2023 WVAAPP Professional Development Summit- Together Everyone Achieves More

Date: October 17 - 19, 2023
Place: Pipestem State Park & Resort, Pipestem, WV

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR THE CONFERENCE

THE AWARDS BANQUET TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE- If you are registered for the  entire conference or Wednesday there is no additional charge the banquet is included.

Thank you for your interest in the WVAAPP 2023 Professional Development Summit we look forward to seeing you for fun, fellowship and education in a relaxing and rejuvenating environment in the mountains of southern WV!

This year our theme is focused on Teamwork- bringing folks together and working together- we bring different perspectives, different experiences and contribute in different ways across the spectrum of our field.  We all want the same outcome- to prevent substance use disorder, to make sure those who develop SUD receive the compassionate care they deserve, and to create an environment that encourages, supports and sustains recovery. 

Registration is open until October 2

Meals: Meals and breaks are provided with your registration. If you are bringing a guest they must register and pay the guest fee. This is essentially just what we need to cover food costs. 


    Breakfast will be provided Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday- we believe in a hardy start to the day             
     We will have a full buffet each morning.

    Lunch will be provided Tuesday, Wednesday &Thursday

    Dinner will be provided Tuesday & Wednesday.

    Tuesday evening we will have a cookout, play games (indoor/outdoor weather depending) and have our scholarship auction. Attendees are encouraged to bring items to the auction. For more details contact Brandon Whitehouse bwhitehouse@concord.edu

    Wednesday evening we celebrate our profession and many outstanding professionals!  Immediately following the awards dinner we will have a costume contest, dance with a DJ, prizes, mocktails and more! Please check our website for more details about the suggested costume categories. Feel free to wear your costume to the awards dinner!  If you aren't into costumes we expect there will be some Jimmy Buffett songs playing so wear your finest or funniest tropic/aloha shirt!

    Thursday is TEAM Spirit Day and we are ready for the weekend- wear your favorite jersey/shirt/hoodie if you like!

If you or your organization need to pay by CHECK or INVOICE send an email to Susie Mullens at wv.aadc@yahoo.com.

Please be sure to select the correct registration option. If you are uncertain of your NAADAC/WVAADC membership status please check your NAADAC account or email us at wv.aadc@yahoo.com

If your registration doesn't match your membership status we will contact you. Any discrepancies/fees will need to be resolved prior to October 17.

We welcome everyone to join NAADAC/WVAADC and enjoy the benefits of membership including discounts for training. To join go to www.naadac.org.

Lodging: The only room block that has been negotiated for the conference is at the onsite lodge at Pipestem.  Lodging is not included in the price of the conference and WVAAPP is not responsible for lodging. 

To make reservations contact Pipestem Resort State Park at 304-466-1800 and use group code WVAADC (our old acronym).  Lodging must be reserved prior to September 16th to ensure the price of $98/night (+tax/fees). Rates increase after September 16th and we are unable to change that condition of our agreement with Pipestem.  


If your organization is interested in an exhibit space and sponsorship opportunities please see our website www.wvaapp.org Deadline to have your logo included on any printed materials is October 1.

*This is an in person conference only; no virtual attendee options are offered this year based on lack of interest last year in virtual attendance. We apologize for any inconvenience.

We always encourage & try to foster a fun atmosphere- this year we want you to show your TEAM spirit by 


Dress is casual and as with any conference venue room temperatures fluctuate and we may not have control over the temperature that suits everyone so dress in layers/bring a sweater/jacket. 

Weather Mid-October in WV- average temperatures for Pipestem average highs of 66°F (19°C) and lows of 45°F (7°C) however it can be significantly cooler at night. 


CE's Sessions are approved for those with credentials through WVCBAPP (PS1, PS2, PRSS, ADC, AADC, CCJP, CS). If you attend a session at each time one is offered you can earn up to 21CEs

CEs for Psychologists are approved; Social Work CEs are approved for certain sessions as approved by the boards. We will provide a list on site of the sessions that are approved for each discipline.

LPC & Nursing CEs are being applied for as well and a list of approved sessions will be provided.

We are working with Health Path this year to apply for Nursing CEs, a list will be provided on site.


