6th annual national peer specialist conference · pdf file01.09.2012 · national...

National Peer Specialist Conference Preliminary Program 9/1/12 – Visit http://na4ps.wordpress.com/naps-annual-conference for updates.

6th Annual National

Peer Specialist Conference Organized by the National Association of Peer Specialists (NAPS)

Join the Recovery Revolution!

Sept. 6-8, 2012 Sheraton Society Hill Hotel, 1 Dock St.,

Philadelphia, PA 19106 Register Online:

http://national_peer_specialist_conference_2012.eventbrite.com

CONFERENCE PROGRAM Sponsored in part by:

(Ask us how your name and logo can go here on the final program!)

Come Early!!

Pre-Conference Institutes (September 4-5, 2012) Three pre-conference institutes are being offered at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel, in association with the conference but registration

and payment are separate from the conference.

• Recovery Peer Leadership (1-Day, Wed., Sept. 5) by Recover Resources (recoverresources.com/catalog/c19_p1.html)

• Advanced Peer Support (2-Days + Online) by the Recovery Opportunity Center (www.recoveryopportunity.com)

• Wellness Solutions 1.0 – Uncensored Innovation (2-Days) by The Hope Concept Wellness Center

(www.thehopeconcept.com/wellness-solutions-1-0)

Visit the websites listed above for more information about each institute.


National Peer Specialist Conference Program

Opening Session - Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012

1:00–1:10 p.m. Welcome, by Gladys Christian, President, National Association of Peer Specialists (NAPS)

1:10–1:25 p.m. Conference Overview, Special Award by Steve Harrington, NAPS Executive Director

• Innovative and Influential Leadership in Peer Support Award (Sue Bergeson)

1:25–2:00 p.m. Overview of Peer Support, by Joseph Rogers, Executive Director, National Mental Health

Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse and Chief Advocacy Officer, Mental Health

Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

2:00–2:45 p.m. Peer Support and the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, by Daniel O’Brien-Mazza,

National Director of Peer Support Services.

Orientation to types of sessions / preliminary program

Throughout the conference, there will be keynote presentations and plenary sessions (where everyone

attends a single presentation), breakout sessions (where everyone chooses between different workshops

that are happening at the same time, but in different rooms), and series (that build on previous sessions in

the same series). This program reflects our best effort to arrange the schedule to accommodate all of the

chosen presenters / range of topics. However, as information goes out, changes continue to come to us.

We will update the program weekly and post it to the website on Sunday/Monday. However, the plenary

sessions, workshops, and series presenters are subject to change up to and on the days of the conference.

Recovery to Practice Series

The National Association of Peer Specialists (NAPS) was awarded a 5-year grant as part of the SAMHSA-

funded Recovery to Practice initiative to analyze the needs of the profession and create a recovery-focused

training curriculum for working peer specialists that could be delivered by working peer specialists. During

the breakout sessions, a series of 8 orientations (A-H) will give participants a sneak preview of all 8 modules

in the curriculum, scheduled to be launched early in 2013. Those who attend all of the sessions in the series

will have an overview of the entire curriculum.

Gladys Christian,

NAPS President

Steve Harrington, NAPS

Executive Director

Joseph Rogers, MH Consumers’ Self-

Help Clearinghouse Executive Director


Thursday, September 6 (continued) 2:45–3:00 p.m. Refreshment Break (Complimentary for conference participants)

3:00–4:15 p.m. Breakout sessions: Workshops 1-3 | Recovery to Practice Series – Module A

Workshop 1: Loneliness and WRAP®

Everyone needs friends to talk to, pals to share activities, and people to depend

on. This training is based on Mary Ellen Copeland’s The Loneliness Workbook. We will

explore how to defeat loneliness and write a plan to avoid it.

Presenter: Sherri Rushman

Workshop 2: Evidence-Based Practices: Why Should I care?

