Montana’s Peer Network would like to welcome you to the 5th annual Recovery

Conference at the Delta Marriott Hotel, in Helena. We are so happy you can attend.

We are very excited to present 11 unique workshops at the conference this year. These

workshops range from developing self-worth and self-care to fitness, yoga, running, massage

and art. We also have Wellness Recovery Action Planning, recovery from a traumatic brain

injury, and medically assisted peer support. Workshop sessions are planned in 3 blocks. one in

the morning and two separate sessions in the afternoon. So many choices its hard to pick!

This year at the conference we have partnered with the 3 Service Area Authorities to host the

“Congress”. This is a meeting of the minds, if you will. It brings together behavioral health

advocates and leaders from the east, central and western regions of Montana to discuss issues,

plan strategies, recommend policy and most importantly hear from you. Yes, they want to hear

from you and what better place to do this than the 2019 Recovery Conference.

To keep you engaged throughout the day we will be calling out winning raffle numbers for

prizes. Keep your ticket handy. (Must be present to win!)

Montana’s Peer Network mission is to lead the expansion and

development of recovery oriented behavioral health services in

Montana. Hosting this recovery conference in Recovery Month, is

a big part of that effort. We believe recovery is possible for

anyone and that recovery should be the goal for everyone.

We would like to thank the Service Area Authorities for their support of this year’s conference.

We have done our best to bring together a wide variety of information, presentations, people

and resources for recovery. The staff and Board of Directors of Montana’s Peer Network hope

you enjoy this recovery celebration!

Special thank you to all the individuals who made this event happen: Ashley McLean,

Carol Walsh, Katie Sorenson, Andi Daniels, Michael Accardi, Bill Deavel, Melinda Holom,

Bobbi Becker, Brent Morris, Ginny Carnes, Greg Arciello, Crystal Laufer and Jim Hajny.

Recovery

Conference

“Recovery…because you are worth it.”

Time Description Location

8:00 - 11:00 am Registration table HALLWAY

All Day Booths HALLWAY

9:00 am - 10:00 am Opening Presentation, Remarks & Raffle Capitol

10:00 am - 11:45 am SAA Congress (All are welcome) Capitol

10:00 am - 11:00 amWorkshop B: Runtrition: How Running, Meditation and Plant-based Diet Support The

Recovery ProcessLegislative

10:15 am - 11:15 am Workshop C: The ‘A’ Word (Art) State

10:00 am - 11:30 am Workshop D: Balanced, Centered, Grounded (Self care in recovery) Juducial

12:00 - 1:30 am Luncheon Executive

12:30 - 1:00pm Awards Ceremony Executive

1:00 - 1:15pm Activitiy Executive

1:30 pm - 2:45 pm Workshop A: Self-care for BHPSS (enhanced membership only) Capital

1:30 pm - 2:45 pm Workshop B: The Phoenix Presentation Legislative

1:30 pm - 2:45 pm Workshop C: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Recovery State

1:30 pm - 2:45 pm Workshop D: Working within the Criminal Justice System Juducial

2:45pm - 3:00 pm Break -Networking

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Workshop A: How to use holistic/alternative activities for recovery Capitol

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Workshop B: The Discovery of Self Worth Legislative

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Workshop C: Medically Assisted Peer Support (MAPS) State

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Workshop D: WRAP for Work: Sustaining Personal Recovery While Supporting Others Juducial

4:30 pm - 4:45pm Break-Networking

4:45pm - 5:15 pm Closing Presentation and Raffle Capitol

Recovery Conference September 6, 2019

Service Area Authority

PURPOSE STATEMENT

The purpose of an SAA is to collaborate with the Department of Public Health and Human

Services (DPHHS) to assist in the management of public behavioral health care.

An SAA’s primary purpose is to ensure that people with lived experience of public behavioral

health care, their families, and other interested community stakeholders may actively

collaborate with the State of Montana in defining, developing, managing, and monitoring the

systems of public behavioral health care.

The objective is to ensure that persons with lived experience needs and preferences are at the

center of the services provided.

