Community Services
Organizations

Supporting Peers
and the People Who
Support Peers

Specialized Educational Requirements

At the core of our Community Support Organizations, there lies a staff that cares deeply. These dedicated professionals are not just employees; they are compassionate individuals committed to supporting and uplifting those in need. 

Recognizing the unique position staff members are in, it is crucial to provide them with specialized training that enhances their ability to connect with, understand, and effectively assist their clients. It is important that staff can offer the highest level of support while also being able to safeguard their own well-being.

Our trainings are facilitated by staff that know what it is like to be on the front line.  That’s why we focus on building skills such as active listening, conflict resolution, and crisis management. Additionally, we integrate aspects of self-care strategies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining mental and physical health so they can stay well and keep well as they navigate the challenges of their day-to-day responsibilities.

Our Services

Peer-Led Courses

Our Peer-Led courses prioritize enhancing empathy and communication skills, crucial for creating meaningful interactions within the community. Staff will learn to approach each situation with sensitivity and understanding, facilitating deeper connections and more effective support. Improved communication skills ensure that messages are conveyed clearly and compassionately, fostering an environment of trust and mutual respect. This training is essential for maintaining high performance in demanding community support roles, ensuring that staff can continue to offer valuable services even under stress. Additionally, we help staff identify and address issues efficiently, fostering a proactive rather than reactive approach to challenges. Effective stress management techniques are also covered, which are vital for sustaining mental health and professional longevity. By mastering these skills, staff can enhance their own well-being while also setting a positive example for the communities they assist, promoting a healthier, more resilient environment for all.

Customized Curriculum

Customized curriculum for Community Support Organizations. We can create targeted educational materials for participants that are designed to enhance the capabilities of staff within these organizations.

A Deeper Perspective of Lived Experience

A tantalizing look into the world of lived experiences invites you to explore our Understanding Lived Experience workshop. This engaging session delves deep into the personal narratives that shape our perspectives and influence our interactions. Participants will gain profound insights into the journeys of others, which can deepen empathy, enhance communication skills, and broaden one's understanding of diverse life paths. This workshop is not only about hearing stories—it's about connecting on a human level, learning from real-world experiences, and applying these lessons to foster inclusive and supportive environments. Join us to discover the powerful impact of lived experiences in shaping a more compassionate community.

Understanding the Peer Support Role

In this workshop, we delve into the critical role that peer support plays within the mental health wellness and recovery process. This comprehensive program is structured to educate participants on how to utilize lived experiences to assist others in their journey towards wellness. By focusing on empathy, shared understanding, and the principles of mutual aid, the course empowers individuals to become effective peer supporters. Ideal for anyone aspiring to contribute positively to their community or workplace, this course covers essential skills such as active listening, confidentiality, and boundary-setting. Join us to learn how to create supportive environments that encourage healing, resilience, and connection.

Benefits to You and Your Team

Empower your staff and enhance their ability to connect with clients through our peer-led courses and workshops. Our specialized curriculum is meticulously crafted to augment your community service offerings, transforming how your supports function. Each training program is uniquely designed to equip your team with essential skills and knowledge, promoting personal resilience and boosting professional effectiveness.

Investing in your staff’s development does more than just enhance their service capabilities—it significantly strengthens the overall health and capacity of your agency. Our educational supports ensure that your team not only delivers high-quality service but also maintains their own well-being. This comprehensive approach results in a more effective and supportive community environment, elevating the impact of your organization and fostering enduring positive change.

What We Teach

WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan)

Getting well and staying well is the focus of Mary Ellen Copeland, PhD- author, educator, and mental health advocate. Mary Ellen's work is based on the study of the day-to-day coping and wellness strategies of people who have experienced mental health challenges. It centers on self-help, recovery, and long-term stability. Personally, Mary Ellen had experienced years of mental health challenges. After developing this program, she has achieved long-term wellness and stability using these strategies.

Pathways To Recovery

Now in its sixth printing, the workbook has developed a strong and loyal following. In 2003, Pathways was listed as one of the top three national recovery education tools by the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation and it received the Lilly Reintegration Award in 2009. Pathways To Recovery has been widely used by the U.S. Veteran’s Administration, several state Departments of Mental Health and a wide variety of consumer-run organizations. Individual readers, family members, peer support workers and other mental health providers throughout the United States and Canada have used the workbook with great success. Working in partnership with recovery educators, consumer co-authors and an advisory group of Kansas consumers to develop the materials, Pathways to Recovery translates the evidence-supported approach of the Strengths-based Model—an approach developed in Kansas and that has been used effectively for over twenty years worldwide—into a person-centered, self-help approach. The Strengths Model has proven successful in reducing psychiatric hospitalization, allowing people to set and achieve person goals and, in turn, improve one’s quality of life. Pathways to Recovery puts the process of setting goals and creating personal recovery plans into a self-guided format. The workbook guides readers through a process of exploring their own recovery journey while creating a long-range vision for their lives. It guides readers to explore their current lives and set goals across ten life domains that include creating a home, learning, working, nurturing a social circle, intimacy and sexuality, wellness, leisure and spirituality.

A Deeper Perspective of Lived Experience

A tantalizing look into the world of lived experiences invites you to explore through a lens of Lived Experience. This is an interactive workshop that helps those without lived experience in the consumer survivor community, think more carefully about the impact of their interactions with their clients. This engaging session delves deep into the personal narratives that shape our perspectives and influence our interactions. Participants will gain profound insights into the journeys of others, which can deepen empathy, enhance communication skills, and broaden one's understanding of diverse life paths. This workshop is not only about hearing stories—it's about connecting on a human level, learning from real-world experiences, and applying these lessons to foster inclusive and supportive environments. Join us to discover the powerful impact of lived experiences in shaping a more compassionate community.

Understanding the Peer Support Role

Here we delve into the critical role that peer support plays when supporting clients through their own mental health wellness and recovery process. This comprehensive program is structured to educate participants on how to utilize lived experiences to assist others in their journey towards wellness. By focusing on empathy, shared understanding, and the principles of mutual aid, the course empowers individuals to become effective peer supporters. Ideal for anyone aspiring to contribute positively to their community or workplace, this course covers essential skills such as active listening, confidentiality, and boundary-setting. Join us to learn how to create supportive environments that encourage healing, resilience, and connection.

Stress Recovery Coach

Skills Not Pills

We would love to hear from you

Our Team is committed to supporting you on your journey to better mental health. Whether you have questions about our services, need support, or simply want to share your thoughts, we’re here to listen. Please reach out to us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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