The New York Peer Specialist Certification Board’s

Second Annual Conference

Growing While Staying Grounded October 24 & 25, 2018

Please visit www.nypeerspecialist.org

or email info@nypeerspecialist.org

The New York Peer Specialist Certification Board is funded

by the New York State Office of Mental Health

Conference Partner

Keynote Speakers

Gayle Bluebird

Gayle has a long history of building a network of artists, writers and performers

throughout the country. She has conducted many arts workshops at peer

conferences and has developed a module on the arts for certification training that

has been used in the state of Delaware. She has received a Lifetime Achievement

Award at the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services

Conference in 2016. In 2010 she received the prestigious SAMHSA Voice Award

for Consumer Leadership at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.

Ruta Mazelis

Ruta Mazelis is a popular speaker, trainer, program development consultant, and content specialist for Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute on trauma, trauma-informed systems of care, self-harming behaviors, peer support and related issues. She is editor of the Healing Self-Injury website, which derived from her groundbreaking international quarterly publication, The Cutting Edge: A Newsletter for People Living with Self-Inflicted Violence, 1990-2008. Ruta has worked in the trauma field as a researcher, consultant, author, peer, and policy advocate. She has also worked as a provider in inpatient and outpatient substance abuse and mental health agencies. In addition to The Cutting Edge newsletter, she has published numerous articles and authored as well as co-authored research studies about self-inflicted injury, co-occurring disorders and violence, trauma and re-traumatization, peer support, and trauma-informed systems of care. Ruta served on the National Trauma Consortium Board of Directors, was a program manager for the Center for Mental Health Services National Center for Trauma-Informed Care, was a member of the Trauma Knowledge Utilization Project, and provided trainings and consultation for Witness Justice in addition to her work for the Sidran Institute. Herself a survivor of childhood trauma, Ruta has also been a consumer of mental health services as well as a survivor of psychiatric re-traumatization. She regularly participates in media interviews about her history and healing as well as self-inflicted violence and trauma, authors insightful articles on related issues, and provides compelling presentations and speeches at conferences and meetings. Ruta has a degree, cum laude, in Physical Therapy from Cleveland State University.

Harvey Rosenthal

Harvey Rosenthal serves as the CEO of the New York Association of Psychiatric

Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS), a peer-provider partnership that has been a

state and national change agent for the past 3 decades. Harvey has over 43 years

of experience working to promote public mental health policies and practices that

advance the recovery, rehabilitation, rights, and full community inclusion of

individuals with psychiatric disabilities and/or diagnoses. Under his leadership,

NYAPRS advocacy has helped to transform state and national mental health

systems, increase access to community-based housing, employment and peer

support services, and advance numerous recovery and criminal justice related

mental health reforms. Harvey has helped to create several nationally acclaimed

and replicated self-help, employment, and transformational training

innovations. He has also worked to fight stigma, discrimination, and human rights

violations and to advance informed choice protections, self-directed care and

cultural competence. Harvey’s work has been recognized by numerous New York

State and national groups, including the highest honors from Mental Health

America, The College for Behavioral Health Leadership, the U.S. Psychiatric

Rehabilitation Association and the National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery.

His interest in his work is personal, beginning with a psychiatric hospitalization at

age 19.

Carlton Whitmore

Carlton Whitmore is the Director at the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene’s Office of Consumer Affairs. Carlton’s primary function in this role is to support recovery and advocacy activities for consumers in NYC and to ensure the consumer perspective is included in all areas of system policy and planning. Prior to his current position, he was a supervisor at Goodwill Industries’ Peer Advocacy Leadership program, where his responsibilities included providing supports for consumers reentering the workplace. His peer perspective has provided him with a unique opportunity to identify and implement effective supports to promote individual recovery. In recent years, Carlton’s focus on cultural competence has led to his involvement in various national, statewide and local groups. Mr. Whitmore is a past recipient of the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services Brendan Nugent Award, the 2012 recipient of the NYC Coalition for Behavioral Health Leadership Award for inspiring consumer leadership and promoting the empowerment of New Yorkers with psychiatric disabilities, and the 2015 NYU McSilver Award for their contributions toward addressing the needs of children and families living in poverty.

Peer Networking Dinner

October 25, 2018

6:00pm-8:00pm

Roebling Library

(Additional ticket required)

Join us for an evening of networking with Certified Peer

Specialists and representatives from peer agencies across

New York State

Pre-registration for this is required.

Limited tickets can be purchased for $50.00 at the

NYPSCB conference registration table.

Dinner will be followed by dancing with DJ Jenkins

from 8:00-10:00pm. Please join us!

NYPSCB 2nd Annual Conference Program

October 24, 2018 Workshop Descriptions

Conference Registration: 12:00pm Opening Welcome Introduction-1:00pm-1:15pm Presenters: Tanya Stevens, Deputy Director of Mental Health Empowerment Project and Dennis Green, Certified Peer Specialist and NYPSCB Conference Committee Chair Room: Ferris Grand Ballroom Keynote-1:15pm-2:45pm History in the Making; From Ex-Patient to Peer Specialist: Perspectives from Veterans of the Peer Movement Presenters: Harvey Rosenthal, CEO of New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services and Ruta Mazelis, Sidran Institute and NCTIC consultant and author of The Cutting Edge: A newsletter for Individuals living With Self-Inflicted Violence Topic: Peer Support has a long and rich history. There is evidence that supports ex-patients organizing themselves as far back as the 1830s. At that time, people came together to support each other, speak for themselves, mobilize to effect policy change and improve services. Harvey and Ruta will share perspectives on the historical aspects of peer support, and how peer specialists can stay grounded in changing times. Afternoon Break/Networking-2:45pm-3:15pm Afternoon Workshops-3:15pm-4:45pm National Perspectives on Peer Specialists Certification Presenters: Celia Brown, Regional Advocacy Specialist and Joseph Swinford, Deputy Director of the Office of Consumer Affairs Room: Ferris Room B In this workshop we will examine the history of peer specialist certification in NYS, and share perspectives on peer certification in other states throughout the nation.

Reframing Crisis as an Opportunity Using Peer Values Presenters: Oryx Cohen, COO of the National Empowerment Center and Sarah Felman, Peer Support Mentor for Mental Health Empowerment Project Room: Osborn Having a crisis can be a profoundly meaningful, human, and yet simultaneously

terrifying experience. However, using the peer support approach, we can support

people through crises in ways that honor self-determination, mutuality, respect,

and genuine human relationships. We invite you to come learn how to hold

difficult conversations and how to help others move through crises in ways that

further create opportunities and establish healing relationships.

New Choices in Recovery: HARP, Health Homes, and the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). Presenters: Colleen Sheehan, CPRP NCIR Statewide Trainer for NYAPRS and David Ferencz, Community Outreach Specialist, NCIR, NYAPRS Room: Roebling Library This presentation will be looking at Health and Recovery Plans (HARP), Health Homes, and the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS): What they are, what they can mean for our recovery, and how to access them. Participants will gain insight on both accessing HARP and HCBS services and how to educate other peers on their own eligibility and enrollment. Dinner Break: 6:00pm-8:00pm Dinner on your own, or at the Peer Networking Dinner (additional ticket required). Peer Networking Dinner will be held in the Roebling Library. Evening Event: 8:00pm-10:00pm Dancing with DJ Jenkins Room: Ferris Grand Ballroom

NYPSCB 2nd Annual Conference Program

October 25, 2018 Workshop Descriptions

Conference Registration: 8:00am-9:00am Opening Welcome Introduction-9:00am-9:05am Presenter: Amy Colesante, CEO of Mental Health Empowerment Project Room: Ferris Grand Ballroom Keynote-9:05am-9:15am Presenter: Joseph Swinford, Deputy Director of Consumer Affairs at OMH Room: Ferris Grand Ballroom Award Presentation-9:15am-9:30am Memorial Award for Moneer Zarou Presenter: Isaac Brown, CEO of AEH Baltic St. and Tracy Puglisi, Coordinator of Peer Recovery and Wellness Education for the Association for Mental Health and Wellness Room: Ferris Grand Ballroom Morning Workshop I- 9:30am-10:30am Engaging People Through Their Passions Presenter: Gayle Bluebird and Carlton Whitmore, Keynote Speakers Room: Ferris Grand Ballroom Helping people tap into their passions is one of the greatest gifts you can give. The

discovery of your passion often requires a deep, long search within yourself that

can bring about satisfaction and meaning to life. Join Carlton and Gayle as they

share their passion and some strategies to help connect people to their spark of

life.

Morning Break-10:30am-10:45am

Morning Workshops II- 10:45am-12:00pm Maintaining Integrity in Peer Support Presenter: Amy Colesante, CEO of Mental Health Empowerment Project Room: Sage I Integrity is a personal choice to hold oneself to consistent standards. To strive toward integrity in peer support, a person must be aware and strongly connected to the ethics, standards and practices of peer support and put them into action. This workshop will provide practical information and resources that will assist participants to develop and maintain measures of excellence in the practice of peer support. Overview of NYPSCB Certification Process Presenters: Tara Davis, Board Administrator for the NYPSCB and Joe Swinford, Deputy Director of Consumer Affairs at OMH Room: Sage II This workshop will give a brief history and overview of the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board and the certification process while discussing the requirements for certification. Renewal and upgrade requirements will also be discussed. Bring your questions! From Peer Specialist to CEO: Career Development and Certification Presenter: Joseph Woodward, CEO of Housing Options Made Easy Room: Osborn So, what comes after certification? This presentation will examine the career development path for certified peer specialists by discussing the job opportunities for certified peers; the challenges in remaining true to who we are while working in traditional fields; and the opportunities for peer specialists to engage in a career path of advancement.

TIPS (Trauma Informed Peer Support) Presenters: Bill Gamble, Regional Trainer for Mental Health Empowerment Project and Tracy Puglisi, Coordinator of Peer Recovery and Wellness Education for the Association for Mental Health and Wellness Room: Roebling Library Trauma is a unique individual experience of being overwhelmed by a perceived

threat to life, bodily integrity or safety. Trauma Informed Peer Support

acknowledges the high prevalence of traumatic experiences in persons who

receive mental health services. This workshop will discuss concrete ways peer

specialists can provide support in a trauma informed manner.

Emerging Roles for Peers Providing Services and Support in Criminal Justice Settings Presenter: LaVerne Miller, B.A., J.D. Room: Ferris Room A This workshop will examine new roles for peers with histories of involvement in

the criminal justice and behavioral health systems. These roles range from co-

responding with local Crisis Intervention Teams to de-escalating volatile situations

to helping peers navigate community supervision during re-entry. Peers are

playing an increasing role in a diversity of criminal justice settings. The integration

of peers, peer support and recovery-oriented services and practices have the

potential of transforming our criminal justice system and its impact on peers with

mental health or substance use challenges. Notwithstanding these gains, peers

wanting to work in criminal justice settings continue to experience many

barriers. This workshop will also focus on emerging promising practices that

address these challenges.

Bearing Witness to the Pain Presenter: Ruta Mazelis, Sidran Institute and NCTIC consultant and author of The Cutting Edge: A Newsletter for Individuals Living With Self-Inflicted Violence Room: Ferris Room B Self-injury has long been treated with models of behavior modification: make the behavior stop and the problem goes away. This session will discuss self-injury as a symptom of trauma and discuss key skills in changing the conversation about self-

injury from “what are you doing/what is wrong with you” to “what happened to you and how can I bear witness to that”? Lunch-12:00pm-1:00pm Room: Ballroom Foyer Afternoon Workshops I-1:00pm-2:15pm Supervising Peer Specialists: Preserving Our Values, Defining Our Practice Presenters: Jonathan Edwards, LCSW, ACSW, M.Phil., CPS Gita Enders, LMSW, MA, CPRP, CPS Room: Sage I This workshop provides a brief overview of peer workforce development and focuses on the importance of peer support values in supervision practice; reviews five critical functions of supervision; and utilizes examples to engage participants in problem-solving to address a range of issues that staff may bring to supervision. Engaging Specialty Populations-Veterans Presenters: Brent Russell, Program Coordinator for the PFC Dwyer Peer Support Program of Nassau County Room: Sage II This workshop will examine different ways to reach and engage veterans through

outreach, agency collaboration, partnership with the community and by creating

an atmosphere to engage veterans and better find out where they are at and

provide services.

The Costly Price of Benefits: Moving Toward Economic Self-Sufficiency Presenter: Len Statham, Project Manager of Employment and Economic Self-sufficiency with NYAPRS Room: Osborn Too often the outcome of going through the mental health system is living on

benefits. There is little discussion about how living on benefits is not good for your

health. This workshop will discuss the need for employment and economic self-

sufficiency as a means to achieving recovery.

