There Is Hope Youth Substance Use Disorder Summit - Aspire Advocates for Behavioral Health

Friday, April 17, 2026
St. Louis County Library – Clark Family Branch

11:00 am to 3:30pm
Mid-day Session for Professionals (lunch provided)
3:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Evening Session for Professionals and Community Members (appetizers and beverages provided)

Community members are invited to register for the evening program.

Professionals are invited to register for either the daytime, evening sessions, or both.

Community Registration

Who Should Attend?

Parents and Care Givers – Moms, Dads, Foster Parents, Guardians, Grandparents, Aunties and Uncles, Friends, and Supporters
Young People – Anyone between the ages of 11 and 26
Community – Faith Leaders, Youth Mentors, Coaches and Community Volunteers

Professional Registration

You are invited to register for the daytime, evening, or both.

Who Should Attend?

Behavioral Health Professionals – SUD Treatment Programs, SUD Professionals, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, Counselors and more
School Professionals – District Leaders, School Social Workers, School Counselors and more
Community Leaders – Public Health, Nonprofit Leaders Serving Youth with SUD, State Legislators as well as City, County and Municipal Leaders
Juvenile Justice & Foster Care Professionals – DJOs, Case Managers, Judges, Counselors, Social Workers, Family Advocates and more

The There Is Hope Youth Substance Use Disorder Summit is an unprecedented convening and a gift to our community—bringing together families, young people in recovery, professionals, and leaders around one shared purpose: building a recovery-oriented system of care that changes the trajectory of young lives in the St. Louis region.

This Summit features Dr. John Kelly and Dr. Emily Hennessy of Harvard University’s Youth Recovery Research Program—world-renowned experts whose research has reshaped how communities across the country understand and support long-term recovery for young people.

The mid-day professional program offers rare access to this nationally recognized expertise, with sessions exploring the science of long-term remission, building recovery-oriented systems of care, and strengthening recovery capital for youth.

An evening community gathering immediately follows—the heart of this Summit—intentionally designed to connect science with lived experience and welcome every voice into this movement. Open to everyone, the evening includes a curated resource fair connecting families to support, a community keynote, and a powerful youth panel where young people in recovery share their stories and show how evidence-based care shows up in real life.

This Summit also marks the official launch of Missouri’s first publicly-funded Recovery High School, a milestone Aspire Advocates has worked toward for years—creating new pathways for young people to continue their education while maintaining their recovery.

Whether you’re a parent navigating the system, a young person in recovery, a professional seeking better tools, or a community member who wants to understand how to support youth and families—this Summit is for you. Offered as a gift to the community through the generosity of Aspire Advocates and our partners, registration is completely free, with limited seating available.

Together, we can build the recovery-oriented system of care our young people deserve.

Event Schedule – Day (Professionals)

11:00am-12:00pm | Professional Presentation I: The Science of Hope and TSF (The Cochrane Mandate)
Dr. Kelly presents the scientific foundation for Twelve-Step Facilitation (TSF) as an effective and cost-effective Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) TSF as EBP, Cochrane Review Findings, Scientific Mandate for Community Linkage
Key Concepts: TSF as EBP, Cochrane Review Findings, Scientific Mandate for Community Linkage

12:00-12:15 pm | Break

12:15-1:00pm | Working Lunch: Strategic Implementation Q&A (Lunch is served)
High-level discussion with Dr. Kelly on policy, funding and systems-level challenges
Key Concepts: Policy and Strategic Planning

1:00-2:00pm | Professional Presentation II: Recovery Capital and the ROSC Model
Dr. Hennessy introduces the Recovery-Oriented System of Care (ROSC) framework and the measurable value of Recovery Capital (RC) in sustaining youth recovery
Key Concepts: Recovery Capital (RC), SUD as a Chronic Condition, ROSC Integration

2:00-2:15 pm | Break

2:15-3:15pm | Interactive Workshop and Q&A: TSF Science, ROSC Principles, and RC Research
Deep dive into practical methods, applying RC concepts, and executive effective Warm Hand-offs to Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs)
Key Concepts: Youth-Focused TSF, Warm Hand-offs, Measuring RC, Implementation Fidelity

Event Schedule – Evening (Community and Professionals)

3:30-6:00pm | Recovery Community Connections
School and behavioral health professional networking Resource Fair for families and youth. Delicious apps and non-alcoholic beverages for all.

5:30-6:30pm | Rush Hour Keynote: The Science of Hope
Dr. Kelly’s inspirational talk on the value of early intervention, the science of hope, and the essential role of community

6:30-6:45 pm | Break

6:45-7:30pm | Personal Recovery Stories: Research in Real Life
Young people share their recovery journey, highlighting how scientific principles were validated in their life

Our Partners

Aspire Advocates for Behavioral Health is proud to partner with St. Louis County Library and St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund on the Youth Substance Use Disorder Summit. Together, we’re inspiring hope and strengthening recovery for youth and families across our region.