Workshops and Map
Click link below to download the full 2025 KYSTARS Consumer Conference Program
| kystars_conference_program_2025__1_.pdf |
All Workshops are offered In-Person
Limited Online/Zoom Options Available
Conference Schedule
7:30am Registration
8:30am Workshops A
9:30am Workshops B
10:30am Workshops C
11:20am Break
12:00noon Lunch (provided)
Welcome, David Riggsby & Kelly Gunning, KYSTARS
1:30pm Workshops D
2:30pm Workshops E
3:30pm Workshops F
4:30 pm Adjourn
7:30am Registration
8:30am Workshops A
9:30am Workshops B
10:30am Workshops C
11:20am Break
12:00noon Lunch (provided)
Welcome, David Riggsby & Kelly Gunning, KYSTARS
1:30pm Workshops D
2:30pm Workshops E
3:30pm Workshops F
4:30 pm Adjourn
Morning Workshops
Workshops with an * are offered as a hybrid session via Zoom.
8:30-9:20am
9:30-11:20am
9:30-10:20am
10:30-11:20am
Workshops with an * are offered as a hybrid session via Zoom.
8:30-9:20am
- Peer Bridgers * - Amber Collins (DBHDID) The Peer Bridger model is more than a program—it’s a transformative approach to supporting individuals transitioning from institutional settings into community life. This session introduces participants to the Peer Bridger model and explores how it is being thoughtfully implemented and expanded in Kentucky.
Participants will gain insight into:- The core principles and structure of the Peer Bridger model;
- The history, outcomes, and national impact of Peer Bridgers in advancing recovery and reducing institutional recidivism;
- The DIVERTS initiative and how it is guiding the strategic expansion of Peer Bridgers across Kentucky;
- The critical intersection of InReach and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), and how Peer Bridgers are uniquely positioned to build trust, hope, and engagement at this crossroads;
- And finally, Kentucky’s next steps for implementation, including workforce development, fidelity measures, and interagency collaboration.
- Realistic Self Care for the Peer Support Specialist - Kerry Goodman and Amanda Metcalf (Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children). Please join us for a transformative and realistic self care training for Family and Adult Peer Support Specialists. This training is designed specifically for those who walk alongside families through their most challenging times. This training will emphasize the critical importance of caring for your own well-being while empowering you to model and teach self care skills to the families you support. Learn very practical strategies to manage stress, prevent burnout and create a balance in your personal and professional life. In this presentation you will be able to interact and engage with fellow Peer Support providers and learn additional coping skills through activity. When you take care of yourself, you're better equipped to support others.
- Recovery Community Centers: A Place For Everyone - David Brummett (DBHDID). Kentucky’s Recovery Community Centers provide crucial recovery support services to individuals in or seeking recovery from substance use disorder. These community-based, peer-driven centers offer no-cost services including recovery coaching, a variety of mutual aid meetings, social connection opportunities, harm reduction resources, and so much more. Come to this workshop to discover how a RCC can be of benefit to your clients, your community, and even yourself.
- TRIS: What You Need to Know - Chrystal Osborne (DBHDID). In this session, we will explore the everything from how your TRIS account is set up to how to first log, how to upload your continuing education hours, the resources available on TRIS, the requirements for Peer Support Specialists as well as many other trending topics/issues. We will also answer questions and address any concerns as well.
- Sharing Hope in Spirituality and Faith - Stacey McDonald (McDonald Hope Ministries) Participants will engage in a presentation that explores mental wellness through sacred storytelling and guided dialogue. This initiative addresses mental health challenges, coping strategies, and the importance of spiritual and communal support in healing.
9:30-11:20am
- Ethics and Boundaries in Peer Support (2hrs) - Amy Hinton (LifeSkills) Participants will explore the core ethical principles that guide peer relationships, including confidentiality, dual relationships, and maintaining professional boundaries. This session will equip attendees with practical tools to navigate complex situations while preserving trust and integrity in their peer support roles.
