Wayne County- Ethics and Boundaries for Peer Workers

Note: This training is only for individuals who are in the first recertification cycle of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) continuing education requirements. For the second recertification cycle, Second Edition Ethics will be required.

Training Overview:

Certified peers across the state of Michigan are required to adhere to the Peer Code of Ethics to help protect both clients and peers. While many ethical issues seem obvious, others can be more nuanced or unexpected. In this training, we will explore the Peer Code of Ethics in more detail while outlining effective strategies to set professional boundaries that can help avoid or respond to ethical concerns you may face.

Training Objectives:

• Understand the core components of the MDHHS Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) and Certified Peer Recovery Coach (CPRC) code of ethics.
• Explore possibilities of how unethical decisions happen.
• Identify and evaluate self-care practices to maintain boundaries and ethical behavior.
• Explore how to be more effective when setting and maintaining boundaries.
• Practice and exercise decision-making skills when presented with an ethical dilemma.

Trainers:

Sara Szczotka, CPRC, YRC, drew on her lived experience to serve in a wide range of professional roles, including leading a recovery community organization, working as a peer alongside law enforcement, providing community-based outreach, and supporting individuals in inpatient settings. Across these diverse contexts, her work focused on strengthening recovery support, improving peer integration, and fostering collaboration between systems. She supervised peer professionals in multiple settings and has been engaged with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) since the rollout of the Certified Peer Recovery Coach (CPRC) curriculum in 2018. Deeply committed to supporting and advancing the peer workforce, Sara uses her experience to guide training conversations on leadership, ethics, advocacy, connection, and the importance of multiple pathways to recovery.

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 the 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.

Eligible for 6.5 MDHHS Continuing Education credits.

Coffee and lunch will be served at this training.

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.