Rehab Academy 2025 Archives - The Alliance for Rights and Recovery /tag/rehab-academy-2025/ Formerly şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:47:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/uploads/2021/11/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Rehab Academy 2025 Archives - The Alliance for Rights and Recovery /tag/rehab-academy-2025/ 32 32 Last Chance to Register for 16th Annual Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy! /e-news-bulletins/2025/11/18/last-chance-to-register-for-16th-annual-recovery-rehabilitation-academy-2/ Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:41:00 +0000 /?p=14967 Alliance Alert: This week rehabilitation providers from across NY are gathering for the Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy in Albany, Nov 20–21! Don’t miss out on 1 ½ days of: Join the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, along with our partners from InUnity Alliance and Center for Practice Innovations for one and a half transformative days dedicated to reimagining recovery through connection, leadership, and […]

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Alliance Alert: This week rehabilitation providers from across NY are gathering for the Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy in Albany, Nov 20–21! Don’t miss out on 1 ½ days of:

  • Energizing keynote + statewide experts
  • PROS redesign strategies you can implement now
  • Skills-forward sessions: documentation, community-based rehab, workforce retention, engagement strategies, policy in action
  • Real-world tools, networking, and inspiration
  • Updates from OMH

Join the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, along with our partners from InUnity Alliance and Center for Practice Innovations for one and a half transformative days dedicated to reimagining recovery through connection, leadership, and innovation.

This year’s Academy — “From Program to Purpose: Strengthening Recovery Through Community, Connection, and Innovation” — invites practitioners, peers, and leaders to move beyond traditional systems and embrace new ways to build thriving recovery communities.

Highlights include:

  • Keynote by Nyla Christian, a nationally recognized recovery provocateur inspiring courage and clarity in uncertain times.
  • Workshops on leadership, PROS redesign, community-based learning, peer leadership, and culturally responsive practice.
  • Collaborative learning opportunities that bring together leaders, practitioners, and peers to share real-world strategies for advancing recovery-focused systems of care.

Reconnect with your “why,” celebrate recovery-oriented excellence, and be part of shaping the future of mental health services.

Sponsored by: şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż State Office of Mental Health
Hosted by: The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, InUnity Alliance and Center for Practice Innovations

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Last Chance to Register for 16th Annual Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy! /e-news-bulletins/2025/11/14/last-chance-to-register-for-16th-annual-recovery-rehabilitation-academy/ Fri, 14 Nov 2025 14:12:00 +0000 /?p=14956 Alliance Alert: Rehabilitation providers from across NY are gathering for the Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy in Albany, Nov 20–21. Don’t miss out on 1 ½ days of: Join the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, along with our partners from InUnity Alliance and Center for Practice Innovations for one and a half transformative days dedicated to reimagining recovery through connection, leadership, and innovation. […]

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Alliance Alert: Rehabilitation providers from across NY are gathering for the Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy in Albany, Nov 20–21. Don’t miss out on 1 ½ days of:

  • Energizing keynote + statewide experts
  • PROS redesign strategies you can implement now
  • Skills-forward sessions: documentation, community-based rehab, workforce retention, engagement strategies, policy in action
  • Real-world tools, networking, and inspiration
  • Updates from OMH

Join the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, along with our partners from InUnity Alliance and Center for Practice Innovations for one and a half transformative days dedicated to reimagining recovery through connection, leadership, and innovation.

This year’s Academy — “From Program to Purpose: Strengthening Recovery Through Community, Connection, and Innovation” — invites practitioners, peers, and leaders to move beyond traditional systems and embrace new ways to build thriving recovery communities.

Highlights include:

  • Keynote by Nyla Christian, a nationally recognized recovery provocateur inspiring courage and clarity in uncertain times.
  • Workshops on leadership, PROS redesign, community-based learning, peer leadership, and culturally responsive practice.
  • Collaborative learning opportunities that bring together leaders, practitioners, and peers to share real-world strategies for advancing recovery-focused systems of care.

Reconnect with your “why,” celebrate recovery-oriented excellence, and be part of shaping the future of mental health services.

Sponsored by: şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż State Office of Mental Health
Hosted by: The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, InUnity Alliance and Center for Practice Innovations

The post Last Chance to Register for 16th Annual Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

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Next Week! Alliance’s Annual Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy: Register Today! /e-news-bulletins/2025/11/12/next-week-alliances-annual-recovery-rehabilitation-academy-register-today-2/ Wed, 12 Nov 2025 17:29:00 +0000 /?p=14936 Alliance Alert: The Alliance’s 16th Annual Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy will take place NEXT WEEK! “From Program to Purpose: Strengthening Recovery Through Community, Connection, and Innovation” is taking place on November 20-21 at the Crowne Plaza Albany. See attached program for schedule details.Join the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, along with our partners from InUnity Alliance and Center for Practice […]

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Alliance Alert: The Alliance’s 16th Annual Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy will take place NEXT WEEK!

“From Program to Purpose: Strengthening Recovery Through Community, Connection, and Innovation” is taking place on November 20-21 at the Crowne Plaza Albany. See attached program for schedule details.
Join the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, along with our partners from InUnity Alliance and Center for Practice Innovations for two transformative days dedicated to reimagining recovery through connection, leadership, and innovation.
This year’s Academy — “From Program to Purpose” — invites practitioners, peers, and leaders to move beyond traditional systems and embrace new ways to build thriving recovery communities.

