Yes
Peer Recovery Support Specialists are trained in substance use recovery. Peer Support Specialists are trained to support mental health recovery.
High school diploma or GED
Must be age 18 or older.
Must have two or more years of lived experience, having personally received services within the behavioral health system.
None.
The approved training for Arkansas peer support specialists is the Appalachian Model of Peer Specialist Training Curriculum.
Unclear.
Unclear.
Must work at a Behavioral Health Agency and the Behavioral Health Agency must be Medicaid-certified. The agency must then ""attest"" that the applicant has completed training as a Qualified Behavioral Health Provider and provide the name, physical address and Medicaid number for all sites at which the applicant will be providing services.
And Must Valid Arkansas driver's license/identification card.
According to Arkansas Code, a background check IS required. Additionally, a participant providing services cannot be subject to the DHS Participant Exclusion Rule.
Legislation passed in 2019 under the title ""AR H 1433"" states that the Department of Human Services shall not disqualify or exclude an individual from participation in the Arkansas Medicaid Program based on a criminal background check if:
(1) The individual is employed as a peer support specialist or other similar position;
(2) The individual obtains certification in peer recovery by the Arkansas Substance Abuse Certification Board;
(3) The certification was obtained after the commission of a criminal offense;
(4) The criminal offense does not involve violence or a sexual act; and
(5) The certification process includes due process for appealing a decision based upon a disqualifying charge in the criminal background check.
Yes.
Certification is provided by the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services through the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS).
The Department of Human Services
Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services
Mental Health Services
4800 W. 7th Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
DHS.BehavioralHealth@dhs.arkansas.gov
The MidSOUTH Training Academy UALR website.
MidSOUTH Training Academy
School of Social Work
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2801 South University Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72204
Phone: (501)296-1920
Fax: (501)296-1927
Email: support@midsouth.ualr.edu
8 hours (annually) of specialized training related to the type of support services being delivered
There is no certification requirement for supervisors. Individuals supervising CPS must have a license in good standing with the State of Arkansas to provide clinical behavioral health care, and follow the DBHS Behavioral Health Care Agency certification manual for Medicaid providers.
Peer Support Specialist
Youth Support Specialist
Family Support Partner
Yes
From Past to Purpose' Arkansas' 1st Annual Region 6 Peer Recovery Conference was held September 2019.