History connects us with our past, with those who have gone before us, and with those who have earned remembrance. Many peer workers, including peer specialists, may not be aware of the rich history to which they belong. (From History of the Consumer/Survivor Movement, by Gayle Bluebird.)
This webinar will connect us with our historical roots and provide an opportunity to remember the pioneers and principles of the past, consider the present, and rededicate ourselves to the core values of the movement to better inform our ongoing work.
Objectives
Participants will be able to:
Describe the core principles of our consumer/survivor movement.
Recognize the transition and challenges in moving from grassroots militant action to providing funded mental health services.
Explain the major progressive effect and changes that the consumer/survivor movement has made in the mental health system.
Recognize the influence of history on art, and of art on history.
About the Presenters
Sally Zinman is the Executive Director of the California Association of Mental Health Peer Run Organizations (CAMHPRO). Sally has been active in the mental health consumer/survivor empowerment movement almost 40 years. Sally is a workshop presenter, keynote speaker and consultant on public policy, self-help, empowerment, and organizing issues throughout the country. She has published books and articles on these issues.
Gayle Bluebird, RN, has been active in the consumer/survivor movement since 1974. She has worked in many different capacities. In the 1990s she developed an Office of Consumer Affairs in Broward County, Florida and later worked as an advocate for the Florida Disability Network. From 2004-2006 she served as the coordinator of the Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) for Peer Networking, for the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD). She has recently retired after serving as the Director of Peer Services in the state of Delaware for five years. She has produced and edited the technical report/guidebook Paving New Ground: Peers Working in Inpatient Settings and the accompanying DVD, A Dialogue with Peers and Family members. In addition, Ms. Bluebird often speaks at national conferences on subjects of peer roles in inpatient settings, on the healing value of touching and comfort, and on recovery through the arts. In 2010 she was recognized with a national SAMHSA VOICE Award at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles for her contributions as a consumer advocate and activist. Her current goal is to organize a first national MAD Arts Festival for mental health consumers in 2016.
Thanks to Peter Ashenden and Optum for their ongoing support of this series – and ensuring it can be offered free of charge.
Global Peer Supporter Recognition
Organized by iNAPS, the Global Peer Supporter Recognition day has been set for Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015 to increase awareness of who peer supporters are, what they do, and the many valuable contributions they make to human services.
Share ideas on the Facebook page (below) about how you plan to celebrate the day and raise awareness of peer support in your local area! Get ideas to share with others in your community. To learn more, visit: https://www.facebook.com/globalpeersupportrecognitionday
There have been many outstanding national-caliber conferences this year. If you have not yet attended one, there is still time to enrich your recovery education and support network. Remaining conferences for this year, in chronological order:
NYAPRS 33rd Annual Conference
“Recovery at the Crossroad: The Choices and Changes Ahead”
Next Steps Training Sept 28-October 1, 2015 Click here to apply to attend this exciting immersion training for experienced peer support providers and others on the support team.
Contact the organizers directly for more information about each of these events.
About the International Association of Peer Supporters (iNAPS)
The International Association of Peer Supporters (iNAPS) is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) charitable organization that promotes best practices in peer support and peer workforce development.
We send a monthly newsletter and regular updates to our free email subscriber list of 4000, hold regular webinars on topics requested by peer support providers, and host an internationally-attended conference that brings together people who are working or volunteering in all aspects of the peer support movement. This year marks the 9th annual internationally attended conference devoted to peer supporters and the champions of the peer support movement.
Refer Others to our Free e-Mail List
Our free e-mail list is available for anyone with an interest in peer support or being a champion of the peer support movement. You don’t need to be a member to receive our monthly newsletter and other free mailings. Forward this email to others who would like to sign up for our free email list to receive notifications about free webinars, our annual conference, and other upcoming events in the world of peer support.
Show your support for the ongoing efforts of the International Association of Peer Supporters (iNAPS) through your paid membership (or donations to the membership fund for those who cannot otherwise afford the $25 membership fee) and through your participation in our free webinars and outreach / publications. If you believe in peer support, endorse us by joining or making a tax deductible contribution to the organization! http://inaops.org/join-us/
