Training programs

Do not work on me.  Work with me.

- Norman Kunc and Emma Van der Klift

Like you, we believe that the support of peers is essential to wellness and recovery for people with mental illness.  The Peer-to-Peer Resource Center is working to bring peer support the recognition it deserves, and to ensure that peers are an integral part of recovery-oriented mental health service delivery systems nationwide. 

Following is a list of programs and initiatives that train mental health consumers to offer specialized assistance to their peers in their recovery and provide peer support.  These initiatives include training programs for peer specialists, coaches or mentors, and other training by and for peers.  

[Please note:  all information is self-reported by representatives of these programs.  The Peer-to-Peer Resource Center does not vouch for the quality of listed programs, nor do we recommend or endorse these programs.  The Center reserves the right to add or delete program listings.]  

Want to let us know about a peer training program?  Click here.

Training programs for peer specialists/coaches/mentors

  CAP (Consumers as Providers)

Program description    Consumers are trained to provide support and education to other consumers in the community, taking the experience of one consumer and sharing it with someone else in need.  

Training outcomes      Participants receive a certificate of completion and are tested on knowledge acquired.

Who can participate?    Mental health consumers

How people apply and are selected to participate    Complete an interview process

Length of training    16 weeks      Training location     Topeka, KS      

Fee?    Yes

Sponsoring organization    Valeo   

Address    2401 S.W. 16th St., Topeka, KS  66606

Contact person    Dennis Tenpenny

Phone    (785) 357-0580      

 

  CASCAP

Program description    Individuals with psychiatric disabilities are trained to enter and pursue careers in the fields of mental health and human services  

Training outcomes      Participants are awarded a Certificate of Mental Health and Human Services and receive 24 college credits from Bunker Hill Community College

Who can participate?    Mental health consumers over 18 years of age;  U.S. citizens or documented to work in the U.S.;  high school diploma or GED;  must be DMH-eligible with priority given to individuals from the metro Boston area

How people apply and are selected to participate    Contact CASCAP

Length of training    6 months      Training location     Cambridge, MA

Fee?    Contact CASCAP

Sponsoring organizations    CASCAP, Inc. and Bunker Hill Community College  

Contact person    Lori Rose

E-mail     lrose@CASCAP.org     

 

  Community Connections Peer Specialist Training

 Program description    Participants are trained to work as Peer Specialists to help fellow consumers set goals, solve problems, make decisions, and deal with conflicts;  and to help people access community resources.  The program also offers specialized training for Young Adult Peer Specialists (YAPS).

Who can participate?    Mental health consumers

How people apply and are selected to participate    Contact Community Connections

Length of training    Twice a week for four months        Training location    Aurora, CO                       

Fee?    Unknown

Sponsoring organization     Community Connections and Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.

Address    1564 Elmira Street, Aurora, CO  80010

Contact person    Nate Rockitter

Phone    (303) 739-2557        

 

  Consumer Connections

Program description    The program is designed to recruit, train, and support mental health consumers to provide services to other consumers in a variety of settings, including volunteer, part-time and full-time positions within the mental health substance abuse, and human service systems. 

Training outcomes      Participants receive a certificate of completion.  Upon completion of all coursework, graduates also eligible for the Certified Case Manager credential from the Addiction Professionals Certification Board of New Jersey (APCBNJ).

Who can participate?    Mental health consumers

How people apply and are selected to participate    Complete application

Length of training    66 hours (11 days)      Training location    New Jersey (3 sites)   

Fee?    No

Sponsoring organization    Mental Health Association of New Jersey   

Address    88 Pompton Ave., Verona, NJ  07044

Contact person    Gina McGovern

Phone    (973) 571-4100         E-mail    gmcgovern@mhanj.org

Link to web site      http://www.mhanj.org 

 

  Consumer to Provider Training Program

Program description    People with psychiatric disabilities are trained to work in the human services field, particularly mental health   

Training outcomes      Training participants receive 29 college credits and are hired in a half-time position or receive job search assistance

