“Reclaiming Our Power” Workshop Proposal

The National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.), in partnership with the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, is proud to co-sponsor the Annual Conference, “Reclaiming Our Power!” happening on October 16-17, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois. This in-person event will unite over 300 peers, advocates, policymakers, family members, youth, clinicians, and stakeholders from across the nation to reclaim our power and amplify our collective voice. Learn more about the conference here.

At this conference, we’ll delve into the power of reclaiming our narratives, our agency, and our futures. Together, we’ll explore how peer support empowers us to overcome obstacles, advocate for change, and create a more inclusive and equitable world.

This year’s theme, “Reclaiming Our Power” celebrates the strength and resilience within each of us and the transformative impact of peer support. As we come together, we’ll honor our shared experiences, uplift each other’s voices, and chart a course toward a brighter future.

We invite you to join us in reclaiming our power and shaping the future of mental health systems and advocacy by submitting a workshop proposal. Some of the areas and potential topics we are interested in include:

• History of the peer support movement
• Alternatives to existing systems
• Harm reduction
• Peer-led crisis alternatives, including peer respites and warmlines
• Peer support beyond mental health and substance use: e.g., survivorship, domestic violence, grief, doula work, etc.
• Community building and organizing
• Abolition
• Non-carceral care
• Equity practices

Special notes to presenters:

• Workshop submissions will be accepted until June 30, 2024 at 11:59 pm EST/8:59 pm PST. Decisions will be made by July 12, 2024.
• Each workshop can accommodate a maximum of two presenters. Both presenters will receive complimentary tickets to the conference.
• The National Association of Peer Supporters is committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities and ensuring that all potential speakers have equal access to presentation opportunities. If you’d like to present a breakout session at our conference and require accommodations, or are not able to attend in person due to a disability, please reach out to Tim Saubers, [email protected]. If you’d like to present at our conference, but are not able to attend in person due to a disability please let us know so that we can prioritize your breakout submission for our online track.
• All workshops should be 75 minutes long. When planning for your workshop/presentation, please include time for discussion and Q&A in your 75-minute window.
• Presenters may not use the workshop as a platform to promote their business or product.
• N.A.P.S. reserves the discretion to edit or modify workshop descriptions and bios to meet publication requirements.
• By submitting your workshop proposal, you are consenting to having photos, videos, and/or screenshots taken during your workshop for use in future conference marketing and informational materials with no expected compensation.
• If you have any questions, please reach out to Executive Director Tim Saubers at [email protected].