1. health and fitness

Convention Program Schedule
(Note: this is a preliminary program and is subject to change.)
Monday, July 6
9:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
CHANGE THE FRAME
The Change the FRAME Summit is a leadership learning experience that develops new
mindsets and skillsets and is reserved for board members and executive directors from
NAMI State Organizations and NAMI Affiliates.
The Future through Collaboration
There’s a mixture of art, skill and spunk that drives outstanding collaborations.
What enables volunteer board committees to get the work done and achieve
measurable results? What strategies multiply community impacts and attract
new sources of funding? How might NAMI State Organizations win friends and
influence people from their unique roles (and oh yes, get funded for it, as well)?
What does it take to consistently develop high performing groups of staff and
volunteers across your organization? From a keynote that shares the principles
and practices of higher performing collaborations to workshops that take you on
deeper dives… join us for a day of inspired leadership learning.
9:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
ADVANCING RECOVERY THROUGH NEW RESEARCH
9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Emerging Technologies
 Karan Singh, M.D., Co-Founder, Ginger.io, San Francisco, Calif.
 Ken Duckworth, M.D., Medical Director, NAMI, Arlington, Va.
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
 Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., ABPP, Professor of Psychology, Professor of Psychiatry and
Behavioral Sciences, Director of the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics,
University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.
1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Additional Sessions Currently Under Development
3:00 - 5:15 p.m.
COUNCIL MEETINGS & NETWORKING
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Joint Meeting of Councils
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3:30 – 5:15 p.m.
Individual Council Business Meetings
State Presidents Council
NAMI Consumer Council
NAMI Veterans and Military Council
Executive Directors Group
3:00 – 5:15 p.m.
Education, Training and Peer Support Center Program Directors Meeting
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
First Timers Convention Orientation
Welcome to the 2014 NAMI National Convention! The convention has been developed
to provide attendees with an abundance of learning and networking opportunities,
many of which will run concurrently. During this brief and lively orientation, NAMI staff
will explain the overall design of the convention schedule, point out some special events
and help attendees plan their convention experience.
 Valerie Hunter, M.A., National Consultant, Organizational Learning, NAMI, Arlington,
Va.
7:00 - 7:45 p.m.
Speeches by NAMI Board candidates
Hear from candidates who want to serve on the NAMI Board for the next three years.
8:00 – 8:45 p.m.
Meet & Greet with the NAMI Board
Join us for an informal meet & greet with the NAMI Board, Board candidates and
interested convention attendees.
8:45 – 9:00 p.m.
Candlelight Vigil for Veterans
Join members of the NAMI Veterans and Military Council to commemorate the 22
veterans and 1 active duty service member a day who take their own lives.
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Tuesday, July 7
8:45 – 10:15 a.m.
Opening Plenary – Ted Style Talks
 Hakeem Rahim, Ed.M., M.A., Owner, Live Breathe, LLC and Let’s Talk Mental
Illness ™ Presenter, NAMI Queens/Nassau, Hempstead, N.Y.
 Theo Bennett, Student, Brigham Young University and Advocate, Bozeman, Mont.
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
SPECIAL TOPIC SESSIONS
Culture Counts: Reducing Mental Health Disparities
Living with mental illness can be challenging enough. Living with mental illness as a
racial, ethnic or sexual minority can be even more difficult. Double stigma creates
additional barriers to receiving mental health care and those receiving treatment often
receive a lower quality of care. Disparities in mental health care are well-documented
and many have experienced them personally. As a community, it is time to come
together to expose these disparities, explore what is being done to address them and
equip ourselves to advocate for much-needed changes. Learn about California’s
Reducing Disparities Project and the important role advocates play in improving access
and quality of care.
 Marina Castillo-Augusto, M.S., Counseling Chief, Community Development and
Engagement Unit, California Department of Public Health, Office of Health Equity,
Sacramento, Calif.
 Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, M.D., Ph.D., Director, UC Davis Center for Reducing Health
Disparities, Professor of Clinical Internal Medicine, UC Davis, Sacramento, Calif.
