Join this FREE training series for Mental Health Providers and other professionals who work with meeting youth mental health needs. This is the second of four separate training opportunities to be offered between June and September.

Kevin Polky, CADC, LCSW will focus on resiliency development for youth, which will include discussion around the components of the human response to perceived and actual threats, the five stages of the stress cycle, and techniques to complete the stress cycle, purposefully focusing on moving from stress to a sense of calm and safety. The training will also focus on the foundational aspects of resilience and the seven steps to resiliency development which include behaviors, traits, and skills that can be developed by anyone.

About the Presenter, Kevin Polky, CADC, LCSW: With more than 30 years of experience, Kevin Polky is amply qualified to oversee KP counseling as both founder and executive director. He is a licensed clinical social worker, certified alcohol and drug counselor, certified school social worker, executive coach, former football and strength coach, and personal trainer. Kevin has worked with individuals, families, and organizations in areas of Illinois and Wisconsin and currently works with individual clients and their families at KP Counseling. He also facilitates three men’s groups, conducts workshops and seminars, and serves as a consultant to businesses, schools, and churches. In 2010, Kevin founded Four Corners Wellness which has evolved into a company that produces workshops and trainings, business consulting and executive coaching. In 2016, Kevin founded Shatter Our Silence a non-for-profit company to increase awareness and educate on the factors that lead to suicide in young adults.

In 2019, he launched his weekly podcast “Kevin Polky-The Journey” based on stories and conversations with individuals regarding their journey of transformation from setbacks to soaring. He is about to air his 130th episode. In 2020, Kevin added to his executive director position by taking over the same role at Red Oak Counseling at their Elm Grove and Oak Creek locations (both located in Wisconsin).

He volunteers at local schools and churches, teaching youth and adult classes on a variety of psycho-social-spiritual material. He is active on a variety of non-for-profits board of directors for local agencies. Kevin’s favorite activities outside of KP counseling and Red Oak Counseling include spending time with family, exercising, supporting the arts, reading, and enjoying God’s presence through nature.


Upcoming sessions:

September 14 Suicide Prevention Training with Kevin Polky of KP Counseling and Xavier Whitford of Tommy Corrall Memorial Foundation

This program is presented by Rosecrance in partnership with NICNE, with funding from the Children’s Healthcare Foundation of Illinois via the Youth Mental Health System of Care Planning Group. The Youth Mental Health System of Care Planning Group is a multi-year project working to improve mental health services for youth in Winnebago and Boone Counties. The Initiative is led by Rosecrance and facilitated by NICNE Collective Impact facilitators, in partnership with area organizations and providers including Rockford Public Schools, Youth Services Network, NAMI, Family Peace Center, Crusader Community Health, Boone Winnebago Regional Office of Education #4, City of Rockford Domestic Violence & Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force, YMCA, OSF Healthcare, Winnebago County Health Department, Winnebago County CASA, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Rockford Regional Health Council, Children’s Safe Harbor, KP Counseling, Carrie Lynn Children’s Center, Winnebago County Housing Authority, 17th Judicial Circuit Court, and others. Email Pam Clark Reidenbach, Executive Director, NICNE for more information on how to engage in the Planning Group work at pclark1@niu.edu.

About NICNE:

NICNE, formed in 2004, has a mission is to promote and grow innovation, excellence and social impact. NICNE Provides:
• Education &Training - We strengthen nonprofits and their boards by teaching research-based best practices.

• Innovation - NICNE leads transformative change focused on root causes and challenges existing institutions and systems.

• Collaboration - By engaging nonprofits and cross-sector partners we help solve significant social issues and impact change.

• Advocacy - NICNE upholds the vital work of the sector, encouraging organizations to lead through bold promotion of their missions and demonstration of economic and social impact.

NICNE, a 501(c)(3) organization, is a program of Northern Illinois University, Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development.