Event Details

7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.

REGISTRATION / NETWORKING / EXHIBITOR TIME
Exhibits open at 7:30 a.m. and will open during every break and at lunch

8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

WELCOME & OPENING KEYNOTE

Mark Rosman and Kim Humphrey – Main Stage Sponsored by Valley Toyota Dealers Association

From Fairy Tales to Hard Truths: A “Cinderella” Hollywood Director Rewrites His Family Script in the Battle Against Addiction

• • Mark Rosman has been a Hollywood writer, director and producer for over 30 years and is well known for classic family entertainment such as A Cinderella Story, The Perfect Man, Life-Size, as well as the TV series Ghost Whisperer, Lizzie McGuire, and Even Stevens. He will share the top three things he and his family learned navigating his daughter’s substance misuse. He will speak about why he decided to create a film that focuses on the effect of substance use disorder on the family and how you can find hope in the middle of chaos.

9:30 a.m.-9:45 a.m.

BREAK – Exhibitor Time

9:45 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

BREAKOUT SESSION 1

1. Chrissy Groenewegen, Room 3-103 – “Parent Action Network: Amplifying Parent Voices” 
   • The Parent Action Network’s (PAN) goal is to share the voices of experience regarding marijuana risks and mobilize parents and other family members to share and warn about marijuana issues in our communities. Crissy Groenewegen will emphasize that fighting the misinformation that is so prevalent is critical and having organizations like PAN can help parents and families navigate this issue and know where to find accurate and reliable information and ways they can get involved to help.
2. Josh Azevedo, Room 3-102 – “Exploring the Impact of Early Onset Substance Use: Understanding Addiction Development, The Role of THC, and Shaping Social Norms” – Session Eligible for CEU; (Session repeats in Breakout 2)
   • Josh Acevedo, a licensed substance abuse counselor and in recovery himself for 30 years, will talk about how adult addiction comes from teen experimentation and why early intervention is preferred. He will explain early-onset substance use, how addictions are developed, the role of THC and social norms. He will also share how to help as a parent, teacher or professional.
3. Parent/Loved One Panel, Room 3-108 – “Voices of Recovery: Lessons from Those Who’ve Been There” – Dr. Don Middlton will be the moderator. He authored the book The Dunamis Effect: When Jesus is your highest power, a Christian 12-step addiction recovery book and workbook.   (Session repeats in Breakout 3)
   • • Witness the triumph of hope as Dr. Don Middleton addition specialist from Meadows Behavioral Health moderates a discussion of families who not only conquered personal battles but emerged as an inspiration to others through their journey. Let their experiences illuminate the path to redemption and reveal the profound importance of key factors in their remarkable journey.
4. Brenda Cochran & Pastor Dan Steffen, Room 3-104 – “Families Suffering in the Dark: Helping Them Find a Way Forward” – Session Eligible for CEU

• • Often families are in pain and are suffering in the dark because of stigma, guilt and shame associated with addiction. Pastor Dan Steffen and Brenda Cochran a licensed clinical social worker, will share how we can respond in positive and meaningful ways and provide a non-judgmental atmosphere of hope and comfort for those suffering with substance addiction.

10:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m.

10:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m.

BREAK – Exhibitor Time

KEYNOTE 2

Dr. Aaron Weiner – Main Stage Sponsored by Valley Toyota Dealers Association

“Unraveling the Links: Mental Health’s Impact on Addiction” – Session Eligible for CEU

• • Dr. Aaron Weiner, a Board-Certified / Master Addiction Counselor, and past president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine will be speaking about the intersection of mental health and addiction and how many people who find themselves trapped in addiction and early recovery are in need of ways to cope with some very basic understandable human emotions, such as depression, anxiety and trauma. The problem is, the strategy they use leaves them feeling constricted, confined and trapped in an addictive cycle that is hard to break free of. Dr. Weiner will share helpful ways to navigate these issues.