Highlights include:

  • Keynote by Nyla Christian, a nationally recognized recovery provocateur inspiring courage and clarity in uncertain times.
  • Workshops on leadership, PROS redesign, community-based learning, peer leadership, and culturally responsive practice.
  • Collaborative learning opportunities that bring together leaders, practitioners, and peers to share real-world strategies for advancing recovery-focused systems of care.

Reconnect with your “why,” celebrate recovery-oriented excellence, and be part of shaping the future of mental health services.

Sponsored by: şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż State Office of Mental Health
Hosted by: The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, InUnity Alliance and Center for Practice Innovations

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Next Week! Alliance’s Annual Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy: Register Today! /e-news-bulletins/2025/11/10/next-week-alliances-annual-recovery-rehabilitation-academy-register-today/ Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:43:00 +0000 /?p=14922 Alliance Alert: The Alliance’s 16th Annual Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy will take place NEXT WEEK!  “From Program to Purpose: Strengthening Recovery Through Community, Connection, and Innovation” is taking place on November 20-21 at the Crowne Plaza Albany. See attached program for schedule details. Join the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, along with our partners from InUnity Alliance and Center for […]

The post Next Week! Alliance’s Annual Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy: Register Today! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

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Alliance Alert: The Alliance’s 16th Annual Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy will take place NEXT WEEK! 

“From Program to Purpose: Strengthening Recovery Through Community, Connection, and Innovation” is taking place on November 20-21 at the Crowne Plaza Albany. See attached program for schedule details.

Join the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, along with our partners from InUnity Alliance and Center for Practice Innovations for two transformative days dedicated to reimagining recovery through connection, leadership, and innovation.
This year’s Academy — “From Program to Purpose” — invites practitioners, peers, and leaders to move beyond traditional systems and embrace new ways to build thriving recovery communities.

Highlights include:

  • Keynote by Nyla Christian, a nationally recognized recovery provocateur inspiring courage and clarity in uncertain times.
  • Workshops on leadership, PROS redesign, community-based learning, peer leadership, and culturally responsive practice.
  • Collaborative learning opportunities that bring together leaders, practitioners, and peers to share real-world strategies for advancing recovery-focused systems of care.

Reconnect with your “why,” celebrate recovery-oriented excellence, and be part of shaping the future of mental health services.

Sponsored by: şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż State Office of Mental Health
Hosted by: The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, InUnity Alliance and Center for Practice Innovations

The post Next Week! Alliance’s Annual Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy: Register Today! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

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Only 2 Weeks Until the Annual Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy! Register Today! /e-news-bulletins/2025/11/06/only-2-weeks-until-the-annual-recovery-rehabilitation-academy-register-today/ Thu, 06 Nov 2025 20:40:00 +0000 /?p=14907 Alliance Alert: Two weeks left until the 16th Annual Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy. “From Program to Purpose: Strengthening Recovery Through Community, Connection, and Innovation” is taking place on November 20-21 at the Crowne Plaza Albany. Join the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, along with our partners from InUnity Alliance and Center for Practice Innovations for two transformative days dedicated to reimagining […]

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Alliance Alert: Two weeks left until the 16th Annual Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy. “From Program to Purpose: Strengthening Recovery Through Community, Connection, and Innovation” is taking place on November 20-21 at the Crowne Plaza Albany.

Join the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, along with our partners from InUnity Alliance and Center for Practice Innovations for two transformative days dedicated to reimagining recovery through connection, leadership, and innovation.
This year’s Academy — “From Program to Purpose” — invites practitioners, peers, and leaders to move beyond traditional systems and embrace new ways to build thriving recovery communities.

Highlights include:

  • Keynote by Nyla Christian, a nationally recognized recovery provocateur inspiring courage and clarity in uncertain times.
  • Workshops on leadership, PROS redesign, community-based learning, peer leadership, and culturally responsive practice.
  • Collaborative learning opportunities that bring together leaders, practitioners, and peers to share real-world strategies for advancing recovery-focused systems of care.

Reconnect with your “why,” celebrate recovery-oriented excellence, and be part of shaping the future of mental health services.

Sponsored by: şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż State Office of Mental Health
Hosted by: The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, InUnity Alliance and Center for Practice Innovations

The post Only 2 Weeks Until the Annual Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy! Register Today! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

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See Full Alliance Nov 20-21 Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy Program: Register Today! /e-news-bulletins/2025/10/30/see-full-alliance-nov-20-21-recovery-rehabilitation-academy-program-register-today/ Thu, 30 Oct 2025 12:26:00 +0000 /?p=14850 Alliance Alert: The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, together with our training partners and the Office of Mental Health, is excited to share program details for this year’s Annual Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy. Register today! Register for the conference HERE! And be sure to use this LINK to book your hotel at the Crowne Plaza to get a discounted […]

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Alliance Alert: The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, together with our training partners and the Office of Mental Health, is excited to share program details for this year’s Annual Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy. Register today!

Register for the conference ! And be sure to use this  to book your hotel
at the Crowne Plaza to get a discounted rate by October 29th.

