Yes
No, CPSS may be people with lived experience with mental health and/or substance use disorder.
Completion of a high school or GED or higher degree
Must be 19 years of age
Must be a lawfully present in the United States and provide documentation
Self-identify as a current or previous consumer of behavioral health services who have been successful in their own recovery, or as a parent/legal guardian or primary caretake of an individual who receives or has received behavioral health services.
Attestation of a minimum of one year of recovery and as having lived experience is required within the application.
Applicants must read and agree to abide by the Nebraska CPSS Code of Ethics as indicated by applicant's digital signature on the online CPSS Application.
"Complete and provide certification of completion of State of Nebraska Division of Behavioral Health (DBS) Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) approved Peer Support Core Curriculum training.
Training is made up of 60 hours of 13 domains and associated competencies and must include 10 hours of Ethics with 40 of the 60 hours being live interactive hours. (Domains: Engagement; support; lived experience; personalize peer support; recovery planning; resources, services & supports; health, wellness & recovery skills; crisis management; communication; collaboration & teamwork; leadership and advocacy; professional growth & development; ethics)
*Training must be complete within 12 months immediately prior to the date of the application for the CPSS certification"
Individuals
Applicant must complete the Adult and Child Protective Services Portal Registry background check information. If applicant is on the APS/CPS registry, the State will be unable to issue a certification. It is encouraged to contact the APS/CPS office at 402-471-9272 to request information on removal and expungemnet of records.
The application includes a question about whether an applicant has any misdemeanor or felony convictions. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Division of Behavioral Health understand and value lived experience as a provider of peer services and a conviction does not automatically disqualify applicants from obtaining certification.
No
Yes
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Behavioral Health (DBH) Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA)
301 Centennial Mall South,
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
402-471-7736
On the approve training provider websites:
http://necoalitionforpeers.org
http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Peer-Support-Approved-Core-Curriculum.aspx
Peeriodical Nebraska Peer Support Training
Phone: 402-314-9387
Email: peeriodical19@gmail.com
Website: http://necoalitionforpeers.org
Approved Trainers:
Danielle Smith, CPSWS; Sadie Thompson, CPSWS; Retha Knapp, CPSWS; Jenn Nelson
Community Alliance Peer Support Specialist Training
Phone: 402-341-5128
Email: lsookram@commall.org
Website: http://www.community-alliance.org
Approved Trainers:
Dr. Lilchandra Sookram, Ph.D.; Mary Ahern, CPSWS; Jon Thomsen, CPSWS; Joel Schneider, CPSWS
A renewal application is required every 2 years that includes having completed 20 hours of continuing education units in order to stay up to date on new and current evidence-based practices. These can be as in-person classes, webinars, or online classes.
*Any misdemeanor or felony incurred while certified as a CPSS will need to be reported in writing to the OCA within 30 days of the date of the occurrence.
The former certification (State of Nebraska-issued Certified Peer Support and Wellness Specialists) may be grandparented into the new Certified Peer Support Specialist credential.
*Individuals who currently hold CPSWS and have worked or volunteered a minimum of 500 hours in the last 12 months immediately preceding the submission of their application can submit the online grandfather application with a signed copy of your job description signed by supervisor. Individuals who are approved to be grandparented, do not have to take the training but do still need to take and pass the IC&RC test within 90 days of receiving the email from the IC&RC providing exam registration details.
CPSS - Certified Peer Support Specialist (new certification)
CPSWS - Certified Peer Support and Wellness Specialists (This is the old recognition which is still recognized but is no longer current State of Nebraska-issued certification)
Yes
Medicaid - State Plan Amendment # 16-0009
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services received a second SAMHSA Grant recently related to COVID-19, which some funds will be allocated to peer-run and peer-support services.
Yes
Yes
The Nebraska Coalition for Peer Delivered Services, (The Wellbeing Initiative)
(402) 314-9387
NCPDS@winitiative.org
Certified Peer Support Conference
Office of Consumer Affairs Contact: Brenda Moes 402-471-7721
brenda.moes@nebraska.gov