Suburban Showplace Collection
46100 Grand River Ave.
Novi, MI 48374
Nze is a harm reductionist, facilitator, and consultant. They are known for work surrounding crisis services, public health impact and social policy. They provide consultation around crisis alternatives, peer run respites, peer run warmlines, peer support supervision, and harm reduction. Nze has past experience in housing, diversity, equity, and inclusion, clinical substance use counseling, and population-specific SUD program development for Black and Brown communities. Nze is currently the Peer Services Program Director at SOAR Case Management Services Inc., overseeing Solstice House Peer Run Respite in Madison, WI. They also work as a Technical Assistance Consultant for PRCoE (Peer Recovery Center of Excellence) and Harm Reduction Equity Consultant for PeerPride. Nze centers the historical and ongoing truths of psychiatric survivors in their work, believing our stories hold power, community is our home, and pride is a path to liberation.
Ariel “Air” Britt received her Master’s in Social Work from The University of Michigan. Most of her career has been focused on developing substance use prevention, intervention, and support services for youth and young adults. In 2019, she created an award-winning podcast Beauty in the Grit. It shares true stories from her own journey in recovery and others that have inspired her along the way. In 2021, she served as a political appointee for the Biden-Harris Administration at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Currently, she is working on several projects to harness the power of data and storytelling for social good. Alongside her professional life, Air finds joy and fulfillment in raising her son Jude.
Self-direction has been around for a while, but the pandemic and nationwide caregiving crisis have accelerated its growth exponentially. This presentation will provide an in-depth look at the state of self-direction across the country. You’ll also hear Erica’s personal journey with self-direction and the profound positive impact it has had on her life. Gain first-hand knowledge of the benefits and challenges associated with self-direction, along with strategies to overcome those challenges. Erica has over 20 years of experience working in the Health and Human Services field and has the added expertise of living a self-directed life and directing her own care for over 20 years. Erica has Spinal Muscular Atrophy and is a participant in the WI Self-Directed Program. Erica has spoken at many national and even international conferences about her experience living a self-directed life and what a positive impact it has had on her. Besides working at Applied Self-Direction, Erica also owns a business called Empowering U, which is dedicated to helping disabled people self-direct and make the most out of their lives. Erica assists disabled people generally navigate the sometimes confusing world of self-direction, with an emphasis on assisting with recruiting, hiring, and managing direct care workers. Anytime Erica can help someone live their life to the fullest, she is in!
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