Community First Aid
We’re working with partners and local organizations to embed emotional first aid tools, peer support systems, and postvention protocols into the places we live and work.
A Culture of Care & Community of Practice
Community First Aid (CFA) is a flexible, trauma-informed approach that equips workplaces, teams, and community spaces with the skills and systems to respond effectively to stress, burnout, and crisis. More than a one-time training, CFA fosters an ongoing culture of care, where people feel confident showing up for one another, and where support is part of everyday life.
What is CFA?
Through leadership training, interactive workshops, customized protocols, and a growing network of trained community members, we help workplaces respond to stress, conflict, and crisis with compassion and confidence, equipping people to pause, regulate, communicate, and connect others to the right support.
Training & Education
Leadership training & hands-on workshops teaching stress relief tools.
Navigator Network
Providing teams with resources and tools to support peers daily and assist during crises.
Postvention Support
Debriefs & access to mental health resources.
Approach
Community First Aid infuses evidence-based practices from healthcare, military, public health, hospitality, and community settings into a practical framework designed to cultivate a culture of care within organizational settings. Community First Aid integrates scientifically validated interventions including:
Emotional First Aid
Immediate psychological support and rapid stress mitigation
Psychological First Aid
Crisis intervention techniques
Polyvagal Theory
Well-Being Science
Unlock evidence-based strategies for thriving.
Applied Positive Psychology
Transform insights into actionable wellness.
Applied Positive Psychology
Structured critical incident reflection & learning
Trauma-Informed Debrief Culture
Introduce frameworks that account for compounded stressors
Transforming Workplace Well-Being
Resort communities thrive on human connection, yet the workers who create those experiences often face intense stress, unpredictable hours, seasonal instability, and high emotional demands. Why employers should invest in well-being:
%
of workers have left roles due to burnout
according to a study of 500 US hospitality front-line managers.
%
of US workers
reported at least one symptom of a mental health condition, an increase of 17% in two years.
%
say their workplace stress affects their relationships
and only 38% of those who know about their organization’s mental health services would feel comfortable using them.
How CFA Addresses These Challenges
Community First Aid is designed to meet the unique needs of diverse sectors including hospitality, education, and first responders by embedding peer support, emotional regulation tools, and structured referral pathways directly into the environments where people work and learn. CFA strategies align with the Surgeon General’s recommendations for workplace mental health and well-being.
Prioritize psychological safety & normalize help-seeking
Train leaders and managers to model openness, validate struggles, and remove stigma around emotional challenges.
Build Non-Clinical Peer-to-Peer Support Networks
Develop a network of trained “navigators” who can provide early, trusted, low-barrier support before a crisis happens.
Embed Connection & Belonging
Use workshops and facilitated interactions to foster inclusion, trust, and stronger relationships across levels.
Ensure People Feel they Matter & Have Voice
Encourage feedback loops and recognize contributions.
Offer Structured Postvention & Debrief Supports
After emotional or critical events, assist teams in debrief, resource referrals, and process improvement.
Train in Practical Stress Management Tools
Teach rapid stress-mitigation techniques (breathing, grounding, somatic awareness) to use in real time.
Facilitate Linking to Resources
Ensure Navigators have a referral roadmap to counseling, crisis services, or local supports.
From ski patrol units and resort staff to teachers and public safety teams, our vision for success is the same. We seek to build stronger, more connected, and more resilient workplaces that support both people and performance.
The Importance of Investing in People
The result of not is high turnover, absenteeism, and diminished service quality. These are issues that not only affect the quality of life of individuals, but also directly affect the consumer experience and business stability.
%
higher well-being
were reported from employees engaged in peer support.
%
reduced voluntary turnover
for organizations who have robust wellness programs, with a $4 return for every $1 invested.
%
of Gen Z workers
say it’s important their employer prioritizes mental health.
Our Partners in Community First Aid
Community First Aid is led by a team of experienced clinicians, facilitators, and community organizers with deep roots in mental health, trauma-informed care, and systems change:
Christi Garner, LMFT, DBH-C
Co-founder of Holistic Emotional First Aid, somatic therapist, and clinical trauma expert with 20+ years supporting first responders, veterans, and healthcare workers.
Ruthi Solari, MS
Co-lead of CFA and specialist in integrative healthcare systems, with two decades of experience in wellness program design and facilitation.
Ally Wold, LMFT
Clinical supervisor and owner of Big Sky Counseling, bringing 10+ years of therapeutic experience across private and clinical settings.
Shannon Steele, MS
Director of Be Well Big Sky, with expertise in grassroots organizing, trauma-informed care, and behavioral health systems.
Erika Frounfelker, PCLC
Provisionally Certified Licensed Counselor; Focus areas: First responders, anxiety, depression, relationships; 20+ years in Big Sky community
