Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
March 22, 2005, Vol. 05-34

CONSUMER ORGANIZATION & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER PRESENTS "PROVIDING TRUAMA-INFORMED PEER SUPPORT: PEER PROGRAMS TO PEER SPECIALISTS'
APRIL 28 - MAY 1, 2005
EMBASSY SUITES, CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA

Description:
Peer Support is at one of the cornerstones of a recovery oriented system, but what makes t unique and how will we sustain that uniqueness? Trauma informed peer support offers an alternative to a medical framework and starts from the perspective that people see, hear, feel, know and act based on their lived experience. Peer support has the opportunity to help people raise the question, "What happened to you?" rather than the traditional starting point of "What's wrong with you?" As we gain roles as peer specialists in the traditional mental health arena, it will be even more important to maintain this unique vantage point. Come learn about the different peer support and peer specialist initiatives and be part of a dialogue to make all peer initiatives more trauma informed.

Featuring:
Shery Mead, Tanya Stevens, Steve Pocklington, Jacki McKinney, Susan Mockus, Mike Halligan, Beth Filson, Lisa St. George, and Kathy Muscari

Training Registration:
Interested in providing trauma-informed peer support? Attendance is encouraged for statewide networks, consumer operated self-help projects, trauma champions, peer specialists & recovery-based MH workers. Training fee is $ 475 and includes all materials and follow-up phone consultation. A $50 early bird discount is available for registration forms received by March 31 ($425). Major credit cards accepted via phone 888-825-8324.

Lodging:
A block of suites is reserved for the nights of April 28, 29, 30, at Embassy Suites, Charleston, WV, at a special "CONTAC/WVMHCA" rate of $109 nightly + tax. Call 304-347-8700 for reservations. Suites have a living area (sofa-bed/TV), double bedroom, kitchenette (coffee pot, microwave, fridge). Hotel has indoor pool/Jacuzzi, etc.

Meals:
A full breakfast is provided daily with lodging. Training includes a welcome dinner and three lunches. In addition to the hotel restaurant, there are fine dining and fast food establishments within easy walking distance.

Travel:
Workshop begins with Welcome Dinner & Discussion at 5:30 p.m., April 28 & ends 1:00 p.m., May 1, 2005. Free hotel shuttle service to/from Yeager Airport (5 miles). Greyhound Bus 1/2 mile. Amtrak 4 miles. Driving: North/South, use I-77; East/West use I-64 to Charleston. Embassy Suites is located at 300 Court Street in downtown Charleston, WV, 1/2 block from Civic Center & across from Town Center Mall. www.mapquest.com

Scholarships:
A limited number of lodging and/or travel scholarships are available for consumer/survivors needing assistance. Applications are available from Linda Edwards, of CONTAC, by calling 1-888-825-8324. Deadline: Scholarship applications must be received by Fri., March 18 at CONTAC office (see address below) or faxed 304-345-7303.

This event is hosted by CONTAC, a peer-run/self-help national technical assistance center, and is made possible in part with funding from the Center for Mental Health Services of SAMHSA of U.S. Dept. of HHS.

Registration Form conference only:

___ $425 Early Bird by March 31 ___ $475 Regular April 1 - 22

___ $500 April 23 - On-site

Name:________________________________________________________

Agency/Organization:____________________________________________

Preferred Phone/Fax:_____________________________________________

Email:________________________________________________________

Preferred Address:_____________________________________________

Special Needs:_________________________________________________

Make checks payable to CONTAC Total Amount Enclosed:________________

Mail to: CONTAC, c/o Linda Edwards, Box 11000, Charleston, WV 25339

*************************************************
To subscribe or unsubscribe to this list, please visit the Consumer Survivor page of the Center for Mental Health Services Web site at: http://samhsa.gov/consumersurvivor/

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.