Or, scroll down to view a list of the planned workshops and activities (preliminary) on each day of the conference. 

Monday, Aug. 22 

Conference Day 1 

Registration is open 8 am to 5 pm

Conference starts at 1 pm

Exhibits open 1 to 5 pm

Conference Begins

1:00 – 1:15 pm

Welcome – Gladys Christian, President, National Association of Peer Specialists

1:15 – 1:30 pm                         

Welcome and Conference Details – Steve Harrington, Executive Director, National Association of Peer Specialists

1:30 – 2:15 pm

The North Carolina Peer Support Experience – Beth Melcher, NC State Dept. of Mental Health

2:15 – 3:00 pm

Keynote Address – Peter Ashenden, Director of Consumer Affairs, OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions

3:00 – 3:30 pm - Extended break—get to know everyone!

Workshops – Breakout Sessions

3:30 - 4:45 pm

 Breakout 1

Pure to Peer: System Transformation and Conflict Resolution

This session will examine the causes of workplace conflicts, the peer support model of care and ways to manage conflicts during system transformation.

~~Alyce M. Knowlton-Jablonski

Breakout 2

The 25 Pillars of Peer Support and the Five Stages of Recovery: From Principles to Practice

Learn the 25 pillars of peer support and how they relate to five stages of recovery. The important role peer specialists play in this process will be covered. 

~~Peter Ashenden and Allen Daniels

 Conference Day 2

Registration is open 8 am  to 5 pm

Exhibits are open 9 am to 5 pm

8:00 – 9:00 am

Continental Breakfast

9:00 – 9:15 am 

Welcome back! Announcements – Gladys Christian

9:15 – 10:00 am 

Keynote Address: From the Streets to Prison to the Streets: Recovery Goes Full Circle – ~~ Antonio Lambert, Training Manager, Recover Resources

10:00 – 10:15 am - Refreshment Break

Workshops – Breakout Sessions

 10:15 – 11:30 am

Breakout 1

Developing an Art Program that Works!

Learn how to create a program that effectively uses art as a way to help peers you serve express themselves in a supportive environment. Learn why and how art can be a powerful peer support tool.

~~ Grayson Bowen

Breakout 2

Peer Run Decision Support Centers: How They Work and Tools that Support Them

In this session, participants will learn how to support those who opt for personal medicine using power statements and decision aids.

~~Leslie Young, Kellie Spencer, Saya Krebs & Ally Mabry

11:30 – 1:00 pm - Lunch on your own

1:00 – 1:30 pm                             

The North Carolina Peer Specialist Program: An Overview

~~Ron Mangum, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Workshops – Breakout Sessions

 1:30 – 2:45 pm   

Breakout 1

Legacy Effect

Interactive exercises will introduce participants to a framework that will help them understand physical and relational environments and new methods of communication and self-awareness.

~~Ted Thomas

Breakout 2

Health Advocacy as a Social Justice Issue

This session will cover leadership issues, how those with psychiatric conditions form a “community” with disparate health care, effects of the Affordable Health Care Act and SAMHSA’s 10 X 10 Campaign, resources on health advocacy and how to identify misinformation.

~~Kristen Frame

2:45 – 3:00 pm - Refreshment Break

Workshops – Breakout Sessions

 3:00 – 4:15 pm      

Breakout 1

Inpatient Peer Support: Information and Dialogue for Success

This session will identify roles for peer specialists in inpatient settings, strategies for providing effective support in those settings and how to take this new information back to one’s own location.

~~Holly Dixon & Gayle Bluebird

 Breakout 2

Peer Support Specialists and Veterans

Learn how to effectively support veterans in group and individual sessions. This session will cover overcoming challenges, understanding veterans’ concerns and how to identify the scope and limitations of peer support.

~~Daniel Gonzales & Andrew Alvarez

4:15 – 5:00 pm  

Recovery Research and Peers: Why Peer Support and Other Mental Health Research is Important and How to Participate

~~Lisa Goodale and Dr. Allen Daniels

 Conference Day 3

Registration is open 8 to 10 am

Exhibits are open 9 to 10 am

8:00 – 9:00 am - Continental Breakfast

Workshops – Breakout Sessions

 9:00 – 10:15 am 

Breakout 1

What Really Matters: Creating a Foundation for Organizational Recovery

Just as individuals need recovery, so do organizations. This session will address how peer specialists can encourage that recovery in their organizations. Using research from the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL), this session will show how organizational cultures are changing, why and the role peer specialists can play in this process.

~~Cherene Allen-Caraco & Beth Mathis

 Breakout 2

WRAP PALS (Peers Advocating Listening Supporting)

This session will show how participants can combine the practice of Wellness Recovery Action Planning with the natural strength and power of peer support and friendship.

~~Carol Bailey Floyd & Matthew Federici

10:15 – 10:30 am                     

Refreshment Break

Workshops – Breakout Sessions

 10:30 – 11:45 am 

Breakout 1

Whole Health and Peer Support

Learn how peer specialists can be effective in advocating for and providing whole health care. The benefits and challenges of providing whole health care in collaboration with mental and physical health care settings will be examined.

~~ Eric Larson & Michelle Maczka

 Breakout 2

Recreational Therapist, Peer Support Specialist

Learn how to replenish your mind, body and spirit through a series of wellness activities. The skills learned in this workshop will help you and those you serve.

~~Melissa Lewis

11:45 – 12:15 pm            

Conference Wrap Up – Closing Remarks – Door Prizes