Recovery Workforce Summit: 2014 Annual Conference Receives Outstanding Reviews

96% attendees say the conference was a great use of their time and resources

(McLean, VA, July 15, 2014) – Over five hundred members of the psychiatric rehabilitation community came together to participate in exceptional education sessions and strengthen their professional and personal connections at the Recovery Workforce Summit: 2014 PRA Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland June 22-25. The Summit, which drew world-class speakers and featured outstanding special events, was an extraordinary experience for all in attendance. The Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association’s (PRA) annual Summit offers networking opportunities and introductory to high-level educational sessions for the entire psychiatric rehabilitation workforce; including agency executives, educators and researchers, practitioners and peer support providers with a specific focus on best practices, evidence-based practice, integrated healthcare, wellness, supported housing, and supported employment.

“The Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association had an ambitious agenda for the 2013-2014 year. From the introduction of our new educational Academy of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Recovery to a comprehensive effort to be more responsive to our chapters and members needs, we actively grew and trained the recovery workforce in critical and core competencies needed in today's mental health environment,” said Dori Hutchinson, ScD, CPRP, Chair of PRA Board of Directors. “This year we are looking forward to enhancing our collaboration with all of our chapters, continuing  to respond to our growing global alliances training requests, working towards outcome-based public policy efforts, and increasing the value of membership in PRA. I am not only confident that we have two outstanding boards, but I am extremely energized and inspired by our collective commitment to  bring the best resources and information to the recovery workforce so that PRA can support the wellness and recovery of all individuals who are living with mental health conditions.”  

Following a successful 2013 conference, many attendees noted that the 2014 Summit exceeded expectations. The psychiatric rehabilitation community gathered to strengthen the profession of psychiatric rehabilitation through education, training, promotion of best practices, sharing of the latest research and information, and advocated for mental health issues and policies. It was an inspiring experience that included an emotional keynote from Virginia Senator Creigh Deeds urging the community to advocate for more comprehensive mental health services, including peer support and psychiatric rehabilitation; a dramatic and compelling research presentation on the psychiatric rehabilitation needs of youth and children with mental health challenges by Dr. Linda Teplin; and a fabulous evening of rock guitar with Wayne Kramer who has transformed his own struggles into activism and recovery for people who are incarcerated.

“Growing and training the recovery workforce was in full swing at the 2014 Recovery Workforce Summit,” said Veronica Carey, PhD, MHS, CPRP, Chair, PRA Academy of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Recovery. “I was so proud to assist in the successful education of administrators, supervisors, persons with lived experience, policy makers, family members, and academicians. It was a wonderland of exchanges, formats, and information addressing current psychiatric rehabilitation needs and future psychiatric rehabilitation planning. Seeing familiar faces and making new alliances always motivates me to do what I do for the Academy. To say I am looking forward to the 2015 Summit in Pennsylvania is an understatement!”

After a highly successful 2014 Recovery Workforce Summit, PRA is looking forward to further engaging the psychiatric rehabilitation community at the 2015 Recovery Workforce Summit, June 1-4, 2015 in Philadelphia, PA.