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10th Anniversary
Utah Peer Conference
June 22-23, 2026
Registration Opens: April 1, 2026
ABOUT
"Peer support is a part of the human experience. Being able to share experiences, help heal, guide, and warn one another is what bonds us as families, friends, and communities. There is a long history of peer support that we need to strengthen and cement here at this conference and throughout the coming year. Peers have continued to exercise their voice in their own treatment and recovery process. Today, peers are an essential partner in supporting recovery through mutual support, education, and advocacy across the nation, in the fields of mental health and substance use disorders."
- 2026 Utah Peer Conference: 10th Anniversary81 days to the eventMon, Jun 22Utah Cultural Celebration Center
Meet the Peers Behind the Movement
Sponsored by the Utah Peer Network
As we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Utah Peer Conference, we invite you to meet the people behind this movement.
In this space, you will find stories of courage, resilience, healing, and transformation. Stories of people who turned their hardest chapters into a source of strength for others. Stories of connection, community, and the life-saving power of peer support.
Between now and the conference on June 22–23, we will continue adding stories from members of our peer network across Utah.
We invite you to listen, learn, and be inspired.
Click below to meet the peers who are helping build a stronger, more compassionate recovery community.
Keynote Speaker 2026
Coming Soon!
Have an idea of who could be our next keynote speaker? Or interested in becoming one?
Please email Nata Choi (natanael.choi@jackysrecovery.org) with your resume and short bio and we will contact you soon!
Call for
Nominations
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We are now accepting nominations for the 2026 Utah Peer Conference Awards, recognizing individuals who make outstanding contributions to the peer support community. Help us celebrate their impact by submitting a nomination by April 5, 2026 and honoring a peer who truly makes a difference.
Award Categories
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Jaqueline Gomez-Arias Peer of the Year Award – Honoring a peer support who has made an outstanding impact supporting adults in recovery
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Family Peer Support Specialist (FPSS) Change Maker Award – Recognizing a family peer who is creating positive change and strengthening families
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Youth Peer Support Specialist (YPSS) Award – Celebrating a peer who inspires and empowers youth and young adults.
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Community Impact Award – Recognizing an organization that has made a lasting difference in advancing peer support
2026 UTAH PEER CONFERENCE AGENDA
Monday, June 22, 2026
8:00 am - 9:00 am - Registration and Check-in
9:00 am - 9:15 am - Welcome
9:15 am - 10:45 am - Keynote Speaker
10:45 am - 11:00 am - Break
11:00 am - 12:00 pm - Session 1
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Supporting Individuals Impacted by Trauma - Rodrigo Coloma and Carolyn Jaramillo (Spanish)
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Inspiring HOPE through Supervision - Becca Brown, Natanael Choi, Heather Rydalch, Alicia Wilcox
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The Stories that Shaped Us - Kyle Palmer
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WRAP Through a Peer Support Lens - Brian Nielson
12:00 pm -1:00 pm - Lunch
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Session 2
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Expanding Your Career Opportunities - Tina Wood and Lynda Liston
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First-Aid for Victims of Crime - Emilio Mijares (Spanish)
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Creative Writing - Margaret Bryden
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Peer Support is Peer Support - Amy Campbell and Miriam Gutierrez
2:15 pm - 2:30 pm - Break
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Session 3
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SafeUT - Diana Ballesteros (English)
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Gunnison County School - Alfonso Morales (Spanish)
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TBD
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TBD
3:30pm - 3:45pm - Break
3:45 pm - 4:00 pm - Final Remarks
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
8:00 am - 9:00 am - Registration and Check-in
9:00 am - 9:15 am - Welcome
9:15 am - 10:00 am - Award Ceremony
10:00 am - 10:15 am - Break
10:15 am - 11:15 am - Session 1
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Interdisciplinary Team - Karla Arroyo (Spanish)
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Addressing Domestic Violence in Peer Support - Darlene Morton
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Culturally Responsive Peer Support in Trauma and Justice Involvement - Susi Feltch-Malohifo’ou
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Suicide Prevention in NAMI Utah - Mindy Lathen
11:15 am - 11:30 am - Break
11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Session 2
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Recovery and Break Ups - Solimar Gongora (Spanish)
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Home Visiting and Peer Support - Kimberly Lopez Moreno
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Using Creative Expression to Support Mental Health - Brian Higgins
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When Love Becomes Enabling: Helping Families Find the Line - Jason Coombs
12:30 pm -1:30 pm - Lunch
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm - Session 3
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SafeUT - Diana Ballesteros (Spanish)
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Inspiring HOPE through Supervision Part 2 - Becca Brown, Natanael Choi, Heather Rydalch, Alicia Wilcox
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TBD
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TBD
2:30 pm - 2:45pm - Break
2:45 pm - 4:00 pm - Final Remarks
Presenters (2025)
We are honored to introduce an extraordinary group of presenters who bring a powerful combination of lived experience, deep knowledge, and unwavering dedication to supporting others on their recovery journeys. These individuals are peer support specialists—people who have walked the path of mental health and/or substance use recovery and now use their experiences to inspire hope, share resources, and foster meaningful connection.
Stay tuned for our next round of presenters for the Utah Peer Conference of 2026!