RECOVERY MEETINGS: There will be a variety of meetings offered - Space will be available for early birds to meet for 7am meetings and for night owls to meet around 9pm- more details will be available onsite. If you are interested in chairing a meeting please let us know when you check in at the registration table. 


PLEASE NOTE-Refunds are not available- substitution with another attendee is an option but needs to be worked out prior to October 13- on site substitutions are not available. Email wv.aadc@yahoo.com to discuss.










Featured Speakers

Jeri Kirby PhD
Jeri Kirby PhD
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Chair of the Social Science Department at Fairmont State University
Kymberly Laube
Kymberly Laube
Executive Director
Joe Deegan, MSW, LICSW, AADC-S
Joe Deegan, MSW, LICSW, AADC-S
Business Development Liaison, Thomas Health
Tijah Bumgarner, MA, Doctoral Candidate
Tijah Bumgarner, MA, Doctoral Candidate
Associate Professor Marshall University
Wolf Yoxall, MA, CSC
Wolf Yoxall, MA, CSC
Spiritual Wellness Director
Beverly Sharp BS
Beverly Sharp BS
Executive Director of The REACH Initiative
Jim Baker MSW, LICSW, AADC-S
Jim Baker MSW, LICSW, AADC-S
Storyteller, WVCBAPP Member
Emily Birckhead, MSW
Emily Birckhead, MSW
Executive Director of the West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residences
Autumn McCraw
Autumn McCraw
SurThriver, Advocate, Consultant
David Best, BA, MSc, PhD, FRSA
David Best, BA, MSc, PhD, FRSA
Director, Centre for Addiction Recovery Research
Stefanie Robinson, PRSS
Stefanie Robinson, PRSS
Founding Executive Director of Hope Recovery Community
Christina T Veselak, MS, CN, LMFT
Christina T Veselak, MS, CN, LMFT
The Academy for Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition
Laurie Johnson Wade, CBC, CRS, FPS, RSS, RCP, RCPF,
Laurie Johnson Wade, CBC, CRS, FPS, RSS, RCP, RCPF,
Co-Founding Director of Lost Dreams Awakening (LDA) Recovery Community Organization (RCO)
Katherine Castelo, LCSW, LICSW
Katherine Castelo, LCSW, LICSW
Director of SAFE Solutions, SAFE Project
JoAnna Vance
JoAnna Vance
Program Coordinator, WVEJ
Susie Mullens, MS, LPC, Licensed Psychologist, AADC-S
Susie Mullens, MS, LPC, Licensed Psychologist, AADC-S
West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network Program Director
Dawn Cottingham-Frohna
Dawn Cottingham-Frohna
WVDHHR Commissioner, Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH)
Jamie Sisley, MFA
Jamie Sisley, MFA
Assistant Professor School of Communication American University
John Unger II
John Unger II
Senior Advisor to the White House Executive Office of the President/ Special Senior Advisor to the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy
Tennysa Mace, BA
Tennysa Mace, BA
WV Bureau for Public Health Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services Viral Hepatitis Prevention Coordinator
VonZell Wade, PhD, LPC, CCTP, RCP, RCPF
VonZell Wade, PhD, LPC, CCTP, RCP, RCPF
Co-founder of Lost Dreams Awakening
Megan Hicks, PRSS
Megan Hicks, PRSS
Bluefield State University PRSS
Rachel Thaxton, MA
Rachel Thaxton, MA
Interim Director, WV ODCP
Wendy Lewis, Ph.D., LPC, AADC
Wendy Lewis, Ph.D., LPC, AADC
Clinical Director of Behavioral Health Services for PAAC, Infinite Pathways
Jay Phillips MBA
Jay Phillips MBA
Executive Director Seed Sower Inc.
Deborah Harris, M.A.
Deborah Harris, M.A.
Lead Transition Agent, Jobs and Hope
Brandon Whitehouse, PRSS
Brandon Whitehouse, PRSS
PRSS Concord University, QRT Outreach Coordinator
Dr. Matthew Christiansen
Dr. Matthew Christiansen
West Virginia First Foundation, Vice Chair
Teresa Warner, BS
Teresa Warner, BS
Assessment & Special Projects Coordinator, WV Collegiate Recovery Network/MURC

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