[NYAPRS Enews] Nat Ass'n of Peer Specialists Hold 1st Conference Aug 16-7 in Denver

Wed May 30 10:04:26 EDT 2007

1st ever National Peer Specialist Conference August 16-17 in Denver

Climbing the Recovery Mountain Together

National Association of Peer Specialists

August 16-7  Denver, Colorado

http://www.naops.org/

This is the first-ever national conference for peer specialists.
Sponsored by the National Association of Peer Specialists (a private
non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the hiring of peer
specialists in mental health systems), this two-day conference will be
held Thursday and Friday, August 16 and 17, 2007, at the Holiday
Inn/Crowne Plaza in downtown Denver, Colorado.

Workshops will emphasize practical skills and information peer
specialists can readily use to improve their practice. In addition,
national leaders of the peer specialist and recovery movements will make
presentations. The conference will also offer participants an
opportunity to network with other peer specialists from across the
country to learn about innovative recovery practices and programs.
Exhibits and a literature table will be available for participants to
explore before and after workshops.

This is an exciting time to be involved in the peer specialist movement.
Join us to share that excitement and learn valuable skills and
information to help you help others!

Conference Registration

Registration for the NAPS National Peer Specialist Conference: Climbing
the Recovery Mountain Together is $150 for both days (early bird
discount before July 13), $175 for both days after July 13. One day
registrations are $90. See the "Support" page of this website for
sources of possible financial support to attend this conference.

Conference attendees will enjoy all conference activities, including
keynote addresses, workshops, and panel discussion. A continental
breakfast and two refreshment breaks will be provided for each of the
two days. Other meals will be the responsibility of attendees because
there are many excellent restaurants very close to the conference site
and it helps reduce overall conference costs. Attendees will also be
able to enjoy exhibits and a literature table filled with
recovery-oriented information.

Checks or money orders should be made payable to: "NAPS" and sent to:
755 Alta Dale, Ada, MI 49301. Payment must accompany registration. All
we need for registration is the name, address, and telephone of each
participant. Your registration will be confirmed upon receipt. Questions
should be directed to: Steve Harrington, NAPS President, (616) 676-9230
or e-mail him at: steveh at naops.org 

Space is limited! Don't be disappointed, make your reservations as soon
as possible!

Conference Agenda

Thursday, August 16, 2007

8:30-10 a.m.      Continental breakfast

10:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions

10:30 a.m. Opening keynote by Gayle Bluebird

11:15 a.m. Break (refreshments provided)

11:30 a.m. Workshops (session 1)

12:15 p.m. Lunch (on your own)

1:45 p.m.   Workshops (session 2)

2:15 p.m.   Break

2:30 p.m.   Workshops (session 3)

3:15 p.m.   Break (refreshments provided)

3:30 p.m.   Workshops (session 4)

4:15 p.m.   Break

4:30 p.m.   Workshops (session 5)

5:15 p.m.   End of conference day (dinner on your own)

Friday, August 17, 2007

8:30-10 a.m.      Continental breakfast

10 a.m.              Welcome

10:15 a.m. Keynote by Gladys Christian

11:00 a.m. Break (refreshments provided)

11:15 a.m. Workshops (session 6)

Noon         Lunch (on your own)

1:30 p.m.   Panel: Peer Specialists-Where we are, where we're going

2:15 p.m.   Workshops (session 7)

3:00 p.m.   Break (refreshments provided)

3:15 p.m.   Workshops (session 8)

4:00 p.m.   Wrap up/evaluations

5:00 p.m.   End of conference

Note: Lunches and dinners are "on your own." There is an excellent
restaurant at the hotel and only a block from the hotel is an extensive
street mall with a wide variety of restaurants. We hope you use these
meals as an opportunity to meet other peer specialists and explore
downtown Denver!

Exhibits will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day of the
conference.

Lodging

The NAPS National Peer Specialist Conference will be held at the
beautiful Holiday Inn/Crowne Plaza in downtown Denver, which offers
spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. We have arranged for a special
discount rate of $119 per night plus tax (14.85 percent). These rates
will be available three days prior to and three days after the
conference dates. Free wireless service is available. Those wishing to
take advantage of these discount rates must reserve their rooms no later
than July 24. You must identify yourself as a NAPS conference attendee
to take advantage of these rates.

The hotel is undergoing extensive remodeling and the conference will be
first to enjoy the "new" surroundings. One block from the hotel is an
extensive street mall with many gift shops, restaurants, and
entertainment opportunities. Also, within walking distance are
interesting sites such as the U.S. Mint, a brewery, the state capitol,
and a museum. Plan to take time to explore the city!

Holiday Inn/Crowne Plaza has an outdoor pool, health/fitness center, and
in-room coffee. The hotel also features a business center, gift shop,
laundry facilities, newsstand, and tour services. On-site parking costs
$16 per day. Shuttle bus and taxi services are available from the
airport to the hotel and back. 

Reservations can be made by calling (303) 573-1450. 

The hotel's address is:

Holiday Inn/Crowne Plaza-Downtown Denver

1450 Glenarm Place

Denver, CO 80202

(303) 573-1450

Hotel link here?

www.hoteldenver.net

Transportation

The Holiday Inn/Crowne Plaza hotel is located 24 miles from the Denver
International Airport. The airport is served by most major airlines with
extensive flight schedules. Transportation from the airport to the hotel
is available by taxi (about $50 one way) or shuttle bus (about $15 one
way).

Note: Discount airfares are often available if you book your flight more
than 30 days in advance and stay a Saturday night.

Denver is also served by Amtrak and major bus lines. If you drive to the
hotel, on-site parking is available at a daily rate of about $16.

Support

The need for financial support can be a vital issue for conference
attendees. NAPS has attempted, and continues to seek, direct financial
support for participants. No such sources of direct financial assistance
have yet been identified, but there are other options possible for
financial support. Here are some ideas:

* Do you work for a mental health agency? Most mental health
organizations provide financial support for staff and sometimes
volunteers. Some states require continuing education units for
certification. This may be a good place to start when seeking financial
support.

* Do you belong to any mental health advocacy groups? State chapters of
some groups, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI),
U.S. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA or IAPSRS), Mental
Health Association (MHA), or other organizations have funds set aside
for consumer education. You don't necessarily have to be a member to
obtain support from such organizations, but it doesn't hurt.

* Do you have a local foundation? In addition to community foundations,
there are mental health foundations in some areas that make small grants
to consumers for specific purposes. This may be a qualifying event.

* Support may also be available through local management entities
(LME's). They may also be called community mental health agencies or
county community mental health. Such organizations may exist in your
area, depending upon the structure of your mental health system. Some of
these organizations also provide financial support for consumer
endeavors.

When requesting financial assistance, you may wish to make the following
points to boost support:

* This is the first-ever national conference for peer specialists.

* The conference will offer an opportunity to learn practical skills and
information useful to your system.

* You will share information learned from the conference with other peer
specialists and interested mental health personnel.

* Information gained through workshops, exhibits, presentations, and
networking with other peer specialists from across the country will help
you identify innovative and successful strategies and programs for your
employer and/or local mental health system.

* If an organization is unable to provide complete financial support,
suggest partial support as an option.

Denver was selected as the site for this conference because it is
centrally located, NAPS has many members in the area, and local peer
support organizations have volunteered to assist in conference planning
and implementation.

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