2025 First Responder Mental Wellness Conference

The MAAC First Responder Mental Health Initiative is partnering with ResponderStrong and NDRI Ventures - a leading force for research, trainings, and resources for responder mental health - for a full-day, mental health and resiliency training conference. These trainings will teach responders new tools to build resiliency in themselves, their peers, and their communities. Spouses, significant others, clinicians, social workers, and chaplains are invited to join.

Conference Details:

Thursday, April 25, 2025
8:30am-4:30pm Central
Doors open at 8:00am Central

MAAC Training Center - Heroes' Hangout
4203 Montdale Park Drive
Valparaiso, Indiana 46383

Registration: $50
Lunch is provided

Event Program:

0800-0830
Doors Open + Registration

0830-1200
What We Know: Responder Mental Health

• The current state of responder mental health including evidence on stressors facing personnel, resilience, risk factors and response, stress management and building effective mental health programs.

1200-1300 
Lunch

1300-1430
Trauma and Treatment

• This discussion will provide first responders with the knowledge and resources needed to understand the importance of mental health treatment, evaluate available options, and identify appropriate resources. Additionally, it will examine vicarious and secondary trauma, highlighting how these forms of trauma can impact not only individuals but also their loved ones and support networks.

1500-1630
Advancing Peer Support

• Building on foundational peer support principles, the course dives deeper into advanced communication techniques, emotional resilience, trauma-informed care, and strategies for addressing complex mental health issues. Additionally, it will focus on sustainable approaches to maintaining and strengthening peer support teams over time.

Relationship Survival 101 

• In this class you will see how the hypervigilance cycle affects responders and in turn, the people closest to them. You will also learn how three, simple, tactical steps can improve your communication with the people who matter most to you. This class is geared for all responder disciplines, family and significant others, clinicians and chaplains looking to better serve responders.

Conference Speakers:

Dr. Sara Jahnke
Dr. Jahnke is the Director and a Senior Scientist with the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research within NDRI-USA, Inc.. She also serves as the President of the Board of Science to the Station: A Health and Wellness Alliance, an organization focused on making empirical evidence more accessible and useable for frontline personnel. With nearly two decades of research experience on firefighters, she has been the Principal Investigator on several national studies and dozens of studies as a co-investigator. She has more than 100 publications to her credit.  Her work has focused on a range of health concerns, including the health of women firefighters, behavioral health, risk of injury, cancer, cardiovascular risk factors, and substance use, with funding from FEMA, the National Institutes of Health, and other foundations. She has received several recognitions for her work, including the John Granito Excellence in Fire Service Research Award, the President’s Award from the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the Glatfelter Distinguished Service Award from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

Frank Leto
Frank is retired from FDNY has been at the forefront of fire service behavioral health since the 2001 World Trade Center attacks. With extensive national and international experience, he develops behavioral health protocols and supports communities in the aftermath of major crises. Mr. Leto is a key member of the IAFF Disaster Response To-Go Team and serves as a behavioral health advisor for both the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the First Responder Center for Excellence (FRCE). His work includes collaborating on research to address critical health and safety challenges within the fire service. A graduate of West Point Military Academy’s Terrorism and Counterterrorism Program, Frank also holds degrees and advanced certifications from Binghamton University and New York University.

Dan DeGryse
Dan is a retired Battalion Chief following a 30-year career with the Chicago Fire Department. Throughout his fire career, Dan has been an advocate of awareness, education, and proper treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring issues. He speaks locally and nationally on these topics. He has written many articles on topics such as stress, cortisol, suicide, relationships, and peer support as they
pertain to first responders. Dan has led local, regional, and national trainings for fire and police departments, is an instructor for and collaborated with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) on their Peer Support Training class, the National Council for Behavioral Health on their Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) “Fire and EMS” module and the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) on their “Resiliency Project”.
Dan began his clinical experience working in the field of substance use and mental health in 1986 providing individual, group, and family therapy. Since 1991, he has been certified as an addictions counselor (CADC) in Illinois and nationally certified as an employee assistance professional (CEAP). Currently, Dan works with Recovery Ways that offers the “VALOR” program for first responders and veterans seeking recovery from substance use and mental health issues.

Jason Mitchell
Jason is a seasoned professional who dedicated nearly 24 years to the Pasadena Police Department, where he excelled as a Detective for the Pasadena Regional Intelligence Center and the department's Health and Risk Mitigation Officer. Along with his law enforcement experience, he's been a Licensed Paramedic in Texas for over 25 years. He has two decades of experience as a SWAT operator/medic and as Team Leader of Tactical Medical Operations, which he designed and built. Jason's expertise spans patrol operations, SWAT tactics, and tactical medicine. He has served in various roles, including Patrol, SWAT, SRT, Narcotics, and as an adjunct instructor at the Pasadena Police Academy. As the Health and Safety point of contact, he managed medical, blood-borne pathogen, and bioterrorism-related issues for the department. Now retired and residing in Colorado, Jason has embraced a new challenge as the Director of Operations and Programs for ResponderStrong.

Jessica Klemz, MSed MA LMHC-A NCC®
Jessica is a volunteer with the MAAC Mental Health Initiative and Northwest Indiana First Responder Peer Support Group. She also trains surrounding departments on topics related to Wellness and Resiliency. As a clinician, she provides supportive, culturally informed care to First Responders and their connected family members - including a diverse range of First Responder backgrounds, experiences and career stages- from probationary training to retirees and everything in-between. 

Thank You Presenting Sponsors:

ResponderStrong serves all responder disciplines and offers data-driven mental health resources, tools, and programs - View ResponderStrong resources here.

Refund and Rescheduling Policy:

• With at least 24-hour notice, you may choose between a refund (minus a 10% processing fee) or a complimentary class reschedule.Class must be of similar value.
• If notice is provided less than 24 hours before the class, refunds are not available, but you are eligible for one complimentary class reschedule.Class must be of similar value.
• You will not be eligible for a refund if you cancel a rescheduled class or request to cancel after the scheduled class date

Your class registration supports first responders - giving them access to training that saves lives - yours, theirs and ours. Join the mission by making a gift at bit.ly/maacmakeagift.