Commonwealth of Care: Voices in Mental Health Recovery
Commonwealth of Care is Vocal Virginia’s peer-led conference uplifting recovery voices, connection, and hope across Virginia.
Registration closes at 12pm on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
Vocal Virginia is excited to announce their 2026 Annual Conference, Commonwealth of Care: Voices in Mental Health Recovery. We are thrilled that Mary J. McQuown will be this year’s Keynote Speaker!
With more than 25 years of experience in the behavioral health field, Mary J. McQuown brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work in mental health recovery. Mary spent over 15 years as a dedicated advocate across Virginia, working at both local and state levels to elevate the voices of individuals in recovery and strengthen systems of care.
She holds a Master of Arts in Management, is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and is currently the Recovery Services Workforce Development Coordinator at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
Outside of her professional work, Mary finds joy in reading, crafting, and spending time with her cat, Kauri, reminders of the balance and connection that support recovery in everyday life.
In this powerful keynote and feature session, Mary brings her personal journey and professional leadership together to explore how lived experience can shape and transform behavioral health systems.
Michael T. Lane who serves as the Director of Individual and Family Affairs at the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB), will be presenting a workshop entitled Peer Recovery Specialists—Out of the Silos, which explores the need to move out of the silos and into a more connected, responsive system of care. Drawing on real-world examples from the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, participants will learn how innovative, peer-informed approaches are expanding access to recovery supports across settings and communities.
Erin Tucker and Stacie Vecchietti, with the Virginia Department of Social Services, will discuss Vicarious Trauma and ways we can Support Ourselves While Supporting Others. This workshop invites participants into shared dialogue, reflection, and learning. Through real-world examples and guided discussion, participants will explore how vicarious trauma shows up across individuals, teams, and systems, and how to respond with intention, care, and connection.
Thomas E. Pratt, Navy Veteran and Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, will share his experience with the Veteran "X" program. Veteran "X" presents a scenario of a fictitious Veteran who has a number of social issues, including mental illness, addiction, poor physical health, homelessness, economic hardships, and family issues. Using this fictional Veteran as a focus, others experiencing the same or similar issues can build upon their own recovery by trying to solve Veteran "X"’s challenges.
This virtual conference via Zoom ensures that no matter where you are, you can be part of the conversation. You will gain valuable tools, meaningful connections, and inspiration to navigate life’s uncertainties with confidence.
Let’s come together, celebrate 26 years of Vocal Virginia, and embrace the future with strength, resilience, and hope.
We cannot wait to see you there!
Conference tickets are available for $50.00, with a limited supply of reduced-rate tickets for $25.00. *Individuals who are financially able, please be sure to select the $50 rate to ensure all interested Virginians have the opportunity to attend.
Please feel free to reach out to Vocal Virginia staff with any questions:
(276) 698-9279 | network@vocalvirginia.org
We hope you will join us, and we look forward to participating together in May!
Vocal Virginia offers a limited number of income-based free tickets. Before you apply for assistance, please be sure your workplace will not cover the training costs as professional development. To apply for scholarship tickets, please click here. The deadline to return applications is Friday, May 22 at 5 p.m.
Commonwealth of Care is Vocal Virginia’s peer-led conference uplifting recovery voices, connection, and hope across Virginia.
Registration closes at 12pm on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
Vocal Virginia is excited to announce their 2026 Annual Conference, Commonwealth of Care: Voices in Mental Health Recovery. We are thrilled that Mary J. McQuown will be this year’s Keynote Speaker!
With more than 25 years of experience in the behavioral health field, Mary J. McQuown brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work in mental health recovery. Mary spent over 15 years as a dedicated advocate across Virginia, working at both local and state levels to elevate the voices of individuals in recovery and strengthen systems of care.
She holds a Master of Arts in Management, is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and is currently the Recovery Services Workforce Development Coordinator at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
Outside of her professional work, Mary finds joy in reading, crafting, and spending time with her cat, Kauri, reminders of the balance and connection that support recovery in everyday life.
In this powerful keynote and feature session, Mary brings her personal journey and professional leadership together to explore how lived experience can shape and transform behavioral health systems.
Michael T. Lane who serves as the Director of Individual and Family Affairs at the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB), will be presenting a workshop entitled Peer Recovery Specialists—Out of the Silos, which explores the need to move out of the silos and into a more connected, responsive system of care. Drawing on real-world examples from the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, participants will learn how innovative, peer-informed approaches are expanding access to recovery supports across settings and communities.
Erin Tucker and Stacie Vecchietti, with the Virginia Department of Social Services, will discuss Vicarious Trauma and ways we can Support Ourselves While Supporting Others. This workshop invites participants into shared dialogue, reflection, and learning. Through real-world examples and guided discussion, participants will explore how vicarious trauma shows up across individuals, teams, and systems, and how to respond with intention, care, and connection.
Thomas E. Pratt, Navy Veteran and Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, will share his experience with the Veteran "X" program. Veteran "X" presents a scenario of a fictitious Veteran who has a number of social issues, including mental illness, addiction, poor physical health, homelessness, economic hardships, and family issues. Using this fictional Veteran as a focus, others experiencing the same or similar issues can build upon their own recovery by trying to solve Veteran "X"’s challenges.
This virtual conference via Zoom ensures that no matter where you are, you can be part of the conversation. You will gain valuable tools, meaningful connections, and inspiration to navigate life’s uncertainties with confidence.
Let’s come together, celebrate 26 years of Vocal Virginia, and embrace the future with strength, resilience, and hope.
We cannot wait to see you there!
Conference tickets are available for $50.00, with a limited supply of reduced-rate tickets for $25.00. *Individuals who are financially able, please be sure to select the $50 rate to ensure all interested Virginians have the opportunity to attend.
Please feel free to reach out to Vocal Virginia staff with any questions:
(276) 698-9279 | network@vocalvirginia.org
We hope you will join us, and we look forward to participating together in May!
Vocal Virginia offers a limited number of income-based free tickets. Before you apply for assistance, please be sure your workplace will not cover the training costs as professional development. To apply for scholarship tickets, please click here. The deadline to return applications is Friday, May 22 at 5 p.m.
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Highlights
- 7 hours
- Online
Refund Policy