9:30-10:20am
- Central Kentucky’s Crisis Continuum: New Vista’s ‘No Wrong Door’ Approach* – Madalyn Schiller (New Vista) - Join New Vista’s Emergency Services for an exploration of Central Kentucky’s evolving crisis care system. This workshop will provide an overview of our region’s crisis continuum, highlighting how individuals in distress can access timely and appropriate care via 988 and New Vista’s range of integrated services with “no wrong door” toward support and recovery.
- Team Building Exercises - Sharon Mayes and Jillian Breeden (Eastern State Hospital) Using teambuilding to promote a healthy culture and fostering group cohesion. Team Building skills help foster empathetic relationships, strengthens communication and helps build trust and respect both inside and outside our personal lives. This session will discuss and describe the importance of Team Building in our everyday lives. Come learn and participate in how team building initiatives promote and foster group cohesion with a Recreational Therapist.
- Mental Health America of Kentucky Resources - Hannah Brosnan & Marcie Timmerman (MHAKY) How well do you know the longest-serving mental health advocacy organization in Kentucky? Get to know Mental Health America of Kentucky and the resources they offer statewide and nationally - for peers, for families, and for anyone.
Objective:
1. Review the history of MHA in Kentucky
2. Become familiar with peer resources through MHA National's Center for Peer Support.
3. Explore 2025 Mental Health Month resources "From Awareness to Action" - Meds & Mindsets: Sticking to the Plan with Co-Occurring Challenges - Jean Lafky (NAMI Lexington) & Mary Hicks (Participation Station) Participants will critically examine the long-term use of psychiatric medications, exploring both the potential benefits and risks associated with prolonged treatment. The session will also discuss alternative approaches to mental health care, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their treatment options.
10:30-11:20am
- The Bridge: Compassionate & Innovative Strategies in Client Care* - Raven Rogers (Recovery Plus for Women) Participants will learn to integrate compassion-focused approaches into their care practices, fostering emotional regulation and reducing self-criticism in clients. They will also explore trauma-informed care principles, emphasizing safety, trust, and empowerment to effectively support individuals with diverse needs. Raven will share her insights on the importance of compassion and innovative strategies in client care, inspiring providers to explore unique ways to support those who are
hurting. - Animals that Help & Heal in Recovery - Jean Lafky (Participation Station) Participants will learn how animals can support mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and emotional distress. They will also gain insights into the benefits of animal-assisted therapy and how to incorporate these techniques into their own wellness practices.
- DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) Essential Skills – Kelly Gunning (NAMI Lexington) Participants will learn practical tools to enhance emotional regulation, manage distress, and improve interpersonal relationships. The session emphasizes the application of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) principles to everyday challenges, fostering resilience and promoting mental wellness. Kelly will be sharing information on the skills that allow people with trauma history to learn more effective ways to deal with the world and the people they care about
Lunch
CHICKEN PRIMAVERA PENNE ALFREDO
* Grilled Chicken & Fresh Garden Vegetables with Penne Pasta in Parmesan Cream Sauce
* Fresh Garden Salad with Assorted Dressings
* Freshly Baked Rolls with Butter
* Chef-Selected Desserts
Afternoon Workshops
1:30-2:20pm
2:30-3:20pm
3:30-4:20pm
1:30-2:20pm
- Self-Care: Why It Is Important for Professionals and the Individuals They Serve. An Interactive Seminar - Richard Addison (NorthKey) is workshop will introduce participants to one of the most important tools to work with individuals and well as one's self: Self Care. This interactive seminar will go over the definition of self care, why self care is important, and will include self care activities for participants to do during the seminar.
- Stopping Smoking Mindfully - Dr. Kent Brouwer and Dr. Lee Anne Walmsley (UK College of Nursing) This workshop will introduce how to use mindfulness techniques to assist people who would like to stop smoking. The presenters will walk the audience through a guided meditation that be used to reduce cravings and anxiety.
