Massachusetts
Yes
Yes
High School Diploma or equivalent (GED, HiSET, etc.)
18 years of age or older
Living or working in Massachusetts
Lived experience with mental health, emotional health and/or trauma resulting in significant life disruption
Willingness to share your recovery story in the context of peer support
Actively working on mental health recovery/wellness for at least 1 year
Asses readiness using "CPS Training Self-assessment"
Schedule an Interview
Complete CPS Application
Obtain two Letters of Recommendation
Upload letter and/or application to CPS Port 24 hours before interview
Participants have a short interview and an application to fill out, specifying their experience with groups. Once accepted into the program, the training is 60 hours virtually, plus the certification test.
The program is funded by The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
MA DMH
N/A
Test is given by training organization
N/A
Background checks are the employer's responsibility.
Included with training
No
The program and certification are free of charge, paid for by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Budget dollars.
The State Department of Mental Health oversees the contract for the training and certification of peer specialists. The Kiva Centers have the sole contract for this service.
The State Department of Mental Health oversees the contract for the training and certification of peer specialists. The Kiva Centers have the sole contract for this service.
The Kiva Center has information about their upcoming trainings on their website. https://transformation-center.org/home/training/certified-peer-speciali…
8 times a year
There is only one approved vendor, Kiva Centers dba Transformation Center. The CPS program is funded under contract with the MA Department of Mental Health
N/A
N/A
No, MaDMH does expect that a path to become a supervisor is provided by the employer of the CPS.
Peer Recovery Coach (substance addiction)
Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist (age 50+)
Forensic Peer Specialist
CPS (Certified Peer Specialist, Mental Health)
PRC (Peer Recovery Coach, Substance Addiction)
Yes, by Medicaid waiver 1115 MA Adult Supports (0828.R02.00)
Most peer support is paid out of state budget dollars through the MA Department of Mental Health. Medicaid waiver 1115 MA Adult Supports (0828.R02.00)
Services can be offered virtually.
Yes
The Kiva Center, also known as The Transformation Center
Kiva Center: [email protected]
Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Office of Recovery and Empowerment, Robert Walker: [email protected]
Many more can be found in the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership's "Addiction and Mental Health Recovery Peer Support Resource Guide" https://www.masspartnership.com/pdf/PeerSupportResourceGuide.pdf
N/A
N/A
N/A
All of our classes have been virtual since COVID. We are trying a Hybrid class in Spring 2024, to make sure we aren't leaving anyone out.
Curriculum was peer-developed and is peer-taught. The State Department of Mental Health Office of Recovery and Empowerment, which is peer-led, oversees the contract.
Background checks are the employer's responsibility. & The disqualifications around transportation and criminal records are dependent upon the job the peer applies for. The training program doesn't screen people out.
4,000 (2024)
We Want to Hear From You
If you have any additional information or updates you would like seen on our site, click on "Share Helpful Information." We’re always trying to improve our content. Click on "Give Us Your Feedback” to let us know how we’re doing.