Registration open—13th Annual

CCAPP's Largest Conference

October 14–18, 2026 · Sheraton Universal Hotel · Universal City, CA

Up to 27.4 CE hours

UP TO 27.4 CE HOURS 5.5 ETHICS HOURS THREE CONFERENCES 26 PRESENTERS CCAPP AWARDS 80s & OLD SCHOOL NIGHT ✦

The CAC experience

Three Conferences, One Week

The California Addiction Conference runs alongside two more—one badge, one venue, five days in Universal City.

13th Annual

California Addiction Conference

The main conference—workshops, keynotes, and CE across the whole field. Runs Wednesday, October 14th to Sunday the 18th.

Sixth Annual

National Recovery Capital Conference

Recovery capital—the housing, employment, community, and social supports that hold recovery together. Runs Wednesday, October 14.

Third Annual

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Conference

Equity in practice across the field—who gets served, who gets hired, and who gets heard. Runs Thursday, October 15.

One registration covers all three conferences, and your badge gets you into any session in any of them.

27.4

CE hours

5.5

Ethics hours

Conferences

Conference days

Five days in Universal City, CA

Agenda at a Glance

Tap a day to expand the full schedule.

Wednesday, October 14 · NRCC 6DAY 1 ▾

7:00–8:00 a.m.12 Step MeetingTerrace A

7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.Registration

7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.Exhibit Hall Open

7:30–8:30 a.m.WellbrietyTerrace C

8:00–9:00 a.m.Continental Breakfast

9:00–9:15 a.m.Welcome/Land Acknowledgement/PrayerPete Nielsen & Kristina PadillaGrand Ballroom

9:15–10:45 a.m.Recovery Capital and Recovery Residences: What We Know, What Is New and What Is NextDr. David BestRecovery CapitalGrand Ballroom

10:45–11:15 a.m.BREAK

11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.Beyond Stabilization: How Long-Term Recovery Housing Builds Recovery CapitalDavid VanderveldeRecovery CapitalGrand Ballroom

12:15–1:45 p.m.LUNCH ON OWN

1:45–2:45 p.m.The Future of Addiction, Recovery, & Behavioral HealthcareBrian HurleyRecovery CapitalGrand Ballroom

2:45–3:15 p.m.BREAK

3:15–4:45 p.m.Recovery Capital Applications: Recovery Housing and Recovery EcosystemsDavid SheridanRecovery CapitalGrand Ballroom

4:45–5:45 p.m.How Movies Are Reinventing Mutual Support in Addiction RecoveryTed PerkinsRecovery CapitalGrand Ballroom

6:00–9:00 p.m.Education Board Meeting (Closed)Composer

7:00–8:00 p.m.Smart Recovery MeetingTerrace A

Thursday, October 15 · DEIC 3DAY 2 ▾

7:00–8:00 a.m.All Recovery MeetingTerrace A

7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.Registration

7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.Exhibit Hall Open

7:30–8:30 a.m.WellbrietyTerrace C

8:00–9:00 a.m.Continental Breakfast

9:00–9:15 a.m.WelcomePete Nielsen & Kristina PadillaGrand Ballroom

9:15–10:30 a.m.Integrating Mental Health Stabilization into SUD Treatment for TGI Populations Across a Full Continuum of CareCorey Kwoka CADC I, Wilmer Davalillo, Maria Ortiz LCSW, & Marisa JamiesonCo-Occurring DisordersGrand Ballroom

10:30–11:00 a.m.BREAK

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.Ableism, Addiction, and Recovery: Building More Inclusive and Compassionate Care SpacesTiffany Yu MScDEIGrand Ballroom

12:00–1:30 p.m.LUNCH ON OWN

1:30–3:00 p.m.Beyond the Diagnosis: Practical Gender-Responsive Strategies for Women in Addiction TreatmentSandra Lee Mistretta, LMFT, CATCClinical IssuesGrand Ballroom

3:00–3:30 p.m.BREAK

3:30–5:00 p.m.Beyond PTSD: Recognizing and Treating Moral Injury in Veterans with Co-Occurring Substance UseShivali Sharma PsyD Candidate & Stephanie Claudatos, PhDVeteransGrand Ballroom