The SAA is a lived experience- centered and family driven process based upon two principles:

1) Services and treatments must be lived experience and family centered, geared to give

individual with lived experience real and meaningful choices about treatment options and

providers-not simply oriented to the requirements of bureaucracies. The SAA process is

developed to give people with lived experience with mental illness and addiction and their

families a much greater voice in managing the funding for their services, treatments, and

supports. This design gives a person with lived experience a vested economic interest in using

resources wisely to obtain and sustain recovery.

2) Care must focus on increasing individual with lived experience the ability to successfully

cope with life’s challenges, on facilitating recovery, meeting basic needs and on building

resilience.

Overall, the SAA process will ensure a lived experience-centered, recovery oriented behavioral

health system in Montana that provides every individual with lived experience who is served in

the public behavioral health system a greater voice in the system that serves them.

What is SAA Congress?

10am-11:45am Capitol Room

➢ The three Regional SAA’s come together annually for a state-wide conference.

➢ Each SAA hosts their own annual Congress. The Three Regional Service Area Authorities

are: Central, Eastern & Western.

➢ All directors must reside within their Region, complete an application and be selected by

Congress.

➢ Members shall be those persons 16 years of age or older who reside within their region and

have submitted a membership form.

➢ The members, either directly or through the Local Advisory Councils (LACs), hold the

exclusive right to select the board of directors.

➢ A majority of all directors shall be persons with lived experience and family members of

persons with lived experience.

➢ The remaining directors shall be selected from persons representing the stakeholders in the

state behavioral health system.

➢ The three regional service authorities work together to collaborate and formulate a vision

and statewide strategy for the SAA’s in addressing the respective LAC concerns.

➢ By attending and participating in Congress, YOU help Montana. Thank YOU!

Ensure Access Consumer Voice * Consumer Choice * Effective Treatment

Balanced, Centered, Grounded, (self care in recovery) - This workshop will begin with a

discussion on self-care and the importance of bringing ourselves back to center. We will discuss chakras and

energy and basic nutrition. Then I will offer a Nidra Yoga guided meditation with singing bowl sound bath and

Reiki. This will be followed by discussion and if time permits; instruction on calming hand and arm massage.

(partners) Facilitator: Dezri Rochin

Discovery of Self Worth - Many of us struggle with self-worth for a time in our lives, and those of us in

Recovery through our triumphs and failures have had the challenge of finding our worth more than once. At

some point we will realize that struggles are not unique to us, we are all in this challenging life together. The

Power Point Presentation opens up the realization that we all have absolute infinite worth. This presentation

provides lived experience from several different perceptions; and a Recovery Journey that continues each and

every day. It will explain self-care, resiliency, ACE's, and the 8 Dimensions of Wellness one Dimension at a

time. Facilitator; Matt Furlong

How to develop and use holistic/alternative activities for recovery - This workshop will provide

hands-on activities both holistic and alternative that will may be included for an individual in developing a

recovery plan. A recovery plan that is self-managed, motivates and organizes a recovery that assists individuals

in staying focused to maintain wellness incorporating a self-determined, meaningful life. Activities such as

yoga, smudging, journaling, art therapy will be led to experience the calming and reflective personal journey

these activities can bring. The neuroscience as to how and why these activities are effective to produce change

will be explored. The workshop will finalize with an understanding of the neuroscience. Workshop may be held

outdoors. Facilitator; Bobbi Becker and Martha Carstensen

Medically Assisted Peer Support (MAPS) - Working in a medical setting as a non-clinical provider

can be challenging in many ways. It’s important to discuss the differences in providing peer support in a

medical setting and when using Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) approaches versus community

engagement. Medically Assisted Peer Support will discuss a variety of topics including, boundaries with

medical professionals, what is MAT, how MAT benefits our peers in recovery, opioid crisis in Montana, Narcan

Training importance, Peer Support in a Medical setting, MAPS reimbursement and billing, and much more.

