Michigan

Yes

Michigan has several peer certifications intentionally developed to match the population represented. Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) are individuals over the age of 18 who have a lived journey of recovery primarily from a mental health condition. Certified Peer Recovery Coaches (CPRC) are over the age of 18 with a lived journey of recovery from substance use conditions. Some individuals are dually certified who represent the co-occurring population. DD Peer Mentors are individuals who have developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, working with individuals who receive I/DD services. Youth Peer Support (YPS) are individuals who are in the age range of of 18 - 27. Parent Support Partners (PSP) are family members who provide support to parents whose children are receiving services from the SED waiver.

Individuals are required to have a high school diploma, General Education Diploma (GED), or provide college transcripts in lieu of a high school diploma or GED.

Individuals who are working as peer support specialists in a Medicaid service delivery system serving beneficiaries with mental health conditions must:
• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Have a high school diploma, General Education Diploma (GED), or provide college transcripts in lieu of a high school diploma or GED;
• Primary diagnosis of a mental health condition;
• Have a strong personal knowledge of what it is like to have first-hand lived experience with a mental health condition that has caused a substantial life disruption;
• Has been a recipient of mental health treatment and/or services for at least one year, with a substantial life disruption due to their mental health condition;
• Have personal experience in navigating complex mental health treatment services;
• Willingly shares their recovery story in supporting others;
• Be employed by a CMHSP or contract provider at the beginning of training;
• Meet the MDHHS application approval process for specialized training and certification;
o Completed peer support specialist application
o Supervisor signature and acknowledgment form
o Two written letters of reference
o Current job description
o Read, understand, and agree to peer code of ethics

Individuals who are working as peer support specialists in a Medicaid service delivery system serving beneficiaries with mental health conditions must:
• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Have a high school diploma, General Education Diploma (GED), or provide college transcripts in lieu of a high school diploma or GED;
• Primary diagnosis of a mental health condition;
• Have a strong personal knowledge of what it is like to have first-hand lived experience with a mental health condition that has caused a substantial life disruption;
• Has been a recipient of mental health treatment and/or services for at least one year, with a substantial life disruption due to their mental health condition;
• Have personal experience in navigating complex mental health treatment services;
• Willingly shares their recovery story in supporting others;
• Be employed by a CMHSP or contract provider at the beginning of training;
• Meet the MDHHS application approval process for specialized training and certification;
o Completed peer support specialist application
o Supervisor signature and acknowledgment form
o Two written letters of reference
o Current job description
o Read, understand, and agree to peer code of ethics

Individuals who are working as peer support specialists in a Medicaid service delivery system serving beneficiaries with mental health conditions must:
• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Have a high school diploma, General Education Diploma (GED), or provide college transcripts in lieu of a high school diploma or GED;
• Primary diagnosis of a mental health condition;
• Have a strong personal knowledge of what it is like to have first-hand lived experience with a mental health condition that has caused a substantial life disruption;
• Has been a recipient of mental health treatment and/or services for at least one year, with a substantial life disruption due to their mental health condition;
• Have personal experience in navigating complex mental health treatment services;
• Willingly shares their recovery story in supporting others;
• Be employed by a CMHSP or contract provider at the beginning of training;
• Meet the MDHHS application approval process for specialized training and certification;
o Completed peer support specialist application
o Supervisor signature and acknowledgment form
o Two written letters of reference
o Current job description
o Read, understand, and agree to peer code of ethics

See above. The training costs 300.00 and is paid by the employer as the training results in the individual becoming a Medicaid provider, which is a financial benefit as the employer receives Medicaid reimbursement for peer-delivered services. Peer specialists are required to be working the day of the training to avoid a volunteer workforce without a path to employment. Scholarships are provided to Veterans who are not employed as peer support specialists. Over 430 Veterans have received a scholarship.

See above. The training costs 300.00 and is paid by the employer as the training results in the individual becoming a Medicaid provider, which is a financial benefit as the employer receives Medicaid reimbursement for peer-delivered services. Peer specialists are required to be working the day of the training to avoid a volunteer workforce without a path to employment. Scholarships are provided to Veterans who are not employed as peer support specialists. Over 430 Veterans have received a schlorship.

See above. The training costs 300.00 and is paid by the employer as the training results in the individual becoming a Medicaid provider, which is a financial benefit as the employer receives Medicaid reimbursement for peer-delivered services. Peer specialists are required to be working the day of the training to avoid a volunteer workforce without a path to employment. Scholarships are provided to Veterans who are not employed as peer support specialists. Over 430 Veterans have received a schlorship.

