HOPE 2024: Connection: Honoring Our Diversity

Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 8:00-4:00, Augusta Civic Center

The HOPE Conference is a Statewide Recovery/Wellness Conference for persons in recovery from substance abuse use and mental health challenges and Service Providers. It was created to help participants gain a greater understanding of what recovery wellness looks like from the many paths and different perspectives on the journey of life.

The workshops will be based on honoring a broader definition of wellness and restoring our sense of relationships. All workshops will allow for the opportunity to learn from each other, network, and gain greater understanding about recovery and wellness. This year’s theme is meant to focus on how diverse our communities are and can be. We want to look at how we honor and connect all our experiences as a broad peer recovery community. We honor building broader definitions of wellness, diversity and restoring our sense of community. Please join the conversation and explore how this is or can be reflected in systems/services, our individual choices, journeys, and continuing to create a supportive, accepting, and vibrant community

Register for HOPE 2024

KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS

Sowing Seeds of Change: A Reflection on Revolutionizing Behavioral Health Systems through Diversity and Belonging – Vesper Moore

Join us for an enlightening keynote session, where we explore the pivotal role of diversity and belonging in reshaping behavioral health systems. In a world where trauma recovery and emotional wellbeing is paramount, understanding the transformative power of diverse perspectives becomes essential. Our speaker will guide us through an insightful journey, unraveling how embracing diversity within behavioral health systems leads to a more comprehensive understanding and a richer tapestry of solutions. Real-world examples and compelling narratives will showcase the profound impact of diversity, not just as a benefit but as a catalyst for redefining the landscape of behavioral health care.

Eliminating Disparities and Building Health Equity: The Role of People in Recovery – Haner Hernández, PhD, CPS, CADCII, LADCI

This presentation will explore the development of disparities in the US and their impacts on racialized and marginalized communities. Utilizing a social justice framework, the participants will learn about the role of people in recovery in building health equity and community engagement. Participants will also learn about approaches and strategies grounded in cultural humility and other tools designed to improve outcomes and eliminate health disparities.

ABOUT THE KEYNOTES

Vesper Moore is an Indigenous political activist, leader, organizer, public speaker, and educator in the radical mental health and disability rights movements. Vesper concentrates on building social movements and public knowledge to facilitate and sustain systems change. They have supported the development of mental health organizations in different parts of the world and have fought to uplift civil rights in the United States. Vesper has brought the perspectives of disabled people and people with mental health challenges to national and international spaces with their advocacy. Vesper works with both the United States government and the United Nations in shaping strategies around trauma, intersectionality, and disability rights. They have been at the forefront of legislative reform to shift the societal paradigm surrounding mental health.

Haner Hernandez, PhD, CPS, CADCII, LADCI is Puerto Rican, bilingual and has worked for over 36 years in the health and human service field developing, implementing, and evaluating culturally and linguistically intelligent youth and adult health prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support programs. He is a master trainer and facilitator and provides individualized technical assistance and support to organizations that provide Substance Use Disorder, Mental Health, and gambling prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery supports. Also, Dr. Hernández has over 30 years of experience in delivering mental health services, addiction counseling, and clinical supervision to professionals in the field.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Additional information

Contact Hours –You may collect your certificate of attendance as you depart.

Lodging for one night is available to peers/consumers who travel more than 130 miles one way within the state of Maine to attend. Please contact Simonne Maline – [email protected] for information.

Mileage – Peers/consumers traveling 150+ miles round trip are eligible for mileage reimbursement (must be traveling in your own vehicle, within the state of Maine, and not receiving reimbursement from another organization). Mileage reimbursement forms will be available at the conference. Peers/consumers who travel less than 150 miles round trip and are not being reimbursed by another agency are eligible to participate in a raffle for one of five $25 gas cards. Participants receiving mileage reimbursement are not eligible for the gas card raffle.

Carpooling is recommended for organizations. Participants who are traveling less than 150 miles round trip to the conference will be eligible to enter a raffle for one of five $25 gas cards.

Food – A menu that is shellfish-free, peanut and tree nut-free, and gluten-free and vegetarian options will be provided.

