Mental Illness and Violence, A Family Perspective
Separating Myth from Reality

October 24th-28th, 2007
Radisson Penn Harris, Harrisburg

NAMI PENNSYLVANIA
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Pennsylvania's Voice on Mental Illness

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NAMI Pennsylvania Executive Director Jim Jordan
and NAMI PA Board Vice President David Brown
present State Senator Pat Vance with the
Public Servant of the Year Award 2006

SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS

Wednesday, October 24th

Activities Forthcoming

Thursday, October 25th

Consumer Council: The NAMI Consumer Council is formed to advance the activities and involvement of the consumer membership of NAMI at the local, state and national levels by actively participating in advocacy issues and program development.
Criminal Justice Symposium: This year NAMI Pennsylvania is again proud to include a Criminal Justice Symposium as part of our annual conference. The purpose of the symposium is to attract criminal justice system professionals from all disciplines in order to put the focus on people with mental illness who become involved with the criminal justice system. Our theme will be Treatment and Support: Alternatives to Incarceration. Our Keynote address will be by Kathleen Gnall, M.A., Deputy Secretary for Reentry and Specialized Programs, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Speakers from law enforcement agencies, the judicial system, local and state corrections, and probation and parole will relate how their agencies are impacted by mental illness.
Presidents Dinner: By invitation only
Seminar on Evidence Based Practices: Please reserve your space now for this special event. We now know far more about the most effective treatments for many early-onset mental illnesses. Yet, these interventions often fail to reach those children and families who need them most. The failure to use effective treatment interventions outside of academic and research centers has widened the gap between what we know works and what is done in clinical practice. NAMI’s Child & Adolescent Action Center is working with NAMI Pennsylvania to develop a family network to promote the broader availability of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in children’s mental health as part of their EBPs initiative. Pennsylvania is one of only three states targeted for this exciting project. There is no cost for attendance to these sessions. Due to limited space, pre-registration is requested. Some sessions by invitation only, please see below.

Friday, October 26th

Annual Dinner: NAMI Pennsylvania's Annual Business Meeting will take place after dinner on Friday. Join us for an update on the highlights of the past year, and be part of the planning for our future. The new members of the Board of Directors will be introduced. A highlight of the annual dinner will be the presentation of awards to well-deserving nominees.
Art Show: our Annual Art Show will take place on Friday and Saturday. Winners will be announced during the Annual Dinner and Meeting on Friday evening. Artists are also invited to sell their art.
Exhibit Hall: the Exhibit Hall will be open on Friday at noon. A NAMI bookstore is planned for this year, as well. Save shipping and handling costs by buying NAMI books on site.
Family to Family Teachers Reception will be held from 5:30 pm-6:30 pm.
Veterans Reception will be held from 5:30 pm-6:30 pm.
Presenters Reception will be held from 5:30 pm-6:30 pm. (By invitation)

Saturday, October 27th

The Exhibit Hall and Artists Exhibits will continue through Saturday afternoon, to allow individuals who can attend on Saturday only an opportunity to enjoy these conference features.

Saturday Evening Celebration!! Don't miss out on this fun-filled evening. Saturday evening is shaping up to be a night filled with great food, great music, great friends, and some fund-raising thrown in, too!

Once again we will be holding a Silent Auction: a special opportunity for NAMI supporters to contribute to the organization while receiving unique items. A broad range of items to bid on are being contributed by sponsors, friends and local businesses. There will be many items for all budgets- bring your checkbooks and your generous spirit to make this a huge success! Musical entertainment will be provided. Be ready to dance the night away!

Full conference registration fees include this special Saturday event. Additional tickets are available for $50.00. Groups interested in buying tables are welcome to contact us for more information at nami-pa@nami.org or 800-223-0500.

Sunday Events and Activities, October 28th

Closing Service of Music and Meditation Attendees at this year's conference will have a unique opportunity to feed their souls with a special inter-faith worship experience on Sunday morning. This worship experience will be an opportunity to nourish our spiritual selves, as we have spent the past days nourishing our intellectual, emotional and social selves. Special music will be interspersed with meditative readings intended to heal and feed and sustain our souls. Join us from 8:30 to 9:30 am for this enriching worship experience. No advance registration is necessary.

NAMI Pennsylvania Board of Directors Meeting The newly elected members of the Board of Directors will meet with returning board members for their annual organizational meeting. At this time, the Board will elect officers as well as plan activities for the coming year. The meeting will begin with breakfast at 9:30 am

Additional Schedule Notes: The Welcome Center will be open during full conference hours. Computer Cafe open on Friday and Saturday 7:30am-6:00pm

PRESENTERS AND TOPICS