RAM Center (Higgins Lake)- Building Financial Wellness: Empowering Communities Through Financial Education

What is Building Financial Wellness?

Building Financial Wellness is a peer developed, peer led curriculum designed for individuals with mental health and or substance use challenges. It empowers participants to:

1. Gain control over their personal finances. 
2. Setting attainable financial goals.
3. Using strengths, peer support, and resources.
4. Building confidence in financial decision making.

Developed by Collaborative Supports Programs of New Jersey and the Center on Integrated Healthcare and Self-directed Recovery at the University of Illinois at Chicago, this program is changing lives and building hope. 

Become a facilitator!

Are you a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) or a Certified Peer Recovery Coach (CPRC), enthusiastic about empowering others? Join us for a facilitator training session to learn how to bring this impactful program to your community.

Who should attend? CPSSs/CPRCs.

Training format: A one-day training designed to equip you with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to lead a six-week course in your community.

Support: Agencies must support their peers in implementing this program.

Why become a facilitator?

1. Help individuals develop financial resilience.
2. Build connections through shared experiences.
3. Bring hope and empowerment to their community.

Interested in attending additional trainings at the RAM Retreat Center this week?

Please select any additional training sessions you would like to attend, below are links for all available trainings at Higgins, you must sign up for each separately:

• Monday, October 26: Ethics and Boundaries or 8 Dimensions of Wellness
• Tuesday, October 27: Building Financial Wellness or Supporting Yourself while Supporting Others
• Wednesday, October 28: Moral Injury or Advanced Ethics and Boundaries
• Thursday October 29: Seeing through the Lens of Trauma, or Not Every Storm is a Crisis: Exploring the Difference
• Friday, October 30: Leading with Conviction or Holistic Recovery Explorations

Eligible for 6.5 virtual Continuing Education credits.

Trainers:

Julie Smythe, CPSS, is a passionate advocate for recovery and supporting the peer workforce in the state of Michigan. As the Coordinator of Peer Recovery Trainings and Supports, Julie is committed to supporting a multifaceted approach to recovery and recovery pathways. As a CPSS, Julie spent 10 years on the Assertive Community Treatment team, seven years as part of the CPSS certification training team, before embarking on her current position. She is instrumental in the creation and collaboration of new and best practice curriculums to support the advancement of the peer workforce in Michigan.

Hunter Spiess, CPRC, CPSS, is an individual in long-term recovery who is dually certified as a Peer Support Specialist and Peer Recovery Coach. With five years of experience in the peer profession and a strong background in harm reduction, Hunter is committed to supporting individuals navigating substance use, mental health challenges, and personal transformation.

Grounded in ethics, compassion, and lived experience, he brings a steady, person-centered approach to recovery support and training as a peer trainer for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Hunter is also a musician and a proud uncle to two wonderful children, who continually inspire his dedication to fostering hope, resilience, and connection within the communities he serves.

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 registration is not assured until we receive the check, and 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.