With profound regret we must announce the cancellation of the annual California Peer Support Training Conference, originally scheduled for this September 2018.
This is a volunteer organization that has served the needs of peer support for twenty-five years. As such, we are familiar with the stresses of securing presenters, communication with first responders throughout the state (and beyond) and the scheduling involved to make it work for all individuals.
This year, however, the record-breaking number and size of fires throughout the state have placed extraordinary burdens on all emergency service workers, impacting both registration of participants and arrangement of presenting speakers.
The board recognizes that under these circumstances, this year we could not present the quality of conference you have come to expect from our organization. For those of you who have already paid your registration fee, you will be refunded in full.
We apologize for this additional stressor, and this means that we will work even harder on an outstanding conference next year.
California Peer Support Association
23rd Annual Training Conference
Sheraton 4 Points, Ventura Harbor
Ventura, CA
September 12 - 14
Catherine Butler, Ph.D.
Catherine is a former school teacher, but followed her passion and became a therapist and obtained her PH.D. Catherine has dedicated her practice to first responders and members of the military who suffer from PTSD. Through her volunteer work with WCPR, she has come to realize for many people, betrayal compounds the trauma. Because this is such a wide spread issue, it is the topic of her presentation.
Suli
An officer with San Diego Harbor Police. He and his wife will discuss his Officer Involved Shooting with you. The inner strength he found to overcome the suspect when both men had their hands on his gun. He will relate how those few moments changed his relationship with his sons and wife. And about the after-care he received.
CalFire
Each day last year we watched the nightly news praying that the Thomas Fire in the Ventura/Santa Barbara area would be closer to containment with each passing day and yet it raged on for weeks with no hope of containment. In the midst of the fire, firefighter Corey Iverson lost his life. The responding Cal-Fire peer support team will discuss with you what worked and what did not as they worked with the family to arrange services and show the proper respect for Corey and his family.
Karen Solomon – Blue Help
Karen Solomon is President and Founder of Blue Help. Since 2014, Karen has been giving a voice to the thousands of officers in the field who can’t or won’t speak out. She has interviewed hundreds of law enforcement officers and their families to gain insight into the field, trauma, stress and both physical and emotional survival. Karen is a national speaker, author, columnist and advocate. Her books Hearts Beneath the Badge and The Price They Pay are used in citizen’s academies throughout the country and endorsed by law enforcement leadership.
Ben Vernon
Ben is a firefighter with San Diego Fire. Ben was stabbed while responding to a call. He will share with you the deep place of his downward spiral after the stabbing and how he made it back. Today he is a highly sought after motivational speaker.
Chaplain Rollin Strode
Chaplain Strode has been a Police Chaplain for 45 years. He has a gentle nature and will share with you the importance of grieving and how many of us truly do not know how to grieve. This training will assist you when dealing with those who are grieving and how you can assist them in a very painful time in their life.
Chief Reyes and Capt. Mike Kovaleff
Both from Palm Springs PD, they will present on their recent Line of Duty death and the peer support response to that event. They credit the peer support response with assisting their employees and family members to process the emotions of this extremely difficult time in their Department’s history.
The CPSA believes that spouses/significant others play a major role in the overall well-being of first responder wellness. Spouses/significant others who are attending with a registered participant may attend all classes and events at a reduced rate. Send an email to Spouse/Partner Attendance for more information.
Want to schedule a team debriefing for your team?
Send an email to
Team Debriefing for more information.
Not in the area? We worked out a great deal with the hotel to get a great daily rate! To get the CPSA room rate of $117 per night and free parking at the Four Points Sheraton Ventura Harbor, contact them at (805) 658-1212 ext. 1290 or send email to info@fourpointsventuraharbor.com. Tell them you are reserving a room for the California Peer Support Association Conference. This rate is only guaranteed until Sunday, August 12, 2018!
