Mission Possible 2026: Empowering Communities
Mission Possible 2026: Empowering Communities
Join us for our 29th Annual Mission Possible Conference.
March 24 - 25, 2026

Empowering Communities: No Limits, No Stigma!

The Mission Possible Conference is a long-standing, regional continuing education event dedicated to strengthening mental health care, community resilience, and collaborative solutions across East Texas and beyond.
Now in its 29th year, Mission Possible brings together professionals, educators, organizations, and community members for two days of learning, connection, and inspiration focused on improving lives and reducing stigma.

Conference Theme

Empowering Communities: No Limits, No Stigma!
This year’s theme highlights the importance of collective action, innovation, and compassion in addressing today’s evolving mental health challenges. Sessions will focus on strengthening systems of care, supporting individuals across the lifespan, and fostering inclusive, stigma-free communities.
Conference Objectives
Improving Patient Outcomes
- Participants will be able to identify evidence-based strategies, success stories, and support models that help individuals thrive during and after treatment.
Empowering Communities to Address Emerging Mental Health Challenges
- Participants will be able to learn strategies to address today’s most urgent issues — including youth mental health, increased rates of anxiety, financial uncertainty, and building strong, stigma-free communities.
Navigating Change with Resilience
- Participants will be able to examine the impact of funding shifts, legislative updates, and broader social changes, while learning strategies to adapt to changes.
Promoting Ethical Innovations & Fostering Connections
- Participants will be able to strengthen professional networks and partnerships while exploring the ethical use of technology, AI, and new therapy approaches.

Who Should Attend
Mission Possible is designed for a wide range of audiences, including:
  • Mental Health and Nursing Professionals
  • Educators and Organizations Serving Youth and Schools
  • Health, Wellness, and Community-Based Organizations
  • Elderly and Alzheimer’s-Focused Service Providers
  • Consumers and Members of the General Public

    Continuing Education
    Mental Health professionals: This program will provide about 9.5 hours of continuing education credit, including a 3-hour Preconference Ethics Workshop for Social Workers, LPCs, and LMFTs.

    Ethics Pre-Conference Workshop
    Tuesday, March 24, 2026
    A 3-hour Ethics Pre-Conference Workshop will be offered prior to the main conference. This workshop will provide three ethics hours for:
    Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFTs)

    Mental Health and Nursing Professionals

    Educators and Organizations Serving Youth and Schools

    Health, Wellness, and Community-Based Organizations

    Elderly and Alzheimer’s-Focused Service Providers

    Consumers and Members of the General Public

    Agenda
    8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
    8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
    Collect conference badge and bag.
    9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
    9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
    This 3-hour Ethics Pre-Conference Workshop provides three ethics hours for: Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFTs)
    1:00 PM
    1:00 PM
    2:00 PM - 3:45 PM
    2:00 PM - 3:45 PM
    Two-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid Recertification course. Limited to 30 attendees. Participants must provide proof of previous YMHFA certification.
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    This 2-hour Cultural Competency Pre-Conference Workshop provides up to 2.0 hours of CE credit for all attendees requesting CE credit. CNE credit available.
    8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
    8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
    Collect Conference bag and badge. Visit Exhibitors and Enjoy Breakfast.
    8:45 AM - 9:45 AM
    8:45 AM - 9:45 AM
    Conference introduction and morning keynote. CNE Credit available.
    9:45 AM - 10:00 AM
    9:45 AM - 10:00 AM
    11:00 AM - 11:10 AM
    11:00 AM - 11:10 AM
    11:10 AM - 12:10 PM
    11:10 AM - 12:10 PM
    12:10 PM - 12:30 PM
    12:10 PM - 12:30 PM
    Break to Visit Exhibitors and get lunch before the Lunch Awards and Keynote Session.
    12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
    12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
    Spirit Award presented by the SFA School of Social Work
    2:00 PM - 2:20 PM
    2:00 PM - 2:20 PM
    2:20 PM - 3:20 PM
    3:20 PM - 3:30 PM
    3:20 PM - 3:30 PM
    3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
    3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
    CNE Credit available.
    5:00 PM
    5:00 PM
    Sponsors
    Planning Sponsors
    Platinum
    Silver
    Speakers

    Stephanie Washington

    Stephanie Washington, EdD, is an Assistant Professor at Stephen F. Austin State University. An LCSW and board-approved supervisor, her work bridges academia and practice through innovative curricula that champion clinical excellence and lifelong learning.

    Jose Carbajal

    Jose Carbajal, PhD, LCSW, is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he teaches graduate-level courses across the MSW and DSW curricula with emphases on research and advanced generalist practice.

    Michelle Cox

    Certified Life Coach and Mental Health First Aid Instructor

    Hyunsook Kang

    Hyunsook Kang, Ph.D.

    Le'Ann Solmonson, PhD, LPC-S, CSC

    Dr. Solmonson is the Program Coordinator for the Professional Counseling Program at Texas A&M Victoria and the owner of Solmonson Counseling Associates and Solmonson Growth Academy.

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    LOCATION
    Pitser Garrison Convention Center, 601 North 2nd Street, Lufkin, TX 75901
    Location: Pitser Garrison Convention Center, 601 North 2nd Street, Lufkin, TX 75901
    Registration Fees

    EARLY BIRD CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

    Peer/Family Member - $30.00

    Students - $30.00

    General Public (No CE) - $60.00

    Professional* (With CE) - $70.00 

    *Pre-Conference Workshops Included with all Options

    Pre-Conference Ethics Workshop Only - $30.00


    GENERAL REGISTRATION (AFTER FEBRUARY 28)

    Peer/Family Member - $35.00

    Students - $35.00

    General Public (No CE) - $70.00

    Professional* (With CE) - $80.00

    *Pre-Conference Workshop Included with all Options

    Pre-Conference Ethics Workshop Only - $40.00


    FAQs

    Meals
    Registration includes a continental breakfast, snacks, and lunch on the main conference day. Snacks are provided during the pre-conference workshop.

    Parking
    Parking is available in the parking lots north and south of the Pitser Garrison Civic Center. 

    Special Assistance
    For information on special accommodations, including dietary restrictions, 
    please contact Kinnie Reina at least one week before the event.

    Disclaimer
    In exchange for assistance with program costs (e.g., speaker expenses, refreshments), displays of company products, literature, samples, services, and other items may be permitted. Such displays do not constitute an endorsement of the products or services.

    Refund Policy
    Registrants who cancel will receive a refund, less a $10 processing fee, for requests made before March 16, 2026. A substitute may attend if the participant's registration is updated at least 24 hours before the conference start time. Please email requests to kinnie.reina@myburke.org

    After March 16, 50% of the registration fee can be refunded, provided the request is submitted by March 23, 2026.

    Continuing Education Information

    Mental Health professionals: This program will provide about 11.5 hours of continuing education credit, including a 3-hour Preconference Ethics Workshop for Social Workers, LPCs, LMFTs, LCDCs, and Certified Peer Specialists.

    Nurses: This activity has been submitted to the Louisiana State Nurses Association for approval to award contact hours. The Louisiana State Nurses Association is accredited as an approver of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.


    Activity Professionals: This activity will qualify for Continuing Education hours with the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals. NCCAP approval does not certify an individual. If an individual requests certification, they will follow the process through the respective organization and/or agency.