Sponsored by
Call For Summit Presentations Now open
Proposals due May 4
More information on priority topics and presentation criteria on the link below
Join us for the 2026 NSC Sobering Summit as we gather under the theme “Gateway to the Future of Sobering Care.” This year’s Summit marks a pivotal moment for the field—one defined by growth, clarity, and a shared commitment to quality and accountability.
Sobering care has moved beyond the realm of emerging practice. With the launch of CARF’s national accreditation standards, the forthcoming expansion of training opportunities, and a growing community of providers, the field is stepping into its next era. This Summit invites participants to explore what it means to build a stronger, more connected, and more sustainable sobering care system—one that supports individuals in crisis while advancing health equity and systems transformation.
Together, we will examine how standards, training, and technical assistance can strengthen practice, elevate the workforce, and ensure sobering centers are positioned as essential entry points into care. From local innovation to national alignment, the 2026 Sobering Summit is your gateway to shaping what comes next. Join us as we move forward—together—into the future of sobering care.
Conference Rate – $209/night
Available until 9/16 or until reserved rooms are fully booked
Westin St. Louis – 811 Spruce Streeet, St. Louis, MO
Sponsorship opportunities are available – don’t miss out!
Lead Sponsors
Signature Sponsor:
Lunch Sponsor:
Main Session Sponsor:
Bridgeway Community Health
Breakout Session Sponsor:
Preferred Family Healthcare
Welcome Reception Sponsor:
CARF International
October 7, 5-7
Promenade Foyer
Westin St. Louis
Sponsored by CARF International
Full-day programming
October 7-9
Make sure to save time to talk with our exhibitors:
This agenda is subject to change. Please check back periodically for updates.
8 – 9 am
Sponsored by Tuerk House
9 – 9:45 am
Shannon Smith-Bernardin, PhD, RN, CNL
Associate Professor, School of Nursing. University of California, San Francisco
Owner. Smith-Bernardin Consulting
Oakland, CA
Laura Elmore LeBlanc, LMSW-AP
Chief Executive Officer
The Sobering Center
Austin, TX
Shauna Goodman, MPA
Executive Director
National Sobering Collaborative
Sacramento, CA
9:45 – 10 am
10 am – 11 am
Anna Phillips, PhD, LMFT
Chief Program Officer
Horizon Treatment Services
Hayward, CA
Mike Bloodworth, MA, CRADC
Program Director
Preferred Family Healthcare
St. Louis, MO
Jean Sokora, LCSW, MSW, CCDP-D, CRPS, CPS
Program Director
Preferred Family Healthcare
St. Louis, MO
*NASW CE Credit available for this session
11 – 11:15 am
11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Kelsi Urrutia, LMSW
Data Strategy and Visualization Manager
TriWest Group
Austin, TX
Jean Sokora, LCSW, MSW, CCDP-D, CRPS, CPS
Program Director
Preferred Family Healthcare
St. Louis, MO
*NASW CE Credit available for this session
Maggie Luna, JI-RPS
Executive Director
Texas Harm Reduction Alliance
Austin, TX
*NASW CE Credit available for this session
Sponsored by
12:15 – 2 pm
2 – 3 pm
Hillary Harris, LBSW
Program Manager
The Sobering Center
Austin, TX
Christine Hassall, LCDC
Director of Programs
The Sobering Center
Austin, TX
Kimberly Smith Childers, EMT-B Medical Team Lead
The Sobering Center
Austin, TX
*NASW CE Credit available for this session
Cesar Leon
Sobering Center Manager
Janus of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Katherine Orlando, MS RADT
Senior Director of Programs
Janus of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Arish Narayen, Esq
