Kalamazoo- Peer Connections in Crisis

Peer Connections in Crisis emphasizes the value of lived experience and mutual support in crisis situations. This training teaches participants how peer support complements clinical services in crisis response. It equips peer supporters with essential tools and techniques that reduce tension or intensity. Emphasis is placed on creating sustainable, healthy crisis support practices.

Participants will learn:

• Definitions and types of crises along with common reactions.
• Role boundaries for relational crisis response.
• Crisis support skills that reduce tension or intensity.
• Lived-experience–informed humility and trauma informed support responses.
• Self-care and support after a crisis.

Coffee and lunch will be served at this training.

Eligible for 6.5 MDHHS Continuing Education credits. 

Trainers:

Jose Salinas, CPSS, CPRC, is dually certified as a Peer Support Specialist and Peer Recovery Coach and a state of Michigan Peer trainer. With over a decade of experience in peer support, Jose has facilitated trainings in Mental Health First Aid, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), Emotional CPR, and mindfulness-based programs for addiction recovery. He is deeply committed to helping individuals navigate recovery from substance use and mental health challenges, offering trauma-sensitive, and compassionate support rooted in lived experience.

A person in long-term recovery from addiction, mental health conditions, trauma, and poverty, Jose is passionate about sharing his story to inspire hope and healing in others. He finds strength and connection through nature, community, and his two loyal Australian Shepherds, Chiquis, and Peques—his sunrise running partners on hidden trails. Jose believes he didn’t survive addiction for himself alone, but to support others. His life’s work is guided by a drive to help people find their own paths to wellness and recovery.

Glynis Morris is a CPSS and a CPRC with over a decade of experience in behavioral health. She recently retired after more than 10 years with Lincoln Behavioral Services in Redford, Michigan, where she facilitated groups on trauma and co-occurring disorders and served as a member of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy team.

Glynis brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. She has trained CPSS and CPRC professionals across Michigan on human trafficking and trauma-informed healing, offering a compassionate, real-world perspective grounded in recovery and resilience. Her passion lies in giving back to individuals who feel hopeless after experiencing the cruelty of life and in walking alongside others as they rediscover strength, purpose, and healing.

Deborah Monroe is a CPSS, CPRC and Community Health Worker. She has over 15 years of experience grounded in recovery, connection, and hope. She has provided state certification trainings within the Michigan Department of Corrections, and supported individuals returning from incarceration, she strengthened person-centered planning and is an independent facilitator in Oakland County. Deb is the lead trainer in providing crisis training on behalf of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Peer Services area. She established Michigan’s first Peer-run respite and has supported peers in a variety of crisis settings. Deb was appointed by two governors to three terms on the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission. She is an advanced Wellness and Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) facilitator and provides statewide certification and continuing education training for CPSS and CPRC.

Registration: Please register below (on this site) using a credit or debit card, which is the quickest way to confirm your attendance.

ONLY if you need to pay by check, please complete this form (click here) and email it to: registration@mipeers.org. Do not use this form if you are paying by credit/debit card. Please note that this form takes up to 5 business days for processing, and placement is not assured until you receive a confirmation of your registration.

Cancellation Policy: Registrations may be transferred to another employee of the same agency upon written request to registration@mipeers.org. Cancellations must be received in writing at least 12 days prior to the date of the training. Failure to cancel registration within the allotted time will result in registration fees being forfeited. For questions, e-mail registration@mipeers.org.

Attendance Policy: You must attend the entire training. If you are more than 10 minutes late you will not be allowed to attend as part of the CE requirements. Breaks are built into the training schedule. Participants who miss more than 10 minutes of the training outside of scheduled breaks will not receive CE credit. Attendees must follow the training guidelines.