Peer Specialists in NYC
Dialogue to Recovery: Opening New Lines of Communication
8th Annual Peer Specialists one-day conference at the NYU Kimmel Center, July 17, 2014
From NYS OMH: In this era of transformation in the healthcare system, everything from the services provided, to who can provide services, to who pays for services, is under discussion. It is imperative that Peer Specialists be at the table for every possible dialogue: “Nothing about us without us.”
Join us for the 8th Annual New York City Peer Specialist Conference, where we will connect Peer Specialist principles, experience and practice to the big picture of healthcare reform.
If you can’t join in New York City, join the event by webex and view selected conference panels online. To register for the Peer Specialist Conference to be presented on July 17th, go to: https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/k2/j.php?MTID=tf06ab3e3e2607cc7c19bb13df13c1acb
Who Should Attend
Anyone is welcome to attend the live streaming broadcast; however, this conference has been specifically designed for:
• Peer Specialists
• Peer Advocates
• Peer Bridgers
• Peer Counselors
• Peer Recovery Facilitators
Program Agenda for those participating in the Live Streaming on July 17th
9:00-9:30 AM
• Welcoming Remarks
• Celia Brown
Regional Advocacy Specialist, Bureau of Recipient Affairs, NYC Field Office, New York State Office of Mental Health
• Lynn Videka, Ph.D.
Dean, NYU Silver School of Social Work
• Ann Marie T. Sullivan, M.D.
Commissioner, New York State Office of Mental Health
• Trish Marsik
Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Mental Health New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• Kristin M. Woodlock, RN, MPA
Chief Operating Officer, FEGS Health and Human Services
• Carlton Whitmore
Director of The Office of Consumer Affairs, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
9:30-10:40 AM
• Keynote Address
• Daniel B. Fisher, M.D., Ph.D.
Executive Director, National Empowerment Center
10:40-11:00 AM
• Break
11:00-12:15 PM
• WORKSHOP – SESSION 1
12:30-1:15 PM – LUNCH – on your own
1:15-2:15 PM
Participatory Role Plays: Typical Workplace Scenarios
• Gayle Bluebird, RN
Director of Peer Services, Delaware Psychiatric Center
2:15-2:30 PM
• Break –
2:30-3:45 PM
• Workshop – Session II
END
Workshops being offered through the livestream:
Workshops Session One
Exploring Psychiatric Advance Directives in New York State
Emily Grossman, MA, CPRP, Training and Technical Assistance Facilitator, NYAPRS
Colleen Sheehan, BS, CPRP, WRAP Facilitator, Training and Technical Assistance Facilitator, NYAPRS
In this workshop, participants will investigate the use of psychiatric and mental health Advance Directives in New York State. Advance Directives are powerful in supporting our rights and making sure our wishes are met when we
are not able to speak for ourselves. Participants will understand the history, laws and regulations that establish the use of Advance Directives in a psychiatric context.
Intentional Peer Support as a Framework for Building Community
Eva Dech, Trainer and Operations Coordinator
Steven Morgan, Operations Manager
Organization: Intentional Peer Support
Oftentimes a diagnosis of mental illness can shatter a person’s sense of belonging to the larger community.
Intentional Peer Support is a framework for creating mutual and dynamic relationships that can help people overcome
isolation. By examining how we have come to understand our experiences and exploring new possibilities for living
well, we can help people overcome isolation and contribute to vibrant community life. Workshop participants will learn
the three main principles of Intentional Peer Support and how to apply skills for creating dynamic conversations that
inspire mutual learning and growth.
Workshops Session II
Work Ethic? What’s That? How Working Peers Can Develop It, How Supervisors Can Cultivate It, and Agencies Set Policy to Support It
Elizabeth Breier, Regional Advocacy Specialist, Office of Consumer Affairs, NYS OMH Office of Consumer Affairs,
Long Island Field Office
Barbara Tedesco, Director, Consumer Link
Jeffrey McQueen, MBA, CASAC, Assistant Director, Consumer
Link and Program Coordinator, Vet2Vet Program
In today’s mental health system, peer support has become an integral part of an individual’s path to recovery. Peers
are being hired in various roles in greater numbers than ever before, and yet many peers are struggling to handle
the basic requirements of a job. This creates challenges for the worker, the supervisor and the agency. This
workshop will discuss the challenges faced by all individuals involved in the employment of peers and present action steps toward creating standards, accountability skills and responsibilities at each level.
Peer Specialist Certification Institute:
Peer Services in Behavioral Health Care Reform
Tony Trahan, Advocacy Specialist II, New York State Office of Mental Health
This session will focus on changes in peer services under New York State’s Medicaid Reform. Participants will learn
about the certification process for Peer Specialists working in the mental health system. Participants will learn about
opportunities for peers to enhance their professional skills and how peers services will be funded in a managed care
environment.
The Intersection of SSI, SSD and Employment: What Peers Need to Know
Timothy Deal, Paralegal, MFY Legal Services, Inc.
Chloe Holzman, Esq.
Employment is often a critical part of recovery for both Peer Specialists and the people they serve. Many people
in the community are afraid to go back to work because they fear losing their SSI, SSD, Medicaid or Medicare
benefits. This workshop will assure attendees that people can continue to receive these benefits while working.
Using real-world examples, the presenters will also explain how these benefits are affected by employment.
INFORMATION SHEET FOR THE LIVE STREAMING OF THE NYC PEER SPECIALIST CONFERENCE ON JULY 17, 2014
Anyone in the United States with an email address, computer with internet connection and speakers or headphones can participate in the conference via webex software. You can stay for part or all of the conference, or you can leave and come back in later if you need to.
Inpatient and outpatient programs are encouraged to provide access to the conference. For best results, you can connect a projector to your computer and show the conference on a wall or a screen.
During the morning workshop sessions, we will do 2 workshop breakout sessions and during the afternoon sessions we will do 3 workshops. You will have the option of joining the workshop of your choice.
If you would like to test your ability to join us on July 17th, a test has been scheduled for July 9th from 9am to 1pm. You don’t need to stay the whole time. You only need to come in and follow the directions on the video. It should only take about 5 minutes to do the test.
To register for the test session go to: https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/k2/j.php?MTID=t76bfc96f6c139253d15d43c0ff797c5a
To register for the Peer Specialist Conference to be presented on July 17th, go to: https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/k2/j.php?MTID=tf06ab3e3e2607cc7c19bb13df13c1acb
Please share this information with as many people as possible, thank you.