CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALIST TRAINING

December 8-12, 2008
Clinical Research Building
Austin, Texas

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Texas will hold its second Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Training in Austin, December 8-12, 2008 in Austin, TX.

Up to 30 mental health consumers will be chosen to complete this intensive, comprehensive training to become Certified Peer Specialists. The certification process includes a written exam, which measures their knowledge of recovery, peer support principles, and skills. The DBSA Texas Certified Peer Specialist Training utilizes the nationally acclaimed, evidence-based Georgia curriculum model. This model was co-developed by Larry Fricks, a member of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (www.dbsalliance.org) Executive Board of Directors, who will be among the instructors.

What qualifications are required to be chosen for the training? Applicants must be:

• A mental health consumer
• High school graduate
• Successfully managing their illness
• Desiring to mentor and support their peers
• Currently or have served as peer support providers in their local communities as part of a structure or organization
• Willing to complete an application (see attached) and write a short paragraph about why they want to participate and how CPS training will benefit them personally, while at the same time promoting recovery for others.

How/where Peer Specialists are utilized.
           
            The Peer Specialist serves as a:

• Role model to peers; exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills; provides hope
• Serves as a consumer advocate for individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis
• Provides consumer information and support to their peers to assist them in regaining personal wellness and recovery

           
            More specifically, the Peer Specialist also serves to help: 

• Link consumers of mental health services, state and local mental health agencies
• Promote awareness of recovery, self-help and empowerment by disseminating relevant information to consumers, providers, and family members
• Their peers in developing problem-solving and social skills, and in developing personal wellness plans, utilizing tools such as the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).

            The Peer Specialist is most often utilized as a:

• Member of mobile crisis outreach teams
• 24 hour crisis walk-in services staff
• Crisis services follow-up
• Coordination services
• Peer-supported employment services
• Peer supported housing related services
• Peer recovery education—medication training and support services
• Peer mentoring
• Individual and group support counseling
• Case management services

One-third of our 2007 training applicants were currently employed as peer providers in the MHMR Centers and local advocacy groups such as NAMI. Another one-third of our applicants were volunteering these valuable services at the time of our training.

In a number of other states, their specialists are finding employment with state mental health agencies and the Veterans Administration as mental health case managers. In several states, notably, Georgia and Illinois, the specialists have become so valuable have become a part of the state mental health system and serve as part of the treatment team.

Any questions regarding this training should be directed to me at (512) 407-6676 or to dbsatexas@sbcglobal.net

Sincerely,
Marilyn Nolin
(832) 755-1796