Conference Goals

The peer perspective is now

acknowledged as a critical
component in the delivery of
health/mental health services that
focus on wellness and recovery.
We are pleased to bring the first
regional peer conference to
Western New York.
We hope and expect that this
conference will:
Attract new people to the
peer movement
Offer education to peers,
providers, and families in our
community
Give peers an opportunity to
share their skills and expertise
Increase awareness of how
peers can contribute to others
in recovery
Help peers to gain effective
leadership skills
Provide an opportunity for
networking


Peers, family members,
providers and other
interested community
members are welcome
to attend!
Program Schedule
8:15-9:15 a.m. Registration &
Continental Breakfast
Exhibits
9:15-9:30 a.m. Welcome
9:30-10:30 a.m. Keynote Address
Dr. Ann Marie T.
Sullivan
Commissioner
NYS Office of Mental
Health
10:45-11:45 a.m. Workshop I
12-1 p.m. Lunch
1:15-2:30 p.m. Workshop 2
2:45-3:45 p.m. Workshop 3
3:45-4 p.m. Concluding Summary

Optional
4:30-5:30 p.m. Tour of historic H.H.
Richardson Buildings
given by the Richardson
Center Corp.
(Limit: 25 persons
advance signup during
registration)
1st WNY Regional
Peer Conference
Peers Promoting
Wellness and Recovery
Throughout the Lifespan

Saturday, June 21, 2014
8:15 a.m.4 p.m.

Butler Rehabilitation
Center
(on campus of Buffalo Psychiatric Center,
400 Forest Ave., Buffalo, NY)

Planned in collaboration with the
13th Annual HA HA Conference on
June 20, 2014


Questions? Call Kathy Lynch:
(716) 816-2142
Sharon Ward: (716) 816-2913


This conference is sponsored by the Center for
Self Discovery at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center
in close collaboration with other peer run
organizations in our community.
1st WNY Regional Peer Conference
Registraton Form

Name

Address

City State Zip

Telephone

Email

Peer Registraton$15 (Peer Conference only)

HA HA Registraton$15 (HA HA Conference only)

Peer Registraton$24 (Peer & HA HA 2 days)

Non Peer Registraton$20 (Peer Conference only)

Non Peer Registraton$20 (HA HA Conference only)

Non Peer Registraton$32 (Peer & HA HA2 days)

Please consider me for a partal Peer Scholarship
($8 toward one-day; $16 of both days)
Request applicaton from Sharon Ward:
Sharon.Ward@omh.ny.gov
Submission deadline is June 6, 2014

If you wish to reserve a room at Bufalo State College, you
must make your reservaton no later than June 6, and
remit the cost with your conference reservaton.

I wish to reserve a room at Bufalo State College
($59) for Friday, June 20, 2014

I wish to reserve a room at Bufalo State College
($59) for Saturday, June 21, 2014
Make payment by check or cash.
Registraton deadline is June 13, 2014.
Checks should be made payable to
Bufalo Psychiatric Center

Send to:
Public Informaton Ofce
Bufalo Psychiatric Center
400 Forest Ave., Bufalo, NY 14213

Dedicated to
partnerships
in hope and
recovery
#1 Return to Power
Chris Warden, Restoration
Society Inc., Blackbelt-Aikido
Combining empowerment with the
Japanese art of Aikido.

#2 Peers Working With Peers
Artelia Lewis and Mona White,
Mental Health Peer Connection

#3 Scrap Wrap
Candi Foster and Theresa Klice,
Directions in Independent Living
How to scrapbook your WRAP
workbook.

#4 Stepping Beyond Illness
Stephen Nawotniak, Buffalo
Psychiatric Center Peer Specialist
Living a desired quality of life while
accommodating the needs of a condition
vs. just coping with the symptoms of an
illness.

#5 Managing Personal Health as
a Peer Leader
Sandra R. Tolkacz, Buffalo Psychiatric
Center Recipient Associate Manager
Caring for your mind, body and spirit
through the challenges and rewards in a
peer leadership role.

#6 Writing & Wellbeing
Workshop: Writing is Wellness
Lisa Maria Cruz, Mental Health
Association of Erie County
Writers of every skill level use the
written word to express themselves and
help in the recovery process.
#7 Being a Peer Provider is Too Much Fun
Susan Sotack, Director of Peer Services,
Rochester Psychiatric Center
Why being a peer provider almost makes it worth it
to have a mental illness. Learn how to have fun as
you provide valuable services.

#8 Power to Choose: Cognitive Behavioral
Self Help Made Easy
Susan Sotack, Director of Peer Services, RPC
Improve inner peace and outer effectiveness by
learning to have the power to choose thoughts and
actions.

#9 Do You Have What it Takes to be a Peer
Leader?
Robin Alwine, Buffalo Psychiatric Center,
Coordinator, Recipient Associate Managers
Group discussion on leadership: traits, attributes,
values coupled with peer leadership roles.

#10 The History of Our Movement
Bill Gamble, Mental Health Empowerment Project
Statewide Trainer
A chronicle of 100 years of history.


#11 The Power of Mutual Support and
Self-Help Groups
Veronica Weider, Director, Creative Wellness
Coalition, Rochester
Sharing experiences in recovery from peer-based
services.


#12 Youth Peer Mentorship in the Community
and at BryLin/Youth Power/Youth Advocacy
Caitlin Neumann, Erin Herman, Jenny Laney,
YouthPower NYS and Erie County MHA
Learn about the youth movement In NYS.
#18 Exploring Advance Directives in
NYS
Colleen Sheehan, NYAPRS Recovery
Facilitator
How the use of Psychiatric Advance Directives
can empower your wellness and recovery.


#19 The Creative Transformation of
Trauma: An Individual Advocates Jour-
ney
Kathy Lynch, Director
Center for Self Discovery
Explore the many tools of healing.


#20 The MyPsyckes Program: An
Overview
Samuel Floyd and Audra Engle,
Buffalo Psychiatric Center Peer Specialists
Get to know the MyPscykes process and
improve communication with your providers.


#21 The Power of Laughter for
Wellness
Colleen Sheehan, NYAPRS Facilitator
Its no jokediscover the prescription that
maximizes the power of laughter.

#22 Peer Services in Medicaid
Managed Care
Joseph Swinford, Deputy Director,
NYS OMH Office of Consumer Affairs
Issues faced by peers and peer agencies in this
new environment.

#23 Compeer Services, Friendship and
the Elderly
Joanna Ambrose, Director, Compeer New
York State

#24 Recovery Centers: An Overview
Jack Guastaferro, Director
Restoration Society Inc.
Promoting peer networking and support.
#13 An Eagle Only Soars When It Flies
Against the Wind
Sammy Violante, Motivational Speaker,
Erie County Mental Health Association
An amazing recovery story and an incredible journey
of hope and inspiration.


#14 Understanding Peer Support Services in
the Veterans Healthcare Administration
Michael Pardee, WRAP Facilitator, CASAC-T,
VA WNY Healtcare System
The perspectives of peer support specialists from
various VA programs.


#15 Stress Reduction Education and Skills
Practice
Dr. John McAlevey, BPC Psychiatrist trained in
teaching breathing for relaxation and yoga
practitioner, who is active in recovery from
depression and anxiety.


#16 Building a Grassroots Demand for
Trauma-Informed Approaches
Cathy Cave, Training Director,
Mental Health Empowerment Project
How trauma-informed approaches promote health
and growth.


#17 Stigma of Mental Illness Among North
American Indians
Cynthia Printup-Harms,
WNY Independent Living Inc.
Impact of history on the mental health of Indian
people.





Workshop Topics
Conference Planning Commitee: BPC Center for Self Discovery, HA HAHealthy Alternatves Through the Healing Arts, Restoraton
Society Inc., Mental Health Peer Connecton, Peers Helping Peers, New Directons Recovery Center, Mental Health Associaton of Erie
County, OMH WNY Field Unit.