The 2024 Kansas Recovery Conference Planning Committee is seeking proposals for presentations in the following topic areas:
DIVERSITY AND CULTURAL COMPETENCE - Developing an appreciation for diversity results in an ability to understand and effectively interact with different people. Being culturally competent includes being aware of one’s own cultural worldview, having a positive attitude towards individuals who are different from us, learning about different cultural practices and worldviews, and developing cross-cultural skills. Presentations could include: diversity issues, cultural experiences and understanding, rural/urban issues, consumer outreach to minority groups, GLBTIQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, questioning) issues, effective methods for promoting inclusion, etc.
SYSTEMS COLLABORATION – Systems Transformation involves changing legislation, policy, practices, and community attitudes in ways that will benefit people with disabilities. Some examples of possible presentations could be: Certified Peer Specialist Services, Consumers as Providers, consumer-operated services, consumers as change agents, evidence-based practices, education and training by and for peers, peer advocates in health and human services, program evaluation, participation on statewide committees, building relationships among organizations.
LEADERSHIP – Leadership covers a wide range of activities including advocacy and activism. Advocacy is the art of pleading or arguing in favor of a cause, idea or policy, while activism is energetic action taken to obtain a specific goal. Both advocacy and activism are keys to how consumers share their voices. Other possible subjects could include: self-advocacy, mutual support, promoting and protecting rights, leadership, committee membership, board of directors, legislative issues, advance directives, etc.
FIGHTING STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION- Overcoming mental illness is a two-sided act. On one side, consumers must overcome the symptoms, distress, and disability that result from the illness. On the other side, consumers must overcome public stigma that prevents them from equal opportunities in employment, housing, and health care. Stigma affects individual and public attitudes. Presentations could include: anti-stigma initiatives, public awareness /education strategies, self-empowerment, etc.
