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EMERGENCY (215) 686-4420
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Applications for the next training session are now closed. Please continue to check HealthyMindsPhilly.org for the next training opportunity.
Applicants for all classes must attend Storytelling training. Visit healthymindsphilly.org to learn when storytelling training is available.
If you are interested in being trained to be a Certified Peer Specialist, please continue to check healthymindsphilly.org or DBHIDS.org for CPS updates. Information about the application process will be available during the next open CPS training enrollment process.
For more information about CPS, contact DBHIDS PCCI at DBHIDS.PeerCulture@phila.gov.
If you have questions, please contact Cathy Washington at 215-685-5415 or cathy.washington@phila.gov; or Joann Mills at 215-685-4984 or Joann.Mills-Johnson@phila.gov.
CPS training is also available through OVR (call 215-560-1900) or MHP (call 215-751-1800).
What is a Peer Specialist?
What is a Peer Specialist?
A Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) is a person who is willing to self-identify as a person with a serious behavioral health disorder (mental illness, or co-occurring disorder) with lived experiences. To be certified, the person must have received specific training in the role, functions and skills of the Certified Peer Specialist position. The purpose of a Certified Peer Specialist is to support others in their recovery process. This relationship between peers is characterized by mutual trust and respect, sharing of experiences, learning about the recovery process, supporting the peer in multiple settings, achieving goals and moving toward a more meaningful life in the community.
Who can become a Peer Specialist?
Who can become a Peer Specialist?
Certified Peer Specialists will be reimbursed through HealthChoices and the requirements for this position are based on the State guidelines for CPS qualifications.
In accordance to the OMHSAS definition of CPS, DBHIDS requires applicants to meet the criteria listed below:
How do I apply?
How do I apply?
Completed applications can be submitted by email (DBHIDS.PeerCulture@phila.gov). There are a limited number of slots available for the class. This is a competitive process with no guarantee of employment after the training. Applications that are received incomplete will not be processed.
Applications for the March 2020 period closed as of Jan. 24. Bookmark this page for our next sessions.
Do you know someone who has a lived mental health experience and would be an excellent candidate for the Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) profession?
Beginning Monday, Jan. 6, through Friday, Jan. 24, the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services will accept applications for the Certified Peer Specialist Training Program.
Applications must be received by 3 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. There will be no exceptions to this deadline.
PLEASE NOTE: This application period is for the March 2020 CPS Training that will take place March 9-13 and 23-26. Interviews for this program will take place Feb. 3-18. Selected applications will participate in the 10-day training session in March.
All attachments must be submitted with a complete application. We will not accept incomplete or late application! Applications should be submitted by the individual who wishes to apply. Please do not complete applications on someone else’s behalf.
In addition, all applicants must attend a Story-Telling training in order to apply for the CPS training. Applicants should refer to the healthymindsphilly.com for Story-Telling training sessions open to the public.
Paperwork that is required is as follows:
Please be mindful that this is a competitive opportunity for a no-cost professional training for residents of Philadelphia. Only 20 applicants will be selected. A completed application does not guarantee interview selection. An interview selection does not guarantee training selection!
If you are interested in being trained to be a Certified Peer Specialist, please submit this form along with all required attachments in person, mail or email to:
DBHIDS PCCI
Certified Peer Specialist Applications
1101 Market St., 7th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Email: DBHIDS.PeerCulture@phila.gov
For questions, please send an email to DBHIDS.PeerCulture@phila.gov.
After more than three decades of substance use, Ramon Cruz decided to seek recovery and now is working with DBHIDS’ Certified Peer Specialist program, helping others access support for recovery.
Ramon Cruz was tired.
He was tired of being in and out of trouble with the law. He was tired of disappointing his family. He was tired of letting his life spin out of control.
It was in that time of despair, when he was at his weakest point, that Ramon found the strength to take charge of his life and find a way to recovery after more than 30 years of substance use and numerous incarcerations. That was two years ago and today, Ramon, 53, is not just off of drugs, but he’s a part of our Certified Peer Specialist program with Community Behavioral Health (CBH), the managed care arm of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) that serves as a voice for and resource to those impacted by behavioral health issues. Each day, Ramon uses his story to help others who find themselves on the same path to nowhere he traveled for so long.
