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Board members
JOHANNA NICOLIA-ADKINS, VICE-CHAIR
JOHANNA NICOLIA-ADKINS, VICE-CHAIR
JOHANNA NICOLIA-ADKINS, VICE-CHAIR
Johanna Nicolia-Adkins, MSW, CPSS, CHW, MBA is a leader in Michigan peer recovery. She serves as the President of DBSA Metro Detroit and Treasurer for Michigan Peer Specialists United. Johanna has also been part of numerous efforts to improve mental health care in Michigan, including being a member of Workgroup 298: Boilerplate Language to Gov. Snyder’s 2017 Proposed Budget.
BRAUNWYNN FRANKLIN
JOHANNA NICOLIA-ADKINS, VICE-CHAIR
JOHANNA NICOLIA-ADKINS, VICE-CHAIR
Braunwynn Franklin, CPSS is the founder and Executive Director for 313 Network Solutions, Inc., an organization that is dedicated to advocacy, awareness and education on the intersectionality of people of diverse backgrounds. 313 Network Solutions offers training skills, management skills, policy development and public speaking skills. Si
Braunwynn Franklin, CPSS is the founder and Executive Director for 313 Network Solutions, Inc., an organization that is dedicated to advocacy, awareness and education on the intersectionality of people of diverse backgrounds. 313 Network Solutions offers training skills, management skills, policy development and public speaking skills. Since 2010 Braunwynn has been working with and collaborating in the arenas of peer and family support. Braunwynn is President of the National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery (NCMHR) and an Emotional CPR Educator.
SEAN HARRIS, SECRETARY
JOHANNA NICOLIA-ADKINS, VICE-CHAIR
SEAN HARRIS, SECRETARY
Sean Harris, PhD has been the Executive Director of Recovery Institute of Southwest Michigan, a peer run organization in Kalamazoo, since 2010. He began hiring people with lived experience in mental health recovery in Chicago during the 1990s. In 2007, he completed a collective biography of African Americans who encountered the psychiatri
Sean Harris, PhD has been the Executive Director of Recovery Institute of Southwest Michigan, a peer run organization in Kalamazoo, since 2010. He began hiring people with lived experience in mental health recovery in Chicago during the 1990s. In 2007, he completed a collective biography of African Americans who encountered the psychiatric system in Illinois. As Director of the Recovery Institute and as a board member of MPRC, he strives to create opportunities for peers to define their own lives. As a peer advocate, he has given several presentations and webinars at local, state and national conferences on a wide array of peer recovery topics, of both current and historical significance. To read more about Recovery Institute, click the link
cheryl lafleur
JOHANNA NICOLIA-ADKINS, VICE-CHAIR
SEAN HARRIS, SECRETARY
Cheryl LaFleur, CPSS has been working within the CMH system since 2011. Having a diagnosis of anxiety and PTSD, she learned to manage her symptoms with self-education and assistance from the public mental health system. Cheryl has assisted hundreds of individuals by empowering them to live more independent and complete lives. She currentl
Cheryl LaFleur, CPSS has been working within the CMH system since 2011. Having a diagnosis of anxiety and PTSD, she learned to manage her symptoms with self-education and assistance from the public mental health system. Cheryl has assisted hundreds of individuals by empowering them to live more independent and complete lives. She currently uses her story today to educate the public and inspire hope, and advocates for others with a living experience of mental health concerns and other co-occurring challenges.
She enjoys her role in networking with peers in and out of state, believing that the power in numbers will significantly strengthen the peer workforce. Cheryl also passionately advocates to raise awareness concerning informed consent in hopes of eliminating iatrogenic harm.
ann monroe, chair
brian wellwood, treasurer
ann monroe, chair
Ann E. Monroe, BA, CPSS is the Chief Executive Officer for ARE, a peer run organization in Jackson and Hillsdale. She has been involved in mental health services both as a provider and recipient since 1988. Ann became a Certified Peer Support Specialist in 2014. She is married and has three daughters, two step sons, one grandbaby and a wh
Ann E. Monroe, BA, CPSS is the Chief Executive Officer for ARE, a peer run organization in Jackson and Hillsdale. She has been involved in mental health services both as a provider and recipient since 1988. Ann became a Certified Peer Support Specialist in 2014. She is married and has three daughters, two step sons, one grandbaby and a whole host of fur babies. To read more about ARE, click the link.
maurice moorehead
brian wellwood, treasurer
ann monroe, chair
Maurice Moorehead, CPSS is a Veteran/Retired after 20 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps & Army National Guard. Certified in 2011, he began his work as a Peer Support Specialist at Justice in Mental Health Organization (JIMHO). After 3 years he became employed as a peer support specialist at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Ba
Maurice Moorehead, CPSS is a Veteran/Retired after 20 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps & Army National Guard. Certified in 2011, he began his work as a Peer Support Specialist at Justice in Mental Health Organization (JIMHO). After 3 years he became employed as a peer support specialist at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Battle Creek MI (BCVA) in Psychology Services, Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (PRRTP). PRRTP is a 90 Day Residential Treatment Program focusing on Mental Health Diagnosis & Treatment. The BCVA currently has 17 Full-Time Peer Support Specialist employed with varying responsibilities in Residential SUD Program, Residential PTSD Program, In-Patient Mental Health, with additional services rendered in Primary Care-MH Integration, HUD Vash/Homeless Veterans, Wellness Recovery Center, Vocational Rehabilitation (Employment & Education) and Out-Patient Services.
