Roots of Wellness Summit

Thank You for Joining Us

The Del Norte County Office of Education extends our heartfelt gratitude to the educators, administrators, board members, mental and behavioral health professionals, and partners who joined us for the Inaugural Roots of Wellness Summit.

Your presence, insight, and commitment to student and staff well-being made this first-of-its-kind gathering a powerful and inspiring success. Together, we elevated the conversation around mental health, explored meaningful solutions, and strengthened a growing network of leaders dedicated to nurturing resilient school communities.

Because of you, the Roots of Wellness Summit was more than an event — it was the beginning of a movement.

The inaugural Roots of Wellness Summit brought together professionals from school districts and County Offices of Education across California for a transformative day focused on student and staff mental health.

Designed to empower educational communities, the summit featured:

• Inspiring keynote speakers, including state-level policymakers, innovative program designers, and champion educators

• Engaging breakout sessions led by organizations specializing in youth mental health and wellness

• Interactive workshops designed to build practical, real-world strategies

• Thought-provoking panel discussions highlighting best practices and emerging trends

• Opportunities to connect with like-minded advocates committed to improving school climate

Throughout the day, attendees explored forward-thinking approaches to resilience, prevention, intervention, and whole-child wellness — leaving equipped with tools, resources, and renewed inspiration to bring back to their districts.

The Roots of Wellness Summit was built on a simple but powerful belief:

When we prioritize well-being, students thrive, staff flourish, and entire communities grow stronger.

By convening diverse voices from across California, we created space for collaboration, innovation, and meaningful dialogue around how schools can serve as foundations for lifelong wellness.

Building on the momentum of our inaugural year, the 2026 Roots of Wellness Summit will take a deeper dive into one of the most pressing challenges facing our schools and communities: substance use prevention, intervention, and recovery support for youth.

As educators and leaders, we recognize that addressing substance use requires proactive systems, informed staff, strong community partnerships, and compassionate, student-centered approaches. The 2026 summit will create space for meaningful dialogue and practical learning around prevention strategies, early identification, intervention frameworks, and restorative supports that promote long-term wellness.

Anticipated Focus Areas:

• Prevention education and awareness strategies for schools

• Understanding current substance use trends affecting youth

• Building protective factors and resilience in students

• Intervention models and multi-tiered systems of support

• Partnering with families, agencies, and community organizations

• Recovery-informed practices that reduce stigma and support reintegration

Through dynamic keynote speakers, expert-led breakout sessions, and collaborative discussions, attendees will gain tools and insights to strengthen their district’s approach to substance use prevention and student well-being.

📅 Save the Date: October 1st & 2nd, 2026
🔔 Location and Registration details coming soon.

We invite school districts, COEs, educators, mental health professionals, and community partners across California to join us as we continue growing a statewide network committed to healthy, resilient school communities.