This course will Be virtual on Zoom.

If we learned anything from our history books, it’s these two things: we need vigilant advocacy to keep our society true to its citizens and that well‐planned advocacy works to change the hearts and minds of society. Peer and family support professionals have a specialized tool for advocacy: Our Story. Our story has the power to change laws, policies, and systems. Our story has the power to help us get our personal needs met. Our story has the power to demonstrate all the possibilities others can achieve through self‐advocacy. In this course, you will explore all the different forms of advocacy and develop a deep sense of how to respond when things aren’t as they should be.

Ethics and boundaries are essential protection for ourselves and the individuals we serve. Together we will navigate some professional ethics and boundaries to provide clarity in what can feel gray.

· Develop understanding of essential ethics and boundaries

· Explore how to engage in ethical behaviors and practices

· Understand how to set appropriate boundaries with members while maintaining a positive relationship

· Reducing countertransference

· Recognizing need for effective warm hand offs

This course is online via zoom

People who have experienced justice involvement and incarceration face unique hardships and challenges in society. Research shows that the level of support an individual receives directly influences how a person navigates their path to community integration. In this immersive course, family support professionals will gain invaluable knowledge and develop critical intervention skills to support individuals re-entering the community after incarceration.

AT THE END OF THIS 8-HOUR COURSE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

• Reduce recidivism by facilitating successful reentry of the individuals served

• Outline the inner workings of the criminal justice system

• Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions at various points of contact

• Analyze the unique challenges and opportunities of reentry

• Explain the relationship between trauma-informed care and justice involvement

• Formulate how to support individuals as they navigate reentry

Arizona has one of the 3rd largest American Indian/Native Population in the US. Learning about and celebrating Indigenous culture is one way to foster and encourage cultural pride. It is often essential to develop relationships based on mutual trust and active participation. This unique population has some different options related to their health care and liaisons to support.

• Build knowledge of the 22 federally recognized tribes/indigenous communities.

•  Understand important considerations for providing culturally mindful services

• Learn how the health care systems can differ including connecting with the tribal liaisons 

Strong facilitation skills can transform problems into opportunities. In this course, you will practice weaving key facilitator competencies into a flexible facilitation approach. You will develop strategies to facilitate challenging scenarios through planning, feedback, discussion, and practical application. 

• Expand knowledge for increased member engagement and 1:1 supports 

• Develop competencies for effective group facilitation 

• Discuss strategies for adjusting facilitation in a virtual environment 

• Design strategies to adjust your facilitation approach for different audiences 

• Member engagement techniques  

• Effectively engaging in 1:1 services  

• Facilitating groups to meet members needs while being engaging 

Our health system is complex, as supporters we often collaborate and engage with different professionals and members. It can be important to understand the different mental health professionals’ roles and the clinical language they use at times. Additionally, it can be helpful to have a basic understanding of various mental health conditions including symptoms and observable behaviors. Our goal for this training is to prepare you with the skills for quality care coordination.

• Recognizing the differences of mental health professionals.

• Understanding clinical terminatory and coordination of care.

• Identify mental Health Conditions including symptoms and observable behaviors.

This Course will take place online via Zoom

It can be a truly fun and rewarding job to support youth and young people in their journey, yet it also can be filled with several unique challenges. Your ability to work collaboratively with young people is a key factor in determining their success toward achieving their own goals and growth. When you are able to lean into chaos and roll with resistance using some grit and some tenderness, you can foster health, healing, and fun.

• Learn the values and virtue of effectively engaging with young people.

• Explore creative collaboration approaches for working with young people.

• Gain an understanding of a youth advocacy model that emphasizes how youth workers can support young people’s skill development.

• Learn how to empower youth to be self-advocates and take the lead.

• Youth Involvement Protocol

This course will take place online via Zoom

We all get older, but how can we support our aging members with dignity and compassion? Older adults living with psychiatric labels have unique needs in terms of wellness, health, and connections to communities of their choice. They frequently face changes in their circumstances.

This course will take place online via Zoom

It’s essential that we can support our members in moving from interdependence to independence. We want to ensure they can build their resilience and self-sufficiency.

·    Understand and recognize the causes of interdependence and institutionalization

·    Identify why it is essential to increase member independence and growth

·    Understand the importance of risk taking for those we serve

·    Exploring ways to promote independence with those we serve 

The course on the 8 dimensions of wellness with a focus on social determinants of health provides an in-depth exploration of various aspects of well-being, including physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, environmental, financial, occupational, and social wellness. Through this course, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these dimensions interconnect and impact overall health and quality of life. Additionally, the course will delve into the social determinants of health, examining how factors such as socioeconomic status, education, employment, social support networks, and access to healthcare services influence individual and community well-being. Students will learn strategies for promoting wellness across these dimensions and addressing disparities in health outcomes related to social determinants.

