Date(s), Time

Topic

CEU Hours

Eligibility

Registration

1st and 3rd Wed. of the month

9:30-10:30 a.m.

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. 

0

• Peer support specialists, family peer support specialists, recovery coaches

Feb. 28

12-1 p.m.

Peer Supervisor Discussion: Responding to Disclosure and Developing a Wellness Plan 

Supervisors don’t always know their supervisees are struggling with their mental health, substance use, or family responsibilities because their job performance is fine. Therefore, supervisors may be caught off guard when their supervisees disclose they are struggling. Supervisors may wonder what kinds of questions they can ask them about their recovery or whether it’s legal or appropriate to offer to help them develop a wellness plan. In this presentation and case discussion, we’ll discuss how to apply several communication skills to affirm supervisees before discussing what would be helpful, including how to ask clarifying questions and permission to develop a wellness plan.

1

• Peer services supervisors, managers, and administrators
• Non-peer and peer staff preparing to become peer supervisors

Mar. 5 

1-2 p.m. 

Peer Advocacy 101 

Peer support services and staff are essential to providing mental health care to individuals across Iowa. While we often know how to make an impact at the individual level, it’s not always clear how we can make a difference at the policy or State level. This training is designed to empower you with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact through legislative advocacy. You will learn about the legislative process in Iowa—from creating a bill to its passage, how to navigate legislative maps to identify your districts and representatives at both the state and federal levels, and how to craft a compelling elevator speech when meeting with your legislators.

1

• Peer support specialists, family peer support specialists, recovery coaches
• Peer supervisors

Mar. 5 -7 

4 - 8 p.m. (Central) 

Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaches

Ethics trainings are not all created equal. Recovery Coaches need an understanding of ethics that differs from those of clinicians due to their unique role in guiding someone through their own recovery process. In this training, you’ll learn what ethics are and why ethics are so important when performing Recovery Coach Services, how to stay in your lane as a recovery coach, the decision-making process, how to develop guidelines for making ethical decisions, and apply this new learning to your everyday work as an RC.

16

• Recovery coaches only. You must have completed the Recovery Coach Academy.

Mar. 7

12-1 p.m.

Peer Services Webinar: Paying for Peer Services in Iowa and Hiring Peer Specialists 

Paying for peer services can be challenging, and employers don’t always know how to advertise these positions or what they can ask about applicants’ lived experiences during interviews. In this webinar, Peer Supervisor Jennifer Riley of Pathways will describe ways to pay for peer services in Iowa (with an emphasis on Medicaid reimbursement in Iowa), how to ask about lived experience, and how to draft an ADA-compliant job ad. Participants will receive other hiring resources, including interview questions to assess applicants’ understanding of the peer role.

1

• Everyone

Mar. 21

8:30-4 p.m.

Ethics for Peer and Family Peer Support Specialists 

Throughout our careers, we inevitably face ethical dilemmas with employers, coworkers, and those we serve. These situations often leave us feeling uncertain about the best course of action, especially when the choices aren’t clear-cut. That’s where a peer code of ethics is indispensable—to help us navigate these complexities. In this training, you will learn how to identify the standards of conduct within the Code, think through the gray areas, and respond to different types of conflict.

6

• Peer support specialists, family peer support specialists

Mar. 28

12-1 p.m.

Peer Supervisor Discussion: Understanding Reasonable Accommodations and Termination under the ADA 

When employees feel supported and understood, they are more likely to disclose their personal and work challenges as they go through critical life transitions. Previously, we discussed how to support supervisees so they can meet job expectations. Despite these efforts, their behavior may negatively affect clients’ well-being or services, raising difficult questions, such as how to motivate them, increase accountability, or make the decision to terminate employment. In this presentation and case discussion, we’ll take a closer look at how to apply reasonable accommodations based on the Americans with Disabilities Act. In our case discussion, we’ll apply several communication skills to facilitate a conversation with supervisees about accommodations and the consequences of not meeting performance expectations, including termination.

1

• Peer services supervisors, managers, and administrators
• Non-peer and peer staff preparing to become peer supervisors

Apr. 2-4

9-1 p.m.

Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaches

Ethics trainings are not all created equal. Recovery Coaches need an understanding of ethics that differs from those of clinicians due to their unique role in guiding someone through their own recovery process. In this training, you’ll learn what ethics are and why ethics are so important when performing Recovery Coach Services, how to stay in your lane as a recovery coach, the decision-making process, how to develop guidelines for making ethical decisions, and apply this new learning to your everyday work as an RC.

16

• Recovery coaches only. You must have completed the Recovery Coach Academy.

Apr. 4

12-1 p.m.

Peer Services Webinar: Training and Certifying Peer Staff in Iowa

The Iowa Peer Workforce Collaborative (IPWC) is now in its 10th year of training peer support specialists at no cost to participants. Our curricula were developed through a grant from the Iowa HHS, cross-walked with 58 practice competencies and four Iowa Board of Certification (IBC) domains, and aligned with SAMHSA pillars of peer practice. In this webinar, directors Kellee McCrory (IPWC) and Kate Hentges (IBC) will describe IPWC training and IBC certification in depth so you understand what trainees learn in training and what IBC requires for Peer Recovery Specialist and Family Peer Support Specialist certifications in Iowa. 

0

• Everyone

April 21 & 22 

Time TBD 

Spirituality and Recovery Coaching

This program is designed to help you, as a recovery coach, understand the concept of spirituality and how you can assist others in their journey of exploring it. Over the course of two days, you will have the opportunity to reflect on your own beliefs and values related to spirituality. The training will equip you with the tools and resources necessary to discuss spirituality in a way that is open-minded and respectful of others' perspectives.

12

• Recovery coaches only. You must have completed the Recovery Coach Academy.

Apr. 25

12-1 p.m.

Peer Supervisor Discussion: Teaching Peer Staff Self-Advocacy Skills 

In this session, we will explore strategies to teach peer staff self-advocacy skills, focusing on helping them recognize and express their needs. We will identify barriers such as lack of awareness, comfort, and confidence that hinder their ability to advocate for themselves. Participants will learn how to create a supportive environment, encouraging peer staff to express their needs assertively and confidently. Through case examples, we will evaluate and apply different approaches to teaching self-advocacy, and participants will be guided in problem-solving solutions while considering the potential consequences of each approach.

1

• Peer services supervisors, managers, and administrators
• Non-peer and peer staff preparing to become peer supervisors

May 2 

12-1 p.m. 

Peer Services Webinar: Let's Get Organized: New Behavioral Health Districts and Peer District Committees 

• Everyone

May 16

8:30-4 p.m.

Ethics for Peer and Family Peer Support Specialists 

Throughout our careers, we inevitably face ethical dilemmas with employers, coworkers, and those we serve. These situations often leave us feeling uncertain about the best course of action, especially when the choices aren’t clear-cut. That’s where a peer code of ethics is indispensable—to help us navigate these complexities. In this training, you will learn how to identify the standards of conduct within the Code, think through the gray areas, and respond to different types of conflict.

6

• Peer support specialists, family peer support specialists

May 19

9-3 p.m.

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Many young people experience mental health issues, but they often go unnoticed or untreated, leading to long-term struggles. Therefore, early intervention is critical. This training aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to recognize the signs of mental health challenges and provide youth with support. You will learn how to assess for risk of suicide or harm, give reassurance and information, encourage appropriate professional help, and provide other support strategies. 

0

• Family peer support specialists first
• Then peer support specialists, recovery coaches, peer supervisors

May 23

12-1 p.m.

Peer Supervisor Discussion: Empowering Diverse Lived Experiences 

1

• Peer services supervisors, managers, and administrators
• Non-peer and peer staff preparing to become peer supervisors

Jun. 13

12-1 p.m.

1

• Peer services supervisors, managers, and administrators
• Non-peer and peer staff preparing to become peer supervisors

Jul. TBA

9-1 p.m.

Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaches

Ethics trainings are not all created equal. Recovery Coaches need an understanding of ethics that differs from those of clinicians due to their unique role in guiding someone through their own recovery process. In this training, you’ll learn what ethics are and why ethics are so important when performing Recovery Coach Services, how to stay in your lane as a recovery coach, the decision-making process, how to develop guidelines for making ethical decisions, and apply this new learning to your everyday work as an RC.

16

• Recovery coaches only. You must have completed the Recovery Coach Academy.

Jul. 11

12-1:30 p.m.

Peer Services Webinar: Trauma-Informed Peer Supervision

Peer staff are an essential part of the behavioral health system; however, working in these settings can be stressful. For peer specialists and non-peer specialists alike, it can reactivate past traumas or cause secondary trauma. Peer specialists may also experience imposter syndrome that may cause peer drift or empathy fatigue from sharing and listening to peers. Trauma-informed supervision is an effective approach in increasing job satisfaction, increasing self-care practices for peers, and preventing crises or reactivation of symptoms, which decreases turnover rates and increases job satisfaction. In this webinar, Mirna Herrera from SAMHSA will describe trauma-informed care principles and how to implement them in supervision.

1.5

• Everyone

Sep. 10

10-11:30 a.m.

Orientation to WRAP

Although the concept of wellness is broad and often challenging to maintain, it is crucial that we prioritize our own well-being so we can better support others. Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) is an evidence-based practice designed to promote wellness in our lives and in the lives of those we serve. This training will introduce you to WRAP, explore how to apply it in both your personal and professional life and demonstrate how to help peers focus on their well-being.

1.5

• Peer support specialists, family peer support specialists, recovery coaches
• Peer supervisors

Sep. 11

9-3 p.m.

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Many young people experience mental health issues, but they often go unnoticed or untreated, leading to long-term struggles. Therefore, early intervention is critical. This training aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to recognize the signs of mental health challenges and provide youth with support. You will learn how to assess for risk of suicide or harm, give reassurance and information, encourage appropriate professional help, and provide other support strategies. 

0

• Family peer support specialists first
• Then peer support specialists, recovery coaches, peer supervisors

Oct. 3

9:30-11 a.m.

Ethics Training for Family Peer Support Specialists: Ethical Use of Technology

In today’s world, social media and technology offer countless ways to connect with others, and while connection is a gift, it also presents significant risks. Unethical use of technology is a growing concern, especially in the workplace. As a family peer support specialist, this training will equip you with the knowledge and tools to avoid, respond to, and resolve ethical dilemmas involving technology. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the ethical standards for using technology responsibly, the grounds for discipline when violating legal or moral standards, and much more.

1.5

• Family peer support specialists only

Oct. 24

8:30-4 p.m.

Ethics for Peer and Family Peer Support Specialists 

Throughout our careers, we inevitably face ethical dilemmas with employers, coworkers, and those we serve. These situations often leave us feeling uncertain about the best course of action, especially when the choices aren’t clear-cut. That’s where a peer code of ethics is indispensable—to help us navigate these complexities. In this training, you will learn how to identify the standards of conduct within the Code, think through the gray areas, and respond to different types of conflict.

6

• Peer support specialists, family peer support specialists