Yes
No, CPS can be individuals with their own lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges.
A high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate
At least 18 years old
Must have own lived experience of a mental health and/or substance use challenges
Must apply to training. Applications for each training close with the application deadline or when 50 applicants are received. After applications close, trainers will review applications and may call applicants to conduct a phone interview and will select 14-18 training participants.
Once accepted to the training, the attendee must attend the full training and demonstrate a basic understanding of the materials presented and the skills needed in a peer specialist. Successful completion of the training will award the attendee a training certificate which is required when applying for certification.
Individual must pay for test fee - no other fees
Preferred Skills/Experiences:
-Computer skills (internet, email, web)
-Group facilitation or co-facilitation experience
-Knowledge of a variety of methods of creating wellness/recovery plans, and a variety of methods of teaching others to create their own plan
-Basic knowledge of how to assist peers with locating community resources (i.e. employment, housing, health, peers delivered services)
-Work or volunteer experience providing peer support
No
Yes Three entities work together for certification: Wisconsin Peer Specialists Org, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
1 West Wilson Street
Madison, WI 53703
General phone number: 608-266-1865
Wisconsin Peer Specialists Website: https://www.wicps.org/trainings/
Wisconsin Peer Specialists
3810 Milwaukee Street
Madison, WI 53714
Toll Free: 800-362-9877
Local: 608-242-8484
UW Milwaukee School of Continuing Education
161 W Wisconsin Ave, 6th and 7th Floors
Milwaukee, WI 53203
1-800-222-3623 or 414-227-3200
20 total hours required every 2 years. A minimum of 1.5 hours is required in each of the following six categories: Cultural Humility, Ethics and Boundaries, Substance Use Specific, Mental Health Specific, Trauma-Informed Care, and Peer Specialist Specific. The remaining 11 hours may be in any category of the person's choosing as long as it relates to the peer specialist role.
Certified Parent Peer Specialist - an individual with experience raising a child with behavioral health challenges trained to utilize their experience navigating services in support of other parents
CPS: Certified Peer Specialist
CPPS: Certified Parent Peer Specialist
Yes but it depends on the program or agency the CPS is employed with and if they provide services that are reimbursed by Medicaid. Services not reimbursed by Medicaid include Peer Run Respites, Peer Run Organizations and others.
Certification was developed and written from funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, Medicaid Infrastructure Grant #93.768.
Services are paid through Medicaid if they are offered through a program or agency approved for Medicaid reimbursement. Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus under Wisconsin Admin. Code § DHS 101.03(96m)
Access to Independence, Inc.
608-242-8484
info@accesstoind.org
Jason Beloungy
Executive Director
jasonb@accesstoind.org
Tim S.
Peer Specialist Program Manager
tims@accesstoind.org
Yes, Annual Wisconsin Peer Recovery Conference
https://www.uwsp.edu/conted/Pages/Wisconsin-Peer-Recovery-Conference.aspx
https://www.wicps.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/employer_guide_CPPS_Jan...
https://uwm.edu/sce/peer-specialist-exam-application/
https://uwm.edu/sce/wi-peer-specialist-certification-application-instruc...
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/peer-specialist/index.htm
https://www.wicps.org/recertification/
https://uwm.edu/sce/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2019/07/PeerSpecialistCo...
https://uwm.edu/sce/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2019/07/PeerSpecialistPo...
https://www.wicps.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/CPS-Continuing-Educatio...
DHSDCTSPeerSpecialist@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Tim Saubers
Peer Specialist Program Manager
tims@accesstoind.org
Trainings are online for the remainder of the year.
Exams are now offered online with hope to resume in-person exams by September 2020.
Recertification (annual) deadline of August 30th now has a 6-month extension with a new deadline of February 28th, 2021 for individuals whose certification expires this year. The deadline will return to normal in the future - those that renew this year by February 28th, 2021 will also have typical renewal date of August 30 in the year of 2022.