Day One Thursday, November 20, 2025

8:00-9:00 am: Breakfast and Registration
9:00-9:15 am Welcome and opening remarks
9:15-10:15am Keynote

Inspiring in the Void: Leading with Courage, Clarity, and Purpose in Uncertain Times, Nyla Christian
“Inspiring in the Void: Leading with Courage, Clarity and Purpose in uncertain Times” speaks to the moment when change is constant, capacity is thin, and recovery systems are devolving faster than our structures. Nyla Christian invites participants to examine leadership as an act of adaptation-moving from hierarchy to shared power, from control to collaboration, and from exhaustion to intentional evolution. This keynote challenges traditional models of authority and offers a grounded path forward: building people, not monuments, mentoring that multiplies, and creating infrastructure that outlasts any single leader.
Leaders will leave reconnected to their personal and collective “why” and equipped with practical frameworks for sustaining teams, developing successors and keeping purpose steady among uncertainty.

10:15-10:30 am Break

10:30-11:30am Workshops Round One

PROS Redesigned: Redesign Strategies and Emerging Best Practices in Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
Ann Bergeman, RN, BSN, Advanced CASAC, CPRP, PROS Manager, Evelyn Brandon Health Center PROS; Kathryn Murphy, LMHC, Supervisor PROS, Peer Support and Employment Services, St. Joseph’s Health; Lisa Turnquist BSW, CPRP, Ventures PROS Director, Rochester Rehabilitation Center; Moderator Daniella Labate Covelli, MSW, CPRP, Vice President of Recovery & Rehabilitation Training, Alliance for Rights and Recovery
This workshop will explore innovative redesign strategies being implemented across PROS programs in the State. Presenters will highlight emerging best practices that strengthen recovery-oriented, person-centered outcomes while meeting system demands. Participants will dive headfirst into lessons learned and practical approaches to maximizing outcomes through PROS redesign.

Taking It To the Streets: Translating Curriculum From Classroom to Community
Britt Higgins, Med, LMHC, CPRP, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist, Alliance for Rights and Recovery and Gregory Kanhai, MS, PMP, CPRP, Senior Training & Implementation Specialist, Center for Recovery and Rehabilitation at InUnity Alliance
This session demonstrates how evidence-based curriculum can move beyond the walls of programs and into the community where recovery happens. Facilitators will share models for adapting group material into community-based learning opportunities and share practical strategies to expand learning environments and increase relevance for participants.

Employment and Education Services as Cornerstones of Recovery
Paul Margolies, Center for Practice Innovation, Jennifer Semonite, MS, CRC, Mental Health Program Specialist, Chris Coyle, Mental Health Program Specialist,  and Steve Vroman, Mental Health Program Specialist II, NYS Office of Mental Health
Employment and education are critical pathways to recovery. This workshop explores effective strategies and partnerships that support individuals in achieving meaningful work and learning opportunities. Presenters will share tools and models that have proven successful in promoting competitive employment and educational attainment as well as exploring how to maximize billing in PROS through the use of ORS services.

Shared Power Shared Purpose: Building Peer Leadership Pathways
Shannon Higbee, Chief Strategy Officer, Alliance for Rights and Recovery
Discover how peer support can evolve into leadership pathways that empower individuals and organizations alike. This workshop highlights peer-led initiatives that foster shared decision-making and strengthen recovery communities. Participants will learn practical steps to create structures where peer leadership thrives.

11:30-11:45am Break

11:45-12:45 Workshops Round Two

Curriculum by Design: A Practical Workshop on Group Development
Melissa Diaz MPS, LCAT, CLAT, ATR-BC, Senior Training and Implementation Specialist, Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery at InUnity Alliance and Goodwill
Strong group services require intentional design. This workshop provides a step-by-step approach to creating groups that align with psychiatric rehabilitation principles and participant goals. Through hands-on activities, attendees will practice group development techniques they can use immediately!

Community Mapping: Unlocking Community Assets and Opportunities
Amanda Henderson), MS, Senior Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist, Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery at InUnity Alliance and Hannah Taber, CPRP, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist, Alliance for Rights and Recovery
Understanding the assets and resources in a community is key to recovery and social inclusion. In this session, participants will learn community mapping techniques that help individuals and programs identify natural supports and opportunities. Facilitators will guide attendees through exercises to begin their own mapping process.

Applying Psychiatric Rehabilitation Principles to Enhance Substance Use Recovery
Dr. Angelia Smith-Wilson, Executive Director, Friends of Recovery in şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż
This session bridges psychiatric rehabilitation with substance use recovery approaches. Participants will explore how core rehabilitation principles can support motivation, goal setting, and enhancing daily living skills for people addressing substance use challenges.

Transformational Leadership in Mental Health Services
Paul Margolies, PhD, Associate Director for Practice Innovation and Implementation, Center for Practice Innovations and Edye Schwartz, DSW, LCSW, Principal, Edye Schwartz Consulting
Effective leadership transforms organizations and the people they serve. This workshop explores transformational leadership practices that inspire innovation, build resilience, and align services with recovery values. Leaders at all levels will leave with tools to strengthen culture and outcomes in their agencies.

12:45-1:30 pm Lunch Break

1:30-2:30 General Session
Say What You Mean: Aligning Documentation with Practice Standards and Person-Centered Services
Rayna Wang, LCSW, Assistant Director Healthcare Innovation and Boris Vilgorin, MPA, Healthcare Innovations Officer, McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research
Documentation is more than a record – it’s a reflection of individuals’ recovery journeys and the support that behavioral health professionals have provided. This session will discuss common documentation challenges, as well as provide practical strategies on how to document with a person-centered lens while still meeting programmatic standards.

