10th Anniversary

Utah Peer Conference

June 22-23, 2026

Registration is

Now Open!

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."

Meet Gina Salazar

Meet the Peers Behind the Movement

Jason Coombs

Jason Coombs is a recovery advocate, author, and speaker who helps families and individuals navigate the complex challenges of addiction and mental health. With a Master’s in Professional Communications and lived experience in recovery, he brings a blend of empathy, insight, and practical tools to his work. The high-quality, behavioral-health professionals employed at Brick House have received the: Jason is the founder of Brick House Recovery, a faith-based outpatient treatment program recognized with national and regional awards for excellence in care. He’s the author of a national bestseller, Unhooked: How to Help an Addicted Loved One Recover and host of the Get Unhooked podcast. He currently serves on multiple committees and as Southwest Regional Director for the Idaho Association of Addiction Professionals. Outside of work, Jason enjoys skiing, triathlons, and traveling with his family.

We are very excited to welcome Jason as our 2026 keynote speaker! For more information about Jason, please visit his website: https://www.brickhouserecovery.com/

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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

Supporting Individuals Impacted by Trauma - Rodrigo Coloma and Carolyn Jaramillo (Spanish)
Interdisciplinary Team - Karla Arroyo
Home Visiting and Peer Support - Kimberly Lopez Moreno
WRAP Through a Peer Support Lens - Brian Nielson

12:00 pm -1:00 pm - Lunch
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Session 2

Inspiring HOPE through Supervision - Becca Brown, Natanael Choi, Heather Rydalch, Alicia Wilcox
Interdisciplinary Team - Karla Arroyo (Spanish)
The Stories that Shaped Us - Kyle Palmer
SafeUT - Diana Ballesteros

2:15 pm - 2:30 pm - Break
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Session 3

Creative Writing - Margaret Bryden
Gunnison County School - Alfonso Morales (Spanish)
Expanding the Ceiling: How Peer Supports Can Think Beyond the Job Description - Jason Coombs
Suicide Prevention in NAMI Utah - Mindy Lathen

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

First-Aid for Victims of Crime - Emilio Mijares (Spanish)
Addressing Domestic Violence in Peer Support - Darlene Morton
Culturally Responsive Peer Support in Trauma and Justice Involvement - Susi Feltch-Malohifo’ou
Expanding Your Career Opportunities - Tina Wood and Lynda Liston

11:15 am - 11:30 am - Break

11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Session 2

Home Visiting and Peer Support - Kimberly Lopez Moreno (Spanish)
Inspiring HOPE through Supervision Part 2 - Becca Brown, Natanael Choi, Heather Rydalch, Alicia Wilcox
Using Creative Expression to Support Mental Health and Recovery - Brian Higgins
TBD

12:30 pm -1:30 pm - Lunch
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm - Session 3

SafeUT (Spanish) - Diana Ballesteros
When Love Becomes Enabling: Helping Families Find the Line - Jason Coombs
UDC - Christopher Austin, Jonathan Hunt, and Fonua Kimoana
Peer Support is Peer Support - Amy Campbell and Miriam Gutierrez

2:30 pm - 2:45pm - Break
2:45 pm - 4:00 pm - Final Remarks

Presenters

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.