Explore the usefulness and limitations of science in helping to reveal what

works in mental health. Understand evidence-based practices (EBP) and where peer

specialists fit in the picture. Discuss with peers how your work can reflect both scientific

know-how and an appreciation of the mystery and grace of recovery.

Presenter: Gareth Fenley

Workshop 3: Seeing the Spiritual Opportunity in Mental Health Challenges

While the integral place of spirituality in recovery from addiction has long been

acknowledged, what has been less emphasized is that many people experience serious

mental health challenges as part of their spiritual journeys. We will look at the need to

set aside biological reductionism in an effort to focus on the spiritual aspects of mental

health distress, spiritual aspect that many people experience as essential to their

recovery process. Presenter: Mary Fala

Recovery to Practice A: SAMHSA Principles of Recovery

An interactive exploration of recovery principles, roles, and values, based on

discussions and activities provided in the SAMHSA-Funded Recovery to Practice

Curriculum for working peer specialists. Presenters: Two or more of the Recovery to

Practice Project Team – Steve Harrington, Antonio Lambert, Lisa Goodale, Lyn Legere,

and Rita Cronise. Limited Seating

4:15-4:30 p.m. Break

4:30-5:45 p.m. Breakout sessions: Workshops 4-6 | Recovery to Practice Series – Module B

Workshop 4: Understanding the Consumer Movement

This workshop explores persons in recovery as an oppressed class, discusses the

consumer movement as a human rights movement, urges participants to self-assess

around personal bias and encourages change. Presenters: Alison Emery & Mario Lopez

Workshop 5: Helping Others Break the Chains of Self-Stigma and Low Self-Esteem

Explore the important role peer specialists can and should play in helping others

understand self-stigma and the devastating effects of low self-esteem through an

interactive and engaging session. Presenters: Susan Meekhof and Mike Roaleen


4:30-5:45 p.m. Thursday, September 6 (continued)

Workshop 6: A County in Recovery

Learn how the County of Riverside, California has used peer support specialists

in leadership roles, as mentors and trainers for clinicians to change the way the county

“conducts business” to serve persons in recovery. Presenters: Shannon McCleerey-

Hooper, Steve Luna & Denise Walker

Recovery to Practice B: The Complex Simplicity of Wellness

An interactive exploration of promoting and encouraging wellness, based on





5:45-7:00 p.m. Dinner – On Your Own

7:00-7:30 p.m. Special Award – for Visionary Leadership

The Visionary Achievement Award is being given to Dr. Michael Hogan, Former Chair of

the President’s New Freedom Commission, Former President of NASMHPD, Current

Commissioner of Office of Mental Health, State of New York.

This special award is given in honor of the visionary leadership of Dr. Hogan and the

other members of the President’s New Freedom Commission, which set the stage for

system transformation and the ability for people to believe (and achieve) recovery.

7:30-9:00 p.m. Evening Plenary Session – Defining Professional Practice Standards

Defining Peer Supporter Roles: Values, Ethics and Practice Standards

This facilitated forum will examine the values of peer supporters and how those

values translate into an effective practice. This session will move us forward in defining

(for ourselves) who we are and what we do -- instead of others outside the profession

(administrators, clinicians, academicians) who are doing this now. By acting now, we

hope to retain our practice integrity. Facilitated by Lyn Legere.

Join us for this special evening Forum on Professional Practice Standards

– Defining Peer Supporter Values and Ethics


Friday, Sept. 7

7:30-8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast (complimentary for conference participants)

Sponsor Showcase (Sponsor presentations)

8:30-9:00 a.m. Morning Announcements, Schedule Updates, Sponsor Recognition

9:00-10:15 a.m. Breakout sessions: Workshops 7-9 | Recovery to Practice Series – Module D

Workshop 7: Stepping Back to Bring Hope

Sharing personal stories of struggle and growth enhances one’s chances of

recovery. This can be especially true when survivors of mental illness revisit a mental

health unit in a hospital or jail, establish a wellness group and bring messages of hope

and recovery to those incarcerated. Presenters: Judy Banes & Richard Faison

Workshop 8: Veteran Awareness and Recovery Practices 101

Participants will learn the best practice strategies to engage veterans and their

families. The session will also further cultural competency of this emerging service

group. Emphasis will be on culture, customs and recovery practices for success.