6:00–9:00 p.m.Member Board Meeting & Dinner (Closed)Starview Ballroom

Friday, October 16 · CAC 13DAY 3 ▾

7:00–8:00 a.m.12 Step MeetingTerrace A

7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.Registration

7:30–8:30 a.m.WellbrietyTerrace C

7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.Exhibit Hall Open

8:00–9:00 a.m.Continental Breakfast

9:00–9:15 a.m.Welcome/Land Acknowledgement/PrayerPete Nielsen & Kristina PadillaGrand Ballroom

9:15–10:00 a.m.NIMBYism is Alive & Well in the Golden StateZach RothenbergGrand Ballroom

10:00–10:30 a.m.California 2026 UpdateAssemblymember John HarabedianGrand Ballroom

10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.Student Day/Bridging Competence & Practice: Integrating California's Core Competencies with the 12 Core Functions of AOD Counseling(Students Only)Dr. John Herdman & Tom BuckleyTerrace A,B & C

10:30–11:00 a.m.BREAK

11:00–11:30 a.m.California 2026 UpdateAssemblymember Rick Chavez ZburGrand Ballroom

11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.Regulators & Legislators UpdateGrand Ballroom

12:00–1:00 p.m.Federal Policy Update (LUNCH Provided)Andrew KesslerGrand Ballroom

1:00–1:30 p.m.Regulators & Legislators Update

1:30–3:30 p.m.Students Day/IC&RC Test Prep (Students Only)Dr. John Herdman & Tom BuckleyTerrace A,B & C

1:30–2:00 p.m.BREAK

2:00–3:30 p.m.Recovery Residence TrainingKimberly Lindberg & Marisol ColvinRecovery ResidenceStudio 1

2:00–3:30 p.m.The Fear of Feminist Culture: Why Women’s Work is Never DoneNicole StrohmClinical IssuesStudio 2

2:00–3:30 p.m.More Than a Therapy Dog: The Clinical Power of the Human-Animal BondDr. Brandi L. JordanProfessionalsStudio 3

2:00–3:30 p.m.Sound as Medicine: The Science and Spirit of Breathwork in Trauma-Informed CareNerrissa HsuProfessionalsStudio 4

2:00–3:30 p.m.Ethics: "Am I Doing This Right?"Evan AmarniEthicsTerrace D

2:00–3:30 p.m.Highly Reliable Organizations: Essential Elements to Prevent Burnout, Detect Turnover, and Correct CultureDevon Wayt, MBAExecutive LeadershipComposer

3:30–4:00 p.m.BREAK—Raffle in the Exhibit Hall. Raffle tickets on sale at the memorabilia booth.Exhibit Hall

4:00–5:30 p.m.Students Day/IC&RC Test Prep (Students Only)Dr. John Herdman & Tom BuckleyTerrace A,B & C

4:00–5:30 p.m.Moral Distress, Moral Injury, and the Ethics of Counselor IdentityDanny Prescott, MSW, MNLM, MA & Daniel Palafox, MAEthicsStudio 2

4:00–5:30 p.m.Using Creative Writing for Mental Health, Addiction and Trauma in Treatment CentersMaia Akiva, ICMHTraumaTerrace D

4:00–5:30 p.m.Beyond Reentry: Treatment Strategies for Justice-Involved Individuals with Sexual Offense HistoriesAlan Johnson, M.A., LMFT, LAADC, SAPCriminal JusticeStudio 4

4:00–5:30 p.m.Program Round TableExecutive LeadershipStudio 1

4:00–5:30 p.m.Ethics Committee Meeting (Closed)Composer

7:30–10:30 p.m.HALLOWEEN PARTYStarview Ballroom

Saturday, October 17 · CAC 13DAY 4 ▾

7:00–8:00 a.m.All Recovery MeetingTerrace A

7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.Registration

7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.Exhibit Hall Open

7:30–8:30 a.m.WellbrietyTerrace C

8:00–9:00 a.m.Continental Breakfast

9:00–9:15 a.m.WelcomePete Nielsen & Kristina PadillaGrand Ballroom

9:15–10:30 a.m.TBAStudio 1,2,3, & 4

10:30–11:00 a.m.BREAK

11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.Membership Meeting Luncheon: CAC's Awards CeremonyGrand Ballroom