Who can participate?    Mental health consumers 18 years of age or older;  must have high school diploma or GED;  must be residents of Washington and U.S. citizens or documented to work in the U.S.;  must be in a PIC or DVR plan or may continue current PELL grants

How people apply and are selected to participate    Contact program

Length of training    10 weeks classroom instruction (4 days/week) and 15 weeks field placement     

Training location     Fircrest, WA

Fee?    Contact program

Sponsoring organization    Washington State DSHW/Mental Health Division and Tacoma Community College

Contact phone    (866) 564-6400

   

   

  CONTAC Recovery Education Center

Program description    Consumers are trained to work as Peer Specialists in a variety of settings 

Who can participate?    Mental health consumers

How people apply and are selected to participate    Contact the Center

Training location     West Virginia

Sponsoring organization    Consumer Organization and Networking Technical Assistance Center (CONTAC)  

Address    910 Quarrier Street, #414, Charleston, WV  25301

Contact person    Kathy Muscari

Phone    (888) 825-8324 or (304) 345-7312

Link to web site      http://www.contac.org

 

  Georgia Certified Peer Specialist Training

Program description    Participants are trained to assist fellow consumers in skills building, goal setting, problem solving, conducting Recovery Dialogues, and helping consumers build their own self-directed recovery tools. 

Training outcomes    Participants receive a certificate of completion, take an oral and written examination on knowledge acquired, and are certified based on results of the examination.

Who can participate?    Mental health consumers diagnosed primarily with a mental illness (addictive disease may be secondary diagnosis).  

How people apply and are selected to participate    Complete application and pre-test.  Participants are selected based on their employment status and ability to meet training guidelines.  Consumers currently employed by a public or private provider of Medicaid-billable services receive highest priority.

Length of training    8 days    Training location    Georgia (various locations)                        

Fee?    Yes, $75.00

Sponsoring organizations Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network and the Office of Consumer Relations in the Georgia Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases.

Address              246 Sycamore St. , Decatur , GA   30030

Contact person    Beth Filson

Phone     (404) 657-3383      E-mail    emfilson@dhr.state.ga.us

Link to web site      http://www.gacps.org

  

Hawaii Peer Specialist Training and Certification

Program description    Participants are trained in the recovery model to work on various provider teams (ACT, ICM) to help other consumers as full members of the treatment team. 

Training outcomes      Participants receive a certificate of completion, take an examination, and are certified based on results of the examination.

Who can participate?    Mental health consumers from Oahu and neighbor islands

How people apply and are selected to participate    Complete application.  Consumers currently employed as peer specialists receive highest priority.  Participants in refresher course must have missed no more than one day of initial training.

Length of training    8 days + 2-day refresher      

Training location    Hawaii (various locations)   

Fee?    No

Sponsoring organization    Hawaii Adult Mental Health Division, Office of Consumer Affairs   

Address    1250 Punchbowl St., #256 , Honolulu , HI   96813

Contact person    Kaanoi Gillette

Phone    (808) 586-4688         E-mail    krkaapan@amhd.health.state.hi.us

 

  Howie the Harp Center Peer Specialist Training

Program description    Consumers receive career training and complete a 3-6 month supervised internship leading to full- and part-time employment in the field of human services  

Training outcomes      Program reports that 80% of graduates have obtained part-time employment with an average salary of $23,000

Who can participate?    Mental health consumers

How people apply and are selected to participate    Contact the Center

Length of training    100 hours (6 mo.)      Training location     New York, NY

Fee?    unknown

Sponsoring organization    Howie the Harp Advocacy Center   

Address    2090 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., 12th Flr., New York, NY  10027

Contact person    Steve Boccia

Phone    (212) 865-0775, x109

Link to web site      http://www.howietheharp.org

 

 META Services Peer Employment Training

Program description    Participants are trained for employment as Peer Support Specialists providing recovery education, peer support, and vocational services in community mental health programs, including a wide range of services offered through META Services' Recovery Education Center.  The center also collaborates with a local community college to offer an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Behavioral Health-Recovery.     

