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Peer Support Profession

Thank you for your interest in the "Peer Support Profession " summit on May 20-21, 2025, in Niagara Falls, NY. This cost-effective professional development summit brings together hundreds of organizations from across New York and various areas of North America. This summit will feature speakers with expertise and lived experience across systems that impact Adult, Youth, Family and Recovery Peer Support services and practices. This year’s theme is “Recognizing the Value of Individual Lived Experience and Expertise”. We believe that amplifying and valuing lived experience will advance opportunities to transform, practice, community, system as well as enrich and save lives. We also acknowledge the need to recognize and highlight the intersectionality of various cultures, identities, generations, communities, and geographic locations.
Register Here

Who Should Attend:

Peers from Adult, Youth Family and Recovery Specialist, Health Advocates, Clinical Staff, Managers, Directors, Stakeholders, Government Partners, Funders, Educators, Healthcare Administrators, Health Plans, Researchers and those who have a vested interest in advancing the needs and experiences of Peers and those with lived experience.

Summit Pricing and Registration Fees:

Inclusive of all summit sessions, reception, continental breakfast and lunch on both days. Two days -$200 per personTwo days - $175 per person ( three or more registered together from same organization)One day- $125 Peer Run Organization Exhibitor table (two- days and two registrations) -$800*Note all registrations will incur the Eventbrite fees Registration deadline is 5 /15/25 5:00pm EST **** NO refunds after 5/15/25Refund request are subject to a 25% service fees

Summit Logistics:

All conference activities and overnight accommodation will be at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel, 401 Buffalo Ave, Niagara Falls, NY 14303. The overnight accommodation fee for the conference is $118+ per night, in addition to resort fees and applicable taxes. The code for those who wish to call is PCC. 716-524-3333 #1 for reservations.Rate block open until April 30, 2025
Book Accommodations

Scholarships:

A limited number of scholarships for summit registration only will be offered and prioritized for Family and Youth Peer Advocates. APPLY HERE

Schedule At A Glance

Tuesday May 20th
  • 8:15 am Registration and Exhibits

  • 8:45 am Opening Remarks and Acknowledgement

  • 9:00 am-10:30 am Keynote & Panel Keynote-
  • Eric “Malik” L Hutchinson
  • Amplifying Lived Experience& Expertise Panel and Speakers- Len Statham- Moderator
  • Maria Cruz
  • Keysha Cotton
  • Mona Lisa McEachin
  • Jomar Canales

  • 10:45 am-12:15cpm- Session #1
  • A. Authentic and Strengthening Peer Support Supervision and Collaborative Practices- Kevin Smith
  • B. Raw, Real, Relatable- Leveraging your past to build futures- Thomas Stein

  • 12:15 pm-1:30 pm Lunch & Speaker – Jennifer Levesque

  • 1:45 pm-3:15 pm Session #2
  • A. Navigating the Path: Mastery of the New York Peer Specialist Certification Process- Keysha Cotton
  • B. Promoting and Advance the Peer Professional: Education and Awareness – Sara Taylor Mona Lisa McEachin

  • 3:30 pm-5:00 pm Session #3
  • A. Amplifying Workforce Inclusion through a Family and Youth Peer Advocacy Learning Collaborative- Virginia Wade
  • B. Safe Zone - Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community- Beth Bloom

  • 5:30 pm Reception and Karaoke Entertainment




Wednesday May 21st
8:30 am Registration 9:00 am From Pain to Power Youth Leading the Way!Hear directly from youth leaders of East Buffalo’s ReCAST Coalition—young people from one of the most segregated cities in the U.S., deeply impacted by the racially targeted mass shooting at Tops Friendly Markets on May 14, 2022. These youth have stepped in to help heal their community, by way of the SAMSHA ReCAST grant—organizing events, lifting their voices, and building intergenerational connections. In this preliminary panel, they’ll share how they are harnessing their lived experiences into leadership, healing, and purpose.
10:30 am -12:00 pm Session #1A. Supervising and Mentoring Peer Professionals B. Centering Youth/Young Adult Voice: Leading the Way – Angela Colon Rentas
12:15 pm-1:15 pm Lunch
1:30 pm-230pm Closing Plenary Strategy Session
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