Kansas

Is there a state-endorsed certification process?

Yes

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

Yes.
Mental health = Kansas Certified Peer Specialist (KCPS), Kansas Certified Peer Specialist in Training (KCPST)
Substance use disorder = Kansas Certified Peer Mentor (KCPM), Kansas Certified Peer Mentor in Training (KCPMT).
We also currently have a track for Kansas Certified Parent Peer Support Specialist (KCPPSS),

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

Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

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

Same as previous information. Additions:
KCPST: Must Self-identify as a person in recovery from a behavioral health condition and must have established a minimum of one year in stable recovery.
KCPMT: Must Self-identify as a person in recovery from substance use disorder and must have established a minimum of one year in stable recovery.

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

Same as previous information. Additions:
KCPST: Must Self-identify as a person in recovery from a behavioral health condition and must have established a minimum of one year in stable recovery.
KCPMT: Must Self-identify as a person in recovery from substance use disorder and must have established a minimum of one year in stable recovery.

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

KCPST: Same as previous information. In addition, individuals are now expected to work for 90 days as a KCPST for an agency providing peer support services, under supervision, before registering for a Level 2 training.
KCPMT: Completion of the KDADS/BHS approved Level One (online) training with minimum of 80% passing on associated exam, Employed as Kansas Certified Peer Mentor in training with

What is the average cost for CPS training?

There are no costs for the training

Who is responsible for paying for training? (List all)

There are no costs for the training

Other potential funding sources.

There are no costs for the training

Is there a state-wide certification test?

No, but each training has an exam at the end.

What are the personal/professional requirements for certification, if they differ from attending the training?

Agree to and sign Certified Peer Specialist Code of Ethics which covers topics such as CPS role to help others, maintain professional boundaries, share their experiences with mental health and recovery, and advocacy.

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

No

What is the cost of the certification test?

Unknown

Aside from any fees for the training or state-wide certification test, are there other certification fees/costs?

No

Is there a statewide certification body?

Yes

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

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
New England Building
503 S. Kansas Ave.,
Topeka, KS 66603-3404
Phone: 785-296-4986

Where can information be found for upcoming peer support trainings?

https://kansascpstraining.getlearnworlds.com/pages/courses

On average, how often are trainings held in your state?

Offered up to 4 times per year in varying locations around the state and online

Training providers (vendors) and their contact information.

Online trainings: Kansas Certified Peer Specialists | Charles Bartlett ([email protected]) Trainings coordinated by Wichita State University Community Engagement Institute, including the recruitment of peer trainers.

What are the continuing education requirements?

Currently no CE requirements.

Who tracks CEUs?

Currently no CE requirements.

Is there a certification requirement for CPS Supervisors? If yes, provide details of requirements and relevant information.

All individuals providing supervision to Kansas Certified Peer Specialists are required to complete Supervisor Training which is available online and focuses on peer support principles and supervision.

Additional specializations available for certified peer specialists:

Yes.
Mental health = Kansas Certified Peer Specialist (KCPS), Kansas Certified Peer Specialist in Training (KCPST)
Substance use disorder = Kansas Certified Peer Mentor (KCPM), Kansas Certified Peer Mentor in Training (KCPMT).
We also currently have a track for Kansas Certified Parent Peer Support Specialist (KCPPSS)

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

Mental health = Kansas Certified Peer Specialist (KCPS), Kansas Certified Peer Specialist in Training (KCPST)
Substance use disorder = Kansas Certified Peer Mentor (KCPM), Kansas Certified Peer Mentor in Training (KCPMT).
We also currently have a track for Kansas Certified Parent Peer Support Specialist (KCPPSS)

Are Certified Peer Specialists services Medicaid reimbursable?

Are Certified Peer Specialists services Medicaid reimbursable? YES
Through which mechanism(s) are peer specialist services reimbursed by Medicaid? Through the KANCARE (Kansas Medicaid) Managed Care Organizations contracted by Kansas
Are any Medicaid waivers used? NO

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

Are Certified Peer Specialists services Medicaid reimbursable? YES
Through which mechanism(s) are peer specialist services reimbursed by Medicaid? Through the KANCARE (Kansas Medicaid) Managed Care Organizations contracted by Kansas
Are any Medicaid waivers used? NO

Is digital peer support available? Medicaid reimbursable?

Yes to both questions.

Is there a statewide Peer Specialist organization?

The Governor's Council for Behavioral Health Services Peer Subcommittee. Contact: John Agnew - [email protected]
Kansas Consumer Advisory Council for Adult Mental Health. Contacts: Koleen Garrison [email protected], Melissa Patrick [email protected]

Name of Statewide Peer Specialists Organization*

The Governor's Council for Behavioral Health Services Peer Subcommittee. Contact: John Agnew - [email protected]
Kansas Consumer Advisory Council for Adult Mental Health. Contacts: Koleen Garrison [email protected], Melissa Patrick [email protected]

Peer Specialists Organization Website*

The Governor's Council for Behavioral Health Services Peer Subcommittee. Contact: John Agnew - [email protected]
Kansas Consumer Advisory Council for Adult Mental Health. Contacts: Koleen Garrison [email protected], Melissa Patrick [email protected]

Peer Specialists Organization Primary Contact*

The Governor's Council for Behavioral Health Services Peer Subcommittee. Contact: John Agnew - [email protected]
Kansas Consumer Advisory Council for Adult Mental Health. Contacts: Koleen Garrison [email protected], Melissa Patrick [email protected]

Other relevant/helpful contacts:*

Charley Bartlett, Director, Adult Services, Kansas Dept of Aging and Disability Services; [email protected]

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

Kansas Recovery Conference is held annually in June coordinated by the Kansas Consumer Advisory Council for Adult Mental Health. Contact Melissa Patrick: [email protected]

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

Kansas Consume Advisory Council gives a Kansas Certified Peer Specialist of the Year Award at the Kansas Recovery Conference. There is no list.

Helpful Websites/ References*

Not at this time

Additional Info*

No

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

Yes. COVID switched all of our previously in-person trainings to virtual. We currently use a hybrid schedule for those trainings.

Is the Certification curriculum peer-led and/or peer developed?

All 3 of our tracks were fully developed by peers. However, some adaptations and improvements have been made by KDADS, Wichita State University's Community Engagement Institute and reviewed by peers. All trainings are led by at least one peer who has been trained in the curriculum and delivery.

Are there any potential Barriers to certification and post certification employment?

No. & If individuals cannot meet the requirements for certification outlined above (Q5 and 6), they cannot become certified at that time.

Are certification trainings offered in-person, online, or hybrid?

Same as previous information. Online options available.

Is there a recent count of the # of Peer Specialists in this state? What is the count, and the day this count was captured?

360 (2024)

How does the state/certification body approve Peer support training vendors?

Online trainings: Kansas Certified Peer Specialists | Charles Bartlett ([email protected]) Trainings coordinated by Wichita State University Community Engagement Institute, including the recruitment of peer trainers.

Currently Known Issues (date found)

No & Yes. We are currently revamping our parent peer support and peer specialist training curriculums. In addition, there are efforts towards creating a track for forensic peer support. (2024)

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