2nd Annual Conference on Addiction and Recovery
September 18 - 19, 2025
ACC Substance Use Awareness Week
September 15 - 19, 2025
We are thrilled to announce a series of engaging events leading up to this year’s Conference on Addiction and Recovery, September 18-19. This is a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and collaborate on important topics that impact our community. Join us for a week full of inspiring activities, workshops, and discussions. All events are open to the community! Registration not required for pre-conference events.
Monday, September 15, 2025 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (1.25 CEUs)
Anuar Valdez, LCSW & Armando Fraile, LMSW
Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders in the Veteran Population
Location: Highland Campus, ACC Veterans Resource Center, Bldg. 4000, Room 4.2120-RSVP Form
Virtual Option (11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.): https://austincc.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=8a2280ea-c6f2-42cf-9c7c-b32b0151cdbe
Light refreshments will be served.
Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | 1-2 p.m. (1.00 CEU)
Erika Salinas, MS, LCDC, RSPS
The Chaos I Was Raised In: A Story of Surviving Domestic Violence, Substance Use, and Finding Recovery
Virtual Event: https://austincc.zoom.us/meeting/register/IlGkxTl9QwyVI1zIK9jbCQ
Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | 5-7 p.m.
Austin State Hospital x ACC Art Department Wellness Workshop
Facilitated by Gina Woodruff, MA, LPC-A, ART-P
Join us for an engaging hands-on workshop centered on wellness and recovery where you can discover the therapeutic benefits of art. Additionally, you'll have the chance to learn about the Volunteer Service Council, a non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life for patients at the Austin State Hospital and the dedicated staff who support them.
Light refreshments will be served.
Location: Highland Campus, Truth, Community Healing & Transformation Center, Bldg. 4000, Room 4.2205-RSVP Form
Digital Exhibition Coming Soon!
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | Noon-1 p.m.
Andrew Silver, LPC-S, BC-TMH & Celso Zepeda, BAAS, LCDC
Recognizing and Responding to Substance Use Concerns: A Guide for Non-Clinical Staff Supporting Students
Virtual Event: https://austincc.zoom.us/meeting/register/atcXCnCLQkycG76ULSnjxA
*Registration Required for Conference
Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
8:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. - Check-in/Resource Fair - Breakfast Served
Location: Highland Campus, Building 2000, HLC2 C1401
10:55 a.m.-11 a.m. - Welcome to the 2nd Annual Conference on Addiction and Recovery - Christopher Rzigalinski, ACC Service-Learning and Community Engagement Specialist
Location: Highland Campus, Building 2000, Room 2.1550
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.- Keynote (1.5 CEUs)
Christie Curtis, LMSW, Alan Graham, Ashley Perales, MSW, M.A., Patricia Barrera, LPC
Bridging the Gaps: Connecting Recovery, Housing and Education
Location: Highland Campus, Building 2000, Room 2.1550
12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. - Lunch
Location: Highland Campus, Building 2000, HLC2 C1401
*All Recovery Meeting (All paths welcome)-Bldg. 2000, Rm. TBD
1:45 p.m.- 3 p.m.- Breakout Session #1 (1.25 CEUs)
Kenneth Thompson Sr., Joe Powell, LCDC, Latreese Cooke, Jeremy Jones, CPS, Sommer Alexander, JI-RPS - The Conversation Lounge Podcast: Presented by the African American Cultural Center- Pathways of Recovery for Justice Involved Individuals
Location: Highland Campus Make-it-Center, Building 2000, Room 2.2429
Virtual Option: https://austincc.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=47d10ec6-4498-486b-9795-b32b015064b5
1:45 p.m.-3 p.m. - Breakout Session #2 (1.25 CEUs)
Stacy McColl MSN, RN, CARN - Peer Support in a Recovery Focused Monitoring Program- A Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (TPAPN) Overview
Location: Highland Campus Make-it-Center, Building 2000, Room 2.2429
Friday, September 19, 2025 | 8:30 a.m.-3:25 p.m.
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. - Check-in/Breakfast Served
Location: Highland Campus, Building 2000, HLC2 C1401
9:40 a.m.- 9:45 a.m. - Conference Welcome Day 2 - Darrell Merriweather, ACC Student Affairs, Senior Advising Specialist
Location: Highland Campus, Building 2000, Room 2.1550
9:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m. - Keynote (1.5 CEUs)
Laura Elmore LeBlanc, LMSW-AP - Notes from the Field: Gender, Trauma, and the Treatment/Incarceration Divide
Location: Highland Campus, Building 2000, Room 2.1550
11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. - Breakout Session #1 (1.25 CEUs)
Geoffrey Vasile, LMSW- Substance Use in College Students with ADHD
Location: Highland Campus, Building 2000, Rm. 2.2220
11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. - Breakout Session #2
Michael Braxton, LCSW, MBA, LCDC, MHPS - ACC Addictions Counseling Program Student Panel Discussion
Location: Highland Campus, Building 2000, Room 2.2226
12:45 p.m.-1:30 p.m. - Box Lunch
Location: Highland Campus, Building 2000, HLC2 C1401
1:45 p.m.-3:15 p.m. - Closing Keynote (1.5 CEUs)
Celso Zepeda, BAAS, LCDC - Creating Safe Spaces: LGBTQ+ Inclusivity and Ally Development
Location: Highland Campus, Building 2000, Room 2.1550
3:15 p.m.-3:25 p.m. - Closing Remarks/Raffle