Join us for this exciting 3-day event!

The Advancing Connections for Recovery conference is intended to facilitate multifaceted conversations about recovery supports. The goal of this conference is to bring together a variety of stakeholders to foster relationships that empower us to serve and support people with substance use disorders, eating disorders, and other mental or behavioral health conditions.  

Day 1: Riley’s Wish 

Riley's Wish Foundation seeks to encourage purposeful actions to serve those battling obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).  Our goal is to foster unity among persons suffering from OCD, and to educate the public about the disorder while affecting change in OCD awareness and treatment.  One particular focus of the Foundation is to help people with co-occurring disorders of OCD and substance use disorder. 

In light of this mission, the Riley’s Wish Foundation has partnered with the Kennesaw State University Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery (CYAAR) to offer an annual lecture series that explores the nuance and considerations of co-occurring disorders. For the 6th year of this collaboration, the Riley’s Wish Lecture Series will kick off the Advancing Connections for Recovery Conference. Day 1 of the conference will focus on co-occurring disorders from a variety of perspectives and will include discussion of disorders that frequently co-present, as well as a panel that will explore where the treatment of certain co-occurring disorders is similar and where it differs.  

Day 2: Peer and Community Support 

Day 2 will highlight the power of peer support models and the role of recovery-ready communities. This day will focus on the ecosystem where recovery can thrive, ranging from prevention, intervention, and harm reduction efforts, to increasing the accessibility of treatment and support. 

Day 3: Cultures of Recovery 

Day 3 will wrap up with a focus on the various ways that recovery can manifest. This day will explore the variety of recovery experiences and how recovery from substance use disorders, eating disorders, and other mental or behavioral health conditions can become a way of life. 

Submit Your Presentation Proposals Here  Register for the Conference Here Become a Sponsor Here
Sponsorship Levels  
$1,500 $2,500 $5,000 $10,000 $15,000

Included

  • Logo in program
  • Logo on event powerpoint

Included

  • Logo in Program
  • Logo on event powerpoint
  • Two registrations

 

Included

  • Logo in program
  • Logo on event powerpoint
  • Four registrations
  • Logo on signage

Included

  • Logo in program
  • Logo on event powerpoint
  • Six registrations
  • Logo on signage
  • Pop-up banner at the event

Included

  • Logo in program
  • Logo on event powerpoint
  • Eight registrations
  • Logo on signage
  • Pop-up banner at the event
  • Pop-up banner in the Center for one year
  • Verbal recognition
  • Marketing table
  • Logo on event website
  • Provide promotional item
  • Logo in CYAAR newsletter

Pick one additional item

  • Marketing table
  • Logo on signage
  • Logo on event website
  • Logo in CYAAR newsletter

Pick one additional item

  • Marketing table
  • Logo on signage
  • Logo on event website
  • Logo in CYAAR newsletter
  • Provide promotional item

Pick two additional item

  • Marketing table
  • Logo on event website
  • Logo in CYAAR newsletter
  • Provide promotional item
  • Verbal recognition

Pick three additional items

  • Marketing table
  • Logo on event website
  • Logo in CYAAR newsletter
  • Provide promotional item
  • Verbal recognition

 
Riley’s Wish Lecture Series Tuesday, July 18, 2023
8:00 am Check-in and onsite registration
9:00 am Conference Welcome and Opening for Day 1: Riley's Wish

9:30 am

 Comorbidity in OCD and SUDS: The Multifaceted Nature of Symptomology and Contributing Factors Through the Lens of a Clinician with Lived-Experience Neil Hemmer | Keynote

10:30 am

 Break

10:45 am

 Along the Journey Kerri Chadwick

11:45 am

 Lunch to be provided

1:00 pm

 Advancing the Connection Between Students in Recovery and the Classroom: Recovery-Informed Pedagogy Morgan Carter

2:00 pm

 Break

2:12 pm

 Neuroscience of Recovery Erica Holliday

3:10 pm

 Break

3:20 pm

 Panel of speakers from Day 1

4:20 pm

 Closing statements for Day 1

5:00 pm

 Cultivating Healing & Hope (RSVP only) Jeanne Schultz
Peer and Community Support Wednesday, July 19, 2023
8:00 am Check-in, onsite registration, and coffee
9:00 am Opening for Day 2: Peer and Community Support
9:15 am Compassionate Conversations Laurisa Guerrero and Emily Ribblett | Keynote
10:30 am Break
10:45 am The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Addiction, Recovery, and Employment Pam Williamson
11:45 am Lunch to be provided
1:00 pm Parents as Allies Lynn Wadsworth and Paul Weaver
2:00 pm Break
2:10 pm Harm Reduction and the Social Work Code of Ethics Alex Nail
3:10 pm Break
3:20 pm Panel of speakers from Day 2
4:20 pm Closing statements for Day 2
5:15 pm Yoga (RSVP only) MK Martin
Cultures of Recovery Thursday, July 20, 2023
8:00 am  Cultures of Recovery Thursday, July 20, 2023
9:00 am Opening for Day 3: Cultures of Recovery
9:15 am Why Recovery Capital is Essential Sayuri Smith-Timmons | Keynote
10:30 am Break
10:45 am Trauma Informed Care: Implications when Using Mindfulness Based Therapeutic Approaches MK Martin
11:45 am Lunch to be provided
1:00 pm Cultivating Sexual Satisfaction while in Recovery from Disordered Eating Ariyanna White and Kate Dorrough
2:00 pm Break
2:10 pm Panel of speakers from Day 3
3:10 pm Conference Closing

*Suite 260 in the Joe Mack Wilson Student Center will be available for breaks and quiet time throughout the conference.