BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
X-WR-CALNAME:r2r2026
X-WR-CALDESC:Event Calendar
METHOD:PUBLISH
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
PRODID:-//Sched.com Research to Recovery 2026//EN
X-WR-TIMEZONE:UTC
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T120000Z
DTEND:20260520T130000Z
SUMMARY:Bagels and Coffee
DESCRIPTION:GF and Vegan Options available
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons Lobby\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220
SEQUENCE:0
UID:cf35ecd0659456475ba323464c2d5863
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/cf35ecd0659456475ba323464c2d5863
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T130000Z
DTEND:20260520T140000Z
SUMMARY:Recovery as a Social Process: Evolving Networks\, Shifting Identities\, and the Role of Community
DESCRIPTION:Recovery from substance use is deeply shaped by the social environments in which individuals live\, connect\, and find meaning. This presentation frames recovery as a social process\, focusing on how changes in social networks influence recovery trajectories. Drawing on research on recovery capital and social identity\, the talk will highlight how individuals move away from harmful networks and toward recovery-supportive relationships\, groups\, and roles.\nWith a strong emphasis on practice\, the session will showcase how community-based programs\, including peer support\, recovery community centers\, mutual aid groups\, and family- and school-based supports\, can foster social recovery capital and support identity change. Attendees will gain insight into how these approaches can be implemented across settings\, how to engage individuals with varying levels of readiness\, and how to address barriers to access and sustained participation.\nLearning Objectives:\nBy the end of this session\, participants will be able to:\nDescribe how social networks and social identity shape recovery as an ongoing\, relational process.Recognize how shifts in social connections and group affiliations can either support or undermine recovery.Identify key components of effective community-based recovery supports (e.g.\, peer programs\, recovery community centers\, mutual aid\, family supports).\n
CATEGORIES:PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1107\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:35557d82984715988f1a9ce5e9322945
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/35557d82984715988f1a9ce5e9322945
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T141500Z
DTEND:20260520T151500Z
SUMMARY:Complete Freedom from Opioid Addiction: Wisdom from a recovering physician
DESCRIPTION:What does it truly mean to be free from addiction — not just with fewer consequences\, but completely free? In this talk\, Dr. Peter Coleman draws on his personal journey of recovery and the research and reflection behind his book\, Complete Freedom from Opioid Addiction: A Guide from a Recovering Physician\, to offer a deeply informed and uniquely personal perspective on opioid use disorder. Dr. Coleman will explore what addiction actually is\, cutting through common misconceptions to distinguish between physical dependence and the disease of addiction itself — a distinction with profound implications for how we treat\, support\, and talk about people who struggle with opioids. His perspective as both a physician and a person in recovery gives this presentation a rare combination of clinical precision and lived authenticity.The heart of the presentation focuses on the neuroscience of addiction — specifically\, how opioids and other addictive substances cause changes and lasting injury to four critical regions of the brain\, and what those changes mean for behavior\, decision-making\, and recovery. Rather than leaving attendees with only a clinical picture\, Dr. Coleman connects this understanding directly to the most reliable pathways toward complete freedom\, grounding his message in both evidence and hope. With ample time for questions\, this session invites honest\, open dialogue about one of the most urgent public health crises of our time\, from someone who has lived it and dedicated his career to understanding it.\nLearning Objectives:\nParticipants will be able to distinguish between physical dependence and the disease of addiction\, and explain the clinical and practical significance of this distinction for treatment\, recovery support\, and reducing stigma.\nParticipants will be able to identify the four key regions of the brain involved in addictive diseases and describe the role each plays in the development and maintenance of addiction.\nParticipants will be able to explain how drug use causes neurological changes and injury to these four brain regions\, and connect this understanding to evidence-based pathways toward complete freedom from opioid addiction.
CATEGORIES:CLINICAL
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1107\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:6ceeb8e28595e94db3e0eb5029324cd9
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/6ceeb8e28595e94db3e0eb5029324cd9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T141500Z
DTEND:20260520T151500Z
SUMMARY:Addiction and the Tragic Link to Suicide: Awareness and Prevention Strategies
DESCRIPTION:AnneMoss Rogers and her husband tried to find help for their struggling son\, Charles\, a creative genius and rap artist. Desperate to escape the darkness of his depression\, Charles turned to heroin and died by suicide in 2015 at age 20. How common is suicidal thinking among those who are addicted? How many start using to numb intense and painful feelings or to normalize a mental health condition? And what can families do to help lower the risks and support their loved ones?\nUnderstand how stigma contributed to Charles’s feelings of low self-worthLearn the prevalence of suicide risk for those with addiction and substance misuseRecognize signs of depression and suicide\, and what to do or sayExplore strategies families and communities can use to reduce risk and support healing
CATEGORIES:FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1201\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:395b3b49836de7d18f29fd717e0ff5a4
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/395b3b49836de7d18f29fd717e0ff5a4
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T141500Z
DTEND:20260520T151500Z
SUMMARY:Graduate Research Presentations
DESCRIPTION:Graduate Student Presentation Contest: A select number of graduate students will be chosen to give a brief presentation (10-15 min) of their research. These students will be eligible for an additional prize based on their ability to make their research accessible for a general audience.