Individuals who attend the week long initial peer training are required to pass an exam to fulfill certification requirements. The training and testing are subsidized by SAMHSA Mental Health Block Grant funding. The training costs $300.00 and the employer is required to pay the fee. Scholarships are provided to Veterans who are not working as a peer specialist. Individuals are required to be working the day of the training to prevent a volunteer workforce without a clear path to employment.

N/A

MDHHS has clearly outlined that the employer determines who they hire/employ. A Medicaid Fitness Policy was developed for all behavioral health providers. Peers are "alternative providers" with requirements waived based on lived experience. The Community Mental Health Services Programs and provider agencies may choose to have more stringent standards.

Individuals who attend the week long initial peer training are required to pass an exam to fulfill certification requirements. The training and testing are subsidized by SAMHSA Mental Health Block Grant funding. The training costs $300.00 and the employer is required to pay the fee. Scholarships are provided to Veterans who are not working as a peer specialist. Individuals are required to be working the day of the training to prevent a volunteer workforce without a clear path to employment.

MDHHS does not require additional testing. In February of 2023 Continuing Education was required. CPSS and CPRC must have 32 CEs within two years of the month they were certified.

Additional costs are required to attend Continuing Education trainings. The costs are $25.00 for half day trainings and 50.00 for full day and multiple day trainings. It is strongly encouraged by MDHHS that employers pay the costs for continuing education requirements. If individuals are not working scholarships are provided.

MDHHS is the certifying body and administers testing and training. Certification trainings are developed and led by CPSS' who are employed as contractual staff.  One individual is a state of Michigan employee who leads and oversees the training and process for certification.

MDHHS is the certifying body and administers testing and training. Certification trainings are developed and led by CPSS' who are employed as contractual staff.  One individual is a state of Michigan employee who leads and oversees the training and process for certification.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/drugcontrol/peer-recovery-information is the state website. In addition, mipeers.org is an additional website to gain information on training and continuing education requirements.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/drugcontrol… is the state website. In addition, mipeers.org is an additional website to gain information on training and continuing education requirements.

Trainings are provided by skilled CPSS who have a variety of experiences in providing peer services. The team of trainers is highly diverse. A state of Michigan Peer Services Coordinator who is a person in mental health recovery leads each training and provides support and mentoring with contractual staff.

Individuals are required to have 32 CEs within two years. A variety of choices and options of meeting the requirements is outlined. One of the requirements is to attend an in person ethics class led by MDHHS state recovery coordinator and peer contract providers. MDHHS tracks the completion. Additional information can be found on the MDHHS website.

Individuals are required to have 32 CEs within two years. A variety of choices and options of meeting the requirements is outlined. One of the requirements is to attend an in person ethics class led by MDHHS state recovery coordinator and peer contract providers. MDHHS tracks the completion. Additional information can be found on the MDHHS website.

Michigan does not have a separate certification for Peer Support Supervisors. A training building on the SAMHSA tool kit has been developed with training provided to Community Mental Health Service Programs and provider agencies. The training requires that supervisors attend in partnership with peers they supervise.

Michigan has several peer certifications intentionally developed to match the population represented. Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) are individuals over the age of 18 who have a lived journey of recovery primarily from a mental health condition. Certified Peer Recovery Coaches (CPRC) are over the age of 18 with a lived journey of recovery from substance use conditions. Some individuals are dually certified who represent the co-occurring population. DD Peer Mentors are individuals who have developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, working with individuals who receive I/DD services. Youth Peer Support (YPS) are individuals who are in the age range of of 18 - 27. Parent Support Partners (PSP) are family members who provide support to parents whose children are receiving services from the SED waiver.

Michigan has several peer certifications intentionally developed to match the population represented. Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) are individuals over the age of 18 who have a lived journey of recovery primarily from a mental health condition. Certified Peer Recovery Coaches (CPRC) are over the age of 18 with a lived journey of recovery from substance use conditions. Some individuals are dually certified who represent the co-occurring population. DD Peer Mentors are individuals who have developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, working with individuals who receive I/DD services. Youth Peer Support (YPS) are individuals who are in the age range of of 18 - 27. Parent Support Partners (PSP) are family members who provide support to parents whose children are receiving services from the SED waiver.

CPSS are Medicaid reimbursable through the  1115 waiver services.

CPSS are Medicaid reimbursable through the  1115 waiver services.

