Hands Across Long Island (HALI), in partnership with the Mental Health Association of Nassau County, proudly co-hosted the 33rd Annual Bi-County Peer Workforce Empowerment Conference on May 29 at the Huntington Hilton. More than 200 peer specialists, advocates, and behavioral health professionals gathered for a day of workshops, networking, and professional development centered around this year’s theme, “Channeling Our Resilience When It Matters Most.”

Produced by and for people with lived experience, the conference remains one of Long Island’s premier gatherings for the peer workforce. This year’s event featured a keynote presentation by Clarencetine (Teena) Brooks of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and marked an important milestone with the introduction of Continuing Education Credits for New York Certified Peer Specialists (NYCPS), Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPA), and Certified Addiction Recovery Coaches (CARC).

HALI extends its sincere thanks to our presenters, sponsors, planning committee members, volunteers, and attendees for making this year’s conference a tremendous success. Together, we continue to strengthen the peer workforce and advance recovery-oriented services throughout Long Island.