Seven hundred members of the psychiatric rehabilitation community came together to participate in exceptional education sessions and strengthen their professional and personal connections at the 2013 Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA) Annual Conference in Atlanta June 9-12. The conference, which drew world-class speakers and featured many new elements, was an extraordinary experience for all in attendance. The PRA Annual Conference 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.

“What has stayed with me most since returning home is the sense of community and commitment all of our members bring to their work in psychiatric rehabilitation,” said Lisa Razzano, PhD, CPRP, PRA Board Chair. “Mrs. Carter’s inspirational remarks and her call for continued and renewed action to promote recovery and battle stigma, reminded us of all the work we have ahead of us – particularly as we move into integrated care under the Affordable Care Act. Together, with visionaries like Mrs. Carter and leaders within our community, PRA’s mission to grow and train the workforce of recovery can only be stronger and more sustainable.”

At the 2013 PRA Annual Conference, PRA offered a comprehensive line up of in-depth psychiatric rehabilitation training and enhanced networking opportunities and special events that provided attendees with the tools they need to help others more effectively. Attendees overwhelmingly conveyed that they had a fantastic experience at the 2013 PRA Annual Conference, 95% of them noting they would recommend the event to other psych rehab professionals. With 700 professionals in attendance, the PRA conference grew by 29% compared to the 2012 conference.

The conference was more valuable to attendees than ever before due to drawing world-class keynotes, top industry professionals as speakers, and improvements to the conference structure. Conference highlights included an exclusive opportunity to hear from three keynote speakers, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Dr. Benjamin Druss, MD, MPH, Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, and Dr. Carl C. Bell, MD, Director, Institute for Juvenile Research, UIC Chicago (Birthplace of Child Psychiatry); the newly introduced Learning Lounges where attendees connected with speakers after sessions; the ability to earn up to 19 contact hours of continuing education in six tracks; and a variety of special events with an educational and networking focus.

After a highly successful 2013 PRA Annual Conference, PRA is looking forward to further engaging the psychiatric rehabilitation community at the 2014 PRA Annual Conference June 22-25, 2014 in Baltimore, MD.