You Won't Want to Miss This Dynamic Lineup of Breakout Sessions and Trainings

This year's conference offers exciting tracks including an all-new pathway for Young Adult Leaders and the Youth Workforce. With more than 90+ breakout sessions from 84 organizations in 33 states and Canada, this is a tremendous opportunity to network, learn, and grow. Join families and youth, mental health and recovery support professionals, advocates, and decision-makers to advance social justice, equity, and inclusion for families and their children at our 34th Annual Conference, November 9th-11th in Chicago.

Note: If you are a nationally certified Family Peer Specialist (CFPS), or looking to become one, nearly all sessions offered during the conference are applicable toward certification and re-certification requirements too.

Justice / Equity / Diversity / Inclusion - JEDI

Learn approaches to effectively advocate for equity, inclusion, and parity in child, family, and adult systems. This track will also include presentations that center on social justice issues—equitable rights, equitable access, equitable opportunity, equitable treatment—in organizational missions and the work they do to support families.

Session Highlight: Equitable Advancement of Support for Everyone (EASE) in the Behavioral Health System...Join the Movement presented by Julie Radlauer-Doerfler, Collectively

Supporting Families and their Children Through the Lifespan

Topics include family engagement, navigating systems, developing authentic partnerships between families and providers, and the importance of understanding and accepting individuals who experience mental health and/or substance use challenges in all settings—homes, schools, community environments, the justice system, health care, research.

Session Highlight: Let Them Speak: Centering the Voice of Youth through Meaningful Dialogue and Effective Conversation presented by Onnie Poe, Filling in the Gaps

Supporting Families with Co-occurring Concerns

Presentations will address evidence-based, practice-based, and community relevant topics that help families, the workforce that supports families and their children, family-run organizations, and communities understand, discuss, address, and prevent intersecting mental health and substance use challenges.

Session Highlight: Supporting Caregivers with Co-Occurring Needs: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Supporting Child Welfare Engaged Families with Young Children presented by Jennifer Mitchell, The Children's Center

Emerging Youth and Young Adult Leaders / Youth Workforce Development

Designing pathways for developing leadership skills and qualities in the next generation are essential. This can include programs, organizations, policies, and/or strategies that center youth voice, integrate and support youth as leaders, and promote sustainability by mentoring youth to take the reins on advocacy work.

Session Highlight: E.M.B.R.A.C.E.ing Whole Person Lived Experience: Living Beyond Your Diagnosis presented by Kara Lynch, North Carolina Youth and Family Voices Amplified

Lessons from the Field

Presentations will highlight strategies and practices that are proving successful in supporting, educating, and engaging families and their children of all ages. Innovations, collaborations, and lessons learned will inform participants.

Session Highlight: Evidence-based Strategies for Youth in the System of Care presented by Dennis Embry, PAXIS Institute

Workforce Development

The focus of this track is the creation of a strong, healthy, and sustainable workforce to support families and their children. Presentations about career development within the Family Peer Workforce, peer drift, strategies for organizational wellness and sustainability, mentorship, and collaboration with partnering organizations and agencies will be prioritized.

Session Highlight: Mentoring: Feelings, Emotions, and Uniqueness through the Lived Experience Approach presented by Gabriel Sastre, Reach Family Services

Early Bird Registration rates apply until September 30th!

Look for Keynote Speaker Announcements

to arrive in your inbox next week!