Presenters: Douglas Tavira & Antonio Harris

Workshop 9: Life Enrichment in Your Practice: Why Just Having Fun is Important but

Often Neglected

Why can’t I take a peer on a picnic? Using preliminary results from

groundbreaking research, this session will explore the many ways peer supports can

and should help those they serve learn to enjoy life. Presenter: Steve Harrington

Recovery to Practice C: The Effects of Trauma on Recovery

An interactive exploration of the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE ) study

and the long-term effects of traumatic experience on physical and mental health, based

on discussions and activities provided in the SAMHSA-Funded Recovery to Practice




10:15-10:30 a.m. Refreshment Break (Complimentary for conference participants)

10:30-11:45 a.m. Breakout sessions: Workshops 10-12 | Recovery to Practice Series – Module D

Workshop 10: ‘Down Under’ Doesn’t Mean Down and Out: An Overview of Peer Support

Practices and Innovations in Australia

Join one of our Australian friends for an overview of peer support initiatives in

New Zealand and Australia and see how other parts of the world are doing it!

Presenter: Anthony Stratford


10:30-11:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 7 (Continued)

Workshop 11: Let My Time Help You Do Yours: Peer Support in a State Prison

Using peer support and mentoring, a weekly group brought together

“seasoned” inmates with new arrivals to help the “newbies” cope more effectively with

prison life. The program also prepares inmates with potential helping opportunities

after release. This session will explore the nature and effectiveness of this application of

peer support. Presenter: Andy Bernstein

Workshop 12: Being Trauma Aware in Peer Support

Without an understanding of the effects of trauma, there can be no integration

in treatment systems. This session will help participants avoid the physical, emotional,

spiritual and behavioral effects of trauma and that awareness is the first recovery step.

Presenter: Trish Bleth

Recovery to Practice D: The Influence of Culture on Recovery

An interactive exploration of multi-cultural influences, based on discussions and

activities provided in the SAMHSA-Funded Recovery to Practice Curriculum for working

peer specialists. Presenters: Recovery to Practice Team – Steve Harrington, Antonio

Lambert, Lyn Legere, and Rita Cronise. Limited seating.

11:45–1:00 p.m. Lunch—on your own

1:00—2:45 p.m. Plenary Sessions

1:00–1:45 p.m. Peer Specialists and the Recovery to Practice Project

Overview of Recovery to Practice and what it can mean for profession development.

Wilma Townsend, SAMHSA, Acting Director of Consumer Affairs.

1:45–2:15 p.m. The Copeland Center (WRAP®) future goals and vision

Where we are, where we are headed. Matthew Federici, Copeland Center Director

2:15–2:45 p.m. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) future goals and vision

Where we are, where we are headed. Lisa Goodale, VP Education and Training DBSA.

2:45–3:00 p.m. Refreshment Break (Complimentary for conference participants)

3:00–4:15 p.m. Breakout sessions: Workshops 13-15 | Recovery to Practice Series - Module E

Workshop 13: The Peer Specialist as Supervisor: Moving Toward a More Peer-Driven

System of Care

Strong evidence proves that peer specialists are effective in working in mental

health systems. As we move toward a more peer-driven system of care, it is time for

peer specialists to become leaders in those systems. A peer specialist as a supervisor is

crucial to erasing stigma and changing the climate of mental health care. This session

will address these issues and provide strategies for peer specialists to become and work

as supervisors. Presenter: Tara N. Miller


3:00–4:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7 (Continued)

Workshop 14: Recovery Inside: Bringing Peer Support into Correctional Facilities

This engaging, interactive workshop provides participants with key skills,

insights and tools for adapting peer support in correctional systems. Participants will

experience the journey of introducing mutuality, empowerment and recovery as tools

to support people in the transformation from “offender” to contributing member of a

recovery community. Presenters: Terrence J-R Smithers

Workshop 15: Thinking Outside the Box: How Peer Specialists Integrate with the Mental

Health Workforce

Peer specialists will discover ways to break down the stigma shown by the

workforce. They will also discover how to work with the workforce contributing their

talents while gaining personal rewards. When facing workforce cutbacks, peer

specialists can assume new responsibilities partnering equally with that workforce. This

session will cover these workforce development issues and more.

