Iowa Peer Connections became part of the IPWC in October 2024 after receiving additional funding from Iowa Health and Human Services. The IPC provides additional opportunities for peer support specialists, family peer support specialists, recovery coaches, and their supervisors to communicate and support each other. 

Peer Support for Peer Support (PS4PS) Group

Supporting others is a powerful and rewarding experience, and as a peer professional, you deserve support, too! PS4PS offers a space for peer professionals to connect, share ideas, find support, and recharge. Join us virtually on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month from 9:30 to 10:30. Meetings will not be held on holidays.

  • 1st Wednesday. Facilitator: Laura Semprini, NAMI Johnson County 
  • 3rd Wednesday. Facilitator: Nancy Teubel, NAMI Johnson County 
  • To join the Zoom Meeting, click here.

IPC Training

Between 2023 and 2024, we conducted focus groups with over 30 peer services supervisors and managers. They described the vital role of peer services as well as the challenges they experienced at the individual, organizational, and policy levels. Based on these discussions, we developed two new series: the Peer Services Webinar Series and the Peer Supervisor Education and Case Discussion Series.

  • All sessions will occur on Fridays from noon to 1:00.
  • Participants can attend one or multiple sessions in each series.
  • All IPWC training and CEUs are free.
  • To register, click here.

Peer Supervisor Education and Case Discussion Series

This series uses the ECHO Model, a case-based learning approach that brings peer supervisors and managers together to gain the expertise needed to provide quality peer supervision in Iowa. Each session will be led by an experienced peer supervisor, who will start with a 20-minute skill-building presentation followed by a 25-minute structured case discussion. Participants learn from one another as they listen to diverse perspectives and discuss potential solutions to key issues in case examples.

Session Topics and Peer Supervisors:

  • Promoting Recovery and Wellness While Addressing Performance Concerns. Instructors: Jen Riley, MHPSS, Pathways and Jodie Huji, RCP, RCPF, Full Circle Recovery
  • Responding to Disclosure and Developing a Wellness Plan. Instructors: Jen Riley, MHPSS, Pathways, and Faraji Hubbard, PRS, RCP, RCPF, Guidelink Center
  • Understanding Reasonable Accommodations and Termination. Instructor: Jodie Huji, RCP, RCPF, Full Circle Recovery
  • Teaching Peer Staff Self-Advocacy Skills. Instructor: Jen Riley, MHPSS, Pathways
  • Empowering Diverse Lived Experiences. Instructor: Jodie Huji, RCP, RCPF, Full Circle Recovery
  • Understanding and Applying Ethics in Peer Practice. Instructors: Faraji Hubbard, PRS, RCP, RCPF, Guidelink Center and Kellee McCrory, MSW, MPH, IPWC

Peer Services Webinar Series

Each presentation is one hour long.

Session Topics and Presenters:

  • Peer Support: Moving from a “Nice to Have” to an “Essential to Have” Service. Instructor: Mirna Herrera, MA, MT-BC, CPS, SAMHSA
  • Paying for Peer Services in Iowa and Hiring Peer Specialists. Instructors: Jen Riley, Pathways, MHPSS, and Katelyn Akright, PRS, IPWC
  • Training and Certifying Peer Staff in Iowa. Instructors: Kellee Thorburn McCrory, MSW, MPH, IPWC and Katie Hentges, BA, Iowa Board of Certification
  • Trauma-Informed Peer Supervision. Instructor: Mirna Herrera, MA, MT-BC, CPS,  SAMHSA

Other Training

In addition to our signature Iowa Peer Connection series, we’ll also offer training on topics suggested by peers. For our training schedule, click here.

Iowa Mental Health Day on the Hill

Join the IPWC and several other state-level organizations on April 2, 2025, for Mental Health Day on the Hill in Des Moines.
NAMI Iowa will train you to advocate for mental health issues with your legislators and then take you to the Iowa Capitol to implement your new skills! To register for NAMI’s training, click here.

Iowa Peer Services Database

This database includes 245 peer program locations in Iowa, contact information, the number and type of peer professionals employed, a link to their jobs page, and other useful information.

Iowa Peer Jobs Board

Looking for a peer job? We update our Iowa Peer Jobs Board weekly. 

Need other resources to support your job search? Go to our Employment Resources page.