Training outcomes    Certificate;  A.A.S. degree for college program 

Who can participate?    People with psychiatric experiences

How people apply and are selected to participate    Any interested user of mental health services may attend

Length of training    70 hours/5 weeks (Peer Support Specialist training);  4 credit hours (A.A.S. degree program)     

Training location    Phoenix, AZ 

Fee?    $1,666.00 (contract with Vocational Rehabilitation for qualifying AZ residents)

Sponsoring organization META Services, Inc.

Address    2701 N. 16th St., Phoenix, AZ  85006

Contact person    Jim Dunn

Phone    (602) 650-1212        E-mail    jim.dunn@metaservices.com

Link to web site      http://www.metaservices.com

 

 META Services Recovery Education Center

Program description    Individuals can participate in a wide range of recovery-oriented courses, including WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), WELL (Wellness and Empowerment in Life and Living), Employment as a Means to Recovery, Eliminating Self-Defeating Behavior, Housing for Success, and other courses.  Most classes are accredited and apply toward an A.A.S. degree in Behavioral Health-Recovery (see above listing).

Training outcomes    Certificate;  A.A.S. degree if all class requirements met 

Who can participate?     People with psychiatric experiences, behavioral health professionals, family members, and other interested individuals 

How people apply and are selected to participate    Enrollment in ValueOptions of Maricopa County;  private students are welcome

Length of training    Varies;  most classes are set up on a quarter system     

Training location    Phoenix, AZ 

Fee?    Contact Recovery Education Center

Sponsoring organization META Services, Inc.

Address    2701 N. 16th St., Phoenix, AZ  85006

Contact person    Chris Martin

Phone    (602) 636-4601        E-mail    chris.martin@metaservices.com

Link to web site      http://www.metaservices.com  

 

  MHA of Southeastern PA Certified Peer Specialist Program

Program description    Individuals participate in training designed to develop and nurture each person's personal recovery experience.  Training focuses on recovery as the core value and includes education, skill-building, and an experiential process.

Who can participate?    Current or former mental health consumers;  must have high school diploma or GED, reading/writing proficiency, and relevant volunteer or paid work experience, preferably in the mental health field 

How people apply and are selected to participate    Contact MHA

Length of training    12 days (4 weeks, 3 days/week)     

Training location     Pennsylvania

Fee?    No

Sponsoring organization    MHA of Southeastern Pennsylvania   

Address    1211 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA  19107

Contact person    Sarah Bourne    E-mail   sbourne@mhasp.org

Phone    (215) 751-1800      

 

  Peer Advocacy Program

Program description    Participants are trained in the areas of recovery education and advocacy, and to assist other consumers in accessing services and participating in community activities.

Training outcomes    Participants are tested on knowledge acquired.

Who can participate?    Mental health consumers

How people apply and are selected to participate    Contact MHA for information

Length of training    One week    Training location    Kansas City, KS

Fee?   No                         

Sponsoring organization Mental Health Association of the Heartland

Address    739 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, KS  66101

Contact person    James Glenn

Phone    (866) 927-6327 or (913) 281-2221        E-mail    jglenn@mhah.org

Link to web site      http://www.mhah.org  

 

  South Carolina Department of Mental Health Peer Certification Training

Program description    Participants are trained and certified to provide Medicaid-billable peer support services to eligible clients of the 17 Community Mental Health Centers in South Carolina’s public mental health system.     

Training outcomes    Participants receive a certificate of completion, take an oral and written examination on knowledge acquired, and are certified based on results of the examination.

Who can participate?    Mental health consumers who are hired by local mental health centers and hospitals

How people apply and are selected to participate    Selected after meeting position requirements and being hired

Length of training    40 hours (5 days)    Training location    Columbia, SC                        

Fee?    No

Sponsoring organization South Carolina Department of Mental Health, Office of Consumer Affairs

Address    2414 Bull Street, P.O. Box 485 , Columbia , SC   29202

Contact person    Victoria Cousins

Phone    (803) 898-8621        E-mail    vcc13@dmh.state.sc.us

Link to web site      http://www.state.sc.us/dmh/consumer_resources/consumer_resources.htm

  Strong Peer Connections

Program description    Participants gain information about the peer movement and recovery and are trained to lead groups and provide one-to-one support for clients at Strong Ties (the sponsoring agency) and in the community.       