- Mental Health Court Q&A Panel - Participants will hear from a distinguished panel including Fayette County Judge John Tackett, NAMI Lexington's Director of Advocacy and Policy Kelly Gunning, SAMHSA GAINS Center’s Connie Milligan, individual with lived experience Makia Atkins, Fayette Mental Health Court Graduate Breanna Webb, Bullitt County Director of Mental Health Will Dufton, Assistant Director of Mental Health Troy Hilpp, and Bullitt County Attorney Tammy Baker. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the operation of mental health courts, which aim to redirect individuals with mental health conditions from incarceration to treatment, while exploring the collaborative efforts of judges, attorneys, and mental health professionals in promoting recovery and reducing recidivism.
- Your Mental Health Does Matter! - Amy Hinton (LifeSkills) Participants will learn practical strategies to prioritize and maintain their mental well-being, including stress management techniques and self-care practices. The session aims to empower individuals to recognize the importance of mental health and provide tools to support emotional resilience in daily life.
2:30-3:20pm
- Trauma Toolkit* - Kelly Gunning (NAMI Lexington) Participants will learn about the profound impact trauma can have on mental well-being, including its role in the development of mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. They will also explore effective coping strategies and trauma-informed care approaches to promote healing and resilience.
- Let Your Light Shine - Kenna Spears (Kenna's Creative Canvas) - Join Kenna Rhea as she walks you through painting a wood kit of a lamp post sign with opportunities to personal the painting with colors and wording.
- Starting and Experiencing a Double Trouble in Recovery Meeting(DTR) - Terry Green and Mary Hicks (Participation Station) Participants will learn how to navigate the complexities of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders through a peer support model tailored for dual diagnosis. The session emphasizes shared experiences, mutual aid, and integrated coping strategies, fostering a supportive environment where individuals can openly address both aspects of their recovery journey. The first portion of this workshop will focus on starting a DTR group, the second portion will be a regular DTR meeting.
- Evolution of Peer Support in Kentucky - David Riggsby (KYSTARS) & Amber Collins (DBHDID) Peer support has always existed — but how it shows up in our systems today is the result of a powerful journey. This presentation explores the evolution of peer support, from its grassroots origins in mutual aid and lived experience to its formal recognition and integration into behavioral health, disability, and justice systems.
Together, we will trace the timeline of peer support through:- Its early emergence in self-help and social movements;
- Recognition and legitimization through policy and advocacy;
- Formalization of peer roles, certifications, and workforce development;
- Expansion across systems, including mental health, substance use, aging, and more;
- Current standards and best practices that guide ethical and effective peer practice;
- Ongoing challenges — such as medicalization, role clarity, and fidelity to peer values;
- And most importantly, the future of peer support — with a call to return to its heart: shared humanity, mutuality, and empowerment.
- Adverse Childhood Experiences - Dr. Bassema Abu-Farsakh (UK BH Well) This workshop will introduce adverse childhood experiences and how these experiences impact adults' mental health.
3:30-4:20pm
- Talking to Your Prescriber* - Julie Perry (DNP, APRN) Participants will learn effective communication strategies to ensure they understand their prescribed medications, including their purpose, potential side effects, and proper usage. The session will also emphasize the importance of discussing any concerns or questions openly with healthcare providers to foster a collaborative approach to treatment and enhance medication adherence.
- Bridgehaven CPE Peer Support Check In - Susan Turner & Debbie Homan (Bridgehaven). Any peer specialist in Kentucky can and have taken advantage of the Bridgehaven CPE's Weekly Peer Check-in. This is the opportunity to meet with other peers from around Kentucky and talk about anything related to their work. If you aren't aware of this program, please come to this meeting and experience the magic of peers helping peers.
- Using the FACIT and POP to Improve and Grow Your Program - David Riggsby (KYSTARS) Most of the Consumer Operated Service programs in Kentucky utilize the SAMHSA recommended Fidelity Assessment Common Ingredients Tool (FACIT) and the Peer Outcomes Protocol (POP) to measure the effectiveness of their program. This workshop will offer information on the importance and use of the measuring outcomes to make you program better and help ensure ongoing funding for this valuable service.
Vendor Area Open throughout the day
Bearded Brother's Photo Booth
Activities
Give-aways
Swag
Information
Resources
2025 Your Day at A Glance
Presenting Sponsor