1:30–2:00 p.m.BREAK

2:00–3:30 p.m.The Power of Digital Documentation: HerdmanHealth EHR in ActionDr. John Herdman, PhD, LADCRADTStudio 1

2:00–3:30 p.m.Not Just A Disease Of The Mind: Addiction’s Physical ConsequencesDr. Dmitry Foox, PT, DPT, HPClinical IssuesStudio 2

2:00–3:30 p.m.WolfWork—Aligning with the Voice of the Essential Self: a Guide for Behavioral ChangeDr. Steve Wolf, PhDClinical IssuesStudio 3

2:00–3:30 p.m.Beyond Craving: Integrating Trauma, Identity, and Neuroplasticity in Addiction RecoveryDr. Foojan Zeine, PsyD, LMFTTraumaStudio 4

2:00–3:30 p.m.Program Round TableExecutive LeadershipTerrace D

3:30–4:00 p.m.BREAK—Raffle in the Exhibit Hall. Raffle tickets on sale at the memorabilia booth.Exhibit Hall

3:30–5:30 p.m.Credentialing Board Meeting (Closed)Composer

4:00–5:30 p.m.Understanding AB 2473Kimberly Lindberg and the Credentialing TeamProfessionalsStudio 1

4:00–5:30 p.m.Trauma-Informed Care at the Intersection: Housing Instability, Intimate Partner Violence, and Substance UseShivali Sharma PsyD Candidate & Stephanie Claudatos, PhDTraumaStudio 4

4:00–5:30 p.m.Beyond Stabilization: Treating the Chronic Nature of Co-Occurring DisordersJason Eric Schiffman, MD, MA, MBA & Matt Walton III, MBACo-OccurringStudio 3

4:00–5:30 p.m.Predictive Prevention: Using AI to Identify Risk and Reach FamiliesBryan Jones, CADC II, CADC-CS, DIP, MATS, CAMS III, CDVS III, CPTS II, CCIS IIIExecutive LeadershipStudio 2

6:30–8:30 p.m.Under the Stars: 80s & Old School Night (All are invited)Lawn

8:00–9:30 p.m.All Recovery MeetingTerrace A

Sunday, October 18 · CAC 13DAY 5 ▾

7:30–8:30 a.m.Continental Breakfast

7:30–8:30 a.m.WellbrietyTerrace C

9:00–9:15 a.m.WelcomePete Nielsen & Kristina PadillaGrand Ballroom

9:15–10:30 a.m.42 CFR Part 2 and the 2024 Final RuleDavid LikensEthicsGrand Ballroom

10:30–11:00 a.m.BREAK—Raffle in the Exhibit Hall. Raffle tickets on sale at the memorabilia booth.Exhibit Hall

11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.42 CFR Part 2 and the 2024 Final RuleDavid LikensEthicsGrand Ballroom

Voices of CAC

Speakers

Maia Akiva

Using Creative Writing for Mental Health, Addiction and Trauma in Treatment Centers

Evan Amarni

Ethics: "Am I Doing This Right?"

Dr. David Best

Recovery Capital and Recovery Residences: What We Know, What Is New and What Is Next

Tom Buckley

Student Day/Bridging Competence & Practice: Integrating California's Core Competencies with the 12 Core Functions of AOD Counseling(Students Only) +2

Stephanie Claudatos

Beyond PTSD: Recognizing and Treating Moral Injury in Veterans with Co-Occurring Substance Use +1

Marisol Colvin

Recovery Residence Training

Wilmer Davalillo

Integrating Mental Health Stabilization into SUD Treatment for TGI Populations Across a Full Continuum of Care

Dr. Dmitry Foox

Not Just A Disease Of The Mind: Addiction’s Physical Consequences

John Harabedian

Assemblymember, California's 41st Assembly District, California State Assembly

California 2026 Update

Dr. John Herdman

Student Day/Bridging Competence & Practice: Integrating California's Core Competencies with the 12 Core Functions of AOD Counseling(Students Only) +3

Nerrissa Hsu

Sound as Medicine: The Science and Spirit of Breathwork in Trauma-Informed Care

Brian Hurley

The Future of Addiction, Recovery, & Behavioral Healthcare

Alan Johnson

Beyond Reentry: Treatment Strategies for Justice-Involved Individuals with Sexual Offense Histories