This workshop encourages participants to be engaged, and will provide several templates including, MAT

contract, MAPS program curriculum, and additional MAPS waivers. Facilitator; Jason McNees

Phoenix Presentation - The Phoenix a sober active community. From suburban childhood through

tumultuous adolescence and incarceration, Dana shares how lived experience allows her to connect with others.

Stevie will share how her trauma and need for a community led her to turn to bars and the party life-style in her

early 20’s. Now having the opportunity to turn her suffering into service to help the Billings community.

Facilitators; Dana Smith and Stevie Robinson

Runtrition: How Running, Meditation and Plant-based Diet Support The Recovery

Process - In this workshop, participants will hear a personal account of how a holistic approach to life

through, running, meditation and plant-based diets (and the related communities and opportunities for service)

have supported traditional forms of addiction treatment. The workshop will discuss how meditation, running

and nutrition can make a person feel good which loosens addictive thoughts and sparks positive changes. The

presentation will explain how running is not trading one addiction for another but adding an activity that can

reverse relapse vulnerability. Further, a healthy diet assists one in feeling good and in speeding the run recovery

time. The addition of a mediation practices allows one to reduce stress and have measured responses to stressful

situations. Participants in this workshop will be provided with resources (i.e., handouts, web sites, and books)

that will support participants to develop their own holistic approach to their recovery process. Facilitator: Greg

Arciello

Self Care for BHPSS - BHPSS Members only workshop. Montana’s Peer Network offers an enhanced

membership for $55 per year to Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialists. As a benefit of their membership

they receive access to a “closed” workshop designed specifically for them. Facilitated by; Ashley McLean and

Jim Hajny

The ‘A’ Word (ART) - This workshop is going illustrate - through demonstrations as well as group

participation - how the arts are accessible to anyone and how important it is that we treat the arts with as much

validity as any other mode of therapy or recovery related activity. Learning to participate in the arts may be the

only reason i am alive today. Art is a tool for recovery, not an accessory. This workshop is going to tell my

story of how i learned to incorporate the arts into a program of life through the many teachers, facilitators,

community members, dancers, psychologists, psychiatrists, family members, institutions, hospitals, non-profits,

and schools i have learned expression from in the last 18 years. Coupled with the right therapies, the application

and practice in the arts can accelerate emotional healing, create a missing language for experience, foster

community, and create connection and belonging. We are going to sing, use our bodies, write a few lines,

maybe even make a coil pot! We are going to talk about fear and being stuck and being diagnosed and getting

into action. I can only share my experience strength and hope. I am not a researcher or an expert. I am not a fact

checker or a professional presenter. I am a success story, untrained in most things, riding on the shoulders of the

giants that carry me. Facilitator; Jesse Brinkerhoff

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Recovery - Recovery from a TBI looks different for everyone. This

workshop will focus on healing the central nervous system issues that arise with a TBI, using holistic and

alternative healing. We will practice some of these tools and handouts and resources will be provided for future

use. Facilitator; Jenea Buhler

Working within the Criminal Justice System - An introduction to the comprehensive framework and

best practice model of peer support in the criminal justice system. This brief training will shed light how people

with lived shared experience can effectively deliver peer support and build relationships along every intercept

of the criminal justice system. Facilitator; Laurie Pope, CBHPSS

WRAP for Work: Sustaining Personal Recovery While Supporting Others - Are you a

CBHPSS? Do you support others in their wellness journey? Are you seeking greater personal wellness? If so,

this workshop is for you! Come join us in this interactive workshop which includes a brief overview of

Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), exploration of personal and professional wellness tools, as well as,

daily plans that promote recovery and enhance professional well-being. As a group, we will explore tools for

self-care which include tools that sustain recovery in our personal and professional life. In this interactive

session, attendees will have an opportunity to identify their own attributes of personal wellness and professional

well-being in the workforce. Examine where a WRAP for personal wellness intertwines with WRAP for

professional success! Facilitators; Michelle Lewis and Mike Smith

Ashley McLean – CBHPSS - I am a person in recovery since May 14, 2011 from SUD. I Also have been in recovery

from a bi-polar diagnosis for 5 years. The journey to a life of recovery I describe as being on a roller coaster blindfolded

and backwards. I was on this ride and could not see the ups and downs coming. It was scary and unpredictable. Over

time with practice I have turned around and the blindfold has come off and I have come to embrace the ups and downs

called life and enjoy it. Now that my eyes are open, and my life has turned around I was introduced into the peer support

field 18 months ago and have been practicing and enhancing this as my passion and profession ever since. I am a certified

behavioral health peer support specialist and a Recovery Coach Supervisor for MPN.

