Certified Peer Specialist

The Certified Peer Specialist has the lived experience of a mental health or co-occurring diagnosis and has reached a place in their recovery pathway where they can positively support others in a similar situation. The CPS partners with participants to facilitate their recovery and community integration through utilization of the Specialist’s personal life experience and first-hand recovery knowledge.

Requirements

• Uses personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and recovery tools needed for self-management of their health condition(s) and pursuit of their personal wellness.
• Provide recovery education spanning every phase of the recovery journey from pre-contemplation (engagement), preparation, and action to recovery maintenance.
• Educate professional staff about the recovery process and the damaging role that stigma can play in undermining recovery.
• Maintain productivity requirements.
• Complete required state and funding source documentation.
• Complete required continuing education requirements of 18 hours of county-approved training per year with 12 hours specifically focused on peer support and/or recovery practices.
• Participate in individual supervision and group peer specialist support meetings and trainings as defined by the agency, county, and state.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off