Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
March 20, 2006, Vol. 06-30

Star Center National Teleconference: Women in Recovery

What: This toll-free teleconference call will provide an overview on how peer-operated programs can best meet the needs of women of color.

Date: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2006
Time: 7:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM CST, 5:00 PM MST, 4:00 PM PST

Details: This presentation will provide an overview of recovery perspectives on how Peer-Operated Programs can best meet the gender specific needs of women of color.

After the panelists' presentations, participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and offer their own perspectives. The only equipment needed in order to participate in this national teleconference is access to a telephone. This call is free of charge!

To Access: Dial 800-657-1263, at the time detailed above, on 29 March 2006. When the operator answers, mention the call code: 7827. The call topic is "Women in Recovery".

Recording Disclosure: Please note that this STAR Center National Teleconference call will being recorded for the purpose of transcription and for the creation of an MP3 audio file. Because this call is being recorded we kindly ask you, during the Q & A portion of the call, to please identify yourself by first name only. Both the audio file and the call transcript will be archived and made available to the public on our web-site at www.consumerstar.org.

TELECONFERENCE GUEST SPEAKERS

Celia Brown is a Recipient Affairs Specialist for the Bureau of Recipient Affairs at the New York City Field Office, New York State Office of Mental Health. In this position, she is responsible for providing technical assistance and support to peer specialist and consumers in New York. Celia facilitates training to staff and recipients on self-help, wellness and recovery approached in community mental health agencies. She is committed to educating and promoting cultural relevant strategies for consumers of color. Celia is also co-founder of the National People of Color Consumers Survivor Network and has served as Chair of the Cultural Competency Sub-Committee at the 2005 Alternatives Conference. She has presented and consulted nationally on self-help, peer counseling, advocacy, trauma, women's issues and cultural competency. Celia is a proud mother of a ten-year-old son.

Gloria Grijalva-Gonzales currently serves on SAMHSA's Administration for Women Service. She is the Director of the "House of Glory" - a women's faith based ministry project (targeting at women of color). She is a substance abuse counselor for San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services. She also serves on the National Trauma Center Committee and serves as a national Trauma Champion. She has presented and contracted numerous times for all the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) centers: (CSAT) Center for Mental Health Services, (CSAT) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, (CSAP) Center for Substance Abuse Prevention along with (HHS) Health & Human Services - Office of Women's Health and the Surgeons Generals office. Gloria's passion lies in informing, training and working with women in recovery from mental illness, substance abuse and trauma. She is in her 17th yr. of recovery and continues her commitment to the betterment of her family and other women and their children in the community and at the national level.

TELECONFERENCE MODERATORS

Ramiro (Ray) Guevara is the Director of the Support Technical Assistance (STAR) Center
Phone: (703) 516-7996, Toll Free: (866) 537-STAR (7827), ramiro@consumerstar.org

Miguel Angel Oyola Jr. is the Manager of the Support Technical Assistance (STAR) Center
Phone: (703) 600-1114, Toll Free: (866) 537-STAR (7827), miguel@consumerstar.org

BACKGROUND
This call is part of an ongoing STAR Center National Teleconference Series, designed to provide resources and culturally competent support for self-help, consumers and their supporters in diverse communities.
www.consumerstar.org.

The STAR Center is funded by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.