\n\nCharacterization of vaping products confiscated from Virginia school youth between 2022 and 2025\n\nMeredith G. Buckmire\, Ankita Gola\, Kevin J. Lester\, Bayli F. Morton\, Kelsey S. Moss\, Alaina K. Holt\, Jessemia Meekins\, Justin L. Poklis\, Caroline O. Cobb\, Michelle R. Peace\n\nIntroduction: Since 2014\, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes\, “vapes”) have been the most reported method of consuming nicotine for U.S. middle and high students. In an effort to curb underage use\, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prohibited both the sale of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes\, vapes) to persons &lt\;21 years of age and flavors other than menthol and tobacco in cartridge-based (pod-based) products. Though recent surveys report a decrease in vaping products use among middle and high school populations\, of students who reported vaping\, almost 9 in 10 reported using vapes with flavors other than menthol and tobacco. E-cigarettes have been adapted to vaporize drugs other than nicotine (DOTNs)\, most notably Δ9- and Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) alongside other cannabinoids. Objective: The objective of this study is to characterize vaping trends in the adolescent population of Virginia by evaluating vaping products and their liquids (e-liquids) confiscated from public school students. Methods: Vaping products confiscated from Virginia public school students between 2022 and 2025 were shipped to the Laboratory for Forensic Toxicology Research (LFTR) in Richmond\, Virginia. The date confiscated\, student grade level\, and how the student acquired the device were requested. E-liquids were screened using an untargeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. Volatile compounds were identified and quantified using headspace gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (HS-GC-FID). Nicotine and cannabinoid concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Microbiological contaminants were identified using 3MTM PETRIFILMTM plates. Results: A total of 1874 vaping devices were received over two collection periods (2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years)\; only one submission was an FDA-authorized product. The most reported methods of acquisition were receiving the vape from a friend or purchasing themself. Of samples with submission information\, most products were collected from high school students and were labeled as fruit-flavored disposable products containing nicotine. Nicotine products (84%) were primarily nicotine-salt formulations with an average of 3% nicotine\, and most contained synthetic coolants. The prevalence of cannabinoid vapes (15%) remained constant between 2023-24 and 2024-25\, though total cannabinoid concentration (6-77% w/w) increased. Ethanol continued to be detectable (&gt\;1% v/v) in a small proportion of products. Yeast\, mold\, aerobic count\, and coliform at or above the United States Pharmacopoeia thresholds were identified in some of the nicotine e-liquids and cannabinoid concentrates\, as well as their respective aerosols. Additionally\, 18 of the disposable vapes were dual-chamber devices. Discussion/Conclusion: Results suggest that Virginia adolescents continue to have access to unregulated vaping products despite state and federal regulations. E-liquid formulations containing nicotine salt\, synthetic coolants\, and flavoring chemicals decrease the harsh sensory effects traditionally associated with nicotine inhalation\, potentially facilitating initiation and dependence among youth. The identification of increasing cannabinoid concentrations\, dual-chamber devices\, and microbiologicals in vapes present new concerns for health and safety.\n\nExclusive and Polysubstance Use Associations with Mental Health and Social Support Among Undergraduate Students\nNorhan Botrous*\, Sama Monjazeb*\n\nIntroduction: Though substance use is highly correlated with mental health and social support\, there is more limited data regarding these relationships with polysubstance use. This secondary analysis aimed to explore associations between exclusive and polysubstance use\, mental health symptoms\, and social support. Methods: In Spring 2025\, undergraduates at a large Central Virginia university (n=336) completed an online survey. Participants reported demographics\, past 30-day alcohol\, cannabis\, and tobacco use\, mental health symptoms (DASS-21)\, and perceived social support. Individuals were grouped by substance use behaviors (no substances\, alcohol-only\, alcohol+cannabis\, alcohol+tobacco\, all three substances). Due to limited sample size\, cannabis-only\, tobacco-only\, and cannabis+tobacco groups (n=20) were excluded. ANOVA and t-tests compared mental health and social sup...
CATEGORIES:YOUNG PEOPLE/HIGHER EDUCATION
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1100\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d8e43f4184c22e5afc18c9685ad33118
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/d8e43f4184c22e5afc18c9685ad33118
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T141500Z
DTEND:20260520T151500Z
SUMMARY:Not Your Parents' Public Health Campaign: Empowering Approaches to Addressing Campus Health Behaviors
DESCRIPTION:The days of "just say no" and fear-based health messaging are behind us. Today’s college students navigate a complex landscape of social pressures\, digital influence\, and diverse identities that require a more nuanced\, inclusive\, and empowering approach to their health. This session explores how VCU is reimagining public health outreach by showcasing a model centered on health equity\, fun\, and student agency. Attendees will dive into the strategies used to tackle sensitive topics—including sexual health\, substance use\, and mental health—through a lens that validates student experiences rather than pathologizing them. Participants will also get an in depth look in the "behind the scenes" of VCU's Stall Seat Journal\, an award winning public health campaign.\n\nLearning Objectives:&nbsp\;\n\nParticipants will learn:\nLearn how to use data in a fun & compelling way to address students’ misperceptions about their peers’ health behaviors.Discuss using a social norms marketing approach to foster a healthier campus culture.Practice creating positive\, intentional\, & empowering messages to encourage safer health behaviors among diverse students.
CATEGORIES:YOUNG PEOPLE/HIGHER EDUCATION
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU 1102\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:347ffb87853dcf6f178f24b01e200a1e
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/347ffb87853dcf6f178f24b01e200a1e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T153000Z
DTEND:20260520T163000Z
SUMMARY:Ethical Uses of Technology and Behavioral Health Treatment: To AI or Not to AI that is the Question
DESCRIPTION:Artificial intelligence is already reshaping health care\, and addiction services are no exception. This talk explores how AI can responsibly support screening\, documentation\, treatment planning\, recovery support\, and population-level insights—without replacing clinical judgment or human connection. We’ll look at practical applications such as risk stratification\, workflow automation\, and decision support\, while separating realistic capabilities from hype. The focus is not on shiny tools\, but on how AI can reduce administrative burden\, expand access\, and strengthen quality of care when used with clear clinical boundaries.\n At the same time\, addiction treatment carries unique ethical risks: privacy concerns\, stigma\, bias in predictive models\, overreliance on automation\, and the potential erosion of therapeutic trust. This session will examine core principles—transparency\, informed consent\, data stewardship\, equity\, and human oversight—and apply them to real-world scenarios faced by providers. Participants will leave with a grounded framework for evaluating AI tools\, asking better questions of vendors\, and integrating technology in ways that protect client dignity while enhancing outcomes.\n\nAnalyzes new and emerging AI-based behavioral health tools.\n&nbsp\;\nAnalyzes the way these tools have changed the way individuals access and receive services.\n&nbsp\;\nAnalyzes how these tools and trends impact behavioral health ethical considerations.\n&nbsp\;\nAnalyzes internal and external obstacles and motivators for AI-based behavioral health tools.
