National Association of Peer Specialists

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   "The Recovery Revolution:

Peer Specialists on the Front Line

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This year's conference is in cooperation with:

The National Mental Health Consumers Self-Help Clearinghouse, the Institute for Recovery and Community Integration of MHA of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania

Last year's Peer Specialist Conference was a huge success. This year, we are expecting at least 400 peer specialists and others interested in the peer support movement to attend. The 2008 conference is scheduled for August 20-22 in Philadelphia at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel. It is an easy walk to the Liberty Bell, museums, Independence Hall, restaurants, and other attractions.

This year's conference has been expanded to 2 1/2 days and will feature many workshops, a peer art exhibit, keynotes, a screening of the film Canvas, and fun evening events.


The registration fee for the full conference will be $200 for members and $215 for non-members (early bird-before July 15, 2008) and $275 and $290 after July 15. Note that you can save $5 by becoming a NAPS member and enjoy all member benefits for a year! More information, including discounts on lodging, will be available soon. A discount rate for rooms will be $159 + tax per night double occupancy.

     Note: the full conference registration fee does not include the August 19 institute offered by the University of Pennsylvania. See below for details on the institute.


Join us for an educational, fun event and a chance to learn about what peer specialists are doing across the country.
More information will be posted as it becomes available. Save the dates!

Tentative Conference Schedule

 

Tuesday, August 19

 

9 a.m. to Noon ((lunch provided with two refreshment breaks)

1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

            University of Pennsylvania (Mark Salzer) presents an institute on community integration and measuring peer support outcomes. Note: This is a one-day institute presented in conjunction with the conference but participants must register and is not included in the conference registration fee. Cost: $60 for NAPS members, $70 for members.

 

Wednesday, August 20

 

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Conference registration open, Exhibits open, Video room open all day

1:00-1:20: Welcoming from Lynette Bilski, NAPS President and Steve Harrington

1:20-1:30 Welcoming from local mental health official

1:30-1:35 Introduction of Joseph Rogers

1:35-2:15 Keynote by Joseph Rogers, director of National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse

2:15-2:30 Plan for the rest of the conference

2:30-2:45 Refreshment break in exhibit room

2:45-4:00 Workshop sessions

4:15-5:30 Workshop sessions

5:30-7:00 Dinner on your own

7:00-9:00 Evening entertainment--screening of the film Canvas

 

Thursday, August 21

 

8:00-9:00 Continental Breakfast in exhibit room

9:00-9:15 Welcome to second day-general session

9:15-10:00 Keynote by Joan Erney

10:00-10:30 Plenary session

10:30-10:45 Refreshment break

10:45-Noon Issues panel facilitated by Joseph Rogers and Gayle Bluebird

Noon-1:30 Lunch on your own

1:30-2:45 Workshop sessions

2:45-3:00 Refreshment break

3:00-4:15 Workshop sessions

4:30-5:45 Workshop sessions

5:45-7:30 Dinner on your own

7:30-10:00 Talent show

 

Friday, August 22

 

8:00-9:00 Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Room

9:00-9:15 Welcome back

9:15-9:45 Keynote by Jeff McLoud on advocacy

9:45-10:30 Keynote by Gina Calhoun

10:30-10:45 Refreshment break

10:45-Noon Workshop sessions

Noon-1:30 Lunch on your own

1:30-3:00 Small group issue discussion

3:00-3:15 Refreshment break

3:15-4:00 Overview of small group discussions

4:00-5:00 Plenary Session, wrap up, closing

There will be six workshop sessions with five workshops offered concurrently. Workshop topics include:

Consumer-Provider Associations, Enhancing and Expanding Your Peer Specialist Career, Coping with Stress, Peer Specialists in In-Patient Settings, Peer Specialists Teaching Psychiatry Students in Medical Schools, Advocacy Through Storytelling, Creating Wellness Cultures, Systems Advocacy, Spirituality and Mental Health, Cultural Issues, Ethics and Peer Specialists in Corrections (Forensic) Settings. This is only a sample of the great workshops offered!


Talent Show!

One evening will feature a talent show! If you sing, read poetry, play an instrument, act, or any other talent you wish to present, you will have your opportunity! Come join the fun!

Strategies for Promoting Community Integration and Evaluating the Outcomes of Peer Specialist Supports

An Institute offered by the University of Pennsylvania’s Collaborative on Community Integration

August 19, 2008

In conjunction with the National Association of Peer Specialists’ annual conference

Looking for an in-depth session on vital issues affecting peer specialists? This institute will focus on ways peer specialists and other providers can promote community integration for those they serve.
The session will also examine ways to evaluate peer specialist programs.

