Oregon

Yes

There is different curriculum that is developed for mental health peers and substance use peers. After training and lived experience requirement is met, all the certification process is the same for mental health peers and SUD peers in-terms of background check and issuing state certification. Updated definition: Peer Support Specialist (PSS): An individual providing services to another individual who shares a similar life experience with the peer support specialist (addiction to addiction, mental health condition to mental health condition, family member of an individual with a mental health condition to family member of an individual with a mental health condition). A peer support specialist shall be: (a) A self-identified individual currently or formerly receiving addictions or mental health services; (b) A self-identified individual in recovery from an addiction disorder who meets the abstinence requirements for recovering staff in alcohol or other drug treatment programs; (c) A self-identified individual in recovery from problem gambling.  Family Support Specialist: an individual who meets qualification criteria adopted under ORS 414.665 and may be either a peer support specialist or a peer wellness specialist who, based on similar life experiences, provides support services to and has experience parenting a child who:(a) Is a current or former consumer of mental health or addiction treatment; or (b) Is facing or has faced difficulties in accessing education, health, and wellness services due to mental health or behavioral health barriers.
Youth Support Specialist: means an individual who meets qualification criteria adopted under ORS 414.665 and may be either a peer support specialist or a peer wellness specialist and who, based on a similar life experience, provides supportive services to an individual who: (a) Is not older than 30 years old, and (b) Is a current or former consumer of mental health or addiction treatment; or (c) Is facing or has faced difficulties in accessing education, health, and wellness services due to mental health or behavioral health barriers.
Recovery Peer: A person in addiction recovery who provides support services to people seeking recovery from addiction.
Mental Health Peer: A person with lived experience of mental health who provides support services to other people with similar experiences.
Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS):  An individual who meets qualification criteria adopted by the authority under ORS 414.665 and who, through community outreach, is responsible for (a) assessing mental health and substance use disorder service and support needs of a member of a coordinated care organization, (b) assisting members with access to available services and resources, (c) addressing barriers to services and providing education and information about available resources for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders in order to reduce stigma and discrimination toward consumers of mental health and substance use disorder services, (d)and assisting members in creating and maintaining recovery, health and wellness.

Lived experience is required. High school diploma and fully attend training and complete for state certification.

The above information is correct with the exception of the dates relating legacy clause: January 1, 2008, and June 30, 2025;

The above information is correct with the exception of the dates relating legacy clause: January 1, 2008, and June 30, 2025;

Meet the lived experience requirement of having prior SUD and Mental heath recovery. Complete 40 hours of training, pass background check and get approved and be placed at the Oregon health authority state registry

The cost of training varies for different worker types, like SUD Peers, Mental Health Peers, family, and youth, and will be different. Most training fees are covered these days by some form of scholarship from state agencies, CBOs, and foundation dollars. Many grants and other behavioral organizations employing peers provide the training.

The cost of training varies for different worker types, like SUD Peers, Mental Health Peers, family, and youth, and will be different. Most training fees are covered these days by some form of scholarship from state agencies, CBOs, and foundation dollars. Many grants and other behavioral organizations employing peers provide the training.

There is no statewide universal test that is required to be taken by peers at the moment. Every trainer is required to have evaluation and assessment for participants during the training and ensure that knowledge, Skills, and Attitude (KSA) are evaluated and assessed. The training cost is paid by participants or mostly by organizations that support peer certification. There are lots of scholarship opportunities that are provided or sometimes sponsored by the agency, grants, CBOs, and social services organizations

N/A

Background is only required for certification.

There is no statewide universal test that is required to be taken by peers at the moment. Every trainer is required to have evaluation and assessment for participants during the training and ensure that knowledge,Skills, and Attitude (KSA) are evaluated and assessed. The training cost is paid by participants or mostly by organizations that support peer certification. There are lots of scholarship opportunities that are provided or sometimes sponsored by the agency, grants, CBOs, and social services organizations

Peers are required to certify every three years. They will have to take 20 hours of CEUs, and it's required for recertification. It's required for every peer support in Oregon, except family peers

No fee for certification

All the statewide certification is done by the Oregon Health Authority, with the exception of certified recovery mentors who provide SUD services, certified this year through the Mental Health Certification Board of Oregon

All the statewide certification is done by Oregon health authority with the exception of certified recovery mentors that provides SUD services certified now this year through Mental health certification board of Oregon

All peer training organizations are available here: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/EI/Pages/THW-Training-Programs.aspx. Trainings are held across the state in various locations and dates. Since Covid, trainings are done virtually and some trainings are also done by in person.