Stepping Up: How NAMI is working with Counties and States to Get People with Mental
Illness Out of Jails and Into Treatment
People with mental illness cycle through jails in alarming numbers, with tragic and costly
outcomes. Finally, a historic partnership between the National Association of Counties,
the Council of State Governments, NAMI and numerous law enforcement and mental
health organizations is taking on this trend. The initiative aims to bring together local
teams in counties across the country to reduce the number of people with mental illness
in jails. Learn more about the initiative and the ways in which peers, law enforcement
and state and county leaders are leading the way.
 Bill Carruthers, Program Manager, Savannah Counseling Peer Program
 Fred Osher, M.D., Director of Health Systems and Services Policy Council of
State Governments, Johns Island, S.C.
Sharing Stories & Changing Military Attitudes about Mental Health
Military culture instills an ethic of “toughing it out,” yet the psychological wounds
related to combat, posttraumatic stress and transition to civilian life can put Veterans
and active duty personnel at greater risk for family problems, substance abuse,
homelessness and even suicide. Hear the compelling story of Major (Ret.) Joshua Mantz
who was severely wounded by an enemy sniper in 2007 and has since dedicated his life
to assisting Combat Veterans and Families of all generations recover from the emotional
consequences of combat. Learn about Next Mission, a series of interactive online
college level courses taught by military Veterans and behavioral health experts which
helps active duty service members and Veterans around the world transition to civilian
jobs and family life while earning college credits or military promotion points. NAMI’s
initiatives for the military and Veterans will also be presented as will the six-session
NAMI Homefront education program taught by and for military and Veteran families.
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 Joshua Mantz, Major (Ret.), HR Business Partner, Tesla Motors, Fremont, Calif.
 Kim Norman, M.D., Distinguished Professor of Adolescent and Young Adult Health,
University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif.
 Suzanne Robinson, M.S.W., Senior Education Program Manager, NAMI, Arlington,
Va.
Stopping Psychosis in its Tracks
Exciting research advances are happening to lessen the long-term severity of psychosis
and show real promise in preventing it. The coordinated array of services and supports
that are part of this great progress are recovery-focused and include youth, young
adults and families in meaningful ways and help youth focus on education, employment,
relationships and living a full life. Learn about the array of effective services and
supports used in early and first episode psychosis programs, the rapid spread of these
programs around the country and how you can connect with this important work.
 Steven Adelsheim, M.D., Clinical Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioral Science,
Stanford University, Calif.
 Darcy Gruttadaro, J.D., Director, Child & Adolescent Action Center, NAMI,
Arlington, Va.
Take This Job and Love It! Gaining Workplace Success
People living with mental illness are employed in all sectors of the US economy, from
the corner office to the factory floor, from academia to the arts. There are many
successful employees living with mental illness and employers who are providing
opportunities and see the advantage of hiring people living with mental illness. Learn
how others have succeeded in the workforce, hear from employers who have
successfully hired people living with mental illness and learn your rights on the job.
 Khatera Aslami-Tamplen, Consumer Empowerment Manager, Alameda County
Behavioral Health Care Services, Alameda, Calif.
 Claudia Center, J.D., Senior Staff Attorney, National ACLU Foundation’s Disability
Rights Program, San Francisco, Calif.
 Donna Hardaker, Founder, Wellness Works, Sacramento, Calif.
 Mary Hogden, Program Specialist, Alameda County Behavioral Health Care
Services, Alameda, Calif.
 Ezio Lucido, Owner, Luminous Media Group, Vacaville, Calif.
 Moderator: Sita Diehl, Director of State Policy and Advocacy, NAMI, Arlington, Va.
12:45 – 2:00 p.m.
Open Mic with NAMI Board
Help shape NAMI’s future by joining the NAMI Board of Directors to talk about our
common mission and goals, how we will accomplish our objectives and what role each
of us can play in pursuing our goals.
1:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Poster Sessions
2:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Workshops – Group A (13 Concurrent Sessions)
A-1
Ask a Cop
Are you concerned about how to interact with your local police agency and more
importantly how to communicate with the officer that responds to your call for help
when a crisis occurs? Learn about some common topics of interest to family members
and gain access to tools, including the NAMI 911 checklist, when to call 911 vs. the
mobile crisis team and how to keep a journal. Learn about the impact of time and
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distance in crisis situations and ask questions of law enforcement, family members and
advocates.
 Herb Cotner, Senior Corporal, Dallas Police Department, Dallas
 Sherry Cusumano, RN, LCDC, M.S., President, NAMI Dallas, Dallas
 Marsha Rodgers, Executive Director, NAMI Dallas, Dallas
A-2
Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS): Addressing Challenging
Behaviors in Youth
Challenging behaviors in adolescents is the result of cognitive deficits; the demands on
the youth exceed their capacity to respond. Viewing challenging behaviors in this way
allows the parent or teacher to look at the child rather than the behavior, and follow
strategic steps that will teach the child to "think through" what is needed to address and
eliminate the challenging behavior. Learn about the CPS approach model and steps on
how to begin using it.
 Teri Brister, Ph.D., Director of Content Integrity, NAMI, Arlington, Va.
 Ross W. Greene, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Virginia
Tech and Founding Director, Lives in the Balance, Portland, Maine
A-3
Connect, Accept, Respond and Empower: Preventing Suicide in LGBTQ
Youth
The Trevor Project's Connect, Accept, Respond, Empower (CARE) Training is an
interactive workshop providing participants with an overview of suicide among lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth and the different
environmental stressors that contribute to their heightened risk for suicide. Trevor CARE
combines research, case studies, best practice recommendations and practical steps for
reducing the risk of suicide and promoting resiliency in all young people regardless of
their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
 Corri Frohlich, MPH, Education Manager, The Trevor Project, West Hollywood, Calif.
A-4
Go Local! Feeding the Grassroots to Spur Growth Across your State
Let’s feed our grassroots with the basics - education, support, and advocacy. Join the
discussion on how to motivate and support volunteers who get things done. Learn how
NAMI Ohio has intensified its work in the field to help affiliates grow by enhancing
marketing, business, and team skills. Discuss the communication tactics used to build a
network of parent advocates who assist families with children who struggle with mental
illness and the art of inspiring local advocates to adopt the causes that matter most.
 Betsy Johnson, Associate Director, NAMI Ohio, Columbus, Ohio
 Peg Morrison, M.B.A., Director of Programs, NAMI Ohio, Columbus, Ohio
 Angela Schoepflin, Children's Program Administrator, NAMI Ohio, Columbus Ohio
A-5
How to Engage Young Adults in NAMI Signature Programs
With an increased focus on youth and young adults, many NAMI Affiliates are struggling
to find younger program leaders. Through an interactive panel discussion, workshop
participants will learn strategies to effectively engage young adults in NAMI Signature
Programs directly from young adults and NAMI Leaders. Topics include how to connect
with young adults living in recovery through social media, social marketing and
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networking strategies, how to motivate them to participate in NAMI Programs and how
to keep young program leaders involved.
 Danny Gibbs, Volunteer, NAMI Orange County, Fullerton, Calif.
 Kristen Pankratz, M.S.W., Program Coordinator, NAMI Orange County, Huntington
Beach, Calif.
 Holly Swick, Program Manager, Education, Training and Peer Support Center, NAMI,
Arlington, Va.
A-6
NAMI Latino Programming-Outreach, Launch and Grow!
Learn how to establish and where to begin to offer programming for the Latino
community. Gain methods and tools for outreach and how to launch and grow for
continued education and support. Attendees will come together and create a platform
for brainstorming, sharing ideas and methods with affiliates nationwide. Hear from the
perspective of a person living with mental illness and the experiences of the facilitating
of connections in Spanish and possible programming for the Latino community living
with mental illness.
