Ethics in Action

for Crisis Workers

October 3, 2025, 8:30am - 12:30pm CST
January 16, 2026, 8:30am - 12:30pm CST
April 17, 2026, 8:30am - 12:30pm CST
Virtual via Zoom
Continuing Education Hours: 4.0

Course Description

Dive into the heart of ethical decision-making with "Ethics in Action," a dynamic training for crisis intervention staff. This course explores essential ethical frameworks and dilemmas, from classic virtues to modern professional standards, blending real-world scenarios with actionable strategies. Participants will navigate complex cases, balancing values like autonomy, beneficence, and justice, to reinforce their ethical judgment and readiness in high-stakes environments. Recognizing the eclectic professional background of crisis intervention staff, this training is not based on the ethical frameworks of any specific membership organization.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to identify and explain key ethical principles such as autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and fidelity.
Participants will learn to apply ethical decision-making frameworks to analyze and resolve ethical dilemmas.
Participants will gain knowledge of the professional and legal ethical standards that govern human services and helping professions,

About the Trainer

Drew Martel, LISW, CADC

Drew Martel is an accomplished mental health professional with a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa. With extensive experience in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and mental health services, Drew is a respected expert and innovator in the field.

For the last decade, Drew has been at the forefront of crisis services program development, and suicide prevention efforts in Iowa. He co-created the first co-responder program in the state, and developed an innovative mobile crisis outreach model now used statewide by numerous crisis services organizations.
Drew is a regular presenter at national conferences, including the American Association of Suicidology’s National Conference, the International Co-responder Conference, and the National Crisis Center Conference. He presents and trains on emerging crisis intervention models and the treatment of suicide ideation and behaviors.

Trained in numerous prevention and treatment protocols, including The Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicide (CAMS), The Chronological Assessment of Suicide Events (CASE), and Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR), Drew is an advocate for evidence-based practices, and deep expertise in supporting individuals with suicide ideation and behaviors.

A military veteran, Drew was born and raised in Cedar Rapids and lives there with his wife, Anna, daughters, Madeline and River, and son, Ellis. He has a therapy practice at Meadowlark Psychiatric in North Liberty, contractor with the American Association of Suicidology as a site surveyor and trainer, and Director of Suicide Prevention for CommUnity Crisis Services in Iowa City, Iowa.