CAROLYN PIFER
brian wellwood, treasurer
brian wellwood, treasurer
Carolyn Pifer is a Community Health Worker, Michigan Certified Peer Support Specialist, and eCPR Trainer. Located in Manistee Michigan, she works for various non- profits throughout the state. Carolyn has worked extensively with both DBT and ACT. She has been a leader in Michigan health and wellness trainings facilitating workshops in: We
Carolyn Pifer is a Community Health Worker, Michigan Certified Peer Support Specialist, and eCPR Trainer. Located in Manistee Michigan, she works for various non- profits throughout the state. Carolyn has worked extensively with both DBT and ACT. She has been a leader in Michigan health and wellness trainings facilitating workshops in: Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP), Stanford University's Chronic Disease and Chronic Pain and Diabetes Self-Management Programs, Smoking Cessation, Whole Health Action Management (WHAM) , Emotional CPR, Mental Health First Aid and QPR Suicide Prevention. Prior to becoming a Certified Peer Support Specialist, Carolyn was a Corporate Sales and Training Manager and a former bank vice president. "I am a strong advocate for integrated health. I understand the devastation that mental illness and addiction can have on a life, and the resilience of the human spirit to overcome and rebuild a life worth living."
brian wellwood, treasurer
brian wellwood, treasurer
brian wellwood, treasurer
Brian Wellwood, CPSS has been a leader in Michigan’s Peer-run organization movement since 1996. He has been the Executive Director of Justice in Mental Health Organization (JIMHO) since 2000, the first non-profit peer-run organization in the country, founded in 1980. Brian serves on many state committees and has traveled to Washington DC
Brian Wellwood, CPSS has been a leader in Michigan’s Peer-run organization movement since 1996. He has been the Executive Director of Justice in Mental Health Organization (JIMHO) since 2000, the first non-profit peer-run organization in the country, founded in 1980. Brian serves on many state committees and has traveled to Washington DC to meet with SAMHSA representatives about peer-run initiatives in Michigan. Brian has endured his own personal struggles with mental illness. He grew up with a father living with a mental illness and he struggles with his own depression and anxiety. Brian regularly shares his experiences with people he works with to let them know they are not alone in living with a mental illness. To read more about JIMHO, click the link.
mission statement
The Michigan Peer Recovery Coalition mentors and supports mental health peer-run organizations so that they can better accomplish their missions. We are a coalition that enhances the voice, authenticity, and practice of peer-run organizations across the state of Michigan.
vision statement
We envision a society where all people, particularly peers in the mental health community, have the equality of opportunity to control choices regarding their health and recovery, are valued and treated as whole people, and have equal opportunity to participate in all policy decisions that may impact their lives
MPRC Key Principles
Value of Peer Support
When we are facing challenging times, we naturally gravitate to people who know what we are going through. Peer supporters have “been there,” offering hope for those in the throes of a mental health crisis. Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) are key members of a formal mental health treatment team or provide less formal support to others with mental health challenges. The value of peer support is based on evidence. People receiving mental health services show better recovery rates and improved quality of life when utilizing peer support either alone or in conjunction with other services.
Increase equity & performance by employing people with lived experience across in all levels of an organization
Representation matters. People with lived experience have much to offer organizations at all levels of employment including upper administration, middle management, supervisor, and direct care.
Peer-run services strengthen the continuum of crisis care
We know that for care to be truly “person centered,” there must be a wide range of available options. Peer-run services should be considered first - before more intrusive and traumatic forms of treatment are utilized. Community based drop-in centers provide daily peer support, resources and they are entirely run by persons with mental health diagnoses. Peer Run Respite Homes offer a gentler, mutually supportive and homelike alternative to crisis homes or hospitals. Other hybrid options, like the Living Room model, also place peer specialists in the forefront of treatment. Benefits of peer support:
- Promotes self-determination
- First-hand examples of mental health recovery
- More trauma-informed
- Reduces iatrogenic harm
- Increases engagement in personal recovery
- Creates natural and ongoing support
- Reduces rates of hospitalization and recidivism
Peer Representation at all levels of decision making
The core principle of our democratic form of government is that people affected by a rule or system should have a voice in creating that rule or system. “Nothing about us without us” means that people with lived experience, the subject matter experts, play a meaningful role in planning legislation, regulation, treatment and service implementation. This should be done in a way that promotes equity and honors the diversity of people in mental health recovery. It is time that the powers-that-be stop deciding what is best for us without our input. Input should happen from the beginning planning stages and not used as a “rubber stamp” to lend legitimacy to decisions that have already been made.
Equitable funding for peer services
In most Michigan counties, peer services are reimbursed at a much lower rate than case management and other like services. This translates to very low wages for Peer Support Specialists. Low wages prohibit many peer specialists from discontinuing entitlements like social security. The high cost of mental and physical health care contributes to many peer specialists leaving the mental health field. The lack of funding also discourages organizations from implementing some of the most effective treatment modalities, namely peer respites, drop-in centers, and peer support services.