 Rosina Ehlrich, M.A., Education Director, NAMI Westside LA, Los Angeles
 Victoria Gonzalez, Member, NAMI Board of Directors, Londonderry, N.H.
 Sue Soriano, Senior Database Administrator, NAMI Montgomery County,
Norristown, Pa.
 Nancy Sussman, Program Director, NAMI Cook County North Suburban, Skokie, Ill.
A-7
"Nothing about us without us:" Consumer Council Toolbox
NAMI State Organizations and affiliate boards across the country have varying levels of
engagement and utilization of consumer council advisory bodies. Many NAMI Consumer
Council and NAMI State Presidents Council members have experience with advisory
consumer groups and now, through this workshop, aim to help NAMI leaders at all
levels understand that consumer councils play an important role in advancing NAMI's
goals. Attendees will gain examples of organizational structures, successful succession
planning and procedures to form viable consumer councils.
 Andrea Hazlitt, Ph.D., Chair, State President's Council, NAMI Texas, Lake Jackson,
Texas
 Leah Thedford, M.I.S., M.I.F., Representative to National Consumer Council, NAMI
Texas, McKinney, Texas
 Christine L. Thompson, Certified Peer Support Specialist, Pawnee Mental Health
Services, Wamego, Kan.
 Kristal Wortham, Executive Director, NAMI DC, Washington, D.C.
A-8
Promoting Family Wellness Using WRAP®
Discuss recovery, peer support and self-determination as it applies to the journey of
wellness for both a person with mental health challenges as well as the family members
journey of recovery. Learn about the evidenced based practice, Wellness Recovery
Action Plan, as a tool for an individual and the whole family. Gain access to tools for
one’s own wellness and how to be a supporter in your own family.
 Matthew Federici, M.S., Executive Director, Copeland Center for Wellness and
Recovery, West Chester, Pa.
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A-9
Raising Awareness at College: NAMI on Campus Leaders Share their
Work
NAMI leaders are consistently looking to connect to campuses in their areas or with
already established NAMI on Campus clubs. Join this interactive experience to hear
NAMI on Campus leaders sharing their experiences leading clubs and the innovative
ways they raise awareness on campus. Participants will leave with a better
understanding of NAMI on Campus and how to collaborate with college students in their
area.
 Emily Cepla, M.P.H., Program Manager, Child and Adolescent Action Center, NAMI,
Arlington, Va.
A-10
Rethinking HIPAA to Save Lives by Empowering Families
Many families seek the assistance of NAMI to navigate the mental health system and
obtain more information from professionals to help protect their loved ones. Gain
access to a checklist of issues for families to use and reassurance that requests for more
information are both proper and beneficial to those living with mental illness. Learn
about the therapeutic, legal and ethical bases for communication even without a release
of information where a family member is at elevated risk of suicide.
 Jerry Gabay, J.D., Member, Board of Directors, NAMI Oregon, Portland, Ore.
 Stewart Newman, M.D., President, Mind Matters PC, Diplomate, American Board of
Psychiatry and Neurology Inc., Beaverton, Ore.
A-11
Technology and Medications: Making Technology a Snap to Enhance
Medication Outcomes
Technology, the internet and mobile applications provide valuable resources for people
living with mental illness to promote medication outcomes through adherence and
education on medications. However, learning to use technology and understanding how
to obtain reputable information can be challenging. Attendees will be provided with
tools on how to use mobile applications and technology to enhance medication
outcomes as well as tips on how to evaluate reliable information on the internet.
 Steven Burghart, M.B.A., Director of Pharmacy, Rolling Hills Hospital, Nashville,
Tenn.
 Shelly Spollen, Pharm.D., Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Psychiatry, Central Arkansas
Veterans Health Care System, Little Rock, Ark.
A-12
Ticket to Work on Your Journey to Financial Independence
For new recipients of Social Security disability benefits, greater awareness of
employment resources, like the Ticket to Work program, could help them join the
workforce. Learn about Work Incentives, a demonstration of the learning tool that
introduces Ticket to Work and Work Incentives. Attendees will navigate through the use
of the Find Help tool to locate service providers. Special attention will be paid to Section
503, which encourages hiring of people with disabilities by federal contractors.
