The Alliance for Rights and Recovery

11/24/2025

This Giving Tuesday, invest in the work of The Alliance for Rights and Recovery and help us promote health, wellness, and recovery with full community inclusion. Together, we can make a difference so that all may achieve maximum potential in communities of choice.

➡️ Click the link in bio to donate now and support rights and recovery!

11/21/2025

The energy, dedication, and collaborative spirit you brought to the Academy made this year truly transformative. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

We kicked off with an incredibly powerful keynote from the phenomenal Nyla Christian, challenging us to move from rigidity and urgency to a collaborative and intentional mode of leadership. Her message to reclaim and rename the void and reconnect with our "why" set the tone for all the work that followed.

A huge thank you to our esteemed speakers and presenters, including Dr. Marianne Farkas for outlining our history as we head into the future of person-centered recovery, and leaders from the Office of Mental Health, who shared critical updates and expertise on strengthening recovery-oriented systems of care. We also extend a special thank you to the Office of Mental Health (OMH) for generously sponsoring this year's Academy!

We are immensely grateful for the invaluable support from our partners, the InUnity Alliance and the Center for Practice Innovations (CPI). Your partnership is essential to advancing the resilience and purpose of our workforce.

We leave this year's event energized and equipped to continue being the champions of this vital work. We look forward to seeing the impact you make in your communities!

11/21/2025

Thank you to Dr. Marianne Farkas for launching Day 2 of our Rehab Academy with her insightful session, Recovery and Psychiatric Rehabilitation: Our Story. She brilliantly illuminated the global history of recovery, outlining decades of advocacy, approaches, and crucial innovation in care for people with lived experience that evolved from the 16th century to today. Her presentation provides a powerful and timely reminder of our collective worldwide story as we continue to champion person-centered support and fight for lives of dignity and meaning.

11/21/2025

We are incredibly proud to have ended our first night of Rehab and Recovery Academy by celebrating an outstanding leader! Kathryn Murphy, LMHC, Supervisor of PROS, Peer Support and Employment Services, St. Joseph’s Health, is the recipient of the Robert Myers Award. As Supervisor of PROS, Peer Support, and Employment Services at St. Joseph’s Health, Kathryn embodies the spirit of this award. She is recognized for the compassionate and graceful way she leads her PROS program, consistently connecting with her staff and the people she supports. Her expertise has built a well-attended, successful program that has thrived for many years. Congratulations and thank you for your incredible work, Kathryn!

11/20/2025

We're deep into the 16th Annual Rehab and Recovery Academy with a crucial General Session: "Say What You Mean: Aligning Documentation with Practice Standards and Person-Centered Services," hosted by Rayna Wang and Boris Vilgorin.

This session underscores that documentation tells the story of an individual's experiences and recovery journey. Good documentation is essential because it:

- Reflects the nuance and wholeness of a persons recovery journey
- Ensures fiscal sustainability and protects funding.
- Creates a consistent, cohesive narrative.

A key takeaway: "Replacing biased language can lead to equitable and effective treatment." Leaders are learning how to be a coach, not an editor, using a strength-based approach to capture the nuance and wholeness of a person's recovery!

11/20/2025

We kicked off the 16th Annual Rehab and Recovery Academy with an absolutely captivating and necessary keynote from the phenomenal Nyla Christian!

Nyla challenged leaders and "Virgos" alike to reclaim and rename the void, vocalize our fears, and reconnect with our why. Her call to action: build flexibility and sustainability into our leadership by shifting from rigidity and urgency to a collaborative and intentional mode.

A truly inspiring start for all the champions of this vital work!

Follow the Alliance and stay tuned for even more transformative insights from the Academy!

11/19/2025

We are thrilled to announce that our CEO, Harvey Rosenthal, has been recognized as one of the PoliticsNY & amny 2025 Power Players in Health Care!

Harvey’s inclusion on this list reflects his decades-long commitment to advancing recovery, protecting civil rights, and promoting voluntary, community-based mental health and substance use services. Under his leadership, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery has continued to be a statewide and national force for person-centered supports, peer-led innovation, and advocacy that places dignity and human rights at the center of behavioral health policy.

Please join us in congratulating Harvey on this well-deserved honor! See more about Harvey’s distinction as well as others named to the 2025 Power Players list here:
https://politicsny.com/power-lists/2025-power-players-in-health-care/page/6/ -rosenthal

11/18/2025

The countdown is ON! There are only 2 days until the 16th Annual Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy! Join The Alliance for Rights and Recovery on November 20th and 21st, 2025 , as we move "From Program to Purpose". We're thrilled to host multiple sessions with the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH), diving deep into policy and practice. Prepare to be challenged by Keynote Speaker Nyla Christian, who will teach us how to Inspire in the Void and strengthen recovery through community and innovation.

Registration is open here: https://www.accelevents.com/e/alliance-16th-annual-recovery-and-rehabilitation-a

11/13/2025

Rehab Academy is Next Week!
Just seven days until the 16th Annual Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy (November 20 & 21, 2025)!

Leaders at all levels: You can't miss these high-impact sessions on Day One:

- Don't miss the Day One Keynote "Inspiring in the Void: Leading with Courage, Clarity, and Purpose in Uncertain Times" by Nyla Christian, CPRSS, NCLC, CEO/Founder of LifeInspired. She challenges comfort and equips leaders to turn values into action .

- General Session: Learn how to "Say What You Mean: Aligning Documentation with Practice Standards and Person-Centered Services".

- Leadership Track: Dive into Transformational Leadership in Mental Health Services and Operationalizing Values to ensure fidelity to your mission .

- Team Support: Get practical tips for keeping your "Remote and Rooted: What It Takes to Keep Remote Core Teams Engaged and Effective".

Let's challenge comfort, disrupt complacency, and turn values into action!

Register and see the full agenda here: https://www.accelevents.com/e/alliance-16th-annual-recovery-and-rehabilitation-a

CEUs Available: Continuing Education Units are approved for LMSW, LCSW, CPRP, LMHC, and NYS Certified Peer Specialists.

Welcome to the 16th Annual Alliance Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy, From Program to Purpose: Strengthening Recovery Through Community Connection and Innovation.Don't forget to make your hotel reservation HERE before October 29th.And if you haven't yet had the chance, visit our online Shop for...

11/13/2025

Don’t miss the 16th Annual Recovery & Rehabilitation Academy — 30+ sessions, expert speakers, and transformative conversations about recovery and rights.
📅 November 20–21
Register here: https://www.accelevents.com/e/alliance-16th-annual-recovery-and-rehabilitation-a

11/12/2025

"Supporting each other to get out of the hospital, to stay out of the hospital, and to get the hospital out of us." The Alliance's Peer Bridger™ Program provides the crucial, long-term support of lived experience.

Your gift helps prove the impact: 71% of people supported by a Peer Bridger were not readmitted to psychiatric centers one year after discharge.

Join us on Giving Tuesday, December 2nd, to invest in hope, health, and a successful transition home. https://rightsandrecovery.org/donate/

11/11/2025

🇺🇸 This Veterans Day, we honor those who have served and call attention to the urgent need for accessible mental health care for our veterans.

Many face challenges such as PTSD, depression, and substance use. It’s vital that we provide the support and recovery resources they deserve—ensuring every veteran can access compassionate, comprehensive care.

Together, let’s end the stigma and create a culture where veterans feel safe reaching out for help.