Bryan Jones

Predictive Prevention: Using AI to Identify Risk and Reach Families

Dr. Brandi L. Jordan

More Than a Therapy Dog: The Clinical Power of the Human-Animal Bond

Andrew Kessler

Federal Policy Update (LUNCH Provided)

Corey Kwoka

Integrating Mental Health Stabilization into SUD Treatment for TGI Populations Across a Full Continuum of Care

David Likens

42 CFR Part 2 and the 2024 Final Rule +1

Kimberly Lindberg

Recovery Residence Training +1

Sandra Lee Mistretta

Beyond the Diagnosis: Practical Gender-Responsive Strategies for Women in Addiction Treatment

Pete Nielsen

President & Chief Executive Officer, CCAPP

Welcome/Land Acknowledgement/Prayer +4

Maria Ortiz

Integrating Mental Health Stabilization into SUD Treatment for TGI Populations Across a Full Continuum of Care

Kristina Padilla

Vice President of Education & Strategic Development, CCAPP

Welcome/Land Acknowledgement/Prayer +4

Daniel Palafox

Moral Distress, Moral Injury, and the Ethics of Counselor Identity

Ted Perkins

How Movies Are Reinventing Mutual Support in Addiction Recovery

Danny Prescott

Moral Distress, Moral Injury, and the Ethics of Counselor Identity

Zach Rothenberg

NIMBYism is Alive & Well in the Golden State

Jason Eric Schiffman

Beyond Stabilization: Treating the Chronic Nature of Co-Occurring Disorders

Shivali Sharma

Beyond PTSD: Recognizing and Treating Moral Injury in Veterans with Co-Occurring Substance Use +1

David Sheridan

Recovery Capital Applications: Recovery Housing and Recovery Ecosystems

Nicole Strohm

The Fear of Feminist Culture: Why Women’s Work is Never Done

David Vandervelde

Beyond Stabilization: How Long-Term Recovery Housing Builds Recovery Capital

Matt Walton III

Beyond Stabilization: Treating the Chronic Nature of Co-Occurring Disorders

Devon Wayt

Highly Reliable Organizations: Essential Elements to Prevent Burnout, Detect Turnover, and Correct Culture

Dr. Steve Wolf

WolfWork—Aligning with the Voice of the Essential Self: a Guide for Behavioral Change

Tiffany Yu

Ableism, Addiction, and Recovery: Building More Inclusive and Compassionate Care Spaces

Rick Chavez Zbur

Assemblymember, California's 51st Assembly District; Democratic Caucus Chair, California State Assembly

California 2026 Update

Dr. Foojan Zeine

Beyond Craving: Integrating Trauma, Identity, and Neuroplasticity in Addiction Recovery

Registration

What it costs

Attending	Non-Member	Member	StudentProof of enrollment required*
Full Conference	$525Register	$445Register	$304Register
NRCC (Wednesday Only)	$404Register	$329Register	$229Register
DEIC (Thursday Only)	$404Register	$329Register	$229Register
Friday Only	$404Register	$329Register	$229Register
Saturday Only	$404Register	$329Register	$229Register
Sunday Only	$404Register	$329Register	$229Register

Students: proof of enrollment required

Student registration requires proof of current enrollment in a SUD studies program. After you register, email your proof of enrollment to edu@ccapp.us.

Choosing a price takes you straight to checkout with that option selected. You can change it in your cart if you pick the wrong one.

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Secure Your Seat

Online registration closes a date to be announced — after that, register onsite at the event.

Secure checkout through the CCAPP conference store.

Where You'll Stay

Sheraton Universal Hotel

333 Universal Hollywood Drive
Universal City, CA 91608

Group Rate Ended The discounted group rate ended September 28, 2026. Rooms may still be available at standard rates.

Reserve Your Room

CAC13 Halloween Party 2026 - Flyer 8.5x11 - EBLAST 72dpi

Join Us for the 13th Annual Halloween Party

Friday, October 16, 2026

All Are Welcome! This Is a Free Event, Conference Registration Is Not Required

Dress up and Win Prizes!

Join the Dance Contest and Win Prizes!

Partner with Us