CATEGORIES:COMMON
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU 1102\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9335e10058240983be91ce732ffd2172
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/9335e10058240983be91ce732ffd2172
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T153000Z
DTEND:20260520T163000Z
SUMMARY:Faith Responders Program: Strengthening Communities for Compassionate Recovery
DESCRIPTION:In this orientation session\, "Faith Responders Program: Strengthening Communities for Compassionate Recovery\," we will provide an overview of the Faith Responders initiative\, which is designed to empower faith communities as advocates for individuals and families in recovery.\nRecognizing that many seek to integrate their faith into their recovery journeys\, the Faith Responders Program is grounded in the understanding that religious or spiritual involvement significantly protects against substance use. However\, we also acknowledge that faith communities often lack the tools and resources necessary to effectively address issues of addiction and recovery.\nThis session will highlight the Faith Responders Recovery Ally Training\, which equips participants with the knowledge\, strategies\, and skills needed to respond to addiction challenges in a compassionate and holistic manner. Attendees will explore how this training can enable faith communities to create supportive environments for those in recovery and encourage open dialogue around sensitive issues related to addiction.\nJoin us to discover how the Faith Responders Program and its Recovery Ally Training can enhance your community’s efforts to address addiction and foster healing. By the end of the session\, participants will have a clearer understanding of the program’s goals\, the critical role faith plays in recovery\, and practical tools for engagement within their congregations and communities.\n\nObjectivesUnderstand the Faith Responders Framework: Participants will gain an overview of the Faith Responders Program\, exploring its foundation in the protective association between religious involvement and substance use prevention and recovery.\nIdentify the Role of Faith Communities: Participants will learn about the unique position faith communities hold in supporting individuals facing addiction and how they can contribute to holistic recovery efforts.\nExplore Tools for Compassionate Engagement: Participants will discover key tools and strategies within the Faith Responders Recovery Ally Training that help communities address addiction and recovery compassionately and effectively.\n\n
CATEGORIES:FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1201\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5ba047e2810d4e8c893fa1da20d8ed41
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/5ba047e2810d4e8c893fa1da20d8ed41
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T153000Z
DTEND:20260520T163000Z
SUMMARY:Building an Integrated Team to Navigate the Legal System for People with SUD
DESCRIPTION:This presentation will provide an overview of the Re-Entry and Recovery Specialist Program within Public Defender Offices throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. This program is unique in its approach to treating addiction as a disease within the criminal justice system. We begin with briefly introducing how the Opioid Abatement Authority came to be and how it contributed to the initiation of the Re-Entry and Recovery Specialist program in The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission. We will share how the program is implemented\, and the ways in which our specialists assist our clients throughout their legal journey. We will also show how they address SUD and support recovery beyond the resolution of clients’ legal matters. The presentation will highlight the ways in which these specialists’ experience and training benefit the Public Defenders by appropriately addressing SUD and supporting recovery in conjunction with their legal circumstances.\n\nLearning Objectives\nClassify the various roles within Public Defender offices and distinguish between the responsibilities of each role and how they work together to provide holistic support.&nbsp\;\n\nDiscuss how differences in training/experience between these roles helps our defense teams address recovery in a more meaningful way during incarceration/community supervision\, the courtroom and re-entry.&nbsp\;\n\nExplain how the Opioid Abatement Authority came to be and led to the creation of the Re-Entry and Recovery Specialist Program.&nbsp\;\n\nDifferentiate the role of Re-entry and Recovery Specialists in Public Defender Offices from other probably more familiar roles outside of the criminal justice system e.g. recovery coaches\, case managers\, social workers etc.&nbsp\;\n\nDemonstrate how to use skills such as OARS\, active listening\, and eliciting\, as well as interview/assessment/resource navigation/goal-setting tools (with examples provided) to aid human services professionals in supporting their clients/patients/participants.&nbsp\;\n\nExamine legal and recovery outcomes as shown in data collected throughout the program’s lifespan.
CATEGORIES:PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1107\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a1a5381a3bf16cfbcdda06bc198aa7ab
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/a1a5381a3bf16cfbcdda06bc198aa7ab
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T163000Z
DTEND:20260520T174500Z
SUMMARY:Poster Session and Lunch presented by the Anthem Foundation
DESCRIPTION:Check out our student poster presentations while you enjoy a box lunch from Apple Spice Junction.
CATEGORIES:YOUNG PEOPLE/HIGHER EDUCATION
LOCATION:University Student Commons - Richmond Salons\, 907 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23284\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:98f0752ed9e7eb65d8dd25f798952dc0
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/98f0752ed9e7eb65d8dd25f798952dc0
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T164500Z
DTEND:20260520T174500Z
SUMMARY:Recovery meeting
DESCRIPTION:Open All Recovery Meeting
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1105\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:17283368b6a4af446e4d2c79598fc75e
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/17283368b6a4af446e4d2c79598fc75e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T180000Z
DTEND:20260520T190000Z
SUMMARY:The Elephant in the Room: When Substance Use is Not the Presenting Issue
DESCRIPTION:In my years of practice\, it was not unusual for me to hear another clinician say “I don’t treat substance use disorders”. &nbsp\;What they may not realize is that it is often present\; if not as the primary concern\, it may be the obstacle that slows or impedes progress in therapy. &nbsp\;Regardless of the specialty\, it is critical that mental health (and medical) practitioners have the basic knowledge to “sniff it out”. &nbsp\;Whether you contract around honesty and abstinence to resume your course of treatment or refer to someone who treats SUD’s and resume your therapy at a later date\, it is not fair to the client when “the elephant in the room” is not addressed. &nbsp\;\n&nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; This session will address ways to “sniff out” problematic use\, to start the conversation in a non-threatening manner and to assist the client with options for resuming treatment for their presenting concerns. &nbsp\;&nbsp\;\nLearning objectives:&nbsp\;\n1. Participants will be able to identify at least 3 questions that could help to tease out problematic substance use&nbsp\;\n2. Be able to articulate ways in which continued use can impede progress in therapy&nbsp\;\n3.&nbsp\; Identify 3 options for a clinician when a client’s substance use may get in the way of therapy&nbsp\;\n\n
CATEGORIES:CLINICAL
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU 1102\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7d0c9b7bb60af581755fa6fca3701b44
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/7d0c9b7bb60af581755fa6fca3701b44
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T180000Z
DTEND:20260520T190000Z
SUMMARY:Together: Family Recovery
DESCRIPTION:Family support is a key form of recovery capital for individuals in substance use recovery. However\, for too long\, the dominant narrative in recovery has seen family members as a liability in recovery and labeled as codependent or enablers that need to be detached or disconnected from their loved ones in order to “help” a loved one. A shift in perspective is needed to recognize family bonds and relationships as catalysts for change while families are often the first responders to substance use. In this keynote\, we will unfold another side of the story of family recovery by sharing the inspiration behind and creation of Together: Family Recovery\, a documentary designed to affirm that families have work to do\, possess agency\, and that their ways of being have a direct influence on recovery outcomes. We will explore how storytelling serves as a modality for shifting belief systems\, orienting families to recovery and influencing systemic change. We will also discuss the decision-making and implementation processes throughout the creation and screening of the film\, and present evidence of its impact on families who have watched the film. Drawing on selected film clips and evaluation data from the VCU study\, we will engage the audience in thought provoking discussions on strategies to challenge stigma and empower families to create environments that support recovery.\n\nObjectives\n\nAttendees can differentiate between the traditional "tough love" narrative and connection-based modern recovery models to understand the family's vital role in the recovery process.Attendees can examine how documentary storytelling serves as a mechanism for shifting deep-seated belief systems and validating family agency.Attendees can apply narrative strategies and creative media tools to challenge stigma\, engage families\, and advocate for systemic reform.