Bobbie Becker, LIFTT, ESAA, Glendive LAC & President of MPN - Bobbi has 15 years’ experience

working for a nonprofit that empowers people of all ages and disabilities to access services and resources

available to them. She has personal experience living in recovery from mental health disorders and shares her

lived experience, challenges and strategies. She participates and serves on advisory councils and boards to

provide a consumer voice and perspective on ways to improve our public mental health services, identify gaps

and help reduce the stigma surrounding mental and substance use disorders.

Dana Smith - As a Regional Director at The Phoenix, Dana Smith supports programming and partnerships in

Montana, Idaho and Colorado. She holds an MS in Applied Exercise Science and a BA in Behavioural

Sciences. She also holds certificates in personal training, CrossFit, and nutrition. As a person in long-term

recovery, Dana understands the transformative power of fitness and the importance of building a sober, active

support network to maintain sobriety. In working for The Phoenix, she has developed a passion for bridging the

gaps between the criminal justice system, treatment, and recovery support services. She works closely with

partnering organizations to create collaborative efforts within the community and develop a path of support for

offenders in the criminal justice system and folks leaving treatment.

Dezri Rochin, Reiki Master, Licensed Massage Therapist, CBHPSS - Dezri Rochin is a Certified Behavioral

Health Peer Support Specialist, Reiki Master, Massage Therapist, artist and writer. She is currently conducting

case studies of Reiki and trauma processing and is writing a book entitled Not Anonymous (Crushing the Stigma

of Alcoholism and Addiction) Dezri recently started Recovery In Common, a multi-modal recovery resource in

Bozeman, MT.

Greg Arciello, MPN Board of Directors, - Greg has been sober since 10/2/16 and is active in 12-step

programs. He attends four meetings a week, is the Treasurer of his home group, meets regularly with his

sponsor and serves as a sponsor. He serves as a mentor to men, with addiction issues, as they leave prison. In

this role, he testified to the Montana State Legislature about supports for successful reintegration. Since the start

of his recovery, he has run 20 road and trail races. He has run races in Montana, Washington and Hawaii.

Jason McNees, CBHPSS - Jason McNees became a Certified Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist in

2017 working at the Helena Indian Alliance Leo Pocha Memorial Clinic in Helena Montana. McNees is a

Montana Native with many years’ experience in recovery. McNees attended University of Great Falls where he

studied Addictions Counseling and Social Sciences. McNees himself has been in recovery from opioid

prescription drug addiction for the last 5 years. McNees practices in a Medically Assisted Treatment Clinic

where a variety of additional recovery and medical services are offered to both Native Americans and non-

native community members. McNees is a state certified Narcan master trainer, offers QPR training and a variety

of MAT specific workshops to the community. McNees is a strong advocate for treatment and recovery services

expansion, living in the capitol and often speaking before state representatives.

Jenea Buhler - Hello my name is Jenea Buhler. In 2012 I acquired a Traumatic Brain Injury that would change

my life! I felt so alone and confused by what was happening to me. It was years before I found out that my

experiences were normal. Today, 7 years post injury, I have an MSW, and am a Reiki Practitioner. I have a

passion for helping people with whatever life experience I have. In this capacity I will share what has helped me

to recover from my TBI and how I live a “new normal” life post injury.

Jesse Brinkerhoff - When I had two years clean, I changed my major from math to art. I honestly didn’t think

Art was a real thing that serious or intelligent people did. I graduated with a BFA in Ceramics and went on to

teach Music around town in Missoula. I have taught privately as well as at St Patrick’s Hospital in the

Adolescent Unit, Willard High School, Sussex School, The YMCA’s Music Program, and I received a grant to

teach Adults with Disabilities. I currently rent studio space at the Clay Studio of Missoula where I manage to

sneak in ‘clay’ time when I’m not busy working as Director of Operations for Botany Soap where I have

worked for the last 6 years.

