Tennessee

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Is there a state-endorsed certification process?: 

Yes

Does the state differentiate between Mental Health Peer Support Specialists and Substance Use Peer Support Specialists?: 

No, someone becoming a CPRS can be in recovery from mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorder

What are the educational requirements to apply for a peer specialist training program?: 

Hold a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED)

What are the personal requirements to apply for a peer specialist training program?: 

Must be at least age 18 year of age or older.
Self-identify as a person who is in recovery from mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorder as part of his or her personal recovery process.
Have demonstrated self-directed recovery for a minimum of 24 consecutive months as described in the CPRS application.
Cannot have a conservator (defined as a person appointed by the court to provide partial or full supervision, protection, and assistance) - having a conservator contraindicates certification as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist.

What are the professional requirements needed to apply for a peer specialist training program?: 

Complete Application Part One (for training)

What are the training requirements to become a Certified Peer Specialist?: 

Must attend and successfully complete 40-hour CPRS training. Training includes role playing, feedback, group work, self-examination, and tests. Topics covered include communication, problem-solving, values, motivation, and wellness, opioid use disorder, and ethics.
- Must be present for all 40 of the hours and be prepared to set aside time in the evenings to complete homework and reading assignments.

What is the average cost for CPS training?: 
Training is provided free to all accepted applicants.
Who is responsible for paying for training? (List all): 

N/A

Other potential funding sources.: 

N/A

Is there a state-wide certification test?: 
Yes. Peers must successfully demonstrate competency through testing and role plays with a CPRS trainer at TDMHSAS.
What are the personal/professional requirements for certification, if they differ from attending the training?: 

Must Complete a minimum of 75 hours of supervised paid or volunteer work within the past year providing peer recovery services with individuals who have mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders. - No less than 3 hours of supervision (one hour for every 25 hours of service provided) from an approved supervisor.

Read, understand, and agree to the following: the CPRS Scope of Activities and the CPRS code of ethics.

Complete CPRS Application Part Two

Obtain and submit a completed Employment/Volunteer Summary by supervisor.

3 completed professional/personal references (2 may come from a Certified Peer Recovery Specialists; may not use family member, therapists, or psychiatrists as a professional reference)

Is a background check required? If so, is a criminal record a disqualification for certification?: 

All training applicants are screened against the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry and the Tennessee Abuse Registry prior to application approval. Applicants on the sex offender registry are handled on a case by case basis and can still be approved for certification in some situations.

What is the cost of the certification test?: 
A part of training which is free
Does the certification test need to be taken regularly to maintain certification?: 

No

Aside from any fees for the training or state-wide certification test, are there other certification fees/costs?: 
Training is free but applicants are responsible for your own transportation, lodging, meals, beverages, and snacks.
Is there a statewide certification body?: 

Yes

Please provide as much information about the certification board/body as possible.: 

Tennessee Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services (part of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services)
Andrew Jackson Building,
6th Floor 500 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37243
[email protected]
(615) 532-6500

Where can information be found for upcoming peer support trainings?: 

https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/cprs/certification-part-one.html

On average, how often are trainings held in your state?: 
Currently offering training via Zoom, one or two monthly.
Training providers (vendors) and their contact information.: 

Training is provided by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services

What are the continuing education requirements?: 

CPRS must complete 10 hours of continuing education trainings, seminars, workshops, or college courses per year for renewal. All continuing education must be approved by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS). To gain prior approval, contact the Peer Recovery Coordinator at [email protected]
-On-line trainings are limited to 5 hours out of the 10 hours required and a minimum of 1 hour of continuing education per year must be in ethics.