CATEGORIES:FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1107\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1016e6302fdb51037fc599df93a1764b
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/1016e6302fdb51037fc599df93a1764b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T180000Z
DTEND:20260520T190000Z
SUMMARY:Peer Support Behind the Walls: Engaging Incarcerated Veterans and Gang-Affiliated Individuals
DESCRIPTION:Providing peer support comes from being able to want to support (help others). And the ability to look past a persons faults and see their need isn't always easy especially when I see the violence or the destructive behavior up close . Then being able to sit across from that person and provide support because they are asking for help. Providing peer support to an incarcerated population comes with its own set of challenges that are unique to its population. With that it comes with its own set of unique opportunities which provide to see growth and recovery from a different perspective.\n\n-Recovery Inside of Prison: The Challenges of sobriety\n-Peer Support inside of the Department of Corrections\n-What does recovery mean for individuals without a substance use disorder\n-ACE's: Healing childhood trauma inside of incarceration\n-How veterans find support and healing in prison\n\n\n
CATEGORIES:PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1201\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ac075d056a343a4cf842c109e3e777b9
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/ac075d056a343a4cf842c109e3e777b9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T193000Z
DTEND:20260520T203000Z
SUMMARY:Family Connections Roundtable (No CEUs/livestream Available)
DESCRIPTION:Join the team from the Together: Family Documentary for an open conversation on support for family members.
CATEGORIES:FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1100\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d50ebc45dc6a53450be0733edab1852e
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/d50ebc45dc6a53450be0733edab1852e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T193000Z
DTEND:20260520T203000Z
SUMMARY:Mutual Wellbeing Roundtable (No CEUs/livestream Available)
DESCRIPTION:Join Tom Jackson for an open conversation about strategies for self care and the importance of individual and organizational wellness.
CATEGORIES:PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1105\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:0c5c530a22e33c7c64fe695711f4fd41
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/0c5c530a22e33c7c64fe695711f4fd41
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T193000Z
DTEND:20260520T203000Z
SUMMARY:The Peer Recovery Collective is a panel of individuals dedicated to contributing their lived experience to help improve substance use treatment research and interventions. In this talk\, panel members and the project lead will discuss their work preparing
DESCRIPTION:The Peer Recovery Collective is a panel of individuals dedicated to contributing their lived experience to help improve substance use treatment research and interventions. In this talk\, panel members and the project lead will discuss their work preparing to serve as research consultants\, the role of lived experience in research collaboration\, and ask for feedback from attendees about various ways in which they may contribute to research development and implementation.\n\nThis panel will educate people with lived experience about how their experience about ways in which they might contribute to improving substance use treatment services. It will also familiarize researchers with the work of the panel and may spark conversations about the various approaches to including people with lived experience on research teams.\n\nThe Peer Recovery Collective has been meeting bi-weekly since January 2025. During this time\, the panel has engaged in a wide array of capacity building experiences\, including trainings\, talks from guest speakers\, and group discussions. The topics have included a wide range of substance use topics\, from stigma to innovative approaches to providing services\, as well as training on a wide variety of research methods.\n\nObjectives\n* Hear the perspectives of people in recovery and how they can contribute to research.\n* Learn about the work the panel has done to prepare to serve as research consultants.\n* Consider how people with lived experience might work with researchers and what would facilitate that work.
CATEGORIES:PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1107\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:690ca8cf2a3682b6dbde38f5e13c36c5
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/690ca8cf2a3682b6dbde38f5e13c36c5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260520T193000Z
DTEND:20260520T203000Z
SUMMARY:Supporting Survivors: Intersections of Domestic Violence\, Sexual Assault and Substance Use
DESCRIPTION:This session will equip substance use service providers with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver effective\, trauma-informed substance abuse recovery services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Participants will explore the complex connection between trauma\, abuse\, and substance use.\n\nTo learn how to prioritize and integrate safety\, empowerment and choice in the work that is done with survivors in recovery.To learn how to provide culturally responsive care to survivors in recovery.To learn how substance abuse is connected to the trauma and victimization of survivors.&nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:YOUNG PEOPLE/HIGHER EDUCATION
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1201\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:364268ed552fa7890eb97089f9f84b4d
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/364268ed552fa7890eb97089f9f84b4d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T120000Z
DTEND:20260521T130000Z
SUMMARY:Bagels and Coffee
DESCRIPTION:GF and Vegan options available.
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons Lobby\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220
SEQUENCE:0
UID:2a7d26fe4b6ff7c2d80faf8ce289d5f9
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/2a7d26fe4b6ff7c2d80faf8ce289d5f9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T130000Z
DTEND:20260521T140000Z
SUMMARY:Caring for Two: Integrating Pregnancy and Addiction Care In Practice
DESCRIPTION:Pregnant individuals facing substance use disorders (SUDs) encounter a uniquely complex set of medical\, social\, and systemic barriers that standard obstetric care is often ill-equipped to address. This session features an OB/GYN specializing in Addiction Medicine and a licensed Social Worker who together have developed and implemented an integrated\, whole-person care clinic that exceeds standard of care for pregnant people with SUDs.\nPresenters will share the clinical and programmatic framework behind their model\, including how addiction medicine principles are woven into prenatal care\, the role of trauma-informed social work in supporting patient engagement and retention\, and how their team navigates the stigma that too often drives pregnant people away from the care they need. Attendees will gain insight into real-world outcomes\, lessons learned\, and the collaborative dynamics that make this interdisciplinary approach effective.\nTopics will include:\nMedication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) during pregnancyNeonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) and family-centered care planningAddressing social determinants of health for pregnant people in recoveryStrategies for building trust and reducing stigma in clinical settingsReplicable models for interdisciplinary collaboration between medical and social work providersThis session is ideal for clinicians\, social workers\, recovery support professionals\, and advocates seeking to improve outcomes for one of the most vulnerable and underserved populations in addiction care.\n&nbsp\;\n&nbsp\;\nObjectives:\n· &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\;Participants will be able to describe the core components of an integrated\, interdisciplinary care model for pregnant people with substance use disorders\, including how addiction medicine principles and trauma-informed social work practices are combined to exceed standard prenatal care.\n· &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\;Participants will be able to identify evidence-based approaches to Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) during pregnancy and explain key considerations for managing Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) through a family-centered care planning framework.\n· &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\;Participants will be able to recognize the role of stigma\, social determinants of health\, and systemic barriers in limiting care engagement among pregnant people with substance use disorders\, and describe strategies for building trust and improving retention within a clinical setting.
CATEGORIES:CLINICAL
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1107\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:340d771e6f98373ac132fea0f4759cd6
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/340d771e6f98373ac132fea0f4759cd6
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T141500Z
DTEND:20260521T151500Z
SUMMARY:Framework for grief and mourning in addiction treatment for individuals and loved ones
DESCRIPTION:A connection between grief\, loss and substance use has become a more explored topic to illuminate how layered complicated grief can be. In a 2021 paper\, Caparrós and Masferrer looked at the complications and coping skills of individuals who experienced grief and were also using substances and/or in recovery. &nbsp\;The line between loss and grief of individuals and loss and grief in the recovery process is often overlapping therefore raising questions for helpers how to frame grief work. &nbsp\;The session explores a potential framework. &nbsp\; &nbsp\; \n\nObjectives: 1) Participants will be able to distinguish the relationship between loss\, grief and complicated grief. 2) Participants will explore how their own experiences inform the way they engage with loss and grief 3) Participants will be able to discuss a framework to assist helpers in working with individuals experiencing loss and grief in relation to active substance use and recovery. &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\;&nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:CLINICAL
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1201\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d0c088257f4d8d3a6c76fc60581a038e
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/d0c088257f4d8d3a6c76fc60581a038e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T141500Z
DTEND:20260521T151500Z
SUMMARY:From Surviving to Thriving to Flourishing: Radical Support for Moms in Recovery
DESCRIPTION:This dynamic workshop focuses on the critical role of peer support for pregnant and parenting families navigating substance use disorders. Attendees will explore the gaps in existing peer recovery support training and discuss the necessity for specialized training tailored to meet the unique needs of families at this intersection.\nWe will delve into the MOMs on a Mission initiative\, highlighting the importance of community and support. Additionally\, we will introduce the new You Are Not Alone on This Journey website\, a vital resource for mothers in recovery. Participants will gain insights into launching MOMs groups across Virginia\, fostering a robust network of peer support that empowers families to embrace their parenting journeys while in recovery.\nJoin us to actively participate in fostering an inclusive community\, share your experiences\, and learn how to champion the well-being of these families.\nLearning Objectives:Identify Unique Needs: Recognize the unique challenges faced by pregnant and parenting families with substance use disorders and the need for specialized peer support training.Understand MOMs Initiative: Explore the MOMs on a Mission initiative and its impact on supporting mothers in recovery and their families.Resource Utilization: Familiarize participants with the You Are Not Alone on This Journey website and how to leverage it as a tool for support and connection.Launching Support Groups: Develop a roadmap for starting recovery support groups across Virginia\, emphasizing collaboration and community engagement.Build Compassionate Communities: Learn strategies for fostering non-judgmental environments that encourage growth and healing for parents in recovery.\n
CATEGORIES:PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1107\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:cce5228f9acc35900e6e2a0767ab6cd0
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/cce5228f9acc35900e6e2a0767ab6cd0
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T141500Z
DTEND:20260521T151500Z
SUMMARY:Graduate Research Presentations Part 2
DESCRIPTION:Graduate Student Presentation Contest: A select number of graduate students will be chosen to give a brief presentation (10-15 min) of their research. These students will be eligible for an additional prize based on their ability to make their research accessible for a general audience.\n\nNicotine and Other Substance Vaping and Mental Health Indicators Among Young Adults\nAuthors: First M. Last (Affiliation#)Rabia Imran (1)\nMary Carrico (2)\nElizabeth Ogunleye (2)\nDarren Farmer (3)\nSama Monjazeb (2)\nNorhan Botrous (2)\nCaroline Cobb (2)\n\nIntroduction: The use of electronic delivery systems to vape nicotine and other substances is rising among young adults. While strong correlations between cigarette smoking and mental health conditions are well documented\, less is known regarding these associations for vaping behaviors. This study aimed to characterize links between vaping nicotine and other substances and mental health indicators. Methods: From March 2025-June 2025\, undergraduate students at a large university in Central Virginia (n=375) completed an online survey. Participants reported their demographics\, past 30-day vaping behaviors and mental health indicators (DASS-21). Vaping nicotine and/or nicotine-free liquids\, cannabis-containing liquids\, and liquids containing other substances (e.g.\, caffeine\, herbal supplements) were assessed\, and individuals were categorized into exclusive subgroups based on their use behavior and distribution of responses. Differences in depression\, anxiety\, and stress symptoms by vaping subgroups were tested using ANOVA and independent samples t-tests. Results: The sample was ~20 years old with 82.6% female and 30.2% White\, 24.0% Black or African American\, 18.1% as multiracial\, and 27.7% identified as other groups. Past 30-day exclusive nicotine/nicotine-free vaping was most common (15.2%) followed by nicotine/nicotine-free and cannabis/other substance vaping (10.1%) and exclusive cannabis/other substance vaping (6.9%). Symptoms of depression\, anxiety and stress were relatively low but differed significantly across vaping subgroups (ps&lt\;0.05). Nicotine/nicotine-free vaping\, whether exclusive or in combination with cannabis/other substance vaping\, was associated with significantly higher depression\, anxiety\, and stress symptoms compared to those who did not vape (ps&lt\;0.04). Descriptively\, individuals who vaped nicotine and cannabis/other substances had the highest scores for all three symptom categories. Conclusions: Findings highlight the relative prevalence of vaping behaviors by substance category. Vaping nicotine or nicotine-free liquids alone or in combination with other substances was linked to poorer mental health. While temporality is unknown in the present study\, these findings highlight the need to address mental health in vaping prevention and intervention efforts. Given the broad availability of diverse vaping products\, behavioral and survey assessments should consider vaping behaviors beyond nicotine-containing products.\n\nCocaine induces differential regulation of ‘jumping genes’ across the mouse brain\nShelbey Strandberg*(1) and Dr. Peter Hamilton (1)\nBackground/Objective: Transposable elements (TEs) comprise about half of the mammalian genome and are commonly called ‘jumping genes’ for their ability to be transcribed and re-integrated elsewhere in the genome. This process\, termed transposition\, can cause permanent disruptions to protein coding and regulatory regions of the genome. Cocaine use is increasingly appreciated as able to alter brain TE transcript expression\, but the exact time-course\, brain region specificity\, and transposition capacity of affected TEs remains under-explored. We investigated these points by creating a cocaine-induced brain TE transcript time-course from public RNA-sequencing datasets. Methods: We identified transcriptomic studies of nucleus accumbens (NAc)\, dorsal striatum (DS)\, and prefrontal cortex (PFC) in cocaine exposed mice via self- or investigator-administered paradigms. Using the Python package TEtranscripts\, we aligned the datasets to the reference genome mm10 and used an adjusted p-value cutoff of &lt\;0.05 to determine differential TE expression produced over the course of cocaine exposure. Results: Across the brain regions\, we see time- and dose- dependent changes in TE transcript expression. Surprisingly\, despite involvement in reward/addiction\, each region has unique TE expression profiles. We identify predominantly downregulated TEs in NAc\, whereas DS is primarily upregulated\, and PFC displays TE profiles sensitive to the route of cocaine administration (self- or investigator-administered). Conclusion: TEs\, a portion of which retain transposition capacity\, experience dynamic and distinct brain-region expression following cocaine exposure. These insights may add an additional dimension of the brain molecular mechanisms involved in cocaine use disorder.\n\nHidden in Plain Sight: Inaccuracies in Labels and...
CATEGORIES:YOUNG PEOPLE/HIGHER EDUCATION
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1105\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:68790a3879d6b3031f9a3d8bb48c2fd4
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/68790a3879d6b3031f9a3d8bb48c2fd4
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T153000Z
DTEND:20260521T163000Z
SUMMARY:Building Effective Support for Pregnant and Post-Partum People: From Systems Change to Individual Care
DESCRIPTION:Description:\nPregnant and postpartum people navigating substance use disorders face a uniquely complex intersection of medical\, legal\, social\, and systemic challenges — and the systems meant to support them are too often fragmented\, punitive\, or simply absent. This panel brings together four expert voices from across the continuum of care to examine what it truly takes to build effective\, equitable support for this population.\nPanelists include a Peer Recovery Specialist with lived experience working alongside pregnant women with SUDs\, a reproductive rights attorney examining the legal landscape shaping care access and patient autonomy\, the CEO of a recovery housing organization serving pregnant and parenting women\, and a PhD\, MSN nurse researcher specializing in the neurodevelopmental impacts of prenatal substance use and maternal psychiatric conditions. Together\, they will explore how individual-level care\, community-based services\, housing stability\, and policy reform must work in concert to meet the full range of needs facing this population.\nThe panel will address gaps in the current system\, center the voices of those with lived experience\, and offer attendees concrete frameworks for advancing both systemic change and person-centered care in their own communities and organizations.\nObjectives:\n· &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\;Participants will be able to identify the barriers pregnant and postpartum people with substance use disorders face across medical\, legal\, housing\, and social systems\, and describe how integrated\, trauma-informed approaches can address these gaps across the continuum of care.\n· &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\;Participants will be able to explain the neurodevelopmental and psychiatric impacts of prenatal substance use and maternal mental health conditions\, and recognize how this clinical knowledge should inform both individual care planning and broader systems design.\n· &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\;Participants will be able to describe models of peer integration\, recovery housing\, and legal advocacy that support pregnant and parenting people in recovery\, and identify strategies for implementing or strengthening these approaches within their own organizational or community context.\n\n\n
CATEGORIES:FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1107\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9bcde23d65b764240911a9540082ef09
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/9bcde23d65b764240911a9540082ef09
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T153000Z
DTEND:20260521T163000Z
SUMMARY:Smoke and Mirrors: What the Tobacco and Cannabis Industries Do\, Sell\, and Say Versus the Science
DESCRIPTION:Nicotine and cannabis vapes have proliferated in our communities at staggering rates. Both industries created and advertised a narrative for consumers about their use and safety that have been largely accepted. While signs of the negative impacts to public health have existed in communities\, data is emerging that describes potential short- and long-term health implications of vaping. This session will describe what we know about the design of vapes and the chemical formulations that could precipitate negative health outcomes. Adverse events and the emerging scientific data that demonstrate these health outcomes will be discussed. Community proliferation of vapes and evolution of products will be described.\n1. Discern the myths and untruths of vaping and cannabis use that have been promulgated by the industries.\n2. Describe the scientific data that counter the myths and untruths generated by the industry stakeholders\n3. Describe the scientific data that demonstrates the potential for more significant long-term negative health implications than was originally thought.\n4. Describe the proliferation of vapes in communities and be able to identify novel vapes.