· Discovering wellness by looking at needs and the whole person.

· Learning the 8 Dimensions of wellness

· Understanding the cross-section of 8 Dimensions and Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

· Promoting growth with each dimension for those we support.

This course will take place online via Zoom

Together we will learn how Professionalism is undoubtedly critical for fostering harmony and composure in the workplace.

Regardless of your company’s unique culture, and whether you have a more formal versus more casual atmosphere, we want to be viewed and respected as professionals.

• Define workplace professionalism.

• Recognize the importance of professional image, conduct and attitude.

• Explore Consequences of unprofessional behavior.

• Identify common barriers.

This course takes place online via ZOOM

"Getting the Job: Preparing for Employment" is an interactive course designed to equip participants with essential skills and strategies for securing positions in peer or family support roles. Through a combination of workshops, role-playing scenarios, and expert guest speakers, students will learn how to effectively navigate job searches, craft impactful resumes and cover letters, excel in interviews, and understand the nuances of the support profession. Emphasis will be placed on building confidence, enhancing communication skills, and fostering a deep understanding of the unique responsibilities and opportunities within peer and family support networks. By the end of this course, students will be prepared to approach the job market with clarity and purpose, ready to make meaningful contributions to their communities.

This course will dive past the normal question of "what happened to you" to exploring other necessary questions, impact of our words and how to provide trauma informed care in the real world.

Trauma is common in the community, and it has major impacts on our health and wellness. It is essential as peer and family support specialists we have the knowledge and tools to provide support to individuals who may have experienced trauma. This course will dive past the normal question of "what happened to you" to exploring other necessary questions, impact of our words and how to provide trauma informed care in the real world. 

• Restate the definition, prevalence and impact of trauma Discuss the paradigm shift that is critical to becoming trauma-informed

• Identify ways in which trauma informed principles can be applied in daily work

• Utilize a trauma-informed approach and language while supporting individuals

• Understand evidence based practices for treating trauma

• Recognize the important role peer and family supports play in encouraging resiliency

• Recognize secondary trauma and prepare for how to handle it in healthy ways to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue

Our journey as peer supports is always evolving, let's refresh some of our skills and explore new knowledge.

This training will be some refreshers on knowledge completed in the credentialing training and building new knowledge for our constantly changing work.

This training will take place on January 15th from 9am - 5pm.

This training is perfect for the Credentialed Peer support specialist who:

• Is new to peer support and would like to learn more to be most effective.

• Has been providing peer support for awhile and wants to continue growing their skills.

Once registered please email your peer support credentialing certificate to hello@azpfca.org

NOTE - This is NOT a peer support credentialing training, but a refresher course for those who are already credentialed by an approved organization. This will count towards your continuing education requirement for AHCCCS and will be tracked in Relias if you are currently employed by a provider.

We will be reviewing the following throughout this training.

1. Introduction - Intro, Review of Roles, Guiding Principles, Relationships Roles, Trust Building)

2. Capacity Building (Personal Wellness, Stress Tolerance, Boundaries & Ethics)

3. Communication Techniques (Trauma Informed, Interprofessional Comm, Stages of behavior change)

4. Crisis and Wellness Planning (Strength-Based Recovery, Promoting Wellness BioRhythm)

5. Health Prevention Strategies for Chronic Conditions (role of peer and family support in prevention and intervention of chronic health condition).

6. Crisis Support and Ongoing Stabilization (services/resources to prevent crisis, Preparing a member for a crisis call, during a call, after care from a call, and crisis support services)

7. Wellness Communication Strategies (motivational interviewing and coaching model)

8. Integrative Holistic Supports (utilizing holistic practices for wellness)

9. Interprofessional Team Collaboration Enhancement (building meaningful partnership, open communication, and shared member driven care with peer supports, clinicians, and providers)

10. Forensic Support (supporting individuals currently and previously involved in the criminal justice system)

11. Opioid Use Disorder Support (supporting individuals by utilizing a harm reduction approach, reviewing medication assisted treatment, resources and supports)

This Course will take place online via Zoom

Together we will learn how LGBTQIA+ people are all ages. They come from all ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic classes and educational levels. Sexual orientation and gender identity are as unique as each individual. It is essential to create a welcoming environment for all individuals. Studies have confirmed that LGBTQIA+ youth face a range of increased risks compared with other young people. These include a greater likelihood of victimization, discrimination and violence. A range of poor health and academic outcomes are directly related to such inequities. We can make a difference by providing quality and mindful care to this population.

