Certified Peer Specialists
The Deadline for Spring CPSTraining has passed.
For application follow the link link to the right of this page.
For the CPS Frequently Asked Questions Click Here
CPS Code of Ethics
Notice about exams
Testing for the Peer Specialist Certification is about to begin.
The dates, locations and number of openings for each area are listed below. If you would like to arrange to take the exam, please contact Karen Brown at 617-442-4111. If Karen isn’t available, leave your name, best way to contact you, and the date/location of your top TWO choices for the exam.
When we confirm your seat, we will also give you the exact time and location of the exam. Seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Everyone who wishes to take the exam will have the opportunity to do so, although we can’t guarantee it will be in your preferred location.
Dates available for Re-Testing for the CPS Exam (The seating is up to date as of Feb 2):
Northampton February 4 (3 seats)
Framingham February 12 (4 seats)
Lexington February 16 (1 seat)
February 17 (2 seats)
Taunton February 25 (2 seats)
Boston March 6 (none seats)
March 7 (1 seats)
CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALIST SPRING TRAINING CLASS
There will be Two Certified Peer Specialist Training classes offered in March 2010, in Lawrence and Brockton.
The dates for the two Spring training classes are as follows: *
Brockton
Orientation: March 5
Retreat (3 days, 2 overnights): March 15 – 17, Wachusetts Inn, Westminster
Class Day (9 – 5): March 26
Class Days (9-5): April 2, 9, 16, 22**, and 30
Make-up Snow Day: May 7
**All classes are on Friday except April 22 which is on a Thursday.
If you need help getting a hard copy of the application, please contact Sera at the Western Mass RLC (413) 539-5941 ext. 203.
Lawrence
Orientation: March 2
Retreat (3 days, 2 overnights): March 15 – 17, Wachusetts Inn, Westminster
Class Days (9 – 5): March 23, 30
Class Days (9-5): April 6, 13, 20, and 27
Make-up Snow Day: May 4
*Class locations will be announced in acceptance letters.
Mental Health Awareness Day/CPS Graduation
A Celebration is being planned for the hard work and the enormous success of the students who completed the CPS training classes and passed the Certification exam.
Over the next few months we will be mailing out more specific information about the CPS Graduation.
Developing a Quality Peer Workforce
Many people with lived experience of mental illness find helping others is a way to enhance their own recovery, and find that role very rewarding. One avenue to engage in peer mentoring is to become a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS). The CPS training prepares people to work in the mental health system. The CPS training course is an 8-10 day training that teaches people how to use their “recovery story” to facilitate hope and belief in recovery for people who both use services and provide mental health services. Participants also learn specific skills to help others engage and thrive in the process of change and recovery. CPS training participants receive their certification after passing both an oral and written examination.
The Transformation Center is working with the DMH, DPH and other state partners to broaden the impact of CPS & Peer Services within the mental health field in a number of ways, including:
- Advocating for dedicated funding for CPS positions in DMH facilities & other mental health agencies
- Advocating for Medicaid reimbursement for CPS services within and beyond mental health agencies
- Requesting funding and support for continuing education for advanced study in supervision, trauma, veterans issues, etc.
Several Transformation Center staff are active members of many state and national boards and subcommittees that impact policy regarding peer inclusion in the work force such as TransCom, Massachusetts Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (MassPRA), the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA), the Massachusetts State Documentation Pilot project (MSDP), The Friends Committee, Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP) Consumer Advisory Council, etc. Through these efforts, we hope to see the role of peers in the mental health workforce expand dramatically over the next five years.
Sample Modules:
Role of the Certified Peer Specialist (CPS)
Dissatisfaction as an Avenue for Change
Effective Listening Skills
Power, Conflict & Integrity
Cultural Competence
Health Care Disparities
Facing our Fears
The Five Stages of Change
Psychiatric Rehabilitation
WRAP
Recovery Dialogues
Code of Ethics
- Dedicated funding for CPS positions in DMH facilities & other mental health agencies
- Medicaid reimbursement for CPS services within and beyond mental health agencies
- Continuing education for advanced study in supervision, trauma, veterans issues, etc.
Contact:
Lyn Legere
Certified Peer Specialist Program
The Transformation Center
98 Magazine Street
Roxbury, MA 02118
617-442-4111
Toll Free 1-877-769-7693
lynl@transformation-center.org