CPS Employment Technical Assistance Program (CETAP):The CETAP Program utilizes a specialist who works one-on-one with CPS to assess their capability and experience and to develop and implement vocational plans that provide them with the tools they need to find and retain employment. This will include preparing resumes, conducting mock job interviews, responding to job leads, assisting CPS applying to on-line positions and providing extensive retention support. In addition, this program encourages the active engagement of the CETAP specialist and CPS providers around employment opportunities for CPS graduates sponsored by the DBHIDS
Please contact Renee Frink-Boyd at renee.frink-boyd@phila.gov or at (215) 964-3901.
DBHIDS collaborated with the International Association of Peer Supporters (iNAPS) to bring the 10th annual National Peer Support Conference to Philadelphia. Over 500 people attended the conference Aug. 26-28, making it their largest to date.
DBHIDS Commissioner Dr. Arthur Evans welcomed people to the conference via video, as he was out of the country. Visitors attended from around the globe and as far away as Hong Kong. Keynote speakers then discussed ongoing developments within the iNAPS organization. Speakers included DBHIDS Deputy Commissioner Roland Lamb; Beverly Haberle, Executive Director of the Council of Southeast Pennsylvania/PRO-ACT; and Nancy Wieman, former Deputy Mental Health Commissioner of Montgomery County.
Day two’s keynote speakers gave an emotional reminder of how far peer support has come. Presenters included Laurie Ashcraft, executive consultant of iNAPS; Robyn Priest, lead coordinator of Peerlink; Gina Calhoun, national director for wellness and recovery training at the Copeland Center; and Gayathri Ramprasad, president of ASHA International. Attendees were also able to enjoy consumer activist and artist Sharon Wise’s artistic dance with spoken word performance.
There were over 60 workshops with presenters from across the country providing the most up-to-date information in the field of peer support. Attendees had a chance to see innovative contributions to peer culture, support, and leadership. The conference was also a great opportunity for certified peer specialists, certified recovery specialists, and the peer volunteer workforce in Philadelphia to network, get re-inspired, and to obtain continued education and support for their occupational wellness.
Additional photos from the iNAPS Conference can be viewed on DBHIDS’ Facebook page.
Join DBHIDS for an informational session about Certified Peer Specialists! Further your career by getting information about CPS training as well as CPRP and CRS certification programs.
Applications for the next training session are now closed. Please continue to check HealthyMindsPhilly.org for the next training opportunity.
Applicants for all classes must attend Storytelling training. Visit healthymindsphilly.org to learn when storytelling training is available.
If you are interested in being trained to be a Certified Peer Specialist, please continue to check healthymindsphilly.org or DBHIDS.org for CPS updates. Information about the application process will be available during the next open CPS training enrollment process.
For more information about CPS, contact DBHIDS PCCI at DBHIDS.PeerCulture@phila.gov.
If you have questions, please contact Cathy Washington at 215-685-5415 or cathy.washington@phila.gov; or Joann Mills at 215-685-4984 or Joann.Mills-Johnson@phila.gov.
CPS training is also available through OVR (call 215-560-1900) or MHP (call 215-751-1800).
What is a Peer Specialist?
What is a Peer Specialist?
A Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) is a person who is willing to self-identify as a person with a serious behavioral health disorder (mental illness, or co-occurring disorder) with lived experiences. To be certified, the person must have received specific training in the role, functions and skills of the Certified Peer Specialist position. The purpose of a Certified Peer Specialist is to support others in their recovery process. This relationship between peers is characterized by mutual trust and respect, sharing of experiences, learning about the recovery process, supporting the peer in multiple settings, achieving goals and moving toward a more meaningful life in the community.
Who can become a Peer Specialist?
Who can become a Peer Specialist?
Certified Peer Specialists will be reimbursed through HealthChoices and the requirements for this position are based on the State guidelines for CPS qualifications.
In accordance to the OMHSAS definition of CPS, DBHIDS requires applicants to meet the criteria listed below:
How do I apply?
How do I apply?
Completed applications can be submitted by email (DBHIDS.PeerCulture@phila.gov). There are a limited number of slots available for the class. This is a competitive process with no guarantee of employment after the training. Applications that are received incomplete will not be processed.
Applications for the March 2020 period closed as of Jan. 24. Bookmark this page for our next sessions.
Do you know someone who has a lived mental health experience and would be an excellent candidate for the Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) profession?
Beginning Monday, Jan. 6, through Friday, Jan. 24, the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services will accept applications for the Certified Peer Specialist Training Program.
Applications must be received by 3 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. There will be no exceptions to this deadline.
PLEASE NOTE: This application period is for the March 2020 CPS Training that will take place March 9-13 and 23-26. Interviews for this program will take place Feb. 3-18. Selected applications will participate in the 10-day training session in March.