Presenters: Elizabeth Freed & Jill Robinson

Recovery to Practice E: From Dual Recovery to Whole Person Recovery

An interactive exploration of integrated approaches for individuals with co-

occurring mental health and substance use disorders, based on discussions and

activities provided in the SAMHSA-Funded Recovery to Practice Curriculum for working

peer specialists. Presenters: Selected RTP team members – Steve Harrington, Antonio

Lambert, Lisa Goodale, Lyn Legere, and Rita Cronise. Limited Seating

4:15-4:30 PM Break

4:30-5:45 PM Breakout sessions: Workshops 16-18 | Recovery to Practice Series – Module F

Workshop 16: Collaborating with Psychiatrists

Misunderstanding and frustration are all too common between psychiatrists,

the people they serve and colleagues—including peer specialists. Through two

interactive role-plays, participants will develop skills that will empower them to

accelerate progress toward collaboration.

Presenter: Gareth Fenley

Workshop 17: The Power of Peers in System Transformation

Participants will explore the many ways they can create change in mental

health systems through advocacy, role modeling, policy making, and other means. Join

us for a lively session on how to bring recovery to organizations and the people they

serve. Presenters: Cherene Allen-Caraco

Workshop 18: Pillars of Peer Support III. This presentation will provide an overview of a series of summits at the Carter

Center. The summits have allowed state officials and others to share information and

perspectives. Presenters: Allen Daniels and Peter Ashenden.


4:30-5:45 PM Friday, Sept. 7 (Continued)

Recovery to Practice F: Recovery Roles and Values

An interactive exploration of recovery roles and values, which may differ from

the values and boundaries of non-peer members of a treatment or work team, based

on discussions and activities provided in the SAMHSA-Funded RTP Curriculum for

working peer specialists. Presenters: Selected RTP team members – Steve Harrington,

Antonio Lambert, Lisa Goodale, Lyn Legere, and Rita Cronise. Limited Seating

5:45 – 7: 00 p.m. Dinner – on your own

7:00—8:30 p.m. Evening Plenary, Engaging Women in Trauma-Informed Peer Support: A Guidebook

This evening session is devoted a review of the guidebook created by the National

Center on Trauma-Informed Care (NTIC) to help make trauma-informed peer support

available to women receiving services in behavioral health or other human service

systems. It is designed as a resource for peer supporters —both male and female— who

want to integrate trauma-informed principles into their work. Presenter: Cathy Cave

8:45-9:30 p.m. Documentary, Open Spaces

This award winning production was created with support from the National Association

of Peer Specialists and features “recovery in action” through the stories of five people in

recovery. Come, enjoy the film, and feel welcome to discuss it afterward.

Documentary run time: 42 minutes.

Saturday, Sept. 8

7:30-8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast (complimentary for conference participants)

Sponsor Showcase (Sponsor presentations)

8:30-9:00 a.m. Morning Announcements, Schedule Updates, Award Ceremony

Award recipients:

• Champion of Peer Support – Lifetime Achievement Award (Wilma Townsend)

• Inspirational Leadership in Peer Support Award (Gladys Christian)

• Peer Support Super Connector Award (Steve Harrington)

9:15-10:30 a.m. Breakout sessions: Workshops 19-21 | Recovery to Practice Series - Module G

Workshop 19: Support for Peer Supporters: Finding Your Way

Through personal experience, this presenter discovered the challenges of

finding peer support for her, a peer supporter. In this session, she shares what she has

learned and how she connected with resources to avoid “burn out” and provide the

best peer support services. Presenter: Georgette Evan


9:15-10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 8 (Continued)

Workshop 20: Peer Coaching: An Emerging Peer Specialist Workforce Opportunity

Peer coaching is a promising new behavioral healthcare service. This workshop

will introduce participants to peer coaching concepts and competencies and examine

use of coaching services in a diverse range of settings, including peer coaching to

promote use of online wellness tools. Presenters: Lisa Goodale and Allen Daniels

Workshop 21: Blending the Wisdom of Lived Experience with Professional Training:

Peers in Social Work School

Peer providers bring a unique perspective to professional education and

frequently make excellent clinical and macro-level social workers. However, their

presence is not always welcomed or supported by social work training programs. Tips

will be provided on the pros and cons of self-disclosure; applications; linkage to

disability services, and selecting internships. Presenter: Melissa Hensley

Recovery to Practice G: Strengthening Workplace Relationships

An interactive exploration of workplace relationships, including challenges

related to fear, misunderstanding, roles, status, and differing values, based on


Curriculum for working peer specialists. Presenters: Selected members of the RTP team

– Steve Harrington, Antonio Lambert, Lyn Legere, and Rita Cronise. Limited Seating

10:30-11:00 a.m. Refreshment Break (Complimentary for conference participants)

Check Out of Hotel

11:00-12:15 noon Breakout sessions: Workshops 22-23 | Recovery to Practice Series - Module H

Workshop 22: Meeting the Challenges of the Workplace: Conflict Management

Techniques for Peer Specialists

This workshop will support employed peer specialists with using peer support

as well as effective communication techniques to resolve workplace conflicts.

Participants will complete an individual strengths- and needs-assessment to determine

their success with resolving workplace conflicts and through small and larger group

exercises, develop skills. Presenters: Crystal L. Edwards & Yvette P. Pate

Workshop 23: The Power of Peer Support and a Wellness Approach to Assisting People

with Mental Health and Addiction Challenges

Two leaders who have overcome their own co-occurring challenges facilitate an

interactive workshop as an opportunity to share wisdom about maintaining

authenticity, personal wellness, healthy boundaries and personal space for themselves

and those they support. Presenters will share information and opportunities about the

SAMHSA Wellness Initiative. Presenters: Linford Gayle & Charles Willis

Workshop 24: Unique Issues When Engaging Veterans

Veterans pose unique challenges to peer support workers and this is especially

true as an increasing number of military personnel return from current conflicts. This

workshop will help peer specialists learn how to understand the veteran culture and

build trusting relationships. Includes re-adjustment issues. Presenter: Justin Thompson


11:00-12:15 noon Saturday, September 8 (continued)

Recovery to Practice Session H: Recovery Relationships

An interactive exploration of recovery relationships, including techniques for

finding, establishing ,and restoring supportive relationships, and dialog about sexual

health, based on discussions and activities provided in the SAMHSA-Funded Recovery to

Practice Curriculum for working peer specialists. Presenters: Two or more of the RTP

team members – Steve Harrington, Antonio Lambert, Lisa Goodale, Lyn Legere, and Rita

Cronise. Limited Seating

12:15-12:30 p.m. Break

12:30-1:00 p.m. Wrap up, evaluations, door prizes

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Lunch—on your own

2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Special Plenary Session (Post-Conference)

National Certification of Peer Specialist: A Conversation

An opportunity, immediately following the National Conference, to summarize

discussions about creating a national certification process. Requests for peer specialists

to comment on the perceived value and limitations of a national certification will be

gathered in a variety of forums throughout the week and consolidated for those who

seek to create a standard certification process.

Join us for a Special Post-Conference

Conversation about National Certification of Peer Specialists

3:30 – 4:00 p.m. Good-bye and safe journey


Make a difference with those who are making a difference!

Make a charitable donation/be a sponsor

Sponsor Showcase -share your organizational or personal story (breakfast showcase each day)

Conference Scholarships (Bearing the Name of the Sponsor):

There is a waiting list of deserving applicants who are seeking scholarships or other assistance to attend the

conference. A scholarship bearing the name of your organization (or you as an individual contributor) would

leave a lasting impression on an emerging recovery leader.

Unless otherwise designated, scholarship recipients will be selected from the current list of applicants through a

random drawing (lottery):

• Full scholarship for one - $1500.00 (travel, hotel, conference, meals)

• Partial conference scholarship - $250.00 (conference registration)

• Travel / lodging assistance – varies (donations or frequent flyer mile/hotel points donations are welcome)

Keynote and Workshop Presenter Sponsorships:

There are never enough ways to show appreciation for the time and efforts that go into developing and

delivering a quality program. Most presenters come to the conference with no expectation of being

compensated, in spite of the great value of their contribution. If you would like to contribute toward an

honorarium /expenses for one or more of the presenters – this is a way to say thank you.

• Keynote / Plenary Presenter (Sponsor honorarium + expenses) – $2,500.00 – 6 available

• Workshop Presenter (Sponsor an honorarium + expenses) -- $1,500.00 – 30 available

Conference Program Listings:

The conference program is a great way to make a difference and receive recognition. Sponsors will also be listed

on the Conference Page of the website starting in August. All prices are suggested donations, but may be

combined with or included in other levels of sponsorship (next page).

• Full page – reserved for major sponsors and meal donations ($5000 or more)

• Half page – Suggested donation of $1000.00 or more – 6 available

• Business card size – Suggested donation of $500.00 or more – 20 available

• Name only – Suggested donation of $100.00 or more – 50 available

If you would like to make a contribution toward a specific scholarship, indicate that with your payment.


Meal Host (Sponsor Recognition):

One quick way to gain positive recognition is to provide a meal or refreshment break at the conference. All meal

sponsors will be acknowledged at the meal and also listed in the program and on the website.

• Refreshments - (mid-morning / mid-afternoon /late afternoon snack)– $2,500.00 – 8 available

• Lunch Reception (healthy fare - fruit/veggie) – $7,500.00 – 3 available

• Evening Reception – (healthy fare - fruit/veggie) – $10,000.00 – 3 available

Major sponsors ($5000 or more):

Conferences are a great opportunity for people to learn and make connections. Major sponsors are recognized

leaders in the vision of bringing peer support into the mainstream of mental health care, and beyond. The

benefits available for sponsoring at this level are:

• Listed as a major sponsor on web site, promotional materials, registration materials, and conference signs

(brand name/logo – and tag line)

• Full page ad in the conference program

• Public recognition at sponsored events (meals, scholarships, awards)

• Exhibitor table (6’ x 4’) with two chairs (subject to availability)

• Sponsor showcase – displayed at beginning of each session

Scholarship named after sponsor – awarded to one person (registration fee only)

Exhibitors and Vendors ($50 fee for the full conference):

A very limited number of tables are available. The benefits of being an exhibitor:

• Listed (name only) as an exhibitor on web site and program

• Discount on cost of larger space (logo / business card) in conference program

• Exhibitor table (6’ x 4’) with two chairs /

• Sponsor showcase listing

Anonymous Donations

If you support the work of the National Association of Peer Specialists (NAPS) and would like to contribute to

further efforts to bring peer support providers into the “mainstream” of mental health care, but prefer to

remain anonymous, there is a link on the Sponsor Registration page for anonymous donations (any amount).

SPONSOR US ONLINE

To view the current availability of Conference Sponsorship options or make a donation, visit

http://national_peer_specialist_sponsor.eventbrite.com.

CONFERENCE UPDATES

For the latest updates to the Conference program (posted weekly), visit:

http://na4ps.wordpress.com/naps-annual-conference.

6th annual national peer specialist conference · pdf file01.09.2012 · national...

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