On the Path of Recovery; My Life, My Voice, My Choice Presenters: Steve Samra, Deputy Director, SAMHSA BRSS TACS and Jeffrey McQueen, Chief Project Officer of the Mental Health Association of Nassau Room: Ferris Room A Outreach and engagement to individuals with substance use disorders can be

challenging and difficult, especially for those peers and providers with no personal

experience of addiction or SUD/OUD. This session will briefly examine the state of

the opioid epidemic as the backdrop for outreach and engagement tactics for

individuals with SUD/OUD, review the subculture of OUD addiction and drug use

as a tool to improve potential engagement efforts, highlight the importance of

language as a stigma reducing tool, explore the value and challenges of the lived

SUD experience, and recognize and promote the value of multiple pathways to

recovery.

Building Relationships that Lead to Healing: The Power of Peer Support Presenter: Tanya Stevens, Deputy Director of Mental Health Empowerment Project Room: Roebling Library Peer support uses the relationship as the core for healing and recovery. Come to this session to learn skills on building an intentional relationship that can be used as the vehicle for change. Participants will gain an understanding of the relationship as key and learn how to change the conversation and have purposeful conversations that keep the relationship central in all aspects of our work. Mastery Workshop-Preparing for the “Real World” of Peer Support Presenters: Rita Cronise, Instructor at Instructional Designer & Rutgers School of Health Professions and Maryam Husamudeen, APS End User Support Specialist for NYAPRS Room: Ferris Room B The Academy of Peer Services (APS) online courses are a first step in certification, but what are the next steps? The APS team invites conversation to explore what peer specialists and their supervisors need to know in order to meet real work challenges. Afternoon Break-2:15pm-2:30pm

Afternoon Workshops II- 2:30pm-3:45pm Ethics and Boundaries in Peer Support Presenter: Tanya Stevens, Deputy Director of Mental Health Empowerment Project Room: Sage I What is the difference between an ethic and a boundary? Come to this session to learn this and the essential skills required to set flexible person- and relationship- centered boundaries in peer support while appreciating the overarching ethics of our practice. Reflective Practice in Peer Support Presenter: Melissa Wettengel, Coordinator of the Long Island Regional Planning Consortium Room: Sage II As busy Peer Specialists, it’s time to sit back and reflect on our work is typically

limited. Yet on-the-job training makes up the bulk of our learning opportunities.

Reflective Practice offers a structured, intentional process that help us not only

emotionally debrief, but maximize continuous learning as we grow and create

expertise together. We can do this in a number of ways: as a group, individually, or

using Sherry Mead’s “co-reflection” model with a co-worker or supervisor. This

interactive workshop is appropriate for both working Peer Specialists and Peer

Specialist Supervisors.

Outreach to Homeless Populations Presenter: Tracy Neitzel, Consultant and MHEP Board Member Room: Osborn This presentation is an exploration of the experience of homelessness and how it affects folks with a mental illness. We will look at the trauma caused by an episode of homelessness, the effects of chronic homelessness, and the lack of connection to community and social supports people experiencing homelessness endure. We will end with a group discussion about the role peer mentors could play in emergency shelters.

Building Collaborative Partnerships: Overview of Shared Decision-Making Presenter: Dennis Green, Certified Peer Specialist and NYPSBC Conference Committee Chair and Anne Dox, Regional Coordinator for Mental Health Empowerment Project Room: Roebling Library Peer support uses the relationship as the core for healing and recovery. Come to this session to learn skills on building an intentional relationship that can be used as the vehicle for change. Participants will gain an understanding of the relationship as key and learn how to change the conversation and have purposeful conversations that keep the relationship central in all aspects of our work. NYPSCB Code of Ethical Conduct Presenters: Nancy Sciocchetti Esq., Managing Director of Mercury Public Affairs and Joseph Woodward, CEO of Housing Options Made Easy Room: Ferris Room A This workshop will overview the NYPSCB Code of Ethical Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures for all Certified Peer Specialists. Participants will gain an overview of the Code and subsequent Disciplinary Procedures as well as an understanding as to why the code is needed and the possible sanctions that can result from misconduct. Course Mastery Workshop-Essential Communication Skills Presenter: Annette Backs, PhD, LCSW, CPRP APS Instructional Designer & Rutgers School of Health Professions, Assistant Professor Room: Ferris Room B You completed Essential Communication Skills and are using them in your work with peers! Now, how do you know if you’re “getting it right”? In this workshop you’ll learn how to spot common communication do’s and don’ts and enhance your skills to support others. Wrap-up and Raffle-4:00pm-4:30pm Room: Ferris Grand Ballroom

A Sincere Thanks to Our Sponsors

Growing While Staying Grounded