2:30-2:45 pm Break

2:45-3:45 Workshops Round Three

Expanding the Circle: Integrating Occupational Therapy into PROS Programs
Sean Getty, OTD, MS, OTR/L, Clinical Associate Professor, Vice Chairperson, and Doctoral Capstone Coordinator of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Stony Brook University; Dr. Christine Linkie, PhD, OTR/L, CPRP, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Buffalo Occupational Therapy Program; Meredith Surdel, LMHC-DP, Director of Clinical Services, Endeavor Health Services; Jeffery Tomlinson, MSW, OTR/L FAOTA, Legislative & Government Relations Chair for the şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż State Occupational Therapy  Association; Moderator Stephen Nawotniak, OTR/L, NYCPS, CPRP, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist, Alliance for Rights and Recovery 
Occupational therapy (OT) brings unique value to recovery-oriented psychiatric rehabilitation. This session showcases how OT can be integrated into PROS programming to enhance increased independence, self-management, and community participation. Participants will learn about how Occupational therapists can support PROS participants to reach their goals.

The Impact of Culture on Motivation: Guiding Personally Meaningful Goals and Change Readiness 
Luis Lopez,  I CONNECT Program Director, Elisabeth Salner, LCSW, MPH and Erika Esquivel, MS, I CONNECT-Critigal Time Intervention Implementation Specialists, Center for Practice Innovation
Culture plays a critical role in shaping motivation and recovery goals. This workshop highlights culturally responsive practices that help individuals connect personal values to meaningful outcomes. Attendees will gain tools for enhancing engagement and readiness for change through cultural humility.

Operationalizing Values: Leadership Tools for Fidelity to the Mission of Rehabilitation and Recovery 
Paul Margolies, PhD, Associate Director for Practice Innovation and Implementation, Center for Practice Innovations and  Edye Schwartz, DSW, LCSW, Principal, Edye Schwartz Consulting
Organizations thrive when their daily practices reflect their mission and values. This session introduces leadership tools and planning templates that ensure fidelity to recovery principles. Through interactive group activities, participants will explore how to operationalize values into consistent practice.

Remote and Rooted: What It Takes to Keep Remote CORE Teams Engaged and Effective 
Tony Salerno, PhD, Innovation and Implementation Officer, McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research 
Remote work presents unique challenges for behavioral health teams. This workshop shares strategies and lessons learned for maintaining engagement, accountability, and team cohesion in CORE services. Participants will leave with practical tips to support high-functioning remote teams.

3:45-4:00 pm Break

4:00-5:00 pm Workshops Round Four

Practice or Prompt: A Guide to Developing Skills or Resources 
Marianne Farkas, ScD, Professor, Director of Training and Technical Assistance, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University
Skill development is at the heart of recovery-oriented practice. This workshop explores the difference between practicing a skill and prompting the use of a resource, offering guidance on when and how to use each approach. Participants will engage in exercises to strengthen their facilitation skills.

Exploring the Possibilities: Helping People Identify and Research Real-Life Goal Options 
David Bucciferro, BA, Independent Consultant and Paula Fries, LCAT, AT-BC, Independent Consultant
Identifying meaningful goals begins with exploring real-world possibilities. This session provides tools and strategies for helping individuals research and evaluate options that align with their values, hopes and interests. Attendees will practice techniques for goal discovery and action planning.

The Ripple Effect: Leadership Practices That Retain and Inspire the Workforce Natalie
Leras, LCSW, CPRP, Director of Training, Cener for Rehabilitation and Recovery at InUnity Alliance
Strong leadership not only delivers results but also inspires people to stay and grow. This session highlights leadership practices that foster resilience, satisfaction, and commitment among staff. Participants will learn and explore myriad strategies for building an organizational culture that retains talent and sustains mission-driven work.

Policy in Action: Navigating Systems to Advance Recovery
Luke Sikinyi, MSPH, Vice President of Public Policy, Alliance for Rights and Recovery 
Policy shapes the systems within which recovery services are delivered. This workshop provides an overview of current policy issues impacting psychiatric rehabilitation services and explores how providers can engage in policy development and advocacy. Participants will learn how to connect policy awareness to daily practice and program planning.

5:00 pm Hors d’oeuvres and Reception with Robert Myers Award Presentation Catherine Murphy

——–

Day Two, Friday, November 21, 2025

8:30-9:00 breakfast and registration

9:00 Welcome

9:15-10:15 Opening Session: Recovery and Psychiatric Rehabilitation: Our Story
Marianne Farkas, ScD, Professor, Director of Training and Technical Assistance, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University
Once people with serious mental health conditions were transferred out of state psychiatric hospitals into community settings, it became apparent that the move itself was not enough to result in people developing lives of dignity and meaning. Psychiatric rehabilitation emerged in the 1970’s, with the vision of recovery coming to prominence in the 1990’s as responses to this realization.  It is important, as we move forward, to remember how we got here and what our collective story is both in the USA and the rest of the world as counter forces seem to suggest that we go back to the “old days”.  This presentation will present our story. 

10:15-10:30 Break 

10:30-11:30 Workshops Round Five 

Occupation Therapy: The Power of Doing 
Dr. Christine Linkie, PhD, OTR/L, CPRP, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Buffalo Occupational Therapy Program
Recovery is strengthened when skills are learned and practiced in real-life settings. This workshop focuses on strategies for delivering skills training directly in community environments. Participants will learn how to design and facilitate community-based skill-building activities that promote independence and confidence.

