Event Details

Please register in advance as we are unable to accommodate on-site registration.

Event Schedule

Check-in begins at 7:00 a.m. in the Chapel and programming begins at 8:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Center. Breakfast and lunch will be included.

Download the event schedule and speaker bios.

7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m.

Registration / Networking / Exhibitor time
Exhibits open at 7:30 a.m. and will open during every break and at lunch

8:00 a.m.-8:45 a.m.

Where Are We and What Do We Know?

Dr. Nora Volkow will provide new research and/or breakthroughs around this drug crisis and how drug addiction is a brain disorder. Listen to Dr. Volkow’s video message as she highlights the importance of the family who suffer along with their loved ones. and how we can work together to make a difference. (Main Stage)

9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Breakout Sessions (choose 1 to attend)

Breaking Chains: Transforming Addiction into an Opportunity for Growth
Ron Paterik and Dave Otto will team up to talk about what can happen to families that are devastated when they find out their loved one has gone down this path. Dave will share insights into the importance of the response from a practical financial perspective and Ron will share how families can see this as an opportunity and not a disaster. Ron will talk about how people can, and do not only survive, but they can grow and become better and stronger through this experience. The choice of “trying to just survive” or “survive and thrive” is real and can be your focus.  (Upper Chapel)

Shattering Misinformation: Unveiling Truths on Drug Use and Empowering Action
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.  (Lower Chapel)

Rising from the Ashes: Our Journey of Recovery and the Hope Within
Witness the triumph of hope by hearing from three individuals who not only conquered their personal battles but emerged as an inspiration to others through their recovery. These authentic voices will not only share their remarkable journeys but also offer invaluable insights from the frontlines of recovery. Let their experiences illuminate the path to redemption and reveal the profound importance of key factors in their remarkable turnaround. (Main Stage)

10:15 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

Save A Life Save a Family. Save A Family Save a Life Part 1
Dr. Kevin Leman will speak on the impact families have and their influence on their loved one suffering from substance use disorder (SUD). His insight into family dynamics and marriage will highlight the opportunity families have to work together when this issue impacts them. There is hope and together families can survive and thrive. (Main Stage)

11:10 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

We Started This – How Can We End This?
Dr. Holly Geyer author of Ending the Crisis, Mayo Clinic’s Guide to Opioid Addiction and Safe Opioid Use, will share on the latest standards of care, the need for a holistic approach to treatment and an overall approach to the drug crisis. She will share her insights on what is being done to turn the focus from what went wrong to what we can and should be doing. (Main Stage)

12:00 p.m.-12:45 p.m.

Lunch / Networking / Exhibitor time

12:45 p.m.-1:15 p.m.

Unveiling Hope for Families in This Crisis
As a medical physician at Claudia Black Center in Wickenburg, and a full-time advocate for expanding recovery opportunities nationwide, Dr. Don Middleton will share his experience and understanding connecting treatment and recovery.  This will be a physicians look into twelve step recovery – one of the most commonly used tools in addiction treatment. He’ll give knowledge and hope to one of the most terrifying challenges a family can face. (Main Stage)

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

Breakout Sessions (choose 1 to attend)

Sacred Haven: Churches as Beacons of Hope for Families Navigating Addiction
Churches can and should be a place for people to find hope and restoration. Many times, they are on the front line for those in crisis and feel overwhelmed and unsure how best to respond. They also may not be aware of the prevalence of this issue, not only within the people that attend, but those in their surrounding community. Pastor Dan Steffen and Brenda Cochran will share how churches can respond in positive and meaningful ways and be a non-judgmental place of hope and comfort for those suffering with this disorder. (Upper Chapel)

Navigating the Standards: Upholding Ethical Excellence in Recovery and Beyond
After working in the field of addiction and recovery, Martin LaRoche saw the need to help fight the problems that had crept in with substandard treatment and lack of oversight.  As a consultant in this area, 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, going beyond accreditation, but for those seeking programs and what to look for. (Lower Chapel)

 Rising from the Ashes: Our Journey of Recovery and the Hope Within
Witness the triumph of hope by hearing from three individuals who not only conquered their personal battles but emerged as an inspiration to others through their recovery. These authentic voices will not only share their remarkable journeys but also offer invaluable insights from the frontlines of recovery. Let their experiences illuminate the path to redemption and reveal the profound importance of key factors in their remarkable turnaround. (Main Stage)

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

Save A Life Save a Family. Save A Family Save a Life Part 2
Dr. Kevin Leman will speak on the impact families have and their influence on their loved one suffering from substance use disorder (SUD). His insight into family dynamics and marriage will highlight the opportunity families have to work together when this issue impacts them. There is hope and together families can survive and thrive. (Main Stage)

3:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Where do we go from here?
Dr. Holly Geyer
and Kim Humphrey will speak about where we go from here and provide attendees with a call to action along with steps and support to get there. (Main Stage)

Breakout Session Speakers

Ashley Banderet

Ashley Banderet’s five-year dedication to healthcare has been a multifaceted journey that began as a behavioral health technician. This role ignited her passion for helping others struggling with substance abuse and mental health. Now part of a Clinical Outreach Team, she ensures individuals receive comprehensive care. Outside work, she enjoys being a mother, sports, traveling, and spending time with family. Drawing from her own recovery through 12-step programs and therapy, Ashley dedicates her free time to supporting others on similar journeys.

Gene Braxton

Over his tenure as a behavioral health professional, Gene Braxton has developed a comprehensive skill set through his positions in billing, peer support, admissions, and most recently marketing and clinical outreach. Gene stands behind a strong philosophy that through willingness and seeking help, anyone suffering from addiction can get well. Gene is a former professional soccer player. He participates in 12 step recovery and enjoys hiking, working out, and spending time with loved ones.

Brenda Cochran

Brenda Cochran has over 21 years of experience working with issues related to addiction, trauma, and mental illness.  She has walked alongside Christian families who have loved ones struggling with substance use issues.  Brenda developed and facilitated a whole-person trauma focused intensive outpatient addiction curriculum helping her to better understand the relationship that childhood stress, trauma and life circumstances have on substance use.  Brenda is in full-time private practice, launching Zoe Integrated Health concentrating on a whole-person trauma-focused perspective. 

Crissy Groenewegen

Crissy Groenewegen, Director of the Parent Action Network, boasts a background in counseling, education, and prevention and has spent the last five years as a community prevention educator, coalition coordinator and nonprofit director. Her current role stems from deep respect for SAM’s advocacy and she shares their mission to empower families to share stories, educate lawmakers, and advocate for safe policies on legalized marijuana. A mother of three, Crissy resides in NY with her husband, two dogs, and two cats.

Sean Humphrey

For nearly a decade, Sean Humphrey has passionately served as a behavioral health professional excelling in direct patient care, peer support, admissions, case management, discharge planning, utilization review, and marketing and business development. He firmly believes that anyone can recover and finds joy and purpose in helping others. Outside of work, Sean enjoys the outdoors, video games, music, movies, and spending time with his wife and their two children.

Martin LaRoche

Martin LaRoche is the CEO and Founder of MVP Consulting Group. Martin’s background includes over 15 years of multi-system hospital administration, regulatory compliance, fiscal management, risk management, staff capacity building and client experience optimization to various healthcare facilities. Martin has a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. Throughout his career, Martin has provided counseling and coaching services in various settings and populations allowing him to understand the complex needs of individuals suffering from substance use disorders.

Dave Otto

Dave Otto is a retired lead attorney with the Internal Revenue Service and a certified public accountant. He has served on numerous not-for-profit boards giving his time and expertise on financial matters and nonprofit leadership. He currently serves on the Executive Committee for Parents of Addicted Loved Ones’ board of directors. He has a passion for helping people and brings many years of experience in assisting families navigate difficult situations.

Ron Paterik

Ron Paterik, MA, LISAC is a therapist specializing in individual, couples, children, and adolescent counseling. Ron maintains a private practice and is a leadership coach and organizational consultant. Extensive experience as a private practice clinical psychotherapist and WholeLife mentor allows Ron to form meaningful relationships that produce deep and profound transformation in the lives of others. Ron earned a B.A. in Religious Studies at Grand Canyon University and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Denver Seminary.

Dan Steffen

Dan has been serving in ministry since 1988 and was ordained in 1995. He joined the staff of Pure Heart in 2000 and has been the Senior Pastor since 2005. Dan is the co-founder of School Connect which serves over 1,000 public schools in 7 cities in 6 different states. He is the co-founder of Resilient Church Conference, equipping the local church to be trauma informed. He also is the chairman of Better Together Family of churches, uniting churches across greater Phoenix area and helping pastors finish strong. Dan and his wife, Nicole, have four children, Joshua, Luke, Abigail and Olivia.

Parking

Attendees & Speakers: Park off of Central, on the west side of the Chapel.
Exhibitors: Park east of the Fellowship Center (C Building).

Click HERE for a map.

Other Details

Check-in begins at 7:00 a.m. in the Chapel and programming begins at 8:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Center.
Breakfast and lunch are included.