 Donald Jones, M.A., Lead Associate, Social Security Ticket to Work, Booz Allen
Hamilton, Granville, Ohio
 Emily Springer, Associate, Social Security Ticket to Work, Booz Allen Hamilton,
Washington, D.C.
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A-13
Words and Wifi: Using the Web to Build Your Personal Brand
Managing your online presence has a huge impact on the work that you do. If you live
with mental illness or love somebody who does, the web is a great place to share
stories, fight stigma, inform the public and connect with others for support. Best
practices, including networking and relationship building and others are key. Attendees
will be provided with real-life examples.
 Tania Duperoy, Research Technician, Transitions RTC, Shrewsbury, Mass.
1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Exhibits Open
3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
State Caucuses (Group One)
4:45 – 5:30 p.m.
State Caucuses (Group Two)
7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Special Presentation
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Wednesday, July 8
9:15 – 10:30 a.m.
RESEARCH UPDATES – GROUP ONE
 Depression
 Ken Duckworth, M.D., Medical Director, NAMI, Arlington, Va.
 Minority Mental Health: What the Research Tells Us
 Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, M.D., Ph.D., Director, UC Davis Center for Reducing Health
Disparities, Professor of Clinical Internal Medicine, UC Davis, Sacramento, Calif.
 Schizophrenia
 Jacqueline Maus Feldman, M.D., Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychiatry and
Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Associate Medical
Director, NAMI and Editor-in-Chief, Community Mental Health Journal,
Birmingham, Ala.
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Exhibits Open
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
RESEARCH UPDATES – GROUP TWO
 Bipolar
 Ken Duckworth, M.D., Medical Director, NAMI, Arlington, Va.
 Borderline Personality Disorder: Demystified and Destigmatized
 Alan Fruzetti, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno,
Nev.
 Early Intervention
 Chantel Garrett, Director, National Psychosis Prevention Council, San Francisco,
Calif.
 Rachel Loewy, Ph.D., Associate Professor, UCSF Department of Psychiatry, San
Francisco, Calif.
 Andrew Echeguren, Student, Occidental College, San Francisco, Calif.
 PTSD
 Thomas C. Neylan, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of California, San
Francisco, Director, PTSD Research and Clinical Programs and Deputy Associate
Chief of Staff for Research, San Francisco, VAMC, San Francisco, Calif.
12:45 – 2:00 p.m.
Poster Sessions
2:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Workshops – Group B (12 Concurrent Sessions)
B-1
Bridging the Gap: Mental Illness, Faith & Recovery
Faith is a key component of recovery for many living with mental illness. They are often
discounted by clergy who do not understand mental illness and providers who consider
spiritual beliefs as symptomatic. In addition, faith leaders and mental health
professionals often mistrust one another. Hear from various panelists, including a clergy
person who lives with depression, a Harvard clinical psychologist and Religious of the
Sacred Heart and a young adult living with mental illness). Attendees will learn methods
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and resources that build collaborations between people affected by mental illness,
clergy and providers.
 Danny Gibbs, Volunteer, NAMI Orange County, Fullerton, Calif.
 Nancy Kehoe, Ph.D., Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical
School, Belmont, Mass.
 Barbara Meyers, Ph.D., M.Div., Rev., Minister, Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist
Congregation, Fremont, Calif.
 Carole Wills, M.A.R., WellSpring Mental Health Ministries and Chair of FaithNet,
Indianapolis
B-2
Building Capacity for Quality Community-Based Mental Health Care for
Veterans and Families
Veterans deserve quality, culturally competent mental health care regardless of
whether it is provided in a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facility or by a
community-based provider. There is an urgent need for effective VHA partnerships to
ensure they are equipped to identify, treat, or triage veterans with combat related
mental health issues. Attendees will gain understanding of the issues involved in VA
outsourcing and be prepared as advocates to ask questions of VA and community
providers entering into outsourced agreements.
