Request for Proposals (RFP)
WCU’s First Healing-Centered Engagement & Trauma-Informed Education Conference

We invite proposals for presentations, workshops, and panel discussions for the upcoming Healing-Centered Engagement & Trauma-Informed Education Conference, which will bring together educators, counselors, and social workers to explore innovative approaches to supporting students and communities affected by trauma. This conference will emphasize strength-based, culturally responsive, and collective healing approaches that go beyond traditional trauma-informed care.

The conference aims to provide attendees with practical strategies, research-based insights, and interactive learning experiences that foster resilience, student agency, and holistic well-being in educational and social service settings.

Conference Themes & Proposal Categories

We welcome proposals that align with the following themes:

  1. Shifting from Trauma-Informed to Healing-Centered Approaches
    • Moving beyond the trauma narrative to focus on strengths and possibilities
    • Holistic well-being: integrating mind, body, and spirit in education and counseling
    • Community and collective healing in schools and social service settings
  2. Supportive and Strength-Based Approaches
    • Culturally inclusive teaching and counseling strategies
    • Integrating traditional healing practices into trauma-informed care
    • Addressing systemic barriers and promoting equity in education and social work
  3. Creating Safe & Empowering Learning Spaces
    • Implementing restorative justice practices in schools and community settings
    • Trauma-informed discipline: alternatives to punitive measures
    • Student agency: fostering leadership and voice in healing-centered spaces
  4. Emotional & Collective Well-Being
    • Mindfulness and self-regulation techniques for students and professionals
    • The role of peer support and mentorship in trauma recovery
    • Family and community engagement in healing-centered education
  5. Action-Oriented, Future-Focused Learning
    • Project-based learning for social change and empowerment
    • Creativity and joy as tools for healing in education and counseling
    • Resilience-building strategies for educators, counselors, and social workers

Proposal Submission Guidelines

Who Can Submit: We welcome proposals from educators, social workers, counselors, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders with expertise in trauma-informed care, healing-centered engagement, and related fields. 

Session Formats:

  • Workshops (1 hour): Interactive sessions providing hands-on strategies and skill-building. These workshops should provide opportunities for attendees to build their skills through interactive components. 
  • Panel Discussions (1 hour): Collaborative discussions featuring multiple experts on a unifying topic. These sessions will be equally divided between presenters, leaving 15 minutes for questions.
  • Breakout Self-Care Sessions (1 hour) These workshops are designed to provide teachers, counselors, and social workers with healing-centered activities to support their well-being. Each session will guide participants through restorative practices aimed at stress reduction, mindfulness, and emotional resilience. These activities will help participants reconnect with themselves and nurture their mental and physical health, fostering balance and self-awareness in both their personal and professional lives. Examples include Mindful Yoga and Movement, Soundbaths and Relaxation, Time in Nature (a walk-through campus), Mindful Journaling 

Proposal Requirements:

  • Title of session
  • Presenter(s) name, affiliation, and contact information
  • Presenter bio (150 words)
  • Abstract (250-500 words) detailing session objectives and content 
  • Literature/References (optional)
  • Preferred session format: (list them)
  • What conference theme does your presentation align with?
  • Target audience (educators, social workers, counselors, administrators, etc.)
  • Would you like to offer CEUs, Act 48-PD Credits, BCBA* for teachers, counselors, or social workers? _____No ____Yes (if yes which one) Please enter in your information:
  • List three learning objectives for your presentation.
  • Workshop Proposals: Please describe the ways you plan to engage attendees and provide skill building opportunities.
  • Please describe (500 words or less) how the proposed session aligns with the conference them, and which proposal category(categories) align with your presentation.

Submission Deadline & Review Process

  • Submission Deadline: December 1, 2025
  • Notification of Acceptance: March 15, 2026
  • Conference Date: August 11th or 13th 2026  
  • Proposals will be reviewed by the conference committee of experts in trauma-informed education, counseling, and social work. Selection will be based on relevance, innovation, and practical applicability.

We look forward to your contributions in creating a healing-centered, transformative learning experience for educators, counselors, and social workers!

Submission Policies:

  • An individual can be listed as the lead presenter for no more than two submissions. Submissions not adhering to the restrictions related to the number of presenters will not be reviewed or considered for acceptance.
  • Presenters (including both the lead presenters and all co-presenters) are required to register for the conference by the registration deadline.