A national award winning consumer advocate, Eric Arauz is a SAMHSA 2009 Voice award winner, a nationally certified state trainer for NAMI’s In Our Voice program, a consultant to the Mental Health Association of NJ and their work institute, and has received the CHOICES-tobacco education for consumers grant out of the University of Medicine and Dentistry NJ. Diagnosed with Bipolar 1 disorder and alcoholism in 1995, his personal experience as a consumer has informed his speaking on a myriad of topics which deal with the specific suffering and trauma endured by his population and then his own success. He is also the president of his own national mental health consulting and speaking company and has been the featured speaker throughout the United States to consumer groups, parent organizations, SAMHSA, NASMHPD and numerous colleges and universities.

Ronald W. Manderscheid, PhD
Making Health Reform Real to You

Dr. Manderscheid currently serves as the Executive Director of the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors. Concurrently, he is Adjunct Professor at the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, a Member of the Secretary of Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Healthy People 2020, and President-Elect of ACMHA—The College for Behavioral Health Leadership. Dr. Manderscheid serves on the boards of the Employee Assistance Research Foundation, the Danya Institute, the Public Manager, and the FrameWorks Institute. Throughout his career, consumer and family concerns have pervaded all of his work. During the Clinton National Health Care Reform debate, Dr. Manderscheid served as Senior Policy Advisor on National Health Care Reform in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. At that time, Dr. Manderscheid was also a member of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Work Group of the President's Task Force on Health Care Reform.


New This Year!

Friday Evening Derby Gala & Tour
Friday, October 15: 7:00pm - 11:30pm
Kentucky foods and libations will be provided during this event (cash bar). Wear your favorite hat and join us for an evening of fun at the Kentucky Derby Museum located at historic Churchill Downs. There are interactive exhibits about horse racing and the Derby. A showing of “The Greatest Race” will be viewed on the 360 degree screen. Walking tours of Churchill Downs will be available that include the history of Churchill Downs. Welcome to our Old Kentucky Home!
Transportation from hotels will be available. Onsite parking is also available for persons not staying at the hotels.

Streamlined Registration
This year, you can register online using your APNA member ID and last name, and your information from the APNA database will automatically appear in the name and address fields! This allows for smoother communications and an overall easier registration process.

Sessions Registration
You can design your own program! While the sessions are still grouped in the program by areas of interest or track, you can register for sessions individually online. This allows you to build your agenda based on the day’s schedule, choosing the session you will attend for each concurrent session timing block. At the same time, you can still view the session information listed by track to guide your session choices. Registering by individual session is available online only. Also to help you in building your agenda, this year the target audience for each session is listed next to its title in italics. This was indicated by the author(s) upon submission.

Annual Awards
This year’s APNA Annual Awards will be presented throughout the conference following the keynote presentations. Check the detailed schedule for more information on when your colleagues will be honored with the announcement of their award.

APNF Wine & Cheese Reception
Wednesday, October 13: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
This year’s APNF fundraising event is a Wednesday evening wine & cheese reception. For just a $50 donation, you can enjoy delicious cheese and fruit displays and a glass of wine - and you might win a lovely door prize! Sit back and relax after a day of preconference courses or get your conference started with fun and networking, all while contributing to the Foundation’s Annual Research Grants program.


Back By Popular Demand!

Based on your feedback, these items introduced at last year’s Annual Conference will be making a return appearance.

Smaller Program Books
The big heavy program book is long gone! APNA is going green with these books – saving paper and ensuring a lighter load in your tote bag. All available presentation handouts will be accessible online 2 weeks before the conference, during the conference, and even after you have gone home!

Evaluations
The Scantron evaluation pages are back, allowing you to record scores and comments for 6 different sessions all on one sheet. These save you time and effort without having to worry about scoring a session in a particular place.

Networking Area
This year’s networking area is right in the middle of all the action! While on the way to a session or meeting, stop through for some quality interaction with colleagues. Share tips, exchange names, or meet with other members who have similar areas of interest within PMHN.

Product Theaters
These non-CE promotional sessions provide attendees with free meals while learning something new.