News:
Unlocking the Magic of Peer Operated Programs: A Glimpse into CAMHPRO’s Journey
An Interview with [Current] NYS OMH WNY RAS Andrea Wagner and Natalie Conrad
This video podcast relates to MHOTRS programs because the ability to build a relationship with, partner with, and develop consulting relationships with Peer Operated (Peer-Run Programs in New York) is one of the most effective ways of maintaining Peer Support Services that align with the values and ethics of peer support practice.
In this episode, Lori Ashcraft interviews visionaries: Andrea Wagner and Natalie Conrad who (at the time of the interview) led the California Association of Mental Health Peer Run Organizations (CAMHPRO). Founded by consumer/survivor pioneer Sally Zinman in 2012, CAMHPRO is a dynamic force uniting peer voices across California. As a 501c3 organization, CAMHPRO is not just an association; it’s a movement dedicated to empowering individuals with lived experiences.
CAMHPRO’s mission is to ignite the peer workforce, nurture peer leadership, advocate for policies supporting peers, secure funding for programs, and deliver impactful 1:1 and group peer services. They’re not just an organization; they’re catalysts for personal and collective transformation.
Voices of Experience Leading the Way: Andrea Wagner, CAMHPRO’s Executive Director, isn’t just a leader; she’s a powerhouse with lived experience. Her journey from local wellness center peer to Executive Director exemplifies the empowering potential of peer-operated programs.
Natalie Conrad, CAMHPRO’s Program Manager, is more than a survivor; she’s a trailblazer. Her experience as a suicide survivor fueled her passion for the peer movement. Organizing “Erase the Stigma Now,” she unmasked her truth and now empowers others to do the same.
Innovating Peer Support: CAMHPRO collaborates with the California Department of Healthcare Services to define certified peer support specialists. These peer support specialists will play integral parts in the healthcare system in California, including in clinics. Their annual statewide peer conference is a nexus of inspiration. With a peer leadership program, mentoring initiatives, and certification test prep support, CAMHPRO pioneers innovative approaches.
🚗 Five in Five, CAMHPRO Live: CAMHPRO’s team is hitting the road, driving across California’s five regions in five weeks. The goal? To amplify what’s working in the peer movement. The van tour isn’t just a journey; it’s a celebration of resilience, shared through online and social media platforms.
Join the Movement: CAMHPRO isn’t just an association; it’s a movement. Connect with us and witness the magic of peer-operated programs shaping lives, breaking barriers, and fostering a community of empowered individuals. See you on this transformative journey!
Learn more about CAMHPRO: CAMHPRO Website
© 2024, Crestwood Recovery Resilience Solutions, All rights reserved.
Viva La Evolution #009 – Interview by Lori Ashcraft. Used with permission.
Summary provided by Stephen Nawotniak, Alliance for Rights and Recovery (formerly NYAPRS).
More About Viva La Evolution and Crestwood.
Developed by Crestwood Behavioral Health
With Contributions by the Alliance for Rights and Recovery (formerly New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services)
For PeerTAC