Project Manager
DC Department of Behavioral Health
Washington, DC
*NASW CE Credit available for this session
3 – 3:15 pm
3:15 – 4:30 pm
Pete Eckart, MSW
Principal
Peter Eckart Consulting
Chicago, IL
Shannon Smith-Bernardin, PhD, RN, CNL
Associate Professor, School of Nursing University of California, San Francisco
Owner, Smith-Bernardin Consulting
Oakland, CA
4:30 – 5 pm
5 – 6:30 pm
Optional
Tour Leader
Stacey Cramer-Morais
Administrative Assistant & Office Manager
Houston Recovery Center
Houston, TX
6:30 – 6:45 pm
6:45 – 8:45 pm
Optional
Group Leaders
Laura Elmore LeBlanc, LMSW-AP
Chief Executive Officer
The Sobering Center
Austin, TX
Tina Sentner, LAADC
Program and Personnel Manager
Horizon Services
San Jose, CA
Jean Sokora, LCSW, MSW, CCDP-D, CRPS, CPS
Program Director
Preferred Family Healthcare
St. Louis, MO
8 – 9 am
9 – 10 am
Devon Anderson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Justice Forward
Houston, TX
10 – 10:15 am
10:15 – 11:15 am
Facilitator:
Suzanne Jarvis, MPH
Chief Analytics and Communications Officer
Houston Recovery Center
Houston, TX
Participants:
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, MLA
Harris County Sheriff
Houston Police Department
Houston, TX
Mayor Annise Parker
President and CEO
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute
Houston, TX
11:15 – 11:30 am
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Daniel Maas, MPH
Public Health Advisor
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Philadelphia, PA
Billina Shaw, MD, MPH, FAPA, FASAM
Senior Medical Advisor
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Washington DC
12:30 – 12:45 pm
12:45 – 2:15 pm
Shannon Smith-Bernardin, PhD, RN, CNL
Associate Professor, School of Nursing
University of California, San Francisco
Owner
Smith-Bernardin Consulting
Oakland, CA
Laura Elmore LeBlanc, LMSW-AP
Chief Executive Officer
The Sobering Center
Austin, TX
Shauna Goodman, MPA
Executive Director
National Sobering Collaborative
Sacramento, CA
2:15 – 2:30 pm
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Sarah Riley
Chief Executive Officer
Poplar Wellness Group
St. Louis, MO
*NASW CE Credit available for this session
Shawnte Alexander, Ed.D
Vice President of Behavioral Health, Northern California
HealthRight360
Los Angeles, CA
Diana Castillo, LCSW
Divisional Director of Crisis and Transitional Housing
HealthRight360
San Francisco, CA
*NASW CE Credit available for this session
3:30 – 3:45 pm
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Sarah Riley
Chief Executive Officer
Poplar Wellness Group
St. Louis, MO
*NASW CE Credit available for this session
Shawnte Alexander, Ed.D
Vice President of Behavioral Health, Northern California
HealthRight360
Los Angeles, CA
Diana Castillo, LCSW
Divisional Director of Crisis and Transitional Housing
HealthRight360
San Francisco, CA
*NASW CE Credit available for this session
12:30 – 12:45 pm
3:45 – 4 pm
4 – 5 pm
Chair:
Jean Harris-Sokora, LCSW, CCDP-D, CRPS, CPS
Dunnica Sobering Support Center
St. Louis, MO
Staff Lead:
Shauna Goodman, MPA
Staff Support:
Kaitlyn Crowley
Volunteer Committee
Amanda Carnegie, LMFT
Behavorial Health Services
Los Angeles, CA
Andreas Prince, CADC, CRS, CPS
Dunnica Sobering Support Center
St. Louis, MO
Anne Johnston, MS, FNPc, CARN-AP
CODA Inc
Portland, OR
Bernard Gyebi-Foster, MA, MBA, LCPC
Tuerk House
Baltimore, MD
Douglas Cox
Bridgeway Recovery Services
Salem, OR
Sylvia Barnard
Good Samaritan Shelter
Santa Barbara, CA
Terri Galvan, MPP
WellSpace Health
Sacramento, CA
Tina Sentner
Horizon Services
San Jose, CA
Vered De Vries
WellSpace Health
Sacramento, CA