All peer training organizations are available here: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/EI/Pages/THW-Training-Programs.aspx. Trainings are held across the state in various locations and dates. Since Covid, trainings are done virtually and some trainings are also done by in person.

The Oregon Health Authority only approves training organizations (Vendors) providing training to the workforce. Vendors will apply through the Oregon Health Authority and must meet state rules to do training and get approved by a set of committees charged with such responsibility.

20 hours of continuing ed every 3 year renewal period. They cannot be carried over if more hours are done.

Individual provides written verification indicating that the certificate holder meets the applicable requirements for continuing education

Oregon doesn't have separate requirements for peer supervisors. All the above information is still valid and correct. There is some ongoing work overall regarding providing effective supervision and ensuring that supervisors have more than 2 years of supervisory experience to be fully supportive of the workforce.

There are different curricula that are developed for mental health peers and substance use peers. After the training and lived experience requirements are met, the certification process is the same for mental health peers and SUD peers in terms of background check and issuing state certification. Updated definition: Peer Support Specialist (PSS): An individual providing services to another individual who shares a similar life experience with the peer support specialist (addiction to addiction, mental health condition to mental health condition, family member of an individual with a mental health condition to family member of an individual with a mental health condition). A peer support specialist shall be: (a) A self-identified individual currently or formerly receiving addictions or mental health services; (b) A self-identified individual in recovery from an addiction disorder who meets the abstinence requirements for recovering staff in alcohol or other drug treatment programs; (c) A self-identified individual in recovery from problem gambling.  Family Support Specialist: an individual who meets qualification criteria adopted under ORS 414.665 and may be either a peer support specialist or a peer wellness specialist who, based on similar life experiences, provides support services to and has experience parenting a child who:(a) Is a current or former consumer of mental health or addiction treatment; or (b) Is facing or has faced difficulties in accessing education, health, and wellness services due to mental health or behavioral health barriers.
Youth Support Specialist: means an individual who meets qualification criteria adopted under ORS 414.665 and may be either a peer support specialist or a peer wellness specialist and who, based on a similar life experience, provides supportive services to an individual who: (a) Is not older than 30 years old, and (b) Is a current or former consumer of mental health or addiction treatment; or (c) Is facing or has faced difficulties in accessing education, health, and wellness services due to mental health or behavioral health barriers.
Recovery Peer: A person in addiction recovery who provides support services to people seeking recovery from addiction.
Mental Health Peer: A person with lived experience of mental health who provides support services to other people with similar experiences.
Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS):  An individual who meets qualification criteria adopted by the authority under ORS 414.665 and who, through community outreach, is responsible for (a) assessing mental health and substance use disorder service and support needs of a member of a coordinated care organization, (b) assisting members with access to available services and resources, (c) addressing barriers to services and providing education and information about available resources for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders in order to reduce stigma and discrimination toward consumers of mental health and substance use disorder services, (d)and assisting members in creating and maintaining recovery, health and wellness.

There are different curricula that are developed for mental health peers and substance use peers. After the training and lived experience requirements are met, the certification process is the same for mental health peers and SUD peers in terms of background check and issuing state certification. Updated definition: Peer Support Specialist (PSS): An individual providing services to another individual who shares a similar life experience with the peer support specialist (addiction to addiction, mental health condition to mental health condition, family member of an individual with a mental health condition to family member of an individual with a mental health condition). A peer support specialist shall be: (a) A self-identified individual currently or formerly receiving addictions or mental health services; (b) A self-identified individual in recovery from an addiction disorder who meets the abstinence requirements for recovering staff in alcohol or other drug treatment programs; (c) A self-identified individual in recovery from problem gambling.  Family Support Specialist: an individual who meets qualification criteria adopted under ORS 414.665 and may be either a peer support specialist or a peer wellness specialist who, based on similar life experiences, provides support services to and has experience parenting a child who:(a) Is a current or former consumer of mental health or addiction treatment; or (b) Is facing or has faced difficulties in accessing education, health, and wellness services due to mental health or behavioral health barriers.
Youth Support Specialist: means an individual who meets qualification criteria adopted under ORS 414.665 and may be either a peer support specialist or a peer wellness specialist and who, based on a similar life experience, provides supportive services to an individual who: (a) Is not older than 30 years old, and (b) Is a current or former consumer of mental health or addiction treatment; or (c) Is facing or has faced difficulties in accessing education, health, and wellness services due to mental health or behavioral health barriers.
Recovery Peer: A person in addiction recovery who provides support services to people seeking recovery from addiction.
Mental Health Peer: A person with lived experience of mental health who provides support services to other people with similar experiences.
Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS):  An individual who meets qualification criteria adopted by the authority under ORS 414.665 and who, through community outreach, is responsible for (a) assessing mental health and substance use disorder service and support needs of a member of a coordinated care organization, (b) assisting members with access to available services and resources, (c) addressing barriers to services and providing education and information about available resources for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders in order to reduce stigma and discrimination toward consumers of mental health and substance use disorder services, (d)and assisting members in creating and maintaining recovery, health and wellness.

Yes, there is medicaid waiver used for billing peers. Peers are must supervised by license providers to be able to bill for medicaid.

Yes, there is medicaid waiver used for billing peers. Peers are must supervised by license providers to be able to bill for medicaid.

Since Covid, Yes, through behavioral health services delivery, peers supported  tele-health services rendered through supervised license provider

There are several peer run organizations, here are the some of them. Peer Support and Peer Wellness Specialists Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon
MetroPlus Association of Addiction Peer Professionals National Association on Mental Illness
OFSN: Oregon Family Support Network
Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon MHAP: Mental Health Association of Portland
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

There are several peer run organizations, here are the some of them. Peer Support and Peer Wellness Specialists Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon
MetroPlus Association of Addiction Peer Professionals National Association on Mental Illness
OFSN: Oregon Family Support Network
Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon MHAP: Mental Health Association of Portland
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

There are several peer run organizations, here are the some of them. Peer Support and Peer Wellness Specialists Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon
MetroPlus Association of Addiction Peer Professionals National Association on Mental Illness
OFSN: Oregon Family Support Network
Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon MHAP: Mental Health Association of Portland
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

There are several peer run organizations, here are the some of them. Peer Support and Peer Wellness Specialists Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon
MetroPlus Association of Addiction Peer Professionals National Association on Mental Illness
OFSN: Oregon Family Support Network
Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon MHAP: Mental Health Association of Portland
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Abdiasis "Mohamed" Mohamed, Traditional Health Worker Program Coordinator: [email protected]

Peerpocalypse conference

Yes, all Peer run organizations are heavily involved in excellence.

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/AMH-PD/Pages/Training-Certification.aspx
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/OEI/Pages/THW-Become-Certified.aspx
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/OEI/Documents/Traditional%20Health%20Worker%2...
https://www.opdsconnect.org/
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/OEI/Pages/THW-PSS.aspx
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/OEI/Pages/THW-OHA-Approved-Training-CEU.aspx

Oral Health Training: Free online option available through Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (https://daystared.com/oralhealth/)

Yes, Oregon has a state mandated process for all peers to provide services to Oregon consumer. During COVID-19, the only thing we have changed is the removal of background check requirement. We have recently reinstated that requirement again in 2023.

The requirement for certification was developed under Oregon administrative rules, which are administered by the Oregon Health Authority. The Equity and Inclusion Division provides oversight for the certification. All trainings needed to get state certification are developed by Peers/ trainers. The training curriculum goes through the Traditional Health Worker Commission, which advises the Oregon Health Authority on how to best integrate the workforce in Oregon and support Oregon consumers. All training is fully led and developed by peers for peers, which ensures fidelity to the model of the peer trainings and peer workforce

Background is only required for certification. & Yes, Peers must ass a Criminal Background Check. Completing the background check and fingerprint requirements is a necessary step for all applications, including renewals. Background Required by Law: Weighing test to determine eligibility for certification. Smaller exclusion list of crimes for PSS

All peer training organizations are available here: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/EI/Pages/THW-Training-Programs.aspx. Trainings are held across the state in various locations and dates. Since Covid, trainings are done virtually and some trainings are also done by in person.

3,788 (2024)

The Oregon Health Authority only approves training organizations (Vendors) providing training to the workforce. Vendors will apply through the Oregon Health Authority and must meet state rules to do training and get approved by a set of committees charged with such responsibility.

The state is trying ways to remove huddles and increase peer access. One of the proposed ideas is to allow peers to actively be involved with other individuals seeking peer services without the string attached of peer supervision & Yes, overhauling billing and payment, and increasing peer rate as well, expanding more peer billing codes doe the state and for peers. (2024)