Yes, the Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification was awarded a contract by the Division of Behavioral Health to develop and maintain a Certificate Program for Alaska Peer Support Staff in April 2020.
A single, unified certification for Peer Support Specialists and there's no separate certification for Mental Health or Substance Use specifically.
No requirements for Peer Support Associate OR Traditional Peer Support Associate
H.S. Diploma OR GED (possible waiver for TPSP I-III) for Peer Support Professional I-III OR Traditional Peer Support Professional I-III
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For Peer Support Professional (individuals holding an Associate, Bachelor, or higher degree in Social Services, Social Work, Addiction, Human Services, Psychology, Psychiatric Nursing, or other fields have lower requirements) Self-Attest Lived Experience and Recovery
Work experience requirements depend on certification tier, Associate to Professional III.
Training requirements depend on certification tier, Associate to Professional III. Specific courses required for training are located on the applications.
1) Peer Support Associate Work Experience: none Training: 50 hours of courses
2) Peer Support Professional I
Work Experience: 1000 hours of experience with an organization that provides mental health and substance abuse services. Your supervisor is required to document 25 hours of direct supervision Training: 65 hours of courses PLUS 15 hours of courses from other topics
3) Peer Support Professional II
Work Experience: 4000 hours of experience with an organization that provides mental health and substance abuse services. Your supervisor is required to document 100 hours of direct supervision Training: 115 hours of courses PLUS 50 hours of courses from other topics
4) Peer Support Professional III
Work Experience: 6000 hours of experience with an organization that provides mental health and substance abuse services. Your supervisor is required to document 150 hours of direct supervision
A Training Guide is located under the Peer Support Portal on the Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification website, www.akcertification.org. You may contact the trainers in the Training Guide to determine whether the training is free or for a cost.
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The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority may give out funds for training.
No test required. The Alaska Department of Behavioral Health requires completion of a 40 hour training and submission of an application to Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification. You may locate the forms under the Peer Support portal at their website, www.akcertification.org.
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Application has a Background Disclosure Form which asks questions about past convictions. These can be considered an ethical code issue which requires review by the Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification Ethics Committee
No test required.
Certifications must be renewed every two years.
For recertification applicants must complete courses for Ethics (3 hours) and Confidentiality (3 hours) plus 9 additional hours of courses for a Total of 15 hours within 2 years of your recertification. Keep copies of training certificates in an accessible file just in case you are audited.
Fees for Application / Recertification by Tier: (additional $5 Process Fee for payment through website) Associate $180 / $165
Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification was awarded a contract by the Division of Behavioral Health to develop and maintain a Certificate Program for Alaska Peer Support Staff in April 2020.
Address: P.O. Box 220109, Anchorage, Alaska 99522-0109
Email: [email protected]
Peer Support: [email protected]
Phones: (907)332-4333
Peer Support: 907-339-8006
Operating hours : 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Mon-Fri
A Training Guide is located under the Peer Support Portal on the Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification website, www.akcertification.org.
You may contact the trainers in the Training Guide to determine available options.
Alaska Department of Behavioral Health requires a 40 hour training and approves the trainers. There are many opportunities for individuals to receive the 40-hour training for free (at no charge). You may locate training opportunities on the Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification website, www.akcertification.org, or the Alaska Behavioral Health website, https://alaskabehavioralhealth.org/trainings/peer-support-training/.
Complete 20 hours of continuing education (CEU hours) within the past two years, to include Ethics (3 hours), Confidentiality (3 hours), Infectious Disease & HIV/AIDS (6 hours) plus 8 hours of courses of your choice.
Submit copies of completed training certificates along with your completed Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification Reciprocity Peer Support Training Log.
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Tiered from a Peer Support Associate to a Peer Support III.
Traditional Peer Support which caters to Alaska Natives, Native Americans, and indigenous peer support professionals, acknowledging the importance of incorporating traditional healing practices
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Peer support services, as Peer-Based Crisis Services, are listed in the Alaska Division of Behavioral Health's fee schedule, with a specific code (H0038).
Alaska Behavioral Health Reform Waiver (1115 Waiver) encompasses both mental health and substance use disorder services and can allow for reimbursement of peer support services if they align with the individual's treatment plan.
Yes and it can be Medicaid reimbursable as long as the services meet HIPAA and telehealth criteria. Payment mechanism is likely the same through code H0038.
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Alaska Peer Support Conference, https://akpeersupportconference.com/
Alaska Peer Support Conference gives out three awards; Lee Breinig Advocacy Award, Marlene Johnson Advancement Award, and Outstanding Peer Support Organization Award
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Application has a Background Disclosure Form which asks questions about past convictions. These can be considered an ethical code issue which requires review by the Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification Ethics Committee & All of these can be a disqualification
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