·    Recognizing the importance of language

·    Understanding key terms to provide respectful communication.

·    The “coming out” process as it relates to behavioral health.

·    How to make a provider organization more LGBTQIA+ welcoming.

·    Specific clinical guidance for addressing the needs of each of the LGBTQIA+ populations.

This course will be virtual on zoom

Opioid use is at an epidemic level, and who better to answer the call of hope and support than peer and family support professionals. Opioid use has a deep and unique place in history, where it has been both romanticized and demonized. Today, we know that meaningful lives are devastated and even lost daily. This course provides an in-depth knowledge of how to support people who are living with opioid use dependency or disorder.

AT THE END OF THIS 8-HOUR COURSE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

• Understand the why’s and how’s of the opioid epidemic 

• Differentiate the ways the brain responds to opioid use compared to other substances 

• Use high-end cultural competencies to build rapport with people who have opioid dependence 

• Utilize the principles of trauma-informed care to support people who feel trapped by their opioid use 

• Explain the principles of harm-reduction and appreciate the role that medication can play in a comprehensive approach to treatment

• Identify signs of a potential opioid overdose and how to administer naloxone  

Join us on zoom

We know that oftentimes those diagnosed with a developmental disability are not treated equally and face many additional barriers. We must understand their abilities and differences while ensuring they are included in all aspects of their care. We need to be aware of the various resources available. We must be able to advocate, connect, educate, create opportunities and impact change for this particular population.

AT THE END OF THIS 3-HOUR COURSE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

• Determine what services and supports are available in your community, including but not limited to services through the Arizona Department of Economic Security (ADES), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

• Understand ALTCS(Arizona Long Term Care Services) and CRS (Children’s Rehabiliative Services)

• A basic overview of some system tools including a 504 plan, Individualized Education Plan, and Child and Family Team Meetings (CFT’s)

• Refine your system navigation skills and know the legal rights of the people you serve 

This course will Be virtual on Zoom.

If we learned anything from our history books, it’s these two things: we need vigilant advocacy to keep our society true to its citizens and that well‐planned advocacy works to change the hearts and minds of society. Peer and family support professionals have a specialized tool for advocacy: Our Story. Our story has the power to change laws, policies, and systems. Our story has the power to help us get our personal needs met. Our story has the power to demonstrate all the possibilities others can achieve through self‐advocacy. In this course, you will explore all the different forms of advocacy and develop a deep sense of how to respond when things aren’t as they should be.

This course includes pre-homework that is REQUIRED to receive the certification.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adolescents ages 12-18.

AFTER THE COURSE, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:

• Recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and attention deficit hyperactive disorder.

• Recognize common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.

• Understand how to interact with a young person in crisis.

• Know how to connect a young person with help.

• Better understand trauma, psychosis, and the impact of social media and bullying.

This course consists of 1-2-hours of virtual self-paced content followed by 5 hours of live training via Zoom with yours truly. Youth Mental Health First Aid offers a 3-year certification.

THIS WILL BE A Virtual COURSE

Join us for a course on how to provide optimal supervision for your Peer and Family Support staff that will help your program deliver extraordinary outcomes. This course is designed for supervisors; you do NOT need to be a peer or family support employee to enroll. We encourage attendance from clinicians and medical staff who oversee programs where peer and family support services are utilized.

• Clearly define the roles and expectations for Peer Support Specialist and Family Support Specialist employees

• Understand and gauge whether your Peer Support Specialists & Family Support Specialists are working within their scope of practice

• ·Articulate the uniqueness of Peer Support Specialists and Family Support Specialists as part of a team.

• Review of AMPM 963 and AMPM 964 the AHCCCS policies related to peer and family support.

• Recognize the basic requirements for supervision of peer and family support specialists including continuing training requirements..

• This includes how peer support and family support can be best used as an evidence-based practice.

• Build/enhance structure and discipline into the framework of your programs.

• Utilize coaching and supportive supervision to enhance performance.

Don't miss out on our End of Year Mixer in Tucson!

Join us for a night of celebration as we wrap up a year filled with everything from a Successful Snowy Northern Arizona Summit, a national presentation at NatCon24, Embracing Hope 2.0

and so much MORE!

