This year’s conference will be held at the Hyatt Phoenix—Downtown. The hotel offers many amenities, including a luxurious pool and ample air conditioning.

            The hotel location, in downtown Phoenix, offers convenient access to many restaurants and points of interest, including the world-famous Heard Museum of Native American Culture. Don’t worry about the heat! Sidewalks and outdoor cafes in the area have an unusual air-cooling system consisting of water sprayed in a light mist that evaporates quickly upon your skin. This makes even the hottest weather not just tolerable but enjoyable.

            Public transportation and taxis are also air conditioned and make downtown travel comfortable.

            The address of the hotel is: Hyatt Phoenix, 122 North 2^nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004. The hotel’s phone number is: (602) 252-1234. It is best, however, not to call the hotel for reservations. See the “Lodging” section below for important information  that will assure you access to our group discount rate.

            More information about the hotel can be obtained from their website: www.phoenix.hyatt.com

            That page provides two links that will directly connect you with Hyatt’s reservation system specifically designed for our conference.

            It is advisable to make your reservations early as our room block may fill up before Aug. 4 and the group discount rate may not be available if you wait too long.

            The Hyatt hotel system does not permit smoking in rooms but smoking areas are available outside in designated areas. If you smoke in your room, you will be charge a cleaning fee.

            Please note that all conference attendees are required to make their own lodging arrangements and are financially responsible for lodging.

    Due to the expense of food and beverage service through hotels, a limited amount of such service will be offered during the conference. This allows us to keep costs down and permits attendees to explore local restaurants.

            The food beverage service to be offered will be:

·         Wednesday, Aug. 26—afternoon refreshment break (the conference begins at 1 p.m. that day)

·         Thursday, Aug. 27—continental breakfast, a.m. and p.m. refreshment breaks. Lunch and dinner are “on your own.”

·         Friday, Aug. 28—continental breakfast and a.m. refreshment break (conference ends at 12:30 p.m. that day)

To register, complete this form, including payment information. Please complete a separate registration form for each attendee. The National Association of Peer Specialists is NOT responsible for lodging, transportation or other costs. Participants must make those arrangements themselves and are responsible for those costs. The conference registration fee covers conference workshops, plenary sessions, refreshment breaks and breakfasts. The pre-conference events are listed separately and not included in the general registration fee. A confirmation letter will be sent upon receipt.

Name                                                                                                   Telephone #

Street Address or P.O. Box                                                    City                 State                Zip

E-Mail Address (if available)                                                  Special Needs (please indicate)

Note: You may join NAPS now and receive the conference registration discounts.

The advanced peer-employment training on Monday and Tuesday (Aug. 24-25) is offered through Recovery Innovations. For more information and registration, see www.recoveryopportunity.com

NAPS is a non-profit organization, Federal Tax I.D. # 30-0293174. For federal agencies, note that NAPS is CCR registered.

            The Sky Harbor Airport is served by most major airlines and is a short ride to downtown Phoenix. You may wish to try their new light rail system that will take you to within two blocks of the Hyatt-Phoenix for a nominal fee.

            If you are flying to Phoenix, you may wish to take advantage of reduced air fares offered by many airlines for those who stay a Saturday night. Many conference attendees do so and save enough to cover the cost of an extra night’s stay at the Hyatt. Although the conference “officially” ends at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, a special bus tour of local peer-run programs will be offered to conference attendees Friday afternoon.

            Taxi and shuttle services are also available from the airport. Phoenix is also served by commercial buses and Amtrak. For details, you may wish to check these modes of transportation on-line.

            Once downtown, there are many fine restaurants and sights to see within walking distance of the Hyatt. Many of the sidewalks and outdoor cafes are kept cool with an overhead system that sprays a fine mist of water. The water droplets evaporate quickly upon contact and keep visitors pleasantly cool even in the warmest weather.

            The Concierge Desk can provide information and maps that will help you find restaurants and other local destinations. The Concierge can also arrange for local ground transportation.

            In addition to plenary sessions with inspiring and informative keynote speakers and workshops that offer practical information for peer specialists, other events have been planned for conference attendees.

            Cathy Bolton, a nationally known folksinger who performs inspiring, hopeful songs, will present a free concert for conference attendees on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Earlier that evening, a group of local peer specialists will be graduating and all conference attendees are invited to share in their graduation ceremony and celebration.

            On Friday afternoon, a free bus tour of local peer-run programs will be offered. This will be an opportunity to see the variety of offerings and how such programs are run in the Phoenix area.

            A special photo exhibit, Through Our Eyes, will be displayed in conjunction with the conference. It will be a wonderful opportunity to see how peers view the world through their remarkable photos.

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.                       Conference registration.

1-1:30 p.m.                              Conference begins with welcoming remarks from NAPS President Gladys

Christian and Executive Director, Steve Harrington.

Exhibits open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Exhibits open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Exhibits open from 9 a.m. to Noon

For those who have not attended a major mental health conference, we wish to inform you as to what to expect from the 3^rd Annual National Peer Specialist Conference.

First and foremost, if you attend any event or experience any discomfort that might be a trigger for a

mental or physical health problem, please do not hesitate to excuse yourself from the session or event. Do what you must to be healthy.

Such things rarely happen but it is important to be aware of the possibility and act if it occurs. Taking care of yourself in this way is NOT a sign of weakness. One should be congratulated for doing what they must to take of themselves. Please do not hesitate to contact a conference volunteer if you need assistance.

A group of volunteers from the Phoenix area are helping with the conference. They will be wearing ball caps and will be ready to help you find a room or assist in any way needed. Thanks, volunteers! We couldn’t do it without you!

Plenary sessions are sessions where the entire conference group meets. During these sessions, keynote speakers will address conference attendees. The plenary sessions are often inspiring and provide general information generally not otherwise available.

Many conference attendees find they wish to attend more than one session offered at a particular time. If you are with a group, it may be possible to ask others to attend particularly important sessions.

Conferences such as this are wonderful networking opportunities. During breaks or after sessions and meals, you will have the opportunity to meet new people and learn about peer specialist programs in other areas. Expect to make new friends. You may find it handy to bring along a small stack of business cards to conveniently share your contact information with others.

To register, please complete this form including payment information.   The Advanced Peer Practices registration fee covers workbook, modules one-four of online courses (take at your own pace), and modules five-eight as classroom training at the conference.   Login details will be emailed to you or mailed with your workbook. 

Training Information:  Please note: Modules One-Four AND Modules Five–Eight will both be in session at the conference at the same time.  Please indicate which training schedule you will be enrolling in.  The first option is highly recommended.

£    I am taking Modules 1-4 Online Training then Modules 5-8 at the Pre-Conference Institute.

£    I am taking Modules 1-4 at the Pre-Conference Institute then Modules 5-8 Online Training.

Details will be emailed to you or mailed with your workbook. 

Cost: Special Offer - $75.00 per participant        Dates:  Monday & Tuesday, August 24-25, 2009

lisaA@recoveryopportunity.com          peggyjoS@recoveryinnovations.org

For additional information or to enroll online, go to:  www.recoveryopportunity.com

            Something many of us already knew has been proven with scientific research: A good laugh is good for our mental and physical health. A pre-conference institute, Laughter and Recovery, will be offered in conjunction with the national peer specialist conference.

            The institute will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (with 90 minutes allowed for lunch) on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at the Hyatt Phoenix Hotel. Laughter expert Grace Sweet will share how and why laughter—even fake laughter—can promote mental health. She will demonstrate techniques and practices peer specialists can use with peers.

            The cost of the institute is $75 and does not include lunch. To register, see the conference registration form on page 5.

            An advanced course for peer specialists is being offered in conjunction with the national peer specialist conference.

            The course will involve a combination of web-based and live instruction. Students may take the web portion of the course before or after the live sessions, which will be held Monday and Tuesday (Aug. 24 & 25 at the Hyatt Phoenix) before the conference. The cost of the course, which was developed by Lori Ashcraft, Ph.D., of Recovery Innovations, is $75 and includes a course manual.