 Peter J. Duffy, J.D., Colonel, United States Army (Ret.), Legislative Director, National
Guard Association of the United States, Manchester, N.H.
 Michael O. Jones, Ph.D., Member At-Large, NAMI NVMC, Branson, Mo.
 Constance A. Walker, MSEd., Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Member At-Large, NAMI
NVMC, Madison, Wis.
B-3
CET: An EBP Improving Cognitive and Social Functioning
CET is an EBP that provides active treatment to improve cognitive functioning and
increase understanding of how society and the work place functions. Learn how CET
promotes recovery by participating in a typical CET session: computer exercises; social
cognition talk; completing homework questions; and an interactive cognitive exercise.
Learn about the neuroscience research supporting CET; the social, vocational and
educational effectiveness of CET; using CET with adults, Transitional Aged Youth,
persons with high-level autism, in diverse ethnic and socio-economic settings and how
NAMI Members have successful brought CET to their communities.
 Ray Gonzalez, ACSW, LISW-S, Executive Director, Center for Cognition and Recovery,
Cleveland
 Christina Vera, Teacher, School District, Claremont, Calif.
 Molly Weis, Consultant, Jamaica Plain, Mass.
B-4
Engaging Minority Populations through Emotional Wellness Mental
Health Workshops
Learn how to engage with low literacy, no/low income, vulnerable and minority
populations in public housing that have been diagnosed and/or suspected of having a
severe mental illness and are at risk of eviction and homelessness due to behavioral
outburst. Participants will gain engagement techniques used in this project and how the
Emotional Wellness Mental Health Workshops were developed to include psychological,
medical, environmental, economic, cultural, social and educational domains to increase
the success of program participants.
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 Renita Allen, MSSA, LISW-S, Adjunct Faculty, Cleveland State University School of
Social Work and Clinical Social Worker, NAMI Greater Cleveland, Cleveland
 Debra Mardenborough-White, M.S.W., Resident Services Coordinator, Millenia
Housing Management, Cleveland
 Marsha Mitchell-Blanks, M.S.W., LSW., Program Director, NAMI Greater Cleveland,
Cleveland
 Natalie Whitlow, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor of Psychology, South University and
Clinical psychologist, NAMI Greater Cleveland, Cleveland
B-5
Expanding housing opportunities in your community
Accessing decent, safe and affordable housing remains an enormous challenge for
adults living with mental illness. While permanent supportive housing (PSH) is an
effective evidence-based intervention, it is difficult to find in many states and localities.
Learn about the background information on barriers to housing for consumers and the
strategies that NAMI organizations can undertake to promote the development of PSH
as an effective evidence-based practice. Hear from a NAMI affiliate leader on their
experience working with a non-profit PSH developer in their local community.
 Hugh Brady, Board Member, NAMI Barrington Area, Barrington, Ill.
 Andrew Sperling, J.D., Director of Federal Legislative Advocacy, NAMI, Arlington, Va.
B-6
Healthy Eating for Healthy Brains
Cardiovascular disease and diabetes remain a significant cause of illness and shortened
life span in people living with mental illness. Healthy eating and sensible exercise have
been shown to decrease cardiovascular disease, diabetes and promote recovery. Be
educated about healthy eating and exercise and learn from an expert who will demystify
food labels and illustrate what is truly a healthy food.
 Traci Barr, Healthy Eating Educator, Whole Food Markets, Greenville, S.C.
 Jim Hayes, M.D., Member, NAMI Board of Directors, Greer, S.C.
 Marilyn Ricci, M.S., R.D., Member, NAMI Board of Directors, Canton, Conn
B-7
Keeping Students Safe from Restraint and Seclusion: Laws, Training
and Advocacy
According to federal data, 267,000 incidents involving the restraint and seclusion of
students in schools occurred during the 2012 school year. To date, at least 20 students,
most of whom have mental illness or disabilities, have died and countless others, as
young as three-years-old, have been injured and traumatized. What can be done to stop
these practices and protect kids? Learn about legislative, legal, educational and
advocacy efforts taking place nationally and locally, what has worked, what has not
worked and why.
