Social Inclusion for People in Recovery: Innovative Community Programs (Teleconference)

Most people need to feel included -- for young people in recovery from alcohol and drug use or living with mental health issues, it's critical for them to feel that they can contribute to their communities. 
But how can your community promote this? Check out this free teleconference from SAMHSA's Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health (ADS Center).  It will be held May 9, 2011, from 12pm-1:30pm PST / 3pm-4:30pm EST.
In the spotlight will be three innovative programs "that are improving lives, changing communities, and transforming systems through social inclusion practices." Here are the details, quoted from the press release:

• SC SHARE’s Dream Team, which is reaching thousands of young people throughout South Carolina through partnerships with key government, faith, and community leaders. The Dream Team uses lived experience to show that there is hope; that a full, productive life can be the expectation; and that recovery is possible.
• Heartland Consumer Network’s Poetry for Personal Power, which is changing lives and influencing educational systems by bringing open mic spoken poetry competitions to colleges throughout Missouri. This program is offering young people with mental health and substance use problems the chance to use personal experience and creativity to inspire others.
• Advocacy Unlimited, Inc., which developed a 30-minute documentary titled Shining Stars – Young Adults in Recovery to give a voice to young people with mental health and substance use problems who teach about what recovery looks like and the important role all of us play in supporting each other. This program will be featured during a public viewing of the documentary in June at the State Legislative Office Building in Connecticut.

>>Register (deadline is 5pm EST, on May 8, 2011).
>>Submit Questions. You can email questions to presenters ahead of time by clicking the link to the left -- but don't worry, you can also submit them during the presentation itself. The sponsors say, "Speakers will answer as many questions as possible during the Q&A session, but we cannot guarantee that your question will be addressed. We will provide the presenters’ contact information so that you may contact them directly for a response or additional information." 
>>Subscribe to the SAMHSA ADS Center listserv.
 

(Hat tip to Paul Savery.)
Photo: h.koppdelaney.