Balancing Choice and Responsibility: Ethics in Recovery-Oriented Services
TBA
Ethical practice is foundational to quality recovery services. This workshop reviews common ethical challenges in psychiatric rehabilitation and explores frameworks for ethical decision-making. Attendees will strengthen their ability to navigate complex situations while maintaining integrity and respect for participant choice.

Training as Strategy: Unlocking the Power of NYPRTA To Fulfill Your Agency’s Mission
Kirk Cooper-Johnson, LMSW, CPRP, NYPRTA Director, Alliance for Rights and Recovery and Natalie Lleras, LCSW, CPRP, Director of Training, Cener for Rehabilitation and Recovery at InUnity Alliance
Ongoing training is not just professional development—it’s a strategic tool for advancing agency mission of providing quality recovery services. This session highlights how organizations can leverage NYPRTA resources and training opportunities to build capacity, align with values, and achieve goals. 

The Power of Lived Experience: Essentials for Integration of Peer Support in Recovery Teams
Liz Breier, MAHAP, CPRP, Chief Advocacy Officer, Office of  Advocacy and Peer Support Services, NYS Office of Mental Health; Courtney Culkin, LMHC-D, Clinical Director PROS, CORE, SOAR & Adult Family Support, Mental Health Association of Nassau County; Marc Agboka; Moderator Jeremy Reuling, LCSW, NYCPS, CPRP, Senior Director of Special Projects, Hands Across Long Island Danielle Lumia, LCSW-R, Samaritan PROS Manager, St. Peter’s Health Partners
Peer support brings unique credibility and power to recovery services. This workshop examines best practices for integrating peers into multidisciplinary teams in meaningful and sustainable ways. Presenters will share lessons learned and essentials for making peer support a cornerstone of recovery work.

11:30-12:15 General Session with OMH

Register for the conference ! And be sure to use this  to book your hotel at the Crowne Plaza to get a discounted rate by October 29th.

The post See Full Alliance Nov 20-21 Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy Program: Register Today! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

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Register to Hear Keynote Speaker Nyla Christian at the 16th Annual Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy! /e-news-bulletins/2025/10/29/register-to-hear-keynote-speaker-nyla-christian-at-the-16th-annual-recovery-and-rehabilitation-academy/ Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:34:00 +0000 /?p=14844 The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, together with our training partners and the şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż State Office of Mental Health, is thrilled to announce Nyla Christian as one of the keynote presenters at this year’s 16th Annual Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy, themed â€śFrom Program to Purpose: Strengthening Recovery Through Community Connection and Innovation.” Nyla’s keynote, â€śInspiring in the Void,” will explore […]

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The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, together with our training partners and the şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż State Office of Mental Health, is thrilled to announce Nyla Christian as one of the keynote presenters at this year’s 16th Annual Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy, themed â€śFrom Program to Purpose: Strengthening Recovery Through Community Connection and Innovation.”

Nyla’s keynote, â€śInspiring in the Void,” will explore how providers, peers, and leaders can reignite purpose, compassion, and connection amid uncertainty. Drawing from her extensive experience in human services and leadership development, Nyla will share tools for navigating challenge, cultivating resilience, and inspiring teams to stay grounded in recovery-centered values.

This year’s Academy — held November 20–21, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza â€” will feature rich learning opportunities, including sessions on psychiatric rehabilitation, workforce retention, leadership practices, peer integration, and community-based innovation

Register for the conference ! And be sure to use this  to book your hotel at the Crowne Plaza to get a discounted rate by October 29th.

Join us as we celebrate recovery, community, and purpose — and learn from leaders like Nyla Christian who continue to inspire transformation across şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż and beyond. See below for more information about Nyla’s keynote and the schedule for the rest of the conference!

The post Register to Hear Keynote Speaker Nyla Christian at the 16th Annual Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

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Alliance Releases Full Program for 16th Annual Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy, Nov 20-21! Register Today! /e-news-bulletins/2025/10/27/alliance-releases-full-program-for-16th-annual-recovery-and-rehabilitation-academy-nov-20-21-register-today/ Mon, 27 Oct 2025 17:29:00 +0000 /?p=14822 The 16th Annual Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy, From Program to Purpose: Strengthening Recovery Through Community Connection and Innovation is taking place on November 20–21, 2025 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Albany. Join leaders, practitioners, and innovators from across şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż State for 1 1/2 days of inspiration, skill building, and collaboration at this year’s Recovery […]

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The 16th Annual Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy, From Program to Purpose: Strengthening Recovery Through Community Connection and Innovation is taking place on November 20–21, 2025 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Albany.


Join leaders, practitioners, and innovators from across şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż State for 1 1/2 days of inspiration, skill building, and collaboration at this year’s Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy.
This year’s theme—“From Program to Purpose”—celebrates the people and practices transforming psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery services across our state. Through dynamic keynotes, hands-on workshops, and compelling discussions, participants will gain tools and strategies to strengthen community connection, promote workforce well-being, and navigate change with clarity and purpose.

Featured Highlights
Keynote:
Inspiring in the Void: Leading with Courage, Clarity, and Purpose in Uncertain Times
Presenter: Nyla Christian, CPRSS, NCLC, LifeInspired
A powerful call to lead boldly and intentionally amid uncertainty, reconnecting to the “why” that sustains our mission-driven work.

