Faculty and Facilitators
2027 Featured Presenters
Learn from seasoned practitioners, clinical pioneers, and state leaders bringing research-grounded solutions to real-world community work across Missouri and the Midwest.
Main Stage
Keynote Speakers
Opening Wednesday morning and closing Friday afternoon in the Grand Ballroom at Margaritaville Lake Resort.
Opening
Wednesday May 19 • 9:30 AM
Dr. Carolyn Mercer, PhD, LCSW
Director of Behavioral Health Systems, Midwest Institute for Community Health
Keynote Address
"Bridging the Valley: Trauma-Informed Systems and Retention in High-Strain Roles"
Dr. Mercer brings 22 years of clinical direction across rural community clinics and municipal programs. Her keynote provides evidence-tested frameworks to stabilize teams facing chronic compassion fatigue and organizational transitions.
Closing
Friday May 21 • 11:15 AM
Marcus Vance, MS, CPRS
Executive Director, Alliance for Collaborative Recovery Support
Closing Address
"The Continuum of Dignity: Peer Integration, Trust, and Long-Term Outcomes"
A nationally recognized advocate for peer-led crisis care, Marcus examines how multidisciplinary teams can build lasting therapeutic alliances that survive administrative friction and funding shifts.
Specialized Tracks
Breakout Presenters & Sessions
Filter by content track to plan your daily schedule. Each breakout delivers targeted tools, case review, and documented CE credit hours.
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Interested in Presenting Next Year?
Planning for our 2028 Spring Training Institute begins early each autumn. If you are developing innovative program models, conducting field research, or leading specialized practitioner trainings, we welcome your workshop proposal.
2028 Proposal Timeline
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September 1, 2027: Official Request for Proposals opens online.
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November 15, 2027: Submission deadline for breakout topics and tracks.
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January 12, 2028: Faculty notifications and session scheduling confirmation.
Questions about continuing education approval or speaker travel compensation? Contact the program committee at info@springtraininginstitute.org.