CATEGORIES:FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1201\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d57561581c8e2fd5177d5487c9014613
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/d57561581c8e2fd5177d5487c9014613
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T153000Z
DTEND:20260521T163000Z
SUMMARY:Working with Justice Involved Individuals - Roundtable (No CEUs/livestream Available)
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1105\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:01229beb7e7e3cb6150a88d1dea61fb3
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/01229beb7e7e3cb6150a88d1dea61fb3
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T163000Z
DTEND:20260521T180000Z
SUMMARY:Celebration of Recovery Lunch Presented by StarCity Behavioral Health
DESCRIPTION:Join us as we come together to honor the strength\, resilience\, and growth of those in the recovery community\, along with the allies who walk beside us in support. Our Recovery Celebration Lunch will feature a delicious meal catered by Midnight Soulfood & Catering\, a heartfelt recognition of our recovery allies\, and a recovery time countdown to celebrate milestones and progress.\nWe will also hold space for remembrance through a special Memorial Tribute Table\, created to honor students\, friends\, and loved ones who have passed due to substance use-related deaths or other circumstances while in recovery. This memorial offers a chance to remember\, reflect\, and keep their stories alive.\nIf you’d like to contribute to the memorial:\nSubmit a Photo Tribute: Email 1–2 pictures\, your loved one’s name\, and any significant dates you'd like displayed to Omri Morris at&nbsp\;morrisol2@vcu.edu. These will be included in a slideshow presentation at the event.\n\n\nWe’ll also have chairs set up for anyone who would like a quiet moment of reflection at the memorial table.\nLet’s continue to share their stories and celebrate the journey of recovery together. We look forward to seeing you there.
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:University Student Commons - Richmond Salons\, 907 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23284\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:19d6dba8cf901b3f63a0f1dcf8f59c26
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/19d6dba8cf901b3f63a0f1dcf8f59c26
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T180000Z
DTEND:20260521T190000Z
SUMMARY:The Rea-ZYN to talk about nicotine in recovery
DESCRIPTION:Ga-ZYN-tite!&nbsp\;Bless us all for finally talking about nicotine in recovery. Come and get the update on nicotine products! Learn the neurobiology that expands self-compassion and makes the recovery journey more successful. Explore the concepts of hypofrontality in relation to continued use of addictive substances in recovery.\n\nLearning Objectives:\n\n1.&nbsp\; Participants will be able to explain why neurobiology suggests cessation of nicotine use improves outcomes in recovery from other addictions.\n2.&nbsp\; Participants will develop understand the concept of hypofrontality and its role in addiction.\n3.&nbsp\; Participants will apply the concept of hypofrontality to the use of novel nicotine products.
CATEGORIES:CLINICAL
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU 1102\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f326f86bf62bbe609621048f13dc6833
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/f326f86bf62bbe609621048f13dc6833
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T180000Z
DTEND:20260521T190000Z
SUMMARY:Understanding Intergenerational and Historical Trauma: Turtle Island USA
DESCRIPTION:This session delves into the need for clinicians and peers understanding of intergenerational and historical trauma within Turtle Island (USA). Where does the healing start and when did the trauma begin? Informative information to help clinicians and peers to navigate working with the Native American Indians. This session dives into the elements of trauma that affects the Native American community\, colonization\, forced displacement\, Trail of Tears\, treaties being broken\, and multi layers of a wounded communities due to the Indian Removal Act in the 1800s. We will examine ways to promote wellness of healing for Native communities\, "The Native Way"\, and become more informed of how history and generational trauma played a HUGE role in how the Native American Indian have been affected and our future seven generations.\n\nIdentify the effects of intergeneration and historical trauma within Native American communities.\n&nbsp\;\nExplore the need for clinical awareness when treating individuals within Native communities due to intergenerational and historical trauma.\n&nbsp\;\nDiscuss techniques for promoting wellness and healing from generational and/or experienced trauma.
CATEGORIES:CLINICAL
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1105\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8eddd7d979403d6f96dbfddd3b84522a
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/8eddd7d979403d6f96dbfddd3b84522a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T180000Z
DTEND:20260521T190000Z
SUMMARY:Healthcare Affordability Round Table (No CEUs/Livestream Available)
DESCRIPTION:The Healthcare Affordability Roundtable is a small\, interactive discussion designed to bring together leaders across behavioral health\, recovery services\, research\, and community organizations to explore one of the most pressing challenges facing the field today: the rising cost and accessibility of care. Participants will engage in a candid conversation about the real drivers of healthcare affordability in behavioral health and substance use recovery — including barriers to treatment\, gaps in care coordination\, and opportunities to better support individuals and families on their recovery journeys.\n&nbsp\;\nThis informal roundtable will focus on sharing perspectives\, identifying practical opportunities for collaboration\, and elevating the voices of providers\, peer recovery specialists\, researchers\, and advocates working on the front lines. The goal is not a presentation\, but a facilitated dialogue that surfaces ideas and insights that can help strengthen access to care and improve outcomes for the communities we serve. Space is limited to encourage meaningful discussion.\n&nbsp\;\n\n
CATEGORIES:FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1100\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:94410057d673f01f1b801d485b6279f5
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/94410057d673f01f1b801d485b6279f5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T180000Z
DTEND:20260521T190000Z
SUMMARY:Opioid Settlement Funds in Richmond: Discussion on Interorganizational Collaboration and Effectiveness
DESCRIPTION:A Richmond-centered panel on Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) funding\, using harm reduction as a case study into excellent interorganizational collaboration. The panel will discuss how city\, state\, and community organizations can use these funding opportunities to build a collaborative continuum of care\, exemplified through the implementation of Harm Reduction Vending Machines in Richmond. The panel will also reflect critically on who benefits from these funds\, what's missing\, and how to sustain collaborative efforts.\n&nbsp\;\nObjectives:\n&nbsp\;\n· &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\;Participants will be able to describe the structure and purpose of Opioid Abatement Authority funding and explain how city\, state\, and community organizations can leverage these resources to build a collaborative continuum of care for people who use drugs.\n· &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\;Participants will be able to identify the key elements of successful interorganizational collaboration\, using the implementation of Harm Reduction Vending Machines in Richmond as a model for translating OAA funding into community-level harm reduction initiatives.\n· &nbsp\; &nbsp\; &nbsp\;Participants will be able to critically evaluate equity considerations in OAA funding distribution\, including who benefits from current allocations\, what populations or services remain underserved\, and what strategies can sustain collaborative harm reduction efforts over time.
