Transforming Peer Support Training with Intentional Beginnings
Strategic Partnership. Purposeful Impact. Lasting Change.
When two mission-aligned organizations come together, the result is more than the sum of its parts. Dolan Research International and Intentional Beginnings Consulting & Training, LLC joined forces to revolutionize how peer support training is designed and delivered - making it more practical, trauma-informed, and recovery-centered than ever before.
Together, we took on two transformative projects:
Florida Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS) Training
Commissioned by the Peer Support Coalition of Florida, this project reimagined certification training for peer professionals across the state. Developed by a powerhouse team of subject matter experts, the training content was authored by:
Lonnetta Albright, BS, CPEC – President, Forward Movement Inc.
Sharon Hesseltine, BSW – President & CEO, Intentional Beginnings Inc.
Kris Kelly, BSHS - Independent Contractor
Johanna Dolan and Kris McGinnis – Dolan Research International
This team brought together decades of expertise in behavioral health, peer support, trauma-informed care, and systems change.
Deliverables:
A comprehensive Participant Manual that reads like an accessible textbook and equips learners with critical foundational knowledge.
A Trainer Manual that bridges theory and facilitation.
A 4-day (28-hour) in-person training, enriched by real-world case studies and scenario-based learning.
The result? A training program built not just for compliance, but for competence - delivering real-world skills and actionable insight to those who are walking alongside others on their recovery journeys.
Kentucky "Recovery Skills" Curriculum – Funded by KORE
Funded by the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort (KORE), this life skills curriculum was designed for delivery by Peer Support Specialists (PSS) in group settings. The goal: Equip people in early recovery with the tools to not only survive but thrive.
Dolan and the Intentional Beginnings team crafted a dynamic, eight-session series aligned with John Kelly’s CHIME model (Connection, Hope, Identity, Meaning, Empowerment). The curriculum is practical, engaging, and deeply human-centered.
Curriculum Highlights:
Topics like self-care, healthy routines, boundaries, communication, relationships, and financial wellness
Built-in activities and flexible time structures to accommodate both 60-minute and 90-minute group formats
A companion Group Facilitation Training with a tailored participant manual and presentation deck
This isn’t just a curriculum - it’s a lifeline for people rebuilding their lives.
Why It Matters
This collaboration represents a new standard for peer training and recovery support curricula. It reflects our shared belief that recovery capital isn’t built in isolation - it’s cultivated through intentional relationships, skill-building, and systems that affirm people's dignity and potential.
With Intentional Beginnings, we didn't just deliver products. We created tools for transformation.