Registration closed

If you have any questions contact hello@azpfca.org

PFCA is excited to offer Mental Health First Aid with our experienced trainers.

This course runs from 9:00am - 4pm. It will have pre-homework that is REQUIRED to attend.

Mental Health First Aid training is designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

Each course consists of 1-2-hours of virtual self-paced coursework followed by 5-6 hours of virtual instructor-led training via Zoom. Participants from anywhere in the globe are welcome to register! You must be 18 years of age or older to attend this course.

MHFA training is included on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices.

MHFA Certification, which must be renewed every three years, teaches participants to:

• Identify the impact of mental health challenges on the well-being of adults in the U.S.

• Explain that recovery from a mental health challenge is possible.

• Recognize the potential risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health problems.

• Use a 5-step action plan to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional help.

• Interpret the prevalence of various mental health disorders in the U.S. and the need for reduced negative attitudes in their communities.

• Choose appropriate methods for self-care following the application of Mental Health First Aid in a crisis or non-crisis situation.

Mondays December 2, 9, 16, 2024 (8am-5pm)

This 3 day Course will be Instructor Led virtual format

This 3-day Facilitator/Family & Friends training is highly interactive. The training allows for breakout groups to practice skills learned including Motivational Interviewing and the tools and techniques of SMART Recovery.

AT THE END OF THIS 3-DAY COURSE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

• Facilitate a SMART Recovery meeting

• Facilitate a Family & Friends meeting

• Use SMART Tools and techniques

This course is online via zoom

People who have experienced justice involvement and incarceration face unique hardships and challenges in society. Research shows that the level of support an individual receives directly influences how a person navigates their path to community integration. In this immersive course, family support professionals will gain invaluable knowledge and develop critical intervention skills to support individuals re-entering the community after incarceration.

AT THE END OF THIS 8-HOUR COURSE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

• Reduce recidivism by facilitating successful reentry of the individuals served

• Outline the inner workings of the criminal justice system

• Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions at various points of contact

• Analyze the unique challenges and opportunities of reentry

• Explain the relationship between trauma-informed care and justice involvement

• Formulate how to support individuals as they navigate reentry

Tobacco use has unfairly burdened persons with mental health diagnoses and substance use disorders.

As a peer or family supporter—regardless of whether you smoke yourself—

You can become an important part of the solution to this problem. Helpers Program for Behavioral Health (HPBH) was designed at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine, and our goal is to help all behavioral health staff become better equipped to support persons who are interested in stopping or reducing their tobacco use to do so.

Ethics and boundaries are essential protection for ourselves and the individuals we serve. Together we will navigate some professional ethics and boundaries to provide clarity in what can feel gray.

· Develop understanding of essential ethics and boundaries

· Explore how to engage in ethical behaviors and practices

· Understand how to set appropriate boundaries with members while maintaining a positive relationship

· Reducing countertransference

· Recognizing need for effective warm hand offs

Substance use is a growing problem across populations. As a helping professional, you need a basic understanding of how substance use affects and impacts the individuals you provide services to. This information will help you to provide support and resources to help members seek treatment and recovery. In this course, you will explore substance use disorders, how they develop, and their impact on individuals. The course also explains your role as a supporter when working with individuals with substance use disorders.

AT THE END OF THIS COURSE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

• ·Why people start taking substances and the effects of substances.

• The continuum of substance use from not using (abstinence) to a substance use disorder.

• How substances affect the brain, causing a chronic, relapsing brain disease.

• Best practices for treating substance use disorders and maintaining recovery.

• Options for Recovery Programming

Do you struggle with how to complete or manage your needed documentation? We will discuss some best practices and techniques to write quality documentation.

• Ensure awareness of legal requirements for medical records

• Understand ethical considerations for record keeping

• Recognize best practices for documentation, ISP goals, and billing codes.

• Reduce Fraud, Waste and Abuse in billing practices.

• Practice Documentation

This course will take place online via Zoom

Together we will learn how Professionalism is undoubtedly critical for fostering harmony and composure in the workplace.

Regardless of your company’s unique culture, and whether you have a more formal versus more casual atmosphere, we want to be viewed and respected as professionals.

• Define workplace professionalism.

• Recognize the importance of professional image, conduct and attitude.

• Explore Consequences of unprofessional behavior.

• Identify common barriers.

How do we collaborate with other health care to ensure the members wants, needs, and preferences are honored?

• Collaborating with other stakeholders

• Lived Experience and Clinical Partnerships

• Care Coordination meetings (CFTs, ARTs, Staffings, etc.)