I have not logged on in a while, but better late than never, as my mother used to say. I have a lot to report. The conference planning committee has had to address a lot of issues. There were many questions I would never have even thought of at the beginning of all this.
"Who is a Consumer?"
The conference planning committee has come to consensus as to who is considered a "consumer." A consumer is someone who self-identifies as receiving services for mental health, substance abuse or developmental disabilities. Individuals need not receive their services through the DMH to qualify as a consumer. If an individual has a head injury that occurred prior to the age of 21 that affects two or more major life functions, he or she is considered as having a developmental disability, and therefore will be eligible to attend.
The $65 registration fee for consumers and family members includes sleeping rooms and meals.
Youth and family members:
We also had to discuss and decide upon definitions for youth and family members. Any consumer age 16 to 24 meets the criteria for youth. Anyone age 16 or older who is related to a consumer by blood or marriage may attend as a family member. Each family member who plans to participate in the conference and workshops must pay the $65 registration fee, which includes sleeping rooms and meals. Families are asked to share sleeping rooms. Sleeping rooms accommodate up to five people. Consumers and family members who would prefer to have separate rooms may ask to have their names added to a waiting list for additional rooms if any become available. Childcare will not be provided, so families should not bring children under age 16 with them to the event.
Attendants and Drivers:
Attendants to people who have disabilities will receive their meals and sleeping rooms without charge. An attendant may sit in on workshops and other conference activities free of charge, but he or she will not receive conference or workshop materials. If the consumer wants his or her attendant to receive conference materials, he must pay the $65 registration fee. A consumer may designate one family member as an attendant, but that individual member must pay the $65 registration fee in order to receive conference materials.
Drivers are not considered attendants and are not eligible to participate in the conference, receive meals, or have a sleeping room. If a consumer wants his or her driver to participate in the conference, the driver must register for the conference at the professional rate of $130. A sleeping room and meals for a driver will be at the expense of the consumer or the provider agency.
Registration:
Enrollment will take place on a first-come first-served basis. Consumer registrations for the conference and sleeping rooms will receive priority over those received from professionals. In the event we receive more registrations than there is space available, a waiting list will be created.
Professionals:
Professionals must pay the $130 registration fee and must pay for their sleeping rooms at the rate of $85 per night. Professionals may bring a spouse or other family members with them, but only the professional who enrolled in the conference may attend conference, workshops, and meals.
Meal Tickets:
All persons who register for the conference will receive meal tickets in their registration packets. Each meal will have a ticket color coded to it, and each ticket is valid for only one meal. Staff will collect the meal tickets at the door to the banquet hall. If a person does not have a ticket, staff will refuse to allow them entry. Those individuals who report they have lost their tickets will be directed to check with registration. If the person is determined to be a registered conference participant, they may receive a replacement ticket.
Animals at the Conference:
Service animals such as those trained to assist the blind or to detect seizures are welcome, but people are discouraged from bringing companion animals (pets).
The next part of my report was a whole lot more fun to write about than all the rules and regulations and it should be more interesting to read.
Speakers:
Paul Hanna has agreed to do the True Colors presentation and workshop Sunday afternoon, August 23. That evening, Austin Montague, a consumer from Missouri, will speak about faith-based recovery.
Another speaker from Missouri (name to be announced) will address the conference Monday morning August 24.
Gayle Bluebird has agreed to speak after dinner on Monday evening. She's my secret favorite, gosh, just look at her name she must be something special. Gayle will speak about the importance of the arts in recovery and wellness. What fun that will be.
Finally, Manfred Leonhard, who is also from Missouri, will speak about the importance of employment to recovery.
Tuesday morning. August 25, Keith Schafer, director of the Department of Mental Health, has also agreed to make a presentation.
No scholarships:
Since the Department of Mental Health is paying for sleeping rooms and meals for consumers during the conference, it will not be offering scholarships to the event.
Oh, and last but not least, we need your success stories. Send them to this blog or to the Office of Consumer Safety at the DMH.
And I need to thank Leigh Gibson for helping me with this article. Thank you Leigh. I saw you were burning the midnight oil to help me get this blog entry completed.
— Jan Wagler
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Posted by: Study abroad in ireland | May 16, 2011 at 07:42 AM