11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

LUNCH / NETWORKING / EXHIBITOR TIME

12:45 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

BREAKOUT 2

1. Josh Azevedo, Room 3-102 – “Exploring the Impact of Early Onset Substance Use: Understanding Addiction Development, The Role of THC, and Shaping Social Norms” – Session Eligible for CEU; (Session repeats in Breakout 1)
   • Josh Acevedo, a licensed substance abuse counselor and in recovery himself for 30 years, will talk about how adult addiction comes from teen experimentation and why early intervention is preferred. He will explain early-onset substance use, how addictions are developed, the role of THC and social norms. He will also share how to help as a parent, teacher or professional.
2. Christi Jen, Room 3-103 – “How to Manage Pain with a History of Addiction” – Session Eligible for CEU, (Session repeats in Breakout 3)
   • Christi Jen, a Clinical Pharmacy Manager at Mayo Clinic, will share about how the brain changes with drugs of abuse and why those changes predispose you to develop recurrent addiction to new potential drugs if exposed down the road. Dr.  Jen will provide useful strategies on how to navigate the complexities of medical treatment while in recovery.
3. Parker Smith, Room, 3-104 – “Quality Care Metrics: Navigating Ethical Treatment in Behavioral Healthcare Organizations” – Session Eligible for CEU
   • After working in the field of addiction and recovery, Parker Smith saw the need to define the data points and dynamics of quality-of-care measurement within treatment center organizations and empower families to find the most appropriate programs. He will share not only the need for ethical standards of care, but also the importance of building trust in treatment and recovery. This will not only be helpful to those in the treatment world, but for those seeking programs and what to look for.
4. Father John, Room 3-108 – “Hope and Healing: Three Decades of Helping Young People  Overcome Substance Use Challenges” – Navigating Early Recovery for adolescents 

• • Father John, a substance abuse counselor, has worked with the Twelve Step Community for over 30 years; and he established the FullCircle Program, a free program for young people and their families struggling with substance misuse. He will share about how recovery for adolescents (13-22 years old) looks different than a recovery program for adults. He will break down the characteristics of early recovery and how you handle relapse in early recovery.

1:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m.-2:45 p.m.

BREAK / REFRESHMENTS / NETWORKING / EXHIBITOR TIME

BREAKOUT SESSION 3

1. Cynthia Claus, Khadijia White-Thomas, Armida Banda, Room 3-102 – “Developing Effective Support Systems for Diverse Communities: Addressing Unique Needs with Knowledge and Empathy” – Session Eligible for CEU
   • This panel with decades of experience will be sharing perspectives on how to address substance use disorder while being respectful of cultural differences in underserved populations. Each of our panel members are from diverse cultural backgrounds with years of work, and personal experience on how to approach these issues with respect and compassion.
2. Parent/Loved One Panel. Room 3-108 – “Voices of Recovery: Lessons from Those Who’ve Been There” – Dr. Don Middlton will be the moderator. He authored the book The Dunamis Effect: When Jesus is your highest power, a Christian 12-step addiction recovery book and workbook. –(Session repeats in Breakout 1)
   • Witness the triumph of hope as Dr. Don Middleton addition specialist from Meadows Behavioral Health moderates a discussion of families who not only conquered personal battles but emerged as an inspiration to others through their journey. Let their experiences illuminate the path to redemption and reveal the profound importance of key factors in their remarkable journey.
3. Dr. Raymond Bunch, Room 3-104 – “Navigating Adolescence: Early Intervention in Substance Use Disorder for Healthier Futures” – Session Eligible for CEU
   • Dr. Raymond Bunch.  A Board-Certified Psychiatrist with specialties in child and adolescent psychiatry and addiction psychiatry (Phoenix Children’s Hospital), will talk about the importance of dealing with early intervention with adolescence with an emphasis on a whole person approach. He will speak about working on psychological drivers, the factors that drive behaviors and bringing hope to families with adolescents suffering from substance use disorder.
4. Christi Jen, Room 3-103 – “How to Manage Pain with a History of Addiction” – Session Eligible for CEU, (Session repeats in Breakout 2)

• • Christi Jen, a Clinical Pharmacy Manager at Mayo Clinic, will share about how the brain changes with drugs of abuse and why those changes predispose you to develop recurrent addiction to new potential drugs if exposed down the road. Dr.  Jen will provide useful strategies on how to navigate the complexities of medical treatment while in recovery.

2:45 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

BREAK / EXHIBITOR TIME

3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

KEYNOTE 3

Dr. Holly Geyer – Main Stage Sponsored by Valley Toyota Dealers Association

“Addiction: Victim or Accountable – Insights from Science and Strategies for Action” – Session Eligible for CEU

• • Dr. Holly Geyer author of Ending the Crisis, Mayo Clinic’s Guide to Opioid Addiction and Safe Opioid Use, will share on the brain’s response to substances and understanding what “addiction” really means. Dr. Geyer will provide insight into why your loved ones engage in self-destructive behaviors. She will explain the roles of choice and accountability regarding the medical diagnosis of addiction. Understanding the science behind these concepts will help with strategies for action to foster hope for long-term recovery.

4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

CONFERENCE FINALE: READY SET GROW: 

RECEPTION FOR PAL FACILITATORS OR INTERESTED IN PAL