Training outcomes    Participants are hired as part-time Peer Specialists.

Who can participate?    Clients of Strong Ties

How people apply and are selected to participate    Individuals are referred by their therapist and participate in an interview

Length of training    Ongoing        

Training location    Rochester, NY                          

Fee?    No

Sponsoring organization Strong Ties

Address    1650 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY  14620

Contact person    Hope Quallo

Phone    (505) 275-0300, x2256        E-mail    hope_quallo@urmc.rochester.edu

  University of New Mexico – University Psychiatric Center Peer Bridger Program

  Program description    Participants are trained as volunteers to assist other consumers in bridging to community services and support groups, and to perform one-on-one bridging and advocacy at the University Psychiatric Center at the University of New Mexico.

Training outcomes    Participants receive certification and academic credit/CEUs/CMEs

Who can participate?    Anyone with a mental health challenge

How people apply and are selected to participate    Complete application and participate in interview with Coordinator and a qualified bridger.

Length of training    12 hrs. (6 days)        

Training location    UNM-UPC and PSR South Valley                          

Fee?    No

Sponsoring organization University of New Mexico University Psychiatric Center

Address    2600 Marble, S.E., Albuquerque, NM   87131

Contact person    Jane E. Thompson

Phone    (505) 272-5935        E-mail    jathompson@salud.unm.edu

 

  Virginia Human Services Training Center

Program description    Consumers are trained to work in the field of mental health  

Training outcomes      Participants are placed in permanent employment and receive a Career Studies Certificate in Human Services from Piedmont Virginia Community College

Who can participate?    Adults living with serious mental illnesses who are eligible for services from the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services;  high school diploma or GED;  read, write, and do math at 8th grade level or above

How people apply and are selected to participate    Complete written screening tests and a personal interview

Length of training    16 weeks of classroom training, plus 12 weeks paid internship     

Training location     Charlottesville, VA      

Fee?    Contact program

Sponsoring organizations    Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services;  Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services;  and Piedmont Virginia Community College   

Address    Virginia Human Services Training Center, Region Ten Community Services Board, 800 Preston Ave., Charlottesville, VA  22903-4420

Contact person    Cynthia Harrison

E-mail    cynthiah@regionten.org

 

Other training by and for peers

   C.E.L.T. Leadership Academy

 Program description    Participants are empowered to help other consumers establish funded programs;  to advocate for other consumers and work for change in the Virginia mental health system;  and to encourage other consumers to register and vote. 

Training outcomes    Participants receive a certificate of achievement.

Who can participate?    Mental health consumers

How people apply and are selected to participate   Application/selection based on previous efforts on behalf of consumers, ideas about ways to help others;  consumer must have some time in recovery

Length of training     4 days    Training location    Virginia (various locations)                         

Fee?    No

Sponsoring organization C.E.L.T. Leadership Academy/MHA of Virginia

Address    530 E. Main St., Suite 707, Richmond, VA   23219

Contact person    Deborah Pugh, Director 

Phone    (804) 225-5591         E-mail    dpcelt@cs.com

Link to web site    http://www.mhav.org/celt/

 

  Peer Advocacy Training

 Program description    Participants are trained to advocate for and with others in the community on all aspects of mental health issues and general life issues

Training outcomes    Participants receive certificate of completion

Who can participate?    Mental health consumers

How people apply and are selected to participate    Complete application form

Length of training    unknown        Training location    unknown                                

Fee?    Yes, $150.00 (sliding scale and scholarships available)

Sponsoring organization PEOPLe, Inc.

Address    378 Violet Ave. , Poughkeepsie , NY   12601

Contact person    Larry Cohen

Phone    (845) 452-2728         E-mail    PEOPLeLarry@optonline.net or PEOPLeHQPK@aol.com