The University of Pennsylvania is a recognized, national leader in mental health research and the session is certain to provide all attendees with valuable information they can take back to their organizations.
The cost of this institute (held one day prior to the start of the NAPS conference) is $60 for NAPS members and $70 for non-members. The institute will be held at the same site of the NAPS conference: Sheraton Society Hill Hotel in Philadelphia.

Participants may register for this institute by using the conference registration form.
    The institute will be held August 19 from 9 a.m. to Noon and 1:30 to 4 p.m. Lunch and refreshment breaks will be provided. This is a great opportunity to learn from from the latest research on peer support.




NAPS Board Nominations

Nominations are being accepted for the National Association of Peer Specialists Board of Directors. To qualify for one of these positions, one must be a current or former consumer of mental health services. It is not required that one currently be employed as a peer specialist.

Nominations will be accepted until July 31, 2008. To nominate yourself or someone you know, send the following information to: Nomination Committee, NAPS, 755 Alta Dale, Ada, MI 49301 or e-mail to: steveh@naops.org

  • Name
  • Address, including e-mail address
  • Description of involvement in peer specialist/peer support (1 page limit)
  • Why you (or person being nominated) would like to join NAPS board
  • Resume

Award Nominations

At the second annual peer specialist conference, three persons will be recognized for their contributions to recovery and peer support advocacy and to a peer specialist who has made exemplary contributions to mental health services. Nominations may be made by anyone familiar with the individual or by self-nomination.

Freedom Fighter--Recovery Advocate of the Year: This award recognizes a person (peer, peer specialist or mental health professional or both) who has made extraordinary efforts to promote recovery in their own lives and in the lives of others.

Bridge Builder--Peer Support Advocate of the Year: This award recognizes a person (could be any person) who has promoted peer support on a local, state or national level.

Go-Getter—Peer Specialist of the Year: This award recognizes a peer specialist who has made exemplary contributions to the profession and who, through their position, has helped foster growth of peer specialists in mental health systems.

To nominate a person for any (no limit on nominations or awards) of these awards, provide the following and send to: Award Committee, NAPS, 755 Alta Dale, Ada, MI 49301 or e-mail: steveh@naops.org

  • Name and address of nominee
  • Name, address and phone number of person making nomination (including e-mail address)
  • Brief description of why this person should receive award (2 page limit) including description of efforts and outcomes

The deadline for nominations is July 31, 2008.



We need your help! Our room block at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel is not filling as fast as we originally thought. If NAPS fails to fill the room block during the conference, there will be significant financial penalties. Please use the link to reserve your rooms! If you have made reservations elsewhere, consider changing to the conference site to enjoy comeraderie and help us fill our block! The hotel has graciously extended the special conference lodging discount until just before the conference.

Conference Lodging Information

Sheraton Society Hill Hotel

One Dock St.

Philadelphia, PA 19106

The Sheraton Society Hill Hotel, the site of the peer specialist conference, is within easy walking distance of the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Constitution Hall and a host of museums and historical sites. The hotel features a restaurant, Internet access, an indoor heated pool and whirlpool and other features to make your stay comfortable.

Reservations should be made early to take advantage of the conference group discount. The group rate is $159 per night, double occupancy plus 14% taxes subject to availability. 
There are two ways to make reservations:


By Phone:
Call 1-800-325-3535. Be sure to mention you are attending the National Association of Peer Specialists’ conference for the best rate.


By Website:
A dedicated website has been established for hotel reservations. The website also features photos and descriptions of hotel amenities. The website address is: www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/naops2008

Transportation:

The Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is served by all major airlines.

Lady Liberty Shuttle Service provides transportation from the Philadelphia International Airport to the hotel. The number of the shuttle service is:
(215) 724-8888.

Parking is available in a ramp across the street from the hotel and costs approximately $15 per day.

Philadelphia is served by Amtrak (800) 872-7245 and bus services.

Printable Conference Registration

Exhibitors

A limited number of exhibit space will be available at the conference. Tables will be provided but there will be no access to electricity. The cost per table is $50 for the entire conference period. Refreshment breaks will occur in the exhibit area.

Exhibitors may distribute information about their programs and/or sell products and services. To reserve exhibit space, e-mail: steveh@naops.org

Printable Presenter Registration

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