 Sheila Foster, Parent and Advocate, Jamaica, N.Y.
 Bill Lichtenstein, President, Lichtenstein Creative Media, Inc., Cambridge, Mass.
 Joseph B. Ryan, Ph.D., Professor and Associate Director of Research, School of
Education, Clemson University and Vice President, Council for Children with
Behavioral Disorders, Clemson, S.C.
 Howard Trachtman, C.P.S., CPRP, Chair, NAMI Advisory Committee on Restraint and
Seclusion, Waltham, Mass.
 Barbara Trader, Executive Director, TASH, Washington, D.C.
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B-8
Moving Forward: Fostering Young Adult Leaders in the Mental Health
Community
Young Adults (YA) are the next generation of leaders in the mental health community,
and providing leadership opportunities to YAs promotes engagement and enhances
services. "Pushing Forward" is an interactive workshop where attendees learn strategies
for engaging YA leaders in mental health communities through work, volunteer and
advocacy opportunities, case study examples of successful YA leadership development
in Massachusetts and current efforts to engage YA leaders in the NAMI community
through audience discussion and activities.
 Amanda Costa, Research Technician, Transitions Research and Training Center,
UMass Medical School, Shrewsbury, Mass.
 Lisa Smith, Research Coordinator II, Transitions Research and Training Center,
UMass Medical School, Shrewsbury, Mass.
B-9
Provider Education and the Caring Project-Mutually Beneficial
While biomedicine has made significant mental health progress in recent years, there
remains a need for attention toward the humanistic aspect of mental health care, the
caring component. The panel will describe collaboration between NAMI and a
psychiatric hospital using the NAMI Provider Training program. Learn about the training
program and an unanticipated consequence of the collaboration, the mutual benefits
experienced by presenters and audience.
 Margaret Gallagher, Ph.D., R.N., Provider Education Coordinator, NAMI Greater
Houston, Houston
 Susan Hardesty, M.D., Medical Director, The Menninger Clinic, Houston
 Brenda W. LaVar, Ph.D., Rights Protection Officer, Montgomery County Mental
Health Treatment Facility/CCRS, Conroe, Texas
 Jane Mahoney, Ph.D., R.N., Director of Nursing Practice and Research, The
Menninger Clinic, Houston
B-10
Science versus Snake Oil: Evidence-based mental health technology
Our current healthcare system does not provide adequate treatment options for people
facing mental health challenges. To prevent people in need from falling down a slippery
slope, we need new answers. Technology holds enormous potential to help improve
access and outcomes for mental health services. Digital health resources can help
consumers, providers and advocates through easier access to education, training,
support, and intervention. Attendees will examine current and emerging digital mental
health products and services in terms of their purpose, efficacy and utilization potential.
 Megan Jones, Psy.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Stanford University Medical
Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Palo Alto, Calif.
B-11
Sustaining Loving Relationships: Forgiveness and Emotion Regulation Skills
Much of the emphasis in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been on Stage 1,
helping individuals gain control of their emotions and behavior. However if Stage 2,
emotional experiencing, is not addressed, there is an increased risk of relapse. Learn
about the emotional experiencing being done at the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Center
involving building and strengthening emotional connections with others. Attendees will
discuss specific skills that help build and strengthen relationships and a sense of
belonging and will leave with skills to practice and on-line resources including
workbooks.
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 Karyn Hall, Ph.D., Psychologist, Dialectical Behavior Therapy Center, Houston
 Perry Hoffman, Ph.D., President of the Board of Directors, National Education
Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder, Mamaroneck, N.Y.
 Cathleen Payne, J.D., M.L.S., Volunteer, Recovery Resource Committee, NEA-BPD,
Falls Church, Va.
 Joy Sprague, NAMI Liaison, National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality
Disorder, Bainbridge Island, Wash.
B-12
When Tragedy Strikes: Protecting the Mental Health of First
Responders
Incidents of mass violence often shed an uncomfortable light on the mental health of
perpetrators. However, the mental health impact of such tragedies pervades an entire
community, especially first responders, and can last years. Chief Michael Kehoe, who led
the response to the Sandy Hook school shooting, will discuss how the event impacted
his community and the vital steps police chiefs can take to safeguard their officers'
mental health.
 Michael Kehoe, Chief of Police, Newtown Police Department, Newtown, Conn.
 Anand Pandya, M.D., Co-Founder, Disaster Psychiatry Outreach, Los Angeles
 Laura Usher, M.S., CIT Program Manager, NAMI, Arlington, Va.
3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Special Interest and Networking Meetings
5:45 – 6:45 p.m.
Interfaith Prayer and Share Service
This interfaith service will use music, prayer, silence and readings to create a community
sacred space where participants will be invited to share and hear their own voices. This
will be an opportunity to recognize the importance of everyone’s individual journeys of
faith in the recovery process and to honor them. Participants are encouraged to bring an
offering in the form of a prayer, song and/or a poem to share.
7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Youth Town Hall
7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday Night at the Movies
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Thursday, July 9
8:45 – 10:30 a.m.
Research Plenary
 Research Update from NIMH
Robert Heinssen, Ph.D., Director, Division of Services and Intervention Research,
National Institute of Mental Health, Rockville, Md.
 Neural Systems Training Using Portable Digital Technology
Sophia Vinogradov, M.D., Professor and Vice Chair of Psychiatry, UC San Francisco
Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health, San Francisco Department of Veterans
Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, Calif.
10:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Embracing the Future (NAMI Annual Business meeting)
NAMI is truly “Embracing the Future!” The convention this year focuses on utilizing
NAMI’s Strategic Plan to drive advocacy, focus on youth, build a movement, leverage
technology and strengthen the organization. This session allows us to celebrate, honor
and commend some of the many NAMI “superstars” whose hard work and leadership
deserve a time to shine. We will introduce the NAMI Board of Directors, announce the
results of the 2015 Board of Directors election and review the annual reports from the
President and Treasurer of the Board.
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Exhibits Open
1:30 – 4:15pm
POLICY INSTITUTE
Treatment Engagement in San Francisco: Humane or Coercion?
In July 2014, San Francisco approved an innovative approach to engage individuals living
with serious mental illness who are most vulnerable to hospitalization, arrests or other
negative consequences due to lack of treatment. Laura’s Law authorizes courts to order
treatment for individuals who meet specific criteria. San Francisco’s approach differs
from other states and counties in key ways. Peers and family members must be
included on all treatment teams. Additionally, comprehensive services must be
available to individuals on a voluntary basis before a court order can be issued. This
forum will examine San Francisco’s new approach from multiple perspectives, including
peers, family members, mental health professionals and others. Active audience
participation will be elicited.
1:30 – 4:15 p.m.
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND PEER SUPPORT INSTITUTE
Discover what unites us and celebrate what makes your work unique. We’ll discuss the
heart and soul of NAMI—how we stand out in the larger field of mental health work and
what keeps us dedicated to our cause. We’ll also recognize outstanding program
leadership, inspiration and commitment in the field. Join us for the presentation of our
2015 Program Leadership, Inspiration and Hall of Fame awards.
In breakout sessions, you have the opportunity to explore what distinguishes our
classes, support groups and presentations; learn how to draw on our resources; and set
yourself up for success in the coming year. In these interactive sessions, we’ll share the
best practices that help us reach our goals.
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4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Special Interest Sessions & Networking Meetings
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Closing Banquet
Join us for a joyful evening of fun and fellowship as we close out our 2015 National
Convention. NAMI’s convention banquet involves reflecting on the achievements of the
past year, drawing on new energy generated by the convention and beginning to meet
the challenges of next year.
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