Jim Hajny, Executive Director of Montana’s Peer Network - Jim has been in recovery for 25 years from a

dual diagnosis in which he was hospitalized three times and has survived two suicide attempts. He believes

recovery is not only possible, but it should be a part of the process when someone is given a diagnosis.

“Without the message of hope or recovery we have nothing…and peer support should be part of that message.”

Today, Jim provides consultation on peer support services throughout Montana and the nation. He is recognized

as a leader in the recovery movement.

Lori Pope, CBHPSS - I attended Missoula’s first Sequential Intercept mapping project and ultimately found

my passion! I have been working with folks reintegrating into communities for several years now and find it so

wonderful to share my lived experience along with my new respect for the law! My hope is that PSS is attached

to all criminal and justice entities.

Martha Carstensen, MSW- Martha received her Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from Walla Walla

University Billings. She has 25 years’ experience in the human service arena assisting individuals in developing

strengths to build wellness in recovery. Her focus has been working with persons across their lifespan, including

persons with physical and mental health impairments, and addiction issues especially as it relates to family

member functioning. Ms. Carstensen has also provided and worked on many volunteer experiences with the

hope that through simple acts of kindness, someone else’s life may be changed through experiencing positive

attachments.

Matt Furlong - The first time I recognized Peer Support is when I was living in a treatment center at age 16

and found that the only person who understood me was a counselor who lived in a treatment center and

needed support once too. I have been in Recovery for 24 years with a one-year struggle about 6 years ago

where I needed to rediscover Recovery after My Mom passed away. I am a member of Montana's Peer

Community in long term Recovery from early childhood mental illness. I am currently the Vice President of the

Central Service Area Authority for Mental Health, and Vice Chair of Lewis and Clark Local Advisory

Council. I am a Therapeutic Foster Adoptive Parent and have worked as a Counselor at a Treatment

Center for Children. Then went into the field of In-Home Support Services and became Certified as a Parent

Educator of Circle of Security Parenting. I enjoy participating in the support and Recovery of others. I am an

author and enjoy taking part in community Recovery improvement efforts.

Michelle Lewis, CBHPSS, Certified Advanced Level WRAP Facilitator Michelle is a CBHPSS and a Copeland

Center Certified Advanced WRAP Facilitator. For over a decade, she has co-owned Wellness and Recovery

Consultants promoting wellness education with her partner Mike. She has been an active advocate over many

years for matters concerning mental health. Michelle has been supporting others in a professional capacity for a

decade. She is an avid Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) enthusiast and enjoys using this recovery tool

to sustain personal and professional wellness.

Mike Smith, CBHPSS, Certified Advanced Level WRAP Facilitator - Mike is a Certified Behavioral Health

Peer Support Specialist and a Copeland Center Certified Advanced WRAP Facilitator. For over a decade, he

has co-owned Wellness and Recovery Consultants promoting wellness education with his partner Michelle.

Mike has been supporting others in a professional capacity for a decade. As an active advocate he has testified

at the legislature on numerous occasions. He has been working as a Personal Care Attendant for the past three

years as well. He uses WRAP in his personal and professional life as a CBHPSS, Life Coach, and PCA. Mike

looks forward to supporting others in their wellness journey.

Stevie Robinson - Stevie is a Fitness Instructor and Program Coordinator at the Phoenix in Billings Montana.

She is certified in Personal Training and G.E.A.R Cycling through AFAA, along with being a 500 RYT through

Yoga Alliance. Stevie believes that building a supportive and emotional safe environment is important in the

continuum of care for persons in recovery. She works with other organizations within the Billings community

to help reduce stigma and bring awareness around recovery.

A big thank you to all of this years presenters!

“Recovery is possible!”

Eastern Service Area Authority

Leading the Recovery Movement in Montana since 2011