Special Accommodations – We will do our best to respond to reasonable requests. Please contact Simonne Maline [email protected]g or by phone at 207-430-8300 by April 26, 2024, with any accommodation requests. For language interpretation services, please contact Simonne as soon as possible and let us know which workshops you plan to attend.

Book Table – Kelly’s Books To-Go will be available. Checks, Visa, MC, or Discover are accepted.

To register by fax and pay at the door, please print and complete the Registration form and fax it to 207-878-6172. If registering by fax, you will be responsible for paying the registration fee at the door. There is no registration by mail for this event. For registration questions, contact [email protected] | 207-878-6170

Cancellation Policy – There will be no refunds provided for canceled registrations. If you need to cancel your registration, please contact [email protected] | 207-878-6170

This conference is presented by the Consumer Council System of Maine.

Link to view workshop descriptions: https://ccsme.org/hope-2024-workshop-descriptions/.

Register for HOPE 2024

FAQs

Will there be lunch options for those with allergies or dietary restrictions?

All meal options will be shellfish-free, peanut-free, and tree nut-free. There will be gluten-free and vegetarian options provided.

Is there another way I can register?

There is no option to register by mail this year. Registration can be completed here online or by fax to 207-878-6172. If registering by fax, you will be responsible for paying the registration fee at the door. For registration questions, contact [email protected] | 207-878-6170.

What is the cancellation policy?

There will be no refunds for cancellations. If you need to cancel your registration, contact [email protected] | 207-878-6170

Can I get mileage reimbursed?

Mileage is reimbursed for peers/consumers using their own vehicle to travel 150+ miles round trip within the state of Maine and who are not receiving reimbursement from another organization. Mileage reimbursement forms will be available at the conference.

Who can enter the gas card raffle?

Anyone traveling less than 150 miles to the conference can enter the raffle for one of five $25 gas cards. Those receiving mileage reimbursement (from HOPE or other organization) are not eligible to enter to the gas card raffle.

Can I have hotel or lodging reimbursed?

Lodging for one night is available to peers/consumers who travel more than 130 miles one way within the state of Maine to attend. Please contact Simonne Maline – [email protected] for information.

Where do I find descriptions for each workshop?

The HOPE 2024 Workshop Descriptions can be found at HOPE 2024 Workshop Descriptions. Please select one workshop for each session to attend.

HOPE Conference

The HOPE Conference is a Statewide Recovery/Wellness Conference for persons in recovery from substance use and mental health challenges and Service Providers. It was created to help participants gain a greater understanding of what recovery wellness looks like from the many paths and different perspectives on the journey of life.

2024 HOPE Conference Save the Date banner.

HOPE 2024: Let’s Connect

Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 8:00-4:00, Augusta Civic Center

Online Registration and Conference Information Coming Soon…

“Connection: Honoring Our Diversity”
Revolutionizing Systems, Reimagining Wellness & Rebuilding Community

This year’s theme is meant to acknowledge the diversity that exists within our communities and the ways in which our shared recovery can connect us, focusing on our similarities, rather than our differences, resulting in an improved existence for those with Substance Use and Mental Health Challenges. Please join the conversation and explore how this is or can be reflected in systems/services, our individual choices and journeys, and continuing to create a supportive, accepting, and vibrant community.

TRACKS

  1. Reimagining Wellness
  2. Rebuilding Community
  3. Revolutionizing Systems

The HOPE Conference Committee in conjunction with DHHS Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) is looking for individuals in recovery from substance use and mental health challenges to present workshops at the annual HOPE Conference. In appreciation of people’s time and expertise, all workshop presenters/panelists will receive a $100 stipend, in addition to free registration.

Call for Presentations

Vector drawing of a presentation.

Any peer or consumer is qualified to submit a proposal for a workshop at the conference. A peer may have a non-peer co-presenter. For our purposes, a peer is defined as a person who has received or is receiving mental health or substance use services and/or used peer support or holistic resources to support their recovery.

Proposal Details

Deadline to submit: March 1, 2024

Submit Your Proposal to:

Hope Conference Planning Committee
c/o Consumer Council System Of Maine
219 Capitol Street, Suite 7
Augusta, Me 04330
1-877-207-5073
[email protected]

Call for Artwork

Call for artwork poster.

The HOPE Conference Planning Committee is looking for artwork to match this year’s theme: “Connection: Honoring Our Diversity”.

  • Artwork should be original and not a manipulation of stock images.
  • The artwork should look good on a 2-inch button.
Download Call for Artwork Flyer (PDF)

Proposal Presentation Information

  • The 75-minute timeframe presentation will include introductions, presentation material, a question and answer session, and an attendee evaluation of the presentation.
  • Attendees should leave with specific knowledge and skills about various aspects of the topic and how it relates to recovery and wellness.
  • Presentations that introduce attendees to a specific service, practice, or strategy require the presenter to share evidence of effectiveness with attendees. This can include preliminary outcomes and evaluation findings.
  • Presentations should provide attendees with educational value and refrain from promoting or selling a specific business or product.

Workshop proposals should reflect the conference theme.

To submit a proposal, please complete the prepared fill-in form (links below) or otherwise provide the following information:

  • Your name and contact info with a brief bio sketch.
  • Why you would like to do a workshop at this conference.
  • The title of your presentation, the track(s) it pertains to, and 2-3 learning objectives.
  • Description of presentation (limit 2 pages)
  • Will you have a PowerPoint presentation? Need handouts printed?

Proposals must be received by February 2, 2024

Please email these to Simonne Maline: [email protected] or mail them to: CCSM, 219 Capital Street, Suite #7, Augusta, ME 04330

PDF & Word Presentation Proposal Form

Download Presentation Proposal Form (PDF)
Download Presentation Proposal Form (Word)

PDF & Word Presentation Informational Sheet

Download Presentation Informational Sheet (PDF) Download Presentation Informational Sheet (Word)

How Would You Prepare a Presentation? EASY!

Tips for new presenters

First, you would think about things that have supported or encouraged your recovery, keeping in mind the Tracks. Then you would think about how to share that experience with others.

For Example: Revolutionizing Systems

Think about the systems that impact your recovery. The mental health system. The substance use treatment system. The criminal justice system. The health care system in general. Have your experiences in these systems served you well? Do you have ideas of how systems could work better? Revolutionizing Systems is about skills and strategies that can bring change, so systems are more helpful and less oppressive. Perhaps you’ve testified at the legislature, organized or attended a protest, or done community organizing–and can share the skills and strategies you’ve learned. This is an opportunity for you to share your ideas, experiences, and skills to change systems.

For Example: Reimagining Wellness

Think of something which has supported your journey in recovery and wellness or helped you define what wellness looks like for you. You could present your unique views and story about wellness and transformation and maybe provide a resource list for connecting to wellness activities and other things that help as you move forward. Examples could be nature, yoga, support groups, creativity, or anything that has supported your overall wellness. Activities that you participate in may also relate to community and building relationships.

For Example: Rebuilding Community

Most of us in the midst of the pandemic no longer had access to normal ways of connecting with others in our communities. Perhaps you found ways to stay connected, learned different ways to meet your needs for community, or have ideas how to rebuild community as the pandemic eases. What does community mean and look like to you? How does it support your recovery and wellness? Whether it’s family, recovery communities, groups with common interests, etc., you could share your story and ideas for strengthening our connections with others. The workshop could include time for participants to discuss ways to reach out to join community groups, and ways to connect to others and form new friendships.

This conference event is designed for individuals in recovery, service providers, family members and community members to attend. The goals of the conference are for participants to gain a greater understanding of what recovery/wellness is from many paths and different perspectives on the journey of life. This conference will be a chance to learn from each other, network, and gain greater understanding about recovery and wellness.

You can use this checklist to make sure that your workshop meets the conference goals:

  1. Does my workshop offer an opportunity for others to grow and learn?
  2. Does my workshop introduce knowledge that others can apply in their own journey?
  3. Does my workshop provide resources for others?
  4. Does my workshop format accommodate different learning styles (visual, listening, interactive)?
  5. Does my workshop include my experience of recovery in relation to the topic I’m presenting?
  6. Does my workshop fit the theme and one of the Wellness Tracks?
Logo for the Consumer Council System of Maine
Translate »