Certified Peer Specialist
The promotion of a peer culture/peer support (people helping people) throughout our behavioral health system is a critical element of a recovery oriented behavioral health system that has a vibrant peer culture. A major initiative in this regard is the training and hiring of Certified Peer Specialists (CPS). The Department of Behavioral Health and Mental Retardation Services has made a commitment to train and hire 100 Certified Peer Specialists over an eighteen month period (beginning Fall, 2006) to work throughout the behavioral health system.
A CPS is a person who has personal experience in recovery from a mental illness and/or substance use disorder. The CPS is willing to share their experience with others who are dealing with these issues. They support the peer in finding their hopes and dreams, strengths and challenges and developing a plan to help them move forward in their own recovery. They also support staff in staying recovery oriented by modeling recovery.
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