Yes, virtual services are allowed and are Medicaid reimbursable with specific requirements. The payment mechanism is the same.

Michigan Peer Specialists United
Michigan Certified Peer Support Specialists Facebook page 
Hope 365 peer respite
Justice in Mental Health Organization (JIMHO)

Michigan Peer Specialists United
Michigan Certified Peer Support Specialists Facebook page 
Hope 365 peer respite
Justice in Mental Health Organization (JIMHO)

Michigan Peer Specialists United
Michigan Certified Peer Support Specialists Facebook page 
Hope 365 peer respite
Justice in Mental Health Organization (JIMHO)

Julie Smythe: Peer Recovery Services Coordinator [email protected]

MDHHS, with the MHBG, supports an annual peer conference with over 400 - 500 attendees. The majority of individuals attending are CPSS, CPRC, DD Peer Mentors, peer liaisons from provider organizations, advocates and interested others. The conference has been held for the past 11 years.

MDHHS has not implemented recognition or awards.  Instead of awards, agencies and individuals are highlighted based on best and promising peer practices. Local and regional Community Mental Health Services Programs and provider agencies have special recognition and awards.

mipeers.org

Certification, CE requirements and a variety of other data is collected in an extensive Microsoft Access database.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has a certification for peer support specialists.  In early Spring of 2020 the trainings shifted to a Zoom platform.  In 2023, trainings were back in person. Virtual certification is no longer available.

The certification training curriculum is fully peer-led and peer-developed. The certification process was initially developed by MDHHS central office staff who created the policy and encounter coding for approval by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2006. All policy development and changes since then and up to today have been driven by individuals with lived experience in mental health, provider networks, advocates and interested others.

MDHHS has clearly outlined that the employer determines who they hire/employ. A Medicaid Fitness Policy was developed for all behavioral health providers. Peers are "alternative providers" with requirements waived based on lived experience. The Community Mental Health Services Programs and provider agencies may choose to have more stringent standards. & Individuals must have a substantial life disruption to mirror the population served as defined by the Michigan Mental Health Code.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/drugcontrol… is the state website. In addition, mipeers.org is an additional website to gain information on training and continuing education requirements.

3,894 (2024)

Trainings are provided by skilled CPSS who have a variety of experiences in providing peer services. The team of trainers is highly diverse. A state of Michigan Peer Services Coordinator who is a person in mental health recovery leads each training and provides support and mentoring with contractual staff.

One of the complications and impediments is the low wages and reduced/lack of benefits in some areas and agencies in the state.  Peer workers have left the profession for employment in other areas unrelated to mental health that pay higher wages to meet the increased living costs. This is also a barrier in other professions employed in behavioral health. Another area of concern is PEER DRIFT. As the behavioral health workforce diminishes, peers are being asked/required to perform duties outside of the peer role. This is not only a Michigan concern but a national concern that hopefully will be addressed by national organizations and funders of peer services. Peer support is an evidence-based practice, but only when peers perform their specific role and are not required to address workforce shortages in the agency. Once peers drift into other roles, the evidence-based practices are no longer applicable. & The Medicaid policy for provider requirements will be updated to include the Continuing Education requirements.  In partnership with the Michigan Department of Corrections, additional certification trainings for both CPSS and CPRC will be expanded in prisons across the state. Over 180 individuals incarcerated, some serving sentences of life without parole, have achieved the same certification requirement as individuals who are not incarcerated. The outcomes of peers working in prisons have been highly successful. CPSS and CPRC trained in the Michigan prison system upon release are employed at agencies across the state. Several individuals who have been incarcerated are peer trainers for MDHHS. In addition, in the fall of 2024, an updated survey on the peer workforce will be replicated to compare previous findings. New emerging practices in mobile crisis and Crisis Residential Units are expanding with peer services as a foundational requirement. CPSS and CPRC that work in these settings will receive additional training on the role of peers in crisis settings to prevent role drift and ensure that peers are NOT involved in physical interventions performing in a role as a behavioral health technician. Additional continuing education trainings based on the needs of the workforce will be expanded on. Michigan has two peer respites in the state that were developed using American Rescue Plan Act funding that need continuation funding. The lack of funding for peer respites is a significant barrier. Although Medicaid funding may be an option, it is incongruent with the vision and values of peer respites as a voluntary, anonymous option. Expansion of the workforce is necessary and vital to meet the needs of the population. A focused approach by MDHHS includes an employer portal on the mipeers.org website to advertise positions available in all regions of the state. (2024)