with Michelle L. Palaladini
In this highly engaging three-hour presentation, participants will explore a brief history of citizen and police interactions. This presentation will discuss the serious community conflicts that occur as a result of poor relationships between law enforcement and youth (who eventually carry these conflicts into adulthood), and ways to strengthen the connection between police and community members, with a special emphasis on children.
Discussion will continue with an overview of police presence and purpose in schools, and how this position can support positive youth development. The presenter will offer ways in which school districts can select the right Officer for their school, how a well-trained Officer can benefit school districts, and ways the Officer can assist in developing a safe and supportive environment for children.
“No child will be able to succeed academically if they don’t first feel safe in school.”
– Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick
This seminar introduces Michelle Palladini’s unique and incredibly innovative L.E.A.P. Program Model. Michelle trains Police Officers to:
- TEACH a curriculum rooted in social/emotional learning and mindfulness. Participants will engage in a sample lesson.
- BUILD VILLAGES around kids in their community to mitigate some of the risk factors for dangerous (and often illegal) behaviors by working closely with school officials, parents, community partners and social service agencies. Participants will work on practical application of this creative model by “building villages” together in small groups.
- BECOME a caring, competent caregiver during difficult times, creating meaningful relationships. Michelle will offer case studies for review and discussion.
- UTILIZE the “CLUES” model when faced with challenging, risky, or criminal behaviors (Collaborate, Listen, Understand, Empathize, Solutions). Participants will discuss ways this model serves all people in “positions of authority” when interacting with youth; school principals, parents, teachers, coaches, and more.
- RESPOND versus REACT, by embracing a self-care practice and aligning your daily actions with a personal mission statement.
Michelle will offer a sample morning practice, a go-to technique for stressful situations, and a method for developing a personal mission statement.
Local fan favorite and award-winning Detective and School Resource Officer, Michelle Palladini is widely respected for her policing expertise, and commitment to the care and protection of children, and even more loved for her unrelenting positivism, passion, and dedication to community.
A strong proponent of community policing, and “building villages” to instill, nurture and foster a strong, fundamental support for children, her zeal for bettering the lives of others took on an amazing life of its own. She was inspired to develop the L.E.A.P. (Leadership, Empowerment, Awareness, Protection) Program in 2013, which offers a solution-focused method for connecting the police with the schools and parents as a pathway to children’s success in four areas: happiness, health, safety and resilience.
Michelle’s method for “policing youth” is astoundingly authentic, trauma-informed, and mindful of cultural biases and age/gender stereotypes. She believes in seeking out the root cause of risky/criminal behaviors, as this is the only way one can truly “protect and serve.” Michelle’s personal and professional stories of inspiration cultivate a re-dedication to policing as a public service rooted in compassion and greater understanding.
Michelle has received numerous accolades and awards for her work, and her thought-provoking conversations have been shared across the nation. As a Massachusetts Certified Teacher and Children’s Yoga/Mindfulness Instructor, Michelle has used her diverse skillset to become a leading voice in a most unique combination of community and juvenile policing, police leadership, education, mindfulness, work/life balance, and parenting.
When she’s not working and changing the world for our kids, she’s home with her family (husband, daughter, three bonus children, and a Siberian Husky named Denali).