Continuing Education Credits
—CEU:  0.80 Credit Hours (Nurses, other health care professionals)
—SOCIAL WORKERS:  Up to 8.0 Credit Hours (LSW/LCSW, LPC, LMFT)
—PSYCHOLOGISTS:  Up to 8.0 Credit Hours

This program fulfills requirements for Certified Peer Specialists and Certified Recovery Specialists continuing education.  For attending, you will receive a Certificate of Attendance. You do not need to register at the CEU rate and do not need to pay for CEUs. Please register at the General Admission rate.

PLEASE NOTE! The following Conference Workshops are eligible for General CEU credits ONLY – They are NOT eligible for Social Work (LSW/LSCW, LCP, LMFT) or Psychologist credits.
–Workshop C “Write It Out”
–Workshop J “Pennsylvania’s Journey in Building Family Peer Support Specialist Workforce”
–Workshop L “NAMI Smarts for Advocacy: Telling Your Story”

Important note: Pursuant to the ADA, if you require specific aid or services, please contact Sara Levine Steinberg at slsteinberg@namikeystonepa.org or call 412-366-3788. Please make all requests for accommodations at least three weeks prior to the conference date.

Keynote presenter, State Representative Mike Schlossberg, has lived with depression and anxiety for most of his life.  He had been open about his diagnosis with family and close friends, but he didn’t share this information publicly until a few years ago. What changed? In Rep. Schlossberg’s presentation, “Living a (Very) Public Life with Depression and Anxiety,” he will explain the catalyst behind the decision to share his lived experience with colleagues and constituents and the powerful impact it has had on him as a state legislator.

Afternoon Plenary
Monday, May 20

"Stronger Together:  Advancing Policy In Pennsylvania"

The Monday afternoon plenary will feature a panel of Pennsylvania advocates who will discuss some of the top public policy priorities of 2019 for mental health advocates. Moderator Joan Erney will guide the discussion as panelists explain the impact that decisions in Harrisburg have on the mental health services that individuals and their family members rely on every day. Panelists will also share how they’re making it a priority of their own to work together to advance critical public policy initiatives and the methods they’re using to mobilize their supporters to create one strong coalition with a cohesive message.

Moderated By:
--  Joan Erney, JD, CEO, Community Behavioral Health
Paneled By:
--  Christine Michaels, MSHSA, CEO, NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania
--  Lynn Keltz, Exec. Dir., Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers’ Association
--  Sue Walther, Exec. Dir., Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania
--  Peri Jude Radecic, CEO, Disability Rights PA

Closing Plenary
Tuesday, May 21

“First Episode Psychosis Programs in Pennsylvania: Laying the Groundwork for Systems of Change”

Day two will kick off with a group presentation on First Episode Psychosis (FEP) programs in Pennsylvania. Speakers will highlight the importance of early detection, intervention, and care for psychosis; how the collaboration and communication between FEP programs, counties, and the state are crucial to their success; and they will also share details on #BackOnTrackPA, NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania’s statewide grassroots advocacy initiative to raise awareness of FEP programs by educating the public and policymakers on the positive results they are producing and the groundwork FEP programs are laying to make the case for systems change.

Presented By:
--  Christine Michaels, MSHSA, CEO, NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania
--  Marci Sturgeon-Rusiewicz, MS, LPC, CPSS, Doctoral Candidate, Senior Manager of Recovery and Resiliency at Wesley Family Services, Program Manager at ENGAGE
--  Denise Namowicz, MSW, Director of First Episode Psychosis (HOPE) Children’s Service Center
--  Jill Stemple, Section Chief, Planning, Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS)
--  Charlie Lotz, Vice President, Denny Civic Solutions
--  Melina Spyridaki-Dodd, M.D, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Wesley Family Services

Hotel Information

The Holiday Inn Harrisburg-Hershey Hotel is fully booked.  The Comfort Suites Grantville-Hershey North is located .3 miles from the host hotel.

Rate: $114 per night plus tax
Call:  717-469-8181 and mention "PA Mental Health and Wellness Conference"

Please dress in layers as room temperatures can vary. If you have special access needs related to a disability or impairment, please contact Sara Levine Steinberg at slsteinberg@namikeystonepa.org or call 412-366-3788.