Workshops Include:

  • Policy in Action: Navigating Systems to Advance Recovery
  • PROS Redesigned: Redesign Strategies and Emerging Best Practices in Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
  • Taking It to the Streets: Translating Curriculum from Classroom to Community
  • Employment and Education as Cornerstones of Recovery
  • Shared Power, Shared Purpose: Building Peer Leadership Pathways
  • Transformational Leadership in Mental Health Services
  • Community Mapping: Unlocking Community Assets and Opportunities

Special Sessions with Thought Leaders
Featuring Dr. Marianne Farkas, Dr. Angelia Smith-Wilson, Luke Sikinyi, and more.

Why Attend

  • Engage with experts shaping the future of recovery-oriented care.
  • Strengthen leadership and supervision in dynamic systems.
  • Discover real-world strategies for workforce retention and sustainability.
  • Reconnect with peers and celebrate excellence in our field.

Don’t miss this opportunity to recharge, learn, and lead with purpose. See below for the full program with presenters and schedule! 

FULL PROGRAM

16th Annual Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy
From Program to Purpose:
Strengthening Recovery Through Community Connection and Innovation

Day One Thursday, November 20, 2025

8:00-9:00 am: Breakfast and Registration
9:00-9:15 am Welcome and opening remarks
9:15-10:15am Keynote: Inspiring in the Void: Leading with Courage, Clarity, and Purpose in Uncertain Times
Nyla Christian, CPRSS, NCLC, CEO/Founder LifeInspired
We don’t just need better systems-we need to back build, and believe in the brave wise leaders already holding the line-and equip them to navigate disruption without losing direction.
“Inspiring in the Void: Leading with Courage, Clarity and Purpose in uncertain Times” speaks to the moment when change is constant, capacity is thin, and recovery systems are devolving faster than our structures. Nyla Christian invites participants to examine leadership as an act of adaptation-moving from hierarchy to shared power, from control to collaboration, and from exhaustion to intentional evolution. This keynote challenges traditional models of authority and offers a grounded path forward: building people, not monuments, mentoring that multiplies, and creating infrastructure that outlasts any single leader.
Leaders will leave reconnected to their personal and collective “why” and equipped with practical frameworks for sustaining teams, developing successors and keeping purpose steady among uncertainty.

10:15-10:30 am Break
10:30-11:30am Workshops Round One

  1. PROS Redesigned: Redesign Strategies and Emerging Best Practices in Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
    Ann Bergeman, RN, BSN, Advanced CASAC, CPRP, PROS Manager, Evelyn Brandon Health Center PROS; Kathryn Murphy, LMHC, Supervisor PROS, Peer Support and Employment Services, St. Joseph’s Health;  Lisa Turnquist BSW, CPRP, Ventures PROS Director, Rochester Rehabilitation Center; Moderator Daniella Labate Covelli, MSW, CPRP, Vice President of Recovery & Rehabilitation Training, Alliance for Rights and Recovery
    This workshop will explore innovative redesign strategies being implemented across PROS programs in the State. Presenters will highlight emerging best practices that strengthen recovery-oriented, person-centered outcomes while meeting system demands. Participants will dive head first into lessons learned and practical approaches to maximizing outcomes through PROS redesign.
  1. Taking It To the Streets: Translating Curriculum From Classroom to Community
    Britt Higgins, MEd, LMHC, CPRP, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist, Alliance for Rights and Recovery and Gregory Kanhai, MS, PMP, CPRP, Senior Training & Implementation Specialist, Center for Recovery and Rehabilitation at InUnity Alliance
    This session demonstrates how evidence-based curriculum can move beyond the walls of programs and into the community where recovery happens. Facilitators will share models for adapting group material into community-based learning opportunities and share practical strategies to expand learning environments and increase relevance for participants.
  1. Employment and Education Services as Cornerstones of Recovery
    Paul Margolies, PhD, Associate Director for Practice Innovation and Implementation, Center for Practice Innovations; Jennifer Semonite, MS, CRC, WIP-C, Regional Employment Liaison, NYESS Unit;  Christopher Coyle, WIP-C, MS Ed, Assistant Director NYESS Unit;  and Steve Vroman, MS, Mental Health Program Specialist 2, şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż State Office of Mental Health
    Employment and education are critical pathways to recovery. This workshop explores effective strategies and partnerships that support individuals in achieving meaningful work and learning opportunities. Presenters will share tools and models that have proven successful in promoting competitive employment and educational attainment as well as exploring how to maximize billing in PROS through the use of ORS services.
  1. Shared Power Shared Purpose: Building Peer Leadership Pathways
    Shannon Higbee, Chief Strategy Officer, Alliance for Rights and Recovery
    Discover how peer support can evolve into leadership pathways that empower individuals and organizations alike. This workshop highlights peer-led initiatives that foster shared decision-making and strengthen recovery communities. Participants will learn practical steps to create structures where peer leadership thrives.

11:30-11:45am Break
11:45-12:45 Workshops Round Two

  1. Curriculum by Design: A Practical Workshop on Group Development
    Melissa Diaz MPS, LCAT, CLAT, ATR-BC, Senior Training and Implementation Specialist, Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery at InUnity Alliance and Daisy Tan, MA, LCAT, ATR-BC, Program Director at Goodwill Harlem PROS
    Strong group services require intentional design. This workshop provides a step-by-step approach to creating groups that align with psychiatric rehabilitation principles and participant goals. Through hands-on activities, attendees will practice group development techniques they can use immediately!
  1. Community Mapping: Unlocking Community Assets and Opportunities
    Amanda Henderson), MS, Senior Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist, Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery at InUnity Alliance and Hannah Taber, CPRP, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist, Alliance for Rights and Recovery
    Understanding the assets and resources in a community is key to recovery and social inclusion. In this session, participants will learn community mapping techniques that help individuals and programs identify natural supports and opportunities. Facilitators will guide attendees through exercises to begin their own mapping process.
  1. Applying Psychiatric Rehabilitation Principles to Enhance Substance Use Recovery
    Dr. Angelia Smith-Wilson, Executive Director, Friends of Recovery in şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż
    This session bridges psychiatric rehabilitation with substance use recovery approaches. Participants will explore how core rehabilitation principles can support motivation, goal setting, and enhancing daily living skills for people addressing substance use challenges.
  1. Transformational Leadership in Mental Health Services
    Paul Margolies, PhD, Associate Director for Practice Innovation and Implementation, Center for Practice Innovations and Edye Schwartz, DSW, LCSW, Principal, Edye Schwartz Consulting
    Effective leadership transforms organizations and the people they serve. This workshop explores transformational leadership practices that inspire innovation, build resilience, and align services with recovery values. Leaders at all levels will leave with tools to strengthen culture and outcomes in their agencies.

12:45-1:30 pm Lunch Break
1:30-2:30 General Session
Say What You Mean: Aligning Documentation with Practice Standards and Person-Centered Services
Rayna Wang, LCSW, Assistant Director Healthcare Innovation and Boris Vilgorin, MPA, Healthcare Innovations Officer, McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research
Documentation is more than a record – it is a reflection of individuals’ recovery journeys and the support that behavioral health professionals have provided. This session will discuss common documentation challenges, as well as provide practical strategies on how to document with a person-centered lens while still meeting programmatic standards.

2:30-2:45 pm Break

2:45-3:45 Workshops Round Three

  1. Expanding the Circle: Integrating Occupational Therapy into PROS Programs
    Sean Getty, OTD, MS, OTR/L, Clinical Associate Professor, Vice Chairperson, and Doctoral Capstone Coordinator of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Stony Brook University; Christine Linkie, PhD, OTR/L, CPRP, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Buffalo Occupational Therapy Program; Meredith Surdel, LMHC-DP, Director of Clinical Services, Endeavor Health Services; Jeffery Tomlinson, MSW, OTR/L FAOTA, Legislative & Government Relations Chair for the şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż State Occupational Therapy  Association; Moderator Stephen Nawotniak, OTR/L, NYCPS, CPRP, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist, Alliance for Rights and Recovery
    Occupational therapy (OT) brings unique value to recovery-oriented psychiatric rehabilitation. This session showcases how OT can be integrated into PROS programming to enhance increased independence, self-management, and community participation. Participants will learn about how Occupational therpaists can support PROS participants to reach their goals.
  1. The Impact of Culture on Motivation: Guiding Personally Meaningful Goals and Change Readiness
    Erika Esquivel, MS, I CONECT Critical Time Intervention Implementation Specialist; Luis Lopez, MA, MS, Director of I CONECT-Institute for Care Management Outreach, Networking, Engagement, Connecting, and Training; Elisabeth Salner, LCSW, MPH, I CONECT Critical Time Intervention Implementation Specialist
    Culture plays a critical role in shaping motivation and recovery goals. This workshop highlights culturally responsive practices that help individuals connect personal values to meaningful outcomes. Attendees will gain tools for enhancing engagement and readiness for change through cultural humility.
  1. Operationalizing Values: Leadership Tools for Fidelity to the Mission of Rehabilitation and Recovery
    Paul Margolies, PhD, Associate Director for Practice Innovation and Implementation, Center for Practice Innovations and  Edye Schwartz, DSW, LCSW, Principal, Edye Schwartz Consulting
    Organizations thrive when their daily practices reflect their mission and values. This session introduces leadership tools and planning templates that ensure fidelity to recovery principles. Through interactive group activities, participants will explore how to operationalize values into consistent practice.
  1. Remote and Rooted: What It Takes to Keep Remote CORE Teams Engaged and Effective
    Tony Salerno, PhD, Innovation and Implementation Officer, McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research
    Remote work presents unique challenges for behavioral health teams. This workshop shares strategies and lessons learned for maintaining engagement, accountability, and team cohesion in CORE services. Participants will leave with practical tips to support high-functioning remote teams.

3:45-4:00 pm Break
4:00-5:00 pm Workshops Round Four

  1. Practice or Prompt: A Guide to Developing Skills or Resources
    Marianne Farkas, ScD, Professor, Director of Training and Technical Assistance, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University
    Skill development is at the heart of recovery-oriented practice. This workshop explores the difference between practicing a skill and prompting the use of a resource, offering guidance on when and how to use each approach. Participants will engage in exercises to strengthen their facilitation skills.
  1. Exploring the Possibilities: Helping People Identify and Research Real-Life Goal Options
    David Bucciferro, BS, Independent Consultant and Paula Fries, LCAT, CPRP, Independent Consultant
    Identifying meaningful goals begins with exploring real-world possibilities. This session provides tools and strategies for helping individuals research and evaluate options that align with their values, hopes and interests. Attendees will practice techniques for goal discovery and action planning.
  1. The Ripple Effect: Leadership Practices That Retain and Inspire the Workforce
    Natalie Lleras, LCSW, CPRP, Director of Training, Cener for Rehabilitation and Recovery at InUnity Alliance
    Strong leadership not only delivers results but also inspires people to stay and grow. This session highlights leadership practices that foster resilience, satisfaction, and commitment among staff. Participants will learn explore myriad strategies for building an organizational culture that retains talent and sustains mission-driven work.
  1. Policy in Action: Navigating Systems to Advance Recovery
    Luke Sikinyi, MSPH, Vice President of Public Policy, Alliance for Rights and Recovery
    Policy shapes the systems within which recovery services are delivered. This workshop provides an overview of current policy issues impacting psychiatric rehabilitation  services and explores how providers can engage in policy development and advocacy. Participants will learn how to connect policy awareness to daily practice and program planning.

Day Two, Friday, November 21, 2025

8:30-9:00 breakfast and registration
9:00 Welcome
9:15-10:15 Opening Session: Recovery and Psychiatric Rehabilitation: Our Story
Marianne Farkas, ScD, Professor, Director of Training and Technical Assistance, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University
Once people with serious mental health conditions were transferred out of state psychiatric hospitals into community settings, it became apparent that the move itself was not enough to result in people developing lives of dignity and meaning. Psychiatric rehabilitation emerged in the 1970’s, with the vision of recovery coming to prominence in the 1990’s as responses to this realization.  It is important, as we move forward, to remember how we got here and what our collective story is both in the USA and the rest of the world as counter forces seem to suggest that we go back to the “old days”.  This presentation will present our story.

10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:30 Workshops Round Five

  1. Occupation: The Power of Doing
    Christine Linkie, PhD, OTR/L, CPRP, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Buffalo Occupational Therapy Program
    Recovery is strengthened when skills are learned and practiced in real-life settings. This workshop focuses on strategies for delivering skills training directly in community environments. Participants will learn how to design and facilitate community-based skill-building activities that promote independence and confidence.
  1. Balancing Choice and Responsibility: Ethics in Recovery-Oriented Services
    TBA
    Ethical practice is foundational to quality recovery services. This workshop reviews common ethical challenges in psychiatric rehabilitation and explores frameworks for ethical decision-making. Attendees will strengthen their ability to navigate complex situations while maintaining integrity and respect for participant choice.
  1. Training as Strategy: Unlocking the Power of NYPRTA To Fulfill Your Agency’s Mission
    Kirk Cooper-Johnson, LMSW, CPRP, NYPRTA Director, Alliance for Rights and Recovery and Natalie Lleras, LCSW, CPRP, Director of Training, Cener for Rehabilitation and Recovery at InUnity Alliance
    Ongoing training is not just professional development—it’s a strategic tool for advancing agency mission of providing quality recovery services. This session highlights how organizations can leverage NYPRTA resources and training opportunities to build capacity, align with values, and achieve goals.
  1. The Power of Lived Experience: Essentials for Integration of Peer Support in Recovery Teams
    Marc Agboka, NYCPS, CORE Program Coordinator, Mental Health Association of Nassau County; Liz Breier, MAHAP, CPRP, Chief Advocacy Officer, Office of  Advocacy and Peer Support Services, NYS Office of Mental Health; Courtney Culkin, LMHC-D, Clinical Director PROS, CORE, SOAR & Adult Family Support, Mental Health Association of Nassau County; Danielle Lumia, LCSW-R, Samitan PROS Manager, St. Peter’s Health Partners; Moderator Jeremy Reuling, LCSW, NYCPS, CPRP, Senior Director of Special Projects, Hands Across Long Island
    Peer support brings unique credibility and power to recovery services. This workshop examines best practices for integrating peers into multidisciplinary teams in meaningful and sustainable ways. Presenters will share lessons learned and essentials for making peer support a cornerstone of recovery work.

11:30-12:15 General Session with OMH

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Announcing Keynote Speaker Nyla Christian at the 16th Annual Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy! /e-news-bulletins/2025/10/23/announcing-keynote-speaker-nyla-christian-at-the-16th-annual-recovery-and-rehabilitation-academy/ Thu, 23 Oct 2025 13:04:00 +0000 /?p=14776 The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, together with our training partners and the şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż State Office of Mental Health, is thrilled to announce Nyla Christian as one of the keynote presenters at this year’s 16th Annual Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy, themed “From Program to Purpose: Strengthening Recovery Through Community Connection and Innovation.” Nyla’s keynote, “Inspiring in the Void,” will explore […]

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The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, together with our training partners and the şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż State Office of Mental Health, is thrilled to announce Nyla Christian as one of the keynote presenters at this year’s 16th Annual Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy, themed “From Program to Purpose: Strengthening Recovery Through Community Connection and Innovation.”

Nyla’s keynote, “Inspiring in the Void,” will explore how providers, peers, and leaders can reignite purpose, compassion, and connection amid uncertainty. Drawing from her extensive experience in human services and leadership development, Nyla will share tools for navigating challenge, cultivating resilience, and inspiring teams to stay grounded in recovery-centered values.

This year’s Academy — held November 20–21, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza â€” will feature rich learning opportunities, including sessions on psychiatric rehabilitation, workforce retention, leadership practices, peer integration, and community-based innovation

Register for the conference ! And be sure to use this  to book your hotel at the Crowne Plaza to get a discounted rate by October 29th.

Join us as we celebrate recovery, community, and purpose — and learn from leaders like Nyla Christian who continue to inspire transformation across şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż and beyond. See below for more information about Nyla’s keynote and the schedule for the rest of the conference!

The post Announcing Keynote Speaker Nyla Christian at the 16th Annual Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

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