The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), through a U.S. Department of Justice COPS Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Funds grant, has established a peer support program and is able to provide FREE peer support training.
These training opportunities are open to anyone. The principles of supporting your peers are universal. While these courses were originally designed to support law enforcement, trauma and vicarious trauma are experienced by first responders and professions throughout the criminal justice system.
The following training opportunities meet either the basic training or on-going training requirements of the Public Safety Peer Counseling Certification Program created by 2023 Wisconsin Act 220.
Basic Peer Support Courses
The 16 hours of instruction in these courses cover curriculum approved by Wisconsin DOJ and can be used as the training required for new members of peer support and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) teams that are either certified or seeking to be certified by the Public Safety Peer Counseling Certification Program.
Basic Peer Support Courses
November 2-3, 2026 in Hayward, WI
Advanced Peer Support Courses
These courses are designed to dive deeper into topics covered in the Basic Peer Support course. For certified peer support teams or CISM teams, these courses count toward the on-going annual training requirements for team members. The number of hours of instruction may vary depending on the course.
Advanced Peer Support Courses
November 4, 2026 at Menomonee Falls Fire Department
Annual Statewide Peer Support & Wellness Conference
This annual conference supports law enforcement, corrections, dispatch, fire, EMS, civilian staff and all first responders as they deal with the stressors and traumas of their work. For certified peer support teams or CISM teams, this conference includes instruction that counts toward on-going training requirements (8 hours per year) for team members.
March 8-10, 2027 at Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells