MARSHFIELD, Wis. — Registration is now open for the 10th-annual HOPE Consortium Conference, taking place virtually Aug. 6-7.

This event marks a decade of hope, healing and human connection while bringing together professionals, community leaders and advocates committed to strengthening substance use prevention, treatment, recovery and wellness efforts across rural communities.

This year’s conference theme, “The Power of Hope, Healing and Human Connection,” will be explored through more than 30 educational sessions led by experts, practitioners, individuals with lived experience and community partners. The conference is designed for treatment and recovery service providers, prevention professionals, health care providers, criminal justice partners, human service professionals, educators and community and tribal leaders.

Attendees will have the opportunity to choose from five educational tracks with the themes “Hope, Healing, Human Connection”; “Recovery Stories and Peer Power”; and “Collaboration Across Systems.” Featured sessions include:

— “The Science of Healing: Building Resilience and Emotional Well-Being”;

— “Breaking Down Stigma: Building Understanding and Support for Individuals with Substance Use Disorder”;

— “Loss, Purpose, and Recovery: A Caregiver’s Journey Through Addiction and Healing”;

— “Breaking Cycles: Intergenerational Recovery Stories”;

— “What Helpers and Systems Need to Understand: Indigenous Perspectives on Healing, Recovery, and Relationship-Centered Care.”

The conference will open with keynote speaker Dr. Jim Harris who will present “Supporting People in a Complicated World.” Day two will begin with Linda Davis, a retired judge and current executive director of Face Addiction Now, presenting “A Community’s Response to Addiction,” highlighting the importance of community collaboration in addressing substance use challenges. The conference will conclude with Pamela Lee, a community health worker from Wood County, sharing her personal recovery journey and discussing the role healing plays in long-term recovery with a session titled “The Power of Healing in Recovery.”

Registration is $25 and open to anyone interested in addressing substance use challenges and supporting recovery efforts in rural Wisconsin and beyond. Individuals who work, reside or serve individuals within the HOPE Consortium service area — including Barron, Clark, Dunn, Forest, Iron, Jackson, Oneida, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Vilas, and Wood Counties, as well as the Forest County Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk, Lac du Flambeau Chippewa, Sokaogon Chippewa, and St. Croix Tribal Nations — are especially encouraged to attend. However, participation is open to all.

Participants may earn up to nine continuing education hours through conference attendance.

For the full agenda and registration information, go to hopeconsortium.org/conference. Registration closes Aug. 3, but early registration is encouraged to receive an exclusive conference packet in the mail.

The conference is funded in part by Family Health Center of Marshfield Inc. and Roots & Wings Foundation, with logistical support provided by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Continuing Education team.

For questions, contact familyhealthcenteroutreach@familyhealthcenter.org.