Yes
Yes, SUD Peer Support Specialists have a different certification called "Certified Recovery Peer Advocate".
High school diploma or equivalent
Must actively be in recovery from a mental health condition or major life disruption and
self-disclose one’s mental health journey to others
2000 hours of peer specialist specific experience is required of the NYCPS, no hours currently required for the NYCPS-P
Provisional: Completing the 13 Core Courses at the Academy of Peer Services.
Full certification: 5 additional elective courses from the Academy of Peer Services are required
State of New York
For the provisional certification:
A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, with documentation
Three references from individuals able to speak to your ability as a peer specialist
Full certification:
Documentation of 2000 hours of peer support provided under supervision of a qualified supervisor
3 references along with recommendation from current supervisor
No background/criminal check is required of certification
No.
Yes
New York Peer Specialist Certification Board
3 Atrium Drive, Suite 205
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 426-0945
info@nypeerspecialist.org
Ten hours per year.
Family and Youth Peer Support
Peer OMH State Hospital Bridgers
Peer Wellness Coaching
Peer Crisis Diversion
Rights Protection and Advocacy
Peer Supported Housing
Certified Peer Specialist -- NYCPS -- works with individuals in the mental health system.
""Certified Recovery Peer Advocate"" -- Substance Use Disorder Peer Support.
""Youth Peer Advocate"" -- YPA -- Individuals between 18-30 who provide support to those experiencing social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges as a young person or receiving services in any one of the child-serving systems (juvenile justice, foster care, special education, or addiction recovery). Administered by Families Together.
""Family Peer Advocate"" -- FPA -- Family Peer Advocates have ‘lived-experience’ as the parent (biological, foster, adoptive) or primary caregiver of a child/youth with a social, emotional, behavioral, mental health, or developmental disability). Administered by Families Together.
Yes, they may be reimbursed by Medicaid. Services also may be reimbursed to beneficiaries of state health waivers including the NHTD waiver.
NYS has transitioned to a MCO Medicaid model. "BH HCBS will be available to adults meeting Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) targeting criteria and risk factors in HARPs and HIV SNPs who are found eligible through an assessment."
Due to the COVID19 Pandemic, in 2020: "For those designated CFTSS practitioners of Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR), Family Peer Support Services (FPSS), or Youth Peer Services (YPS) who do not fall under a telehealth regulation, the face–to–face requirement to provide the services is waived whenever clinically appropriate to properly care for the patient, and these practitioners are able to still bill the appropriate corresponding rate."
Yes, specific to NYC: NYC Peer Workforce Coalition
NYC Peer Workforce Coalition
Yes. There are multiple conferences.
The NYC Conference for Working Peer Specialists (annual since 2006) is coordinated through the Office of Mental Health.
NYPSCB (New York Peer Specialist Certification Board) has an annual conference for peer specialists statewide, from 2017 on.
Support for Peer Providers through the APS Community: https://aps-community.org/online-support-for-peer-support-providers/
Peer Newspaper -- https://www.cityvoicesonline.org/
The changes are temporary.
The NYPSCB COVID-19 Emergency Renewal Assistance Program temporarily suspends the NYPSCB renewal program and immediately renews all NYCPS and NYCPS-Provisional certifications through May 31, 2021.