Who tracks CEUs?: 
"CPRS track their own CEUs and provide information to confirm successful completion of hours. Accepted documents include: Certificate of attendance or completion, verification on official agency letterhead for provider agency in-service trainings as requ
Is there a certification requirement for CPS Supervisors? If yes, provide details of requirements and relevant information.: 

Supervisors can be experienced CPS (or a mental health professional)

To become a supervisor of Certified Peer Recovery Specialist:
-Must be a current CPRS with at least 6,000 hours of experience working as a CPRS and have regular, on-going consultation with a mental health professional or qualified alcohol and drug abuse treatment professional.
-Complete supervision training that includes understanding how to support the role of Certified Peer Recovery Specialists
-And adhere to the core principles (trained in quality supervisory skills; understand and support the role of CPRS; understand and promote recovery in their supervisory roles; advocate for CPRS's and for peer support services across the organization and in the community; and promote both the professional and personal growth of the CPRS within established human resource standards.)

Additional specializations available for certified peer specialists:: 

Certified Family Support Specialist - a person who has self-identified as the caregiver of a child or youth with a mental, emotional, behavioral or co-occurring disorder and who has successfully navigated the child-serving systems to access treatment and resources necessary to build resiliency and foster success in the home, school, and community.
Contact our Family Engagement Program Manager at (615) 770-1788 or [email protected]

Certified Young Adult Peer Support Specialist - self-identify as being in recovery or on a path of wellness because of their mental health condition, substance abuse, co-occurring disorder, or involvement in another child or adult-serving system (e.g. juvenile justice, criminal justice, foster care, homeless services, or child protective services)
Jules Wilson
Youth & Young Adult Coordinator
615-532-3754
[email protected]

What are the different acronyms used to distinguish peer supporters and specific peer support specialties?: 

CPRS - Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
CYAPSS - Certified Young Adult Peer Support Specialists
CFSS - Certified Family Support Specialist

Are Certified Peer Specialists services Medicaid reimbursable?: 

Yes, CPRS can provide Medicaid-reimbursable peer recovery services in outpatient and inpatient programs under the employer's contract with the health plans. Can not offer services on their own for pay or reimbursement. Individual must be employed by an agency that is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and under the direct clinical supervision of a licensed behavioral health professional in accordance with
acceptable guidelines and standards of practice as defined by the State

How are peer support services paid for by the state? What specific Medicaid waivers are used, if any?: 

Policy No: BEN 11-002.

Is digital peer support available? Medicaid reimbursable?: 

Yes, CPRS can provide Medicaid-reimbursable peer recovery services in outpatient and inpatient programs under the employer's contract with the health plans. Cannot offer services on their own for pay or reimbursement. Individual must be employed by an agency that is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and under the direct clinical supervision of a licensed behavioral health professional in accordance with acceptable guidelines and standards of practice as defined by the State

Is there a statewide Peer Specialist organization?: 

Yes

Name of Statewide Peer Specialists Organization: 

Tennessee Mental Health Consumers' Association (TMHCA)

Tennessee Association of Peer Specialists (TAPS)

Peer Specialists Organization Website: 

https://tmhca-tn.org/

https://tnpeers.org/

Peer Specialists Organization Primary Contact: 

Corporate Office Phone Number: 615-250-1176
Columbia Office Phone Number: 931-388-0664
Memphis Office: 901-522-2090
Jackson Office: 731-660-3275
McMinnville Office: 931-474-4053
Chattanooga Office: 423-803-5655
Murfreesboro Office: 615-849-2117

Other relevant/helpful contacts:: 



Are there conferences held in the state specifically for Peer Supporters?: 

CPRS Conference is held every year to recognize CPRS. 2020 conference will be held virtually.

https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/mental-health-services/peers/cprs-c...

Are there recognition or award opportunities for peer support specialists or Substance Use Peer Support Specialists?: 



Helpful Websites/ References: 

https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/cprs.html

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/mentalhealth/documents/CPRS_Handbook_A...

https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/mental-health-services/peers/cyapss...

https://socacrosstn.org/state-tennessee-family-support-specialist-certif...

https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/mental-health-services/peers/find-a...

Additional Info: 

Michelle Webster
Peer Recovery Coordinator
615-741-7693
[email protected]
[email protected]

If there are recent changes to the certification process due to COVID-19, are the changes permanent, temporary or other?: