May 3, 2007
First, I must get the bad news out of the way: Due to budgetary issues, the ‘Peer Support and Co-Occurring’ conference slated for the 23rd of this month has been rescheduled until sometime in September. I would like to offer both thanks and apologies to those who have been working with ‘Visions’ over the last year to make it possible. The good news is “Empowerment Day’ is scheduled for June 15th, and since the only major changes will be the absence of the State folks, we already have the majority of the program in place. This year’s theme will be ‘Peer Support and Consumer Empowerment’. Matrix Theater is a group of folks with MI, DD, SA, and/or any other issue that causes people to have to depend on the system for help. The actually act out their experiences in recovery with plays and skits, and hopefully they will come and share the day with us.
It is no secret that Case Managers fear Peer Supporters are after their jobs, when in reality nothing can be further from the truth. With Case Managers averaging a caseload of about 90 consumers, logic dictates it is impossible for them to give each one of us the time and effort required for us to have a good start on our recovery journey. Since Case Managers and Peer Supporters are like the front line troops, the closer we work together, the better the outcomes for all involved. On June 15th, we are asking Case Managers to attend and ask questions. We need them to have a clear understanding of exactly what role Peer Supporters play in System Transformation When the relationship is working correctly, Case Managers, as opposed to running around putting out fires, become free enough to devote time and effort to those myriad issues necessary for a consumer to do well in recovery.
Since the first Peer Supporter training in Michigan, Dr. Harriet Green has shown high interest and support for the movement. Over the past year, she has studied the peer support manual from a clinician’s point of view. Dr Green fells it is vital we know where we are in our journey of recovery, and will be speaking on the “Stages of Change”. No one begins a task with out hope of completing it, and unless we have hope of recovery, there is no need for us to participate in the process. Sherri Rushman will be sharing her thoughts on ‘Hope Givers, Hope Receivers’, and personally, I feel energized each time I hear her speak. Throughout the day, consumers will be speaking and giving recovery stories, and we will have fun, meet new friends, and learn new things. The only folks missing will be those who bought the Peer Movement to Michigan, Pam Werner, and Irene Kazieczko. That would make it a perfect day.
Again, sorry for the inconvenience the date change has caused anyone, but hopefully we will make up for on June 15th. Looking forward to having you come and share this day of recovery with us.
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