New York

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, SUD Peer Support Specialists have a different certification called "Certified Recovery Peer Advocate".

NY SUD:
ASAP-New York Certification Board offers two foundational certifications in the peer recovery profession, four advanced or specialized certifications, and one certification for professionals from any discipline who supervise peers. The foundational certifications are: CARC (from 2012; Certified Addiction Recovery Coach); CRPA (from 2014; Certified Recovery Peer Advocate), with time-limited CRPA-Provisional introduced in 2016. Advanced certifications are CRPA-Family (from 2019); CRPA-Youth (from 2023); Veteran Supported Recovery (from 2019) and Criminal Justice Supported Recovery (January 2024). The Peer Supervision Professional certification will be introduced in January 2024. All "CRPA" titles are eligible for Medicaid-reimbursement.

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

High school diploma or equivalent

NY SUD: Any individual can take any training at any time for any purpose; no barriers to training ever.

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

Must actively be in recovery from a mental health condition or major life disruption and
self-disclose one’s mental health journey to others

NY SUD: Each role certification in the peer recovery profession has different requirements - details at https://www.asapnys.org/ny-certification-board/.

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

2000 hours of peer specialist specific experience is required of the NYCPS, no hours currently required for the NYCPS-P

NY SUD: Each role certification in the peer recovery profession has different requirements - details at https://www.asapnys.org/ny-certification-board/.

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

Provisional: Completing the 13 Core Courses at the Academy of Peer Services.
Full certification: 5 additional elective courses from the Academy of Peer Services are required

NY SUD: Each role certification in the peer recovery profession has different requirements - details at https://www.asapnys.org/ny-certification-board/. Any individual can take any training at any time for any purpose; no barriers to training ever.

What is the average cost for CPS training?

Free (paid for by the State of New York)

NY SUD: Training in the NYS peer recovery profession may be underwritten by state agencies and programs, and by private scholarship funds.

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

State of New York

NY SUD: Training in the NYS peer recovery profession may be underwritten by state agencies and programs, and by private scholarship funds.

Other potential funding sources.

Is there a state-wide certification test?

The Academy of Peer Services has tests after each 'course'. A passing score of 75% or higher is required. Two attempts are allowed per calendar term.

NY SUD: ASAP-New York Certification Board, a non-profit, utilizes the IC&RC Peer Recovery exam to confirm role competence for CRPA (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate). IC&RC is a non-profit association of professional certification authorities.

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

For the provisional certification:
A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, with documentation
Three references from individuals able to speak to your ability as a peer specialist
Full certification:
Documentation of 2000 hours of peer support provided under supervision of a qualified supervisor
3 references along with recommendation from current supervisor

NY SUD: Each role certification in the peer recovery profession has different requirements - details at https://www.asapnys.org/ny-certification-board/.

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

No background/criminal check is required of certification

NY SUD: Any individual can take any training at any time for any purpose; no barriers to training ever. Background checks are not a certification standard, but may be required later by potential employers.

What is the cost of the certification test?

Free.

NY SUD: ASAP-New York Certification Board, a non-profit, utilizes the IC&RC Peer Recovery exam to confirm role competence for CRPA (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate). IC&RC is a non-profit association of professional certification authorities.

Does the certification test need to be taken regularly to maintain certification?

No.

NY SUD: Where required, one successful exam only is ever necessary for peer recovery professionals.

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

Currently, all fees associated with provisional applications, as well as fees for upgrading to full certification, are being funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health.

NY SUD: Aspiring and committed professionals will plan for all training, certification and exam fees.

Is there a statewide certification body?

Yes

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

New York Peer Specialist Certification Board
3 Atrium Drive, Suite 205
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 426-0945
[email protected]

Where can information be found for upcoming peer support trainings?

https://www.academyofpeerservices.org/

NY SUD: In the peer recovery profession, please see full information at
https://www.asapnys.org/ny-certification-board/. - it's a one-stop shop.
Any questions, email Ruth Riddick, Community Outreach, at [email protected]

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

APS courses are offered in three terms per year. Terms run from January to March, May to July, and September to December each year. For exact start and end dates, visit the APS homepage at www.academyofpeerservices.org.

Training providers (vendors) and their contact information.

http://www.academyofpeerservices.org
[email protected]

NY SUD: ASAP-NYCB approves training per the ASAP-NYCB Trainer Registry program (https://www.asapnys.org/trainers-training/)

What are the continuing education requirements?

Ten hours per year.

NY SUD: Each peer recovery certification has specific renewal requirements. Full details on the dedicated Program Renewal page at https://www.asapnys.org/renewal-program/. Any questions, email Ruth Riddick, Community Outreach, at [email protected]

Who tracks CEUs?

Individual

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

The ASAP Peer Supervision Professional certification is available to any professional who supervises peers in any environment.

Additional specializations available for certified peer specialists:

Family and Youth Peer Support
Peer OMH State Hospital Bridgers
Peer Wellness Coaching
Peer Crisis Diversion
Rights Protection and Advocacy
Peer Supported Housing

NY SUD: ASAP-New York Certification Board offers two foundational certifications in the peer recovery profession, four advanced or specialized certifications, and one certification for professionals from any discipline who supervise peers. The foundational certifications are: CARC (from 2012; Certified Addiction Recovery Coach); CRPA (from 2014; Certified Recovery Peer Advocate), with time-limited CRPA-Provisional introduced in 2016. Advanced certifications are CRPA-Family (from 2019); CRPA-Youth (from 2023); Veteran Supported Recovery (from 2019) and Criminal Justice Supported Recovery (January 2024). The Peer Supervision Professional certification will be introduced in January 2024. All "CRPA" titles are eligible for Medicaid-reimbursement.

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

Certified Peer Specialist -- NYCPS -- works with individuals in the mental health system.
"Certified Recovery Peer Advocate" -- Substance Use Disorder Peer Support.
"Youth Peer Advocate" -- YPA -- Individuals between 18-30 who provide support to those experiencing social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges as a young person or receiving services in any one of the child-serving systems (juvenile justice, foster care, special education, or addiction recovery). Administered by Families Together.
"Family Peer Advocate" -- FPA -- Family Peer Advocates have ‘lived-experience’ as the parent (biological, foster, adoptive) or primary caregiver of a child/youth with a social, emotional, behavioral, mental health, or developmental disability). Administered by Families Together.

Are Certified Peer Specialists services Medicaid reimbursable?

Yes, they may be reimbursed by Medicaid. Services also may be reimbursed to beneficiaries of state health waivers including the NHTD waiver.

NY SUD: All "CRPA" titles are eligible for Medicaid-reimbursement, per regulations. Billing is managed by employers under license from the state agency, OASAS (Office of Addiction Supports and Services)

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

NYS has transitioned to a MCO Medicaid model. "BH HCBS will be available to adults meeting Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) targeting criteria and risk factors in HARPs and HIV SNPs who are found eligible through an assessment."

NY SUD: All "CRPA" titles are eligible for Medicaid-reimbursement, per regulations. Billing is managed by employers under license from the state agency, OASAS (Office of Addiction Supports and Services)

Is digital peer support available? Medicaid reimbursable?

Due to the COVID19 Pandemic, in 2020: "For those designated CFTSS practitioners of Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR), Family Peer Support Services (FPSS), or Youth Peer Services (YPS) who do not fall under a telehealth regulation, the face–to–face requirement to provide the services is waived whenever clinically appropriate to properly care for the patient, and these practitioners are able to still bill the appropriate corresponding rate."

NY SUD: This is an employment policy question for the state agency, not for a certification board

Is there a statewide Peer Specialist organization?

Yes, specific to NYC: NYC Peer Workforce Coalition

Name of Statewide Peer Specialists Organization*

NYC Peer Workforce Coalition

Peer Specialists Organization Website*

https://www.peerworkforcecoalition.org/

Peer Specialists Organization Primary Contact*

[email protected]

Other relevant/helpful contacts:*

NY SUD: Ruth Riddick, Community Outreach, ASAP, [email protected]

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

Yes. There are multiple conferences.
The NYC Conference for Working Peer Specialists (annual since 2006) is coordinated through the Office of Mental Health.
NYPSCB (New York Peer Specialist Certification Board) has an annual conference for peer specialists statewide, from 2017 on.

NY SUD: Multiple annual conferences organized by ASAP, by other non-profits, by the state agency, by community organizations. Participation is often approved for continuing education credit - see details at https://www.asapnys.org/renewal-program/ and on the ASAP Calendar at https://www.asapnys.org/events/

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

Several organizations offer awards recognition

Helpful Websites/ References*

http://www.nypeerspecialist.org/
http://nypeerspecialist.org/benefits-of-certification
https://www.health.ny.gov/facilities/long_term_care/waiver/nhtd_manual/s...
https://aps-community.org/ui-faq/
http://nypeerspecialist.org/files/NYCPS%20P%20Application%20Jan%202018.pdf
https://www.asapnys.org/ny-certification-board/ https://www.asapnys.org/ny-certification-board/ https://tinyurl.com/ASAP-NYCB-ENews-signup https://www.facebook.com/ASAPNYCB/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/asap-new-york-certification-board/

Additional Info*

Support for Peer Providers through the APS Community: https://aps-community.org/online-support-for-peer-support-providers/
Peer Newspaper -- https://www.cityvoicesonline.org/

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

The changes are temporary.
The NYPSCB COVID-19 Emergency Renewal Assistance Program temporarily suspends the NYPSCB renewal program and immediately renews all NYCPS and NYCPS-Provisional certifications through May 31, 2021.

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

NY SUD: Any individual can take any training at any time for any purpose; no barriers to training ever. Background checks are not a certification standard, but may be required later by potential employers. & Individuals who meet the standards are invited to apply for professional certification to ASAP-NYCB per instructions at https://www.asapnys.org/ny-certification-board/

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

NY SUD: ASAP-NYCB approves training per the ASAP-NYCB Trainer Registry program (https://www.asapnys.org/trainers-training/)

We Want to Hear From You