All attachments must be submitted with a complete application. We will not accept incomplete or late application! Applications should be submitted by the individual who wishes to apply. Please do not complete applications on someone else’s behalf.
In addition, all applicants must attend a Story-Telling training in order to apply for the CPS training. Applicants should refer to the healthymindsphilly.com for Story-Telling training sessions open to the public.
Paperwork that is required is as follows:
Please be mindful that this is a competitive opportunity for a no-cost professional training for residents of Philadelphia. Only 20 applicants will be selected. A completed application does not guarantee interview selection. An interview selection does not guarantee training selection!
If you are interested in being trained to be a Certified Peer Specialist, please submit this form along with all required attachments in person, mail or email to:
DBHIDS PCCI
Certified Peer Specialist Applications
1101 Market St., 7th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Email: DBHIDS.PeerCulture@phila.gov
For questions, please send an email to DBHIDS.PeerCulture@phila.gov.
After more than three decades of substance use, Ramon Cruz decided to seek recovery and now is working with DBHIDS’ Certified Peer Specialist program, helping others access support for recovery.
Ramon Cruz was tired.
He was tired of being in and out of trouble with the law. He was tired of disappointing his family. He was tired of letting his life spin out of control.
It was in that time of despair, when he was at his weakest point, that Ramon found the strength to take charge of his life and find a way to recovery after more than 30 years of substance use and numerous incarcerations. That was two years ago and today, Ramon, 53, is not just off of drugs, but he’s a part of our Certified Peer Specialist program with Community Behavioral Health (CBH), the managed care arm of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) that serves as a voice for and resource to those impacted by behavioral health issues. Each day, Ramon uses his story to help others who find themselves on the same path to nowhere he traveled for so long.
CPS Employment Technical Assistance Program (CETAP):The CETAP Program utilizes a specialist who works one-on-one with CPS to assess their capability and experience and to develop and implement vocational plans that provide them with the tools they need to find and retain employment. This will include preparing resumes, conducting mock job interviews, responding to job leads, assisting CPS applying to on-line positions and providing extensive retention support. In addition, this program encourages the active engagement of the CETAP specialist and CPS providers around employment opportunities for CPS graduates sponsored by the DBHIDS
Please contact Renee Frink-Boyd at renee.frink-boyd@phila.gov or at (215) 964-3901.
DBHIDS collaborated with the International Association of Peer Supporters (iNAPS) to bring the 10th annual National Peer Support Conference to Philadelphia. Over 500 people attended the conference Aug. 26-28, making it their largest to date.
DBHIDS Commissioner Dr. Arthur Evans welcomed people to the conference via video, as he was out of the country. Visitors attended from around the globe and as far away as Hong Kong. Keynote speakers then discussed ongoing developments within the iNAPS organization. Speakers included DBHIDS Deputy Commissioner Roland Lamb; Beverly Haberle, Executive Director of the Council of Southeast Pennsylvania/PRO-ACT; and Nancy Wieman, former Deputy Mental Health Commissioner of Montgomery County.
Day two’s keynote speakers gave an emotional reminder of how far peer support has come. Presenters included Laurie Ashcraft, executive consultant of iNAPS; Robyn Priest, lead coordinator of Peerlink; Gina Calhoun, national director for wellness and recovery training at the Copeland Center; and Gayathri Ramprasad, president of ASHA International. Attendees were also able to enjoy consumer activist and artist Sharon Wise’s artistic dance with spoken word performance.
There were over 60 workshops with presenters from across the country providing the most up-to-date information in the field of peer support. Attendees had a chance to see innovative contributions to peer culture, support, and leadership. The conference was also a great opportunity for certified peer specialists, certified recovery specialists, and the peer volunteer workforce in Philadelphia to network, get re-inspired, and to obtain continued education and support for their occupational wellness.
Additional photos from the iNAPS Conference can be viewed on DBHIDS’ Facebook page.
Join DBHIDS for an informational session about Certified Peer Specialists! Further your career by getting information about CPS training as well as CPRP and CRS certification programs.
Sorry, no posts matched your criteria
MENTAL HEALTH DELEGATE HOTLINE
Phone: 215-685-6440
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NEED HELP NOW!
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24/7 Hotline: 888-545-2600
TTY number: 888-436-7482
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Phone: 215-685-5900
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Report fraud, waste and abuse:
Phone: 800-229-3050
Email: cbh.compliancehotline@phila.gov
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Phone: 215-232-1984
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