Yes, The state funds and endorses Kiva Center's CPS training and certification, under a contract which started January 1, 2020.
Yes
High School Diploma or equivalent (GED, HiSET, etc.)
18 years of age or older
Living or working in Massachusetts
Lived experience with mental health, emotional health and/or trauma resulting in significant life disruption
Willingness to share your recovery story in the context of peer support
Actively working on mental health recovery/wellness for at least 1 year
Asses readiness using ""CPS Training Self-assessment""
Schedule an Interview
Complete CPS Application
Obtain two Letters of Recommendation
Upload letter and/or application to CPS Port 24 hours before interview
Multiple days of training over 4 -10 weeks with a 3-day retreat. Multiple days of training over 4 -10 weeks. Also available are offerings via Webinar with 50 contact hours. Approximate Total of 50 hrs of training.
MA DMH
N/A
No
The Transformation Center (Kiva Center) certification is statewide. The Center has a CPS Oversight Committee of subject matter experts.
The CPS Oversight Committee advises the CPS Training Program Coordinator regarding all aspects of the program, including curriculum, training and testing processes, policy and procedures, program evaluation, and meeting the needs of the community.
Membership is made up of people with expertise in education, research, testing, hiring and integrating Certified Peer Specialists into the public mental health system, CPS practitioners and persons with lived experience who are not CPS.
The Kiva Center has information about their upcoming trainings on their website. https://transformation-center.org/home/training/certified-peer-specialists/
There is only one approved vendor, Kiva Centers dba Transformation Center. The CPS program is funded under contract with the MA Department of Mental Health
No, MaDMH does expect that a path to become a supervisor is provided by the employer of the CPS.
Peer Recovery Coach (substance addiction)
Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist (age 50+)
Forensic Peer Specialist
CPS (Certified Peer Specialist, Mental Health)
PRC (Peer Recovery Coach, Substance Addiction)
Yes, by Medicaid waiver 1115 MA Adult Supports (0828.R02.00)
Most peer support is paid out of state budget dollars through the MA Department of Mental Health. Medicaid waiver 1115 MA Adult Supports (0828.R02.00)
Kiva Centers have various peer support online events but all appear to be group oriented.
Yes
The Kiva Center, also known as The Transformation Center
Kiva Center: info@kivacenters.org
Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Office of Recovery and Empowerment, Robert Walker: robert.walker@mass.gov
Many more can be found in the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership's "Addiction and Mental Health Recovery Peer Support Resource Guide" https://www.masspartnership.com/pdf/PeerSupportResourceGuide.pdf
Yes, in person events and training are temporarily canceled.