services and learn how to navigate child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Listen to youth leaders who will share their stories of developing self-advocacy skills. Acquire strategies to ensure accessibility, diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging in our advocacy efforts.  Attend breakout sessions designed for: Parents and Family Members  Emerging Family Leaders  Seasoned Family Leaders Diverse Famil...

There is no single cause for depression. A feeling of "blue," lack of sleep, appetite, or self-isolation is often chalked up to normal teen behaviors. Young people may be experiencing depression that can negatively affect their day-to-day life. Recognizing the symptoms is the first step to speaking with a parent, trusted adult, or caregiver or seeking medical help. Teen Mental Health Depression What is Depression?  Listen from a youth who speaks on the signs and identifiers that may exist for those experiencing mental illness. The 3-minute video breaks down the differences between sadness and grief or the chemical changes that result in depression. Watch the full video here:   Understanding how depression affects teens and adults differently Clinical depression does affect youth differently from adults. An adult may experience weight loss, but teens could experience weight gain. The difference highlights the need for an expert to perform a diagnosis. A self-diagnosis may ...

A good leader can plan, make difficult decisions, and inspire others. Leaders, especially young leaders, can work with their groups and communities to create lasting societal changes. Advice for Young Leaders Listening, mindfulness, and putting others first are core components of a good leader. Watch the 5 Tips - Advice for Young Leaders,  which discusses the qualities of a young leader and advice. Find it here:  http://jpcp.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-201-en.pdf . Young Global Leaders Check out an international forum and organization of different youth leaders worldwide, united by the mission of making the world a better place, with a membership of 1,400 and alumni of 120 nationalities, including civic and business innovators, entrepreneurs, technology pioneers, educators, activists, artists, journalists, and more. With a membership of 1,400 and alumni of 120 nationalities, including civic and business innovators, entrepreneurs, technology pioneers, educators, activists, artists, jo...

Let's Talk: NJ Educational Equity & Equality  You are cordially invited to attend a Virtual Town Hall on Educational Equality & Equity organized by the Latino Action Network Foundation, Salvation and Social Justice, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) New Jersey.  Want more information? The event aims to raise awareness and provide a platform for students impacted by Chapter 6 of the New Jersey Administrative Code (NJAC 6A:7) and the Latino Action Network et al. v. State of New Jersey lawsuit, which focuses on managing equality and equity in education.  This is an excellent opportunity for the New Jersey Department of Education to hear directly from the NJ students impacted by our school system to engage in meaningful dialogue and foster a greater understanding of our next steps and direction. When : August 4, 2023, from 12:00pm to 2:00pm Where : Virtual: Zoom Link; find the registration link here:  http://bit.ly/njed...