2026 Spring Registration Brochure

20 NJAMHAA's Spring Conference 2026 APRIL 15, 2026 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Morning Session (CONTINUED) Juliet Buritica, MS, LPC Director of Wellness Response Services Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey Anne Smullen Thieling, MS, MA, LPC, LCADC, ACS, NCC, CPRP Chief Operating Officer Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey S P E A K E R S P E A K E R NUMBER AND TYPE OF CREDITS ..................................................................................................... 1.0 General CE Innovating Voluntary Crisis Care: Evidence-based, Trauma-informed, Peer-led Alternatives through Respite and Mobile Outreach, Course #6617 is approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program to be offered by the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA) as an individual course. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE course approval period: 1/30/2026 - 1/30/2028. Social workers completing this course will receive 1 general continuing education credit. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... This course is approved by the NJ Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA), as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #87719, NJAMHAA is responsible for all aspects of the programming. COURSE DESCRIPTION: This session will explore the growing role of voluntary, peer-led crisis services, including Peer Respite and Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams (MCORT), as effective, recovery-oriented alternatives to involuntary and coercive crisis interventions. Participants will examine how these models reduce hospitalization, improve engagement, and support long-term recovery, particularly for individuals who are justice-involved, unhoused, and/or experiencing co-occurring conditions. Through real-world data, case examples, and systems- level analysis, the course will highlight the essential components of successful peer-led crisis programs, including trauma-informed practice, workforce development, and cross-system collaboration. Participants will also gain insight into emerging policy and funding opportunities within the evolving 988 crisis response framework and leave with practical strategies for building a resilient, peer-led workforce capable of delivering compassionate, voluntary crisis care. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this session, attendees will be able to: 1. Explain how voluntary, peer-led crisis services reduce hospitalization and improve recovery for justice-involved, unhoused, and co-occurring disorder populations. 2. Define the core components of effective Peer Respite and MCORT models, including trauma-informed, recovery- focused practice, peer workforce development, integrated care collaboration, and data use. 3. Describe the emerging policy and funding opportunities within the 988 crisis response framework to strengthen and sustain peer-led, community-based crisis care. TARGET AUDIENCE: Community and Behavioral Health Professionals AUDIENCE TARGET LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced SESSION 3.3: Innovating Voluntary Crisis Care: Evidence-based, Trauma-informed, Peer-led Alternatives through Respite and Mobile Outreach