2026 Annual Conference Call for Presenters

W.A.V.E.S- We Are Voices Empowering Support

August 4-6, 2026, Jekyll Island Convention Center
WELCOME!

We're excited to invite passionate individuals to share their expertise, insights, and innovative ideas at the GMHCN 36th Annual Statewide Conference. As a presenter, you'll have the opportunity to showcase your knowledge to an engaged audience eager to learn and connect.

This year’s conference theme is W.A.V.E.S – We Are Voices Empowering Support. The theme highlights the powerful role of peer support in creating positive change, strengthening recovery, and amplifying the voices of individuals with lived experience across Georgia.

We look forward to receiving your proposals and creating an enriching experience for all attendees. Thank you for considering being a part of GMHCN's 36th Annual Statewide Conference

If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact us at conference@gmhcn.org.

Best regards,
GMHCN Conference Planning Team

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We welcome presentations on a wide range of topics including, but not limited to:

Addressing Diversity/Equity/Inclusion and Health Disparities in the Prevention Field • Prevention Workforce Development • Utilizing Technology in Prevention • Innovative Prevention Strategies for Baby Boomers • Coalition Building/Development • Prevention Advocacy • Mental Health/Wellness Promotion • Suicide Prevention for Special Populations (Cultural Minorities, Young Children, Older Adults, Veterans, LGBTQIA+, High-risk Occupations, Limited English Proficiency) • Innovative Prevention Programs Geared Toward Specific Populations (Youth, College, Cultural Minorities, Military, Millennials, Gen Z, LGTBQIA+, Homeless, Urban, Rural) • How To Conduct Effective Presentations and/or Effective Interactive Webinars • Sustainability Planning • Collaboration & Partnerships w/ Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice Agencies • Addressing the Needs of Justice-Involved Individuals • Faith-Based Prevention Partnerships • Business Community Prevention Partnerships • Fundraising, Grant Writing, and other Untapped Funding Sources for Prevention Programs • Developing Innovative Media Campaigns • Successful Inclusion of Youth Voice & Youth Leadership in Prevention • Treatment and/or Recovery • Building Effective Relationships w/ Clinical Counterparts • Accountability Courts • Addressing the Needs of Adolescents, Veterans or The Elderly • Burnout and Secondary Trauma • Self-Care • Compassion Fatigue • Co-occurring Disorders • Cultural Diversity/Awareness/ Humility/Inclusion/Equity • Harm Reduction • Racial Disparities in Behavioral Healthcare • Ethics • Gender Specific Issues • Intentional Professional Growth • LGBTQ • Motivational Interviewing • Opioid Epidemic/Heroin/Fentanyl and Working with Specific Populations (Youth, Doctors, Nurses, Law Enforcement, Pregnant Women) • Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) • Relapse Prevention • Running a Recovery Residence • Older Adult Population and Substance Use • Trauma/Trauma Informed Care • Young Adults • Incorporating Faith-based Principles • Neonatal/Maternal Issues • Person Centered Treatment Planning • and HIPAA Laws/Clinical Documentation • HIPPA Compliance and Electronic Communication • Integrating Recovery Support and Healthcare • Recovery Support Services and Role of Peer Based Recovery Support • Forensic Peer Specialists • Youth Peer Support • Creating a Culture of Recovery • Recovery Community Organizations (funding and making the business case) • Creating the Expectation of Recovery • The Role of Family and Community in Recovery • Recovery Advocacy in Local Communities • Many Pathways to Recovery • 12 Step Overview • MAT vs 12 Step • Peer Services and Coordinated Care • Resiliency Building • Peer Supervision
If you have an interesting topic outside of these areas, we encourage you to submit your proposal for consideration.

**Submission Guidelines:**
To submit your proposal, please provide the following information:
1. Presenter's name, title, and affiliation (if applicable)
2. Presentation title
3. Brief description of the presentation (max 500 words)
4. Any special requirements or considerations

**Important Dates:**
- Proposal submission deadline: April 13th, 2026
- Notification of acceptance: May 1st, 2026
- Event date: August 4th through August 6th, 2026

**How to Submit:**
Please continue to the next page and fill out the Conference Presenter Registration.

Workshop Submission Form
Presenter(s) Name*

First NameLast Name
Presenter Title/Occupation*
Organization*
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry
Phone Number*
Format: (000) 000-0000.
E-mail*
example@example.com
Presenter Bio*
Co- Presenter Name

First NameLast Name
Co- Presenter Title/Occupation
Co- Presenter Organization
Co- Presenter Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry
Co- Presenter Phone Number
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Co-Presenter E-mail
example@example.com
Co-Presenter Bio
Workshop Title:*
Workshop Track:*
Workshop Description: Please provide a brief summary of your workshop including learning objectives*

0/500
YesNo
YesNo
YesNo
Submission Acknowledgement and Agreement

By submitting this form, I acknowledge that submission of this proposal does not guarantee acceptance for presentation. I understand that all submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the selection committee.

I further understand that I will receive notification regarding the status of my submission no later than 8:00 PM on May 1st.

By submitting these materials, I confirm that the content, slides, handouts, and any other materials included in my proposal are my intellectual property, or that I have received expressed permission to use and present the materials from the appropriate copyright holder(s).
Signature
Should be Empty:

W.A.V.E.S- We Are Voices Empowering Support

Workshop Submission Form