CATEGORIES:FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1107\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:08d462365f00ffc79d5345c3dd683767
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/08d462365f00ffc79d5345c3dd683767
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T180000Z
DTEND:20260521T190000Z
SUMMARY:The Continuum of Connection: Integrating Peer Recovery Support from 9-1-1 to Hospital Discharge (and Beyond!)
DESCRIPTION:\nIntegrating Peer Recovery Specialists (PRS) is an evidence-based strategy that transforms the "revolving door" of emergency care into a path of sustained wellness. Research shows that patients supported by peers are 45% more likely to start treatment (MOUD) after an overdose and experience significantly fewer repeat crises and hospital readmissions. By reducing stigma and improving trust—especially in high-stakes areas like EMS response and postpartum care—peer integration lowers overall healthcare costs while significantly increasing patient engagement and hope.\n\nBy the end of this workshop\, participants will be able to:\nIdentify Critical Gaps: Pinpoint specific "disconnects" in traditional medical trajectories (from EMS arrival to hospital discharge) where the absence of peer support leads to higher recidivism and patient disengagement.Analyze the Pre-Hospital Peer Model: Describe the operational benefits of integrating peers into EMS and 9-1-1 response\, specifically regarding de-escalation\, trust-building\, and "warm handoffs" to clinical settings.Evaluate Hospital-Based Peer Integration: Discuss strategies for implementing peer support within specialized clinical environments\, such as the Emergency Department and Postpartum Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP).Apply the "Continuum of Connection" Framework: Utilize a modified Sequential Intercept Model to map out peer-led touchpoints within their own local healthcare systems to improve long-term recovery outcomes.
CATEGORIES:FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1201\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f7f63840689d2e576404c11b2f3a2859
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/f7f63840689d2e576404c11b2f3a2859
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T191500Z
DTEND:20260521T201500Z
SUMMARY:Supporting Families Affected by Substance Use in the Child Welfare System: Supervision\, Consultation\, and Practice Change
DESCRIPTION:Child welfare professionals routinely work with families affected by alcohol and other substance use disorders (AOSUDs)\, yet many report feeling underprepared\, unsupported\, or uncertain about their role when substance use is present. These challenges can undermine caregiver engagement\, increase stigma\, and contribute to difficult decisions with long-term consequences for children and families. Funded by a National Institutes of Health grant\, the Child Welfare and Addiction Fellowship (CWAF) is a two-year\, cohort-based professional development program designed to address these gaps through sustained\, practice-based learning. Now in its third cohort\, CWAF supports child welfare professionals statewide through weekly clinical group supervision\, monthly multidisciplinary case consultations\, and quarterly foundational workshops focused on substance use\, recovery\, and child welfare decision-making. This session will share lessons from a mixed-methods evaluation of CWAF\, highlighting evidence of increased practitioner confidence\, clearer professional role identity\, reduced stigma\, and strengthened capacity to engage caregivers affected by substance use. Findings underscore the importance of supervision and peer consultation as key mechanisms supporting practice change. Distinctively\, this presentation will be co-led by inaugural CWAF participants\, who will offer firsthand reflections on how the Fellowship shaped daily practice\, case planning\, and engagement with families. Together\, presenters will explore how longitudinal training models can support child welfare professionals\, improve alignment between child safety and recovery-oriented care\, and offer a scalable approach to workforce development. This session is designed for practitioners\, supervisors\, administrators\, and educators seeking practical strategies to strengthen recovery informed practice within child welfare systems.\n\nAssess the feasibility of implementing multi-component addiction training models&nbsp\;within child welfare agencies given workload demands\, organizational constraints\, and workforce well-being considerations.Identify actionable takeaways for adapting or scaling addiction-focused workforce development initiatives&nbsp\;to different child welfare or recovery-oriented service settings.Explain why strengthening addiction-informed\, recovery-oriented capacity among child welfare professionals is essential&nbsp\;to improving caregiver engagement\, supporting family preservation\, and reducing preventable system involvement and long-term harm for children and families.
CATEGORIES:CLINICAL
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1107\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:2c19d7aa8709fac7cba517b7de96b596
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/2c19d7aa8709fac7cba517b7de96b596
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T191500Z
DTEND:20260521T201500Z
SUMMARY:Supervision of Peer Recovery Specialists Roundtable (No CEUs/livestream Available)
DESCRIPTION:This session will provide space for an open discussion of peer supervision by experienced practitioners.\n\n\n
CATEGORIES:COMMON
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1105\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ed23c13084dc537d1dbb8664e95da3a2
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/ed23c13084dc537d1dbb8664e95da3a2
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T191500Z
DTEND:20260521T201500Z
SUMMARY:Boots on the Ground: How Harm Reduction and Peer Outreach Bridge the Continuum of Care
DESCRIPTION:This presentation explores peer-led community outreach practice and case examples from Health Brigade CHR demonstrating how low-barrier harm reduction services (syringe access\, naloxone distribution\, overdose prevention education\, safer use supplies\, and peer navigation) function as consistent engagement points across active use\, early recovery\, long-term recovery\, and periods of transition or recurrence. Harm reduction is an evidence-informed\, recovery-oriented approach that sustains connection to healthcare\, treatment\, recovery supports\, and social services over time\, supporting outcomes such as ongoing engagement\, stability\, and wellness without requiring abstinence as a prerequisite for access to care.\n\n\nBy the end of this session\, participants will be able to:\n• Describe the role of peer-led\, street-level outreach in engaging individuals at all stages of recovery\n• Explain how harm reduction services function as entry points\, mid-term supports\, and long-term recovery resources\n• Identify common breakdowns in the continuum of care and peer-informed strategies to address them\n• Apply harm reduction principles to strengthen collaboration between outreach\, treatment\, and recovery services
CATEGORIES:HARM REDUCTION
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1201\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3d3b89aa88a4e43fa27d16bef7a6f4fe
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/3d3b89aa88a4e43fa27d16bef7a6f4fe
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260524T160412Z
DTSTART:20260521T201500Z
DTEND:20260521T210000Z
SUMMARY:Dessert and Connections!
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Academic Learning Commons Courtyard\, 1000 Floyd Ave\, Richmond\, VA 23220
SEQUENCE:0
UID:cd2737eff760b8c2e860867bd1329a68
URL:http://r2r2026.sched.com/event/cd2737eff760b8c2e860867bd1329a68
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR