Nearly two decades ago The Final Report of the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health (The Commission) was published, clearly articulated the vision that all persons with mental illnesses can recover. Based on that vision, The Commission called for transformation of the current mental health system toward a system with supports and services designed to facilitate recovery and build resilience for persons with mental illnesses. This historic national pronouncement represents a significant shift from the long-held mindset that people with serious mental illnesses do not recover. The Commission published a definition of recovery in their Final Report, strongly emphasizing that it is a “process in which people are able to live, work, learn and participate fully in their communities.”
The National Consensus Statement on Mental Health Recovery, released in 2005, defines recovery as “a journey of healing and transformation” that enables a person “to live a meaningful life in communities of his or her choice while striving to achieve full human potential.” Although persons with mental illnesses must take personal responsibility to achieve success in this journey toward recovery multiple supports and systems can greatly assist them by promoting and/or facilitating this recovery. For this reason, the federal government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) declared that its foundational mission is “to build resilience and facilitate recovery” for persons with mental health problems or substance use disorders. (For more information, see “About SAMHSA” at www.samhsa.gov).
To effectively achieve this Mission, as stated in Recommendation 2.2 of the Commission’s Final Report, we are called upon to “Involve consumers and families in fully orienting the mental health system toward recovery.” The Report further emphasizes that “Recovery-oriented services and supports are often successfully provided by consumers who work as providers in a variety of settings, such as peer support and psychosocial rehabilitation programs. ”
Peers who work as trained professionals help to expand the range and availability of services and support that are available. “Studies show that consumer-providers can broaden access to peer support, engage more individuals in traditional mental health services, and serve as a resource in the recovery of people with psychiatric diagnoses. Because of their experiences, consumer-providers bring different attitudes, motivations, insights and behavioral qualities to the treatment encounter” (New Freedom Commission, 2003, p.37).
The discussion of Recommendation 2.2 concludes with the following statement: “Consequently, consumers should be involved in a variety of appropriate service and support settings” (New Freedom Commission, 2003, p. 37).
Peer support provides a wide variety of benefits. These benefits are confirmed and explained by scientific investigation and studies.
Overall, studies have found that peer support:
• Decreases morbidity and mortality rates
• Increases life expectancy
• Increases knowledge of a disease
• Improves self-efficacy
• Improves self-reported health status and self-care skills, including medication adherence
• Reduces use of emergency services
Additionally, providers of peer support report less depression, heightened self-esteem and selfefficacy, and improved quality of life.
The belief that recovery is possible for all who experience psychiatric, traumatic, or substance use challenges is fundamental to the practice of peer support. The likelihood of long-term recovery is increased with effective support. Peer support has been demonstrated through research and practical application to be highly effective.
Along with the SAMHSA Working Definition and Guiding Principles of Recovery, the following core values have been ratified by peer supporters across the country as the core ethical guidelines for peer support practice, and are well aligned with the ethos and Prevail’s Code of Ethics:
1. Peer support is person-driven
2. Peer supporters are hopeful
3. Peer supporters are open-minded
4. Peer supporters are empathetic
5. Peer supporters are respectful
6. Peer supporters facilitate change
7. Peer supporters are honest and direct
8. Peer support is mutual and reciprocal
9. Peer support is strengths-focused
10. Peer support is transparent
Research reveals that peer support can be valuable to those overcoming mental health and substance addiction challenges. Thousands of peers have been trained and are working in a wide variety of settings.
It is the Prevail Academy’s Mission to protect the Users of Prevail’s recovery support services through the provision of competency-based credentialing of Certified Peer Support Specialists.
This Mission shall be achieved by:
1. The establishment of standards, procedures and assessments for the voluntary and professional credentialing of individuals employed by Prevail Health.
2. The assurance that professional recovery support services to Prevail Health Users be provided by competent, credentialed individuals.
3. The establishment of a respected and recognized credential of professional competency in recovery support services.
4. The provision of a structure and protocol for maintaining and updating appropriate professional credentialing standards for those trained and certified by the Prevail Academy.
Prevail Health created Prevail Academy as a voluntary, nongovernmental process of course completion and supervision intended to evaluate, enhance, and publicly recognize quality in the rigor, training, and supervision of Prevail graduates from the courses taken and work completed in order to be recognized as a Certified Peer Support Specialist by the Prevail Academy.
Certification provides independent verification of a certain level of expertise in a particular area. Basically, it means a Prevail Academy Certified Peer Support Specialist has completed the steps required to receive a particular designation. The Prevail Academy certification program has a defined set of components and training offered to demonstrate that via successful completion, that they have achieved a measured level of knowledge within a designated timeline.
A Prevail Academy Certified Peer Support Specialist is able to demonstrate the acquisition of the core competencies expected by Prevail (knowledge, skills, job tasks, and performance domains) in the service of working with Users.
Peer Support Specialist Certification is an official recognition provided by the Prevail Academy to indicate that the graduate has met our specified qualifications that include lived experience and training from our standardized curriculum on mental th issues. This curriculum has been developed and approved by Prevail Academy and includes a mandatory number of hours of training in various topics pertaining to mental health care, use of the Prevail platform, and ethics. The curriculum includes topics such as protocols for flagging chats, documentation, managing proper boundaries, communication skills, working with specific situations, and principles of practices (i.e., engagement, strength-based planning).
The “Certified Peer Support Specialist” is a specialty designation that is conferred when additional hours of training specific to special populations has been completed and the candidate has demonstrated thorough knowledge, skills, ability, training, and supervision within that subgroup.
Defining and standardizing the classification of Peer Support Specialist through certification works to prevent engagement outside of one’s expertise. As with other professions, certification defines the level of care and services.
However, certification does not imply endorsement of clinical competency or any type of independent healthcare practice. It is not the same as professional licensing or within the scope of professional practice that includes activities that are defined in state law or statute. True to the spirit of peer support, the Prevail Academy certification credential does not mean a Peer Support Specialist is a clinician. The Prevail Certified Peer Support Specialist credential emphasizes the principles, guidelines, and core values of peer support. It is not designed to replace peer trainings or certifications available outside of Prevail Academy
Certification is intended to benefit the Users of Prevail’s services, as well as serve as a platform to improve the quality of instruction, teaching, learning, and professional practice in peer support services. Through the standards of the Academy, Prevail encourages the dual attainment of a standard level of professional competency as a Peer Support Specialist and ongoing development via our educational content, supervision, and training programs with an emphasis on continuous innovation and improvement.
The Prevail Academy Certification involves judging the degree to which a student has achieved the educational aims and the standards described in this document by demonstrating adequate mastery of the topic-specific knowledge and professional competencies. Thus, this document is intended to define and describe our perspectives and values as to the goals of training, the development of methods for achieving those goals, and establishing high standards in a context of flexibility and commitment to excellence.
On March 1, 2022, President Biden announced his administration’s strategy to address our nation’s mental health crisis as outlined in the 2022 Presidential Unity Agenda. This national mental health strategy seeks to strengthen system capacity, connect more Americans to care, and create a continuum of support–transforming our health and social services infrastructure to address mental health holistically and equitably. A primary goal outlined within this strategy is accelerating the universaladoption,recognition,andintegrationof thepeermentalhealthworkforceacrossallelementsofthehealthcaresystem.This included the development and implementation of a national certification program for mental health peer specialists. To meet this goal, SAMHSA collaborated with federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local partners including peer specialists to develop the National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification, inclusive of substance use, mental health, and family peer certifications. These National Model Standards closely align with the needs of the behavioral health (peer) workforce, and subsequently, the over-arching goal of the national mental health strategy.
SAMHSA acknowledges the nuances across the peer workforce and the communities being served, as states often reflect needs that are unique to their community within a certification. Further, SAMHSA’sNational ModelStandardsforPeerSupportCertificationarenotintendedasasubstituteforanystate certificationsbutinsteadhavebeendevelopedasguidanceforstates,territories,tribes,and others,topromotequalityandencouragealignmentandreciprocityacrossoftendisparatestate peersupportcertifications.Since the 2015 release of the SAMHSA’s Core Competencies for Peer Workers in Behavioral Health Services, the peer workforce has flourished, resulting in the implementation of state-endorsed or state-run peer certification programs across 49 out of 50 states. TheNationalModel Standardsaredesignedtoaccelerateuniversaladoption,recognition,andintegrationofthepeer workforce,andstrengthenthefoundationsetbythepeerworkforce,reinforcedbytheCore Competencies,andimplementedbyourstate,local,andtribalpartners.
Prevail’s approach is consistent with the approach and philosophy set forth by SAMHSA and guided by its Standards in order to meet or exceed that of the county.
Quality
The primary goal of the Certification process is to ensure quality of the training and ability of a Prevail Certified Peer Support Specialist to have the requisite knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values required for competent and safe practice.
Transparency
As part of its commitment to accountability, the Prevail Academy is transparent and open regarding our policies, standards, and procedures by which it operates. It is open to and values external input regarding content and performance from the public, enrolled students, graduates, faculty and practitioners.
Inclusiveness
In addition to the principles and values that regulate the functions of the Prevail Academy, we have adopted a broad definition of cultural and individual differences and diversity that includes, but is not limited to, age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.
Standards of Prevail Academy Certification
1.0 Professional Standards Completion of all training hours and supervision requirements set forth in the curriculum undertaken.
1.1 By applying for Certification, the applicant agrees to adhere to Prevail Academy’s Professional Code of Ethics.
2.0 Educational Standards
The Peer Support Specialist must meet the following education criteria:
2.1 Baseline: 10 hours
User Program – 8-10 hours
2.2 Coach Training: 15 hours
Level 1 – Approximately 4 hours
Level 2 – Approximately 8 hours
Level 3 – Approximately 3 hours
2.3 Required Continued Education: 12 hours
Program Related Badges: Approximately 3 hours
Topic Related Badges: Approximately 8 hours
Total: 37 hours
2.4 Additional Continued Education: 17 hours
Other Topics: Approximately 13 hours
Caregiver Program: Approximately 2 hours
Moderator Training: Approximately 2 hours
Total: 17 hours
3.0 Supervision Standards
The Peer Support Specialist must meet the following education criteria
3.1 Moving from Level 1 (L1) to Level 2 (L2 ) requires 75 chats
Average Chat duration at this Level is 25 minutes
With 75 chats x 25 minutes = 1,875 minutes or approximately 31 hours
3.2 Moving from Level 2 (L2) to Level 3 (L3) requires a minimum of 250 chats completed
Average Chat duration at this Level is 40 minutes
With 75 chats x 40 minutes = 3,000 or 50 hours
Total = 81 hours
TRAINING & SUPERVISION TOTAL: 135 hours
1099 Exception: Some Peers are interviewed and hired directly through Prevail as 1099 employees. They have Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology and/or Social Work, have relevant experience and some are actively going to school for Master’s degrees. They move from L1-3 being exempt from the required chat hours due to their advanced academic training. Nevertheless, they are also supervised and work an average of 25-30 hours/week.
A Prevail Certified Peer Support Specialist provides peer support to Prevail Users receiving services related to mental health and/or substance use challenges. They have their own lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges and have completed formal training and certification by the Prevail Academy in the peer specialist model of mental health and substance use-oriented peer support.
They use their unique set of lived experiences and recovery in combination with comprehensive skills-training, including continuing education, to support people living with mental health and/or substance use challenges. Certified Peer Support Specialists actively engage in peer support and associated principles in their work, while operating under a clearly defined role, and collaborate in a complementary and segmenting fashion to any other care the User may be involved in while working within Prevail Health’s structure and ethical guidelines.
Certified Peer Support Specialists are generally recognized in their provision of the following services to people living with mental health and/or substance use challenges:
• Cultivate empowering and supportive relationships
• Use self-disclosure and their own lived experience as a valuable tool
• Provide information about recovery-oriented resources
• Assist in supporting Users, even in crisis
• Value self-determination as a guiding ethical principle
• Facilitate person-centered goal setting
• Communicate effectively with Users and other team members and Prevail staff
• Create an environment of respect for Users and those with lived experience
• Seek to understand the roles culture, community, and identity play in Users’ lives
• Practice trauma-informed approaches in User relationships
• Inspire hope for recovery and wellness
Prevail Certified Peer Support Specialists demonstrate the ability to understand the role of selfdetermination, as well as the recognition and validation that there are many pathways to selfdefined recovery. They understand that Users need to be afforded the freedom to define their struggles and victories on their own terms and make meaning of their own experiences as they see fit.
One of the most important values of a Certified Peer Support Specialist is providing nonjudgmental support to Users they serve. Oftentimes people with lived experience have felt shamed and judged by the systems they interface with, even the systems and agencies meant to support them directly. An effective Certified Peer Support Specialist serves as a validating and nonjudgmental resource to the Users they work with as they navigate their lives and foster their own recovery and resiliency.
Certified Peer Support Specialists are professionals who are trained to perform a unique function in the specialty of healthcare and human services, and can work in a variety of settings, using various approaches to provide supportive services with a wide range of populations. In recognition of the need to assure quality care for Prevail Users the Prevail Academy was established.
It is the position of the Prevail Academy that the level of training, the quality of the materials, and the type and amount of supervision a Prevail Certified Peer Support Specialist receives is of such a high caliber that they are properly considered to be recognized as “professionals” and thus deserving of a proper credential and concomitant recognition. Professionalism in this role also acts to instill a sense of pride, seriousness, and competence that is also befitting to the work they do.
The Prevail Academy trains, supervises, and evaluates the professional competency of our Certified Peer Support Specialists and grants certification only to persons who successful meet our professional standards. The Academy’s charter identifies the functions, responsibilities, knowledge, and skill bases required by a Certified Peer Support Specialist in the performance of their work.
The Prevail Academy Certification is uniquely designed to assure that the level of services provided to Prevail Users is of the highest quality and certification serves as a validation of and recognition for the skills and competencies of our Certified Peer Support Specialist staff who have successfully completed their training in the Academy. Certified Peer Support Specialists are considered to be professionals in peer-provided services for Users in recovery from mental illness or dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance use disorders.
Professionalization can also benefit the Company in demonstrating the high quality of our Userfacing staff in our marketing and contracting efforts, and serves as being a distinguishing differentiator from any competition. It may be additionally beneficial to graduate students and their training, and perhaps credits? And it may serve as a way to assist those of our staff who may be so motivated, to seek additional national-level certification. This certainly can be another unique differentiator when it comes to recruitment, retention, and the further professional development of our Certified Peer Support Specialist staff.
Core Competencies
Core competencies are the capacity to easily perform a role or function. They are often described as clusters of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes a person needs to have to successfully perform a role or job. Training, mentoring, and supervision can help people develop core competencies.
Certified Peer Support Specialists and peer recovery support services have become increasingly central to people’s ability to live with or recover from mental and/or substance use disorders. Both mental health consumers and people in recovery from substance use disorders have recognized the need for core competencies, and both communities actively participated in developing these core competencies for peer support workers.
SAMHSA in conjunction with diverse subject matter experts conducted research to identify core competencies for Peer Support Specialists in behavioral health, and the following represents the final product of that process, which incorporated input from hundreds of people around the United States.
Potential Uses of Core Competencies
Core competencies have the potential to guide service delivery and promote best practices in peer support. They can be used to inform peer training programs, help develop certification standards, and inform job descriptions. Supervisors will be able to use these competencies to appraise Peer Support Specialists’ job performance and Peer Support Specialists will be able to assess their own work performance and set goals for continued development.
Core competencies are not intended to create a barrier for people wishing to enter the peer workforce. Rather they are intended to guide the development of initial and ongoing training that supports Peer Support Specialists’ entry into this important work and continued skill development.
Principles of Core Competencies
Core competencies for Prevail’s Certified Peer Support Specialists reflect certain foundational principles identified by members of the mental health consumer and substance use disorder recovery communities. These are:
• Recovery-oriented: Certified Peer Support Specialists hold out hope to those they serve, partnering with them to envision and achieve a meaningful and purposeful life. Our Certified Peer Support Specialists help Users to identify and build on strengths and empower them to choose for themselves, recognizing that there are multiple pathways to recovery.
• Person-centered: Peer recovery support services are always directed by the person participating in services. Peer recovery support is personalized to align with the specific hopes, goals, and preferences of the Users served.
• Voluntary: Certified Peer Support Specialists are partners or consultants to Users they work with. They do not dictate the types of services provided or the elements of recovery plans that will guide their work with Users.
• Relationship-focused: The relationship between the Certified Peer Support Specialist and the User is the foundation on which peer recovery support services and support are provided. The relationship between the Certified Peer Support Specialist and the User is respectful, trusting, empathetic, collaborative, and mutual.
• Trauma-informed: Peer recovery support utilizes a strength-based framework that emphasizes physical, psychological, and emotional safety and creates opportunities for survivors to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment.
Prevail Certified Peer Support Specialist Core Competencies
Domain 1: Values
1.1 Believes that recovery is an individual journey with many paths and is possible for all
1.2 Believes in and respects Users’ rights to make informed decisions about their lives
1.3 Believes that personal growth and change are possible
1.4 Believes in the importance of empathy and listening to others
1.5 Believes in and respects all forms of diversity
1.6 Believes in the importance of self-awareness and self-care
1.7 Believes in lifelong learning and personal development
1.8 Believes that recovery is a foundation of well-being
1.9 Believes that recovery is a process
1.10 Believes in the healing power of healthy relationships
1.11 Believes and understands there are a range of views regarding mental health and substance use disorders and their treatment, services, supports, and recovery
Domain 2: In-Depth Knowledge of Recovery
2.1 Knowledge of SAMHSA’s definition of recovery: "A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential."
2.2 Knowledge of mental health and substance use disorders and their impact on recovery
2.3 Knowledge of the impact of internalized stigma and shame
2.4 Knowledge of stages of change and recovery
2.5 Knowledge that recovery and wellness involves the integration of the whole person including spirituality; physical, vocational, and emotional health; sexuality; gender identity; and community
2.6 Knowledge of trauma and its impact on the recovery process
2.7 Knowledge of person-centered care principles
2.8 Knowledge of strengths-based planning for recovery
2.9 Knowledge of the impact of discrimination, marginalization, and oppression
Domain 3: Roles and Responsibilities of a Certified Peer Support Specialist
3.1 Knowledge of appropriate use of self-disclosure
3.2 Knowledge of ethics and boundaries
3.3 Knowledge of the scope of practice of a Certified Peer Support Specialist
3.4 Knowledge of confidentiality standards
3.5 Knowledge of ways to encourage safe, trauma-sensitive environments, relationships, and interactions
3.7 Knowledge of cultural competency
Domain 4: Skills
4.1 Ability to bring an outlook on peer support that inspires hope and recovery in a User
4.2 Ability to be self-aware and embrace and support one’s own recovery
4.3 Ability to problem-solve
4.4 Ability to assist Users in exploring life choices, and the outcomes of those choices
4.5 Ability to identify and support a User in crisis and know when to facilitate referrals
4.6 Ability to listen and understand with accuracy the User’s perspective and experience
4.7 Effective communication skills
4.8 Ability to draw out a User’s perspective, experiences, goals, dreams, and challenges
4.9 Ability to recognize and affirm a person’s strengths
4.10 Ability to foster engagement in recovery
4.11 Ability to provide appropriate recovery resources
4.12 Ability to facilitate and support a User to find and utilize resources
4.13 Ability to work collaboratively with Prevail colleagues and supervisors
4.14 Ability to know when to ask for assistance and/or seek supervision
4.15 Ability to set, communicate, and respect personal boundaries of self and Users
4.16 Ability to utilize own recovery experience and skillfully share to benefit Users
4.17 Ability to balance own recovery while supporting a User’s
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p00972b.pdf
Core Competencies for Peer Workers in Behavioral Health Services Committee of the State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse: https://scaoda.wisconsin.gov/diversity.htm
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/recovery
The primary function of a Prevail Certified Peer Support Specialist is to provide peer support. They engage and encourage Users in their recovery from mental health and/or substance use disorders. They provide Users with a sense of community and belonging, supportive relationships, and valued roles. The goal is to promote wellness, self-direction, and recovery, enhancing the skill and ability of Users to engage in their chosen roles. The Certified Peer Support Specialist works with Users as equals.
Essential Functions
Providing Support
The Certified Peer Support Specialist will:
1. Identify as a person in mental health and/or substance use recovery.
2. Be mindful of the ethics, boundaries, power, and control issues unique to their Prevail role.
3. Establish supportive relationships with Users which promote recovery.
4. Assist Users to understand the purpose of peer support and the recovery process.
5. Intentionally share their own recovery story as appropriate to assist Users, providing hope and help in changing patterns and behaviors.
6. Together with peers, research and connect with resources that are beneficial to Users’ needs and desires
7. Create an environment of respect for Users which honors them for taking charge of their own lives.
8. Mutually establish acceptable boundaries with Users and agree to discuss on an ongoing basis as needed.
9. Demonstrate understanding of how trauma affects mental health and substance use disorder recovery, develop trauma-informed relationships, and support Users in obtaining appropriate resources for help.
10. Demonstrate an understanding of how substance use disorder affects mental health recovery.
11. Encourage and assist Users to construct their own recovery/wellness plans, which may also include proactive crisis and/or relapse prevention plans.
12. Support Users in crisis to explore options that may be beneficial to returning to emotional and physical wellness.
13. Provide culturally-sensitive and age-appropriate services.
14. Provide a welcoming environment of recovery, wellness, and hope.
15. Encourage Users to focus on their strengths, exercise use of natural supports, develop their recovery goals, and strengthen their valued roles within their community.
16. Use active listening skills.
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p00972.pdf
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/recovery
The following principles will guide Certified Peer Support Specialists in their professional roles and relationships in their work with Prevail Users and outlines the basic values and principles of peer recovery support practice. This Code serves as a guide for responsibility and ethical standards expected of Prevail staff. Science has shown that having hope is integral to an individual’s ability to recover. Hearing stories of recovery helps people develop hope, particularly when those stories are relevant to others’ lives and helps them to identify supports for their own recovery
As a Certified Peer Support Specialist, you have distinguished yourself by becoming a unique and influential member of the mental health community. As your own path of challenges and successes has helped you to build strength, character, and resilience, you may now share your path with others to foster openness and eliminate stigma. You have excelled in your recovery to such an extent that you are able to share your story as a source of hope to others and have chosen to do so as a certified professional. The effectiveness of the Certified Peer Support Specialist comes from the successful integration of two distinct perspectives: the individual in recovery and the mental health professional. When working with Users who may be scared, confused, or intimidated by the complexities of the mental health system, it is your experience as a peer that can reassure them and inspire them to continue their own path to recovery. Shared experience creates strong relationships. As a Certified Peer Support Specialist, however, it is your professional responsibility to guarantee that the relationship between you and the Users you work with adheres to a clear, strong ethical code.
Preamble
Prevail Certified Peer Support Specialists are characterized by an appreciation of human beings in all of their diversity as they offer assistance and support to Users. They uphold the integrity and ethics of the profession, promote User well-being, and enhance their own professional growth. These Principles reflect the fundamental values of respecting the dignity and welfare of all people; promoting self-determination; honoring diversity; and acting with integrity, honesty, authenticity, genuineness and objectivity.
Certified Peer Support Specialists have a responsibility to help Users achieve their personal recovery goals by promoting self-determination, personal responsibility, and the empowerment inherent in self-directed recovery. Certified Peer Support Specialists shall maintain high standards of personal conduct, and conduct themselves in a manner that supports their own recovery.
Certified Peer Support Specialists shall not perform services outside of the boundaries and scope of their expertise, shall be aware of the limits of their training and capabilities to best meet the needs of the Users served. Certified Peer Support Specialists shall preserve an objective and ethical relationship at all times. The Prevail Academy Certification credential does not endorse, suggest or
intent that a Certified Peer Support Specialists will serve independently. The Certified Peer Support Specialists shall only work with Users under Prevail supervision.
Certified Peer Support Specialists consider these standards in ethical and professional decision making. Ethical-decision making processes should be employed to assure careful choices.
1. I understand that my primary responsibility is to help Users understand recovery and achieve their own recovery needs, wants, and goals. I will be guided by the principle of self-determination for each User.
2. I will conduct myself in a manner that fosters my own recovery and I recognize the many ways in which I may influence Users as I serve as a role model, and maintain high standards of personal conduct.
3. I will be open to share with Users my stories of hope and recovery and will likewise be able to identify and describe the supports that promote my recovery and resilience.
4. I have a duty to inform Users when first discussing confidentiality that intended serious harm to self or others cannot be kept confidential. I have a duty to accurately inform Users regarding the degree to which information will be shared with other team members, based on the rules and training of Prevail. I have a duty to inform appropriate Prevail staff members immediately about any intended serious harm-to-self or -others or abuse.
5. I will never intimidate, threaten, harass, unduly influence, verbally abuse, or make unwarranted promises of benefits to the Users I support.
6. I will not practice, condone, facilitate, or collaborate in any form of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, marital status, political belief, disability, or any other preference or personal characteristic, condition or state. I will not practice, condone, facilitate or collaborate in any form of discrimination in violation of federal law.
7. I will be responsible for helping Users meet their own needs, wants and goals in personal recovery.
8. I will not engage in any sexual or any other form of intimate activities or connect in-person with any Users. I will also not enter into dual-relationships or commitments with the Users I support.
9. I will keep current with emerging knowledge relevant to recovery and openly share this knowledge with the Prevail staff and Users. I will refrain from sharing advice or opinions outside my scope of practice with Users.
10. I will utilize supervision and abide by the standards for supervision established by Prevail. I will seek supervision to assist me in providing recovery-oriented services to Users.
11. I will not accept gifts of money or items of value from those I serve. I will not loan or give money to Users.
12. I will protect the welfare of all Users by ensuring that my conduct will not constitute psychological abuse, neglect, or exploitation. I will never intimidate, threaten, harass, and use undue influence, verbal abuse, or make unwarranted promises of benefits to the individuals I serve. I will practice with trauma awareness at all times.
13. I will, at all times, respect the rights, dignity, privacy, and confidentiality of those I support.
14. As a professional, if I find that my own recovery journey is compromised and interferes with my ability to provide support to my Users, I will engage in my own self-care until such time that I am once again capable of providing professional care.
Adapted from the Peer Specialist Code of Ethics and Professional Standards by Colorado’s Northeast Behavioral Health Partnership (2011) and
https://www.dhs.state.il.us/onenetlibrary/27894/documents/mental%20health/recovery/crss/2020/06302020codeofethics_for_crss_professionals.pdf
https://dbh.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dmh/publication/attachments/peerspecialistcodeethics_0.pdf
https://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals
https://www.pacertboard.org/sites/default/files/peer%20code.pdf
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p00972a.pdf
https://www.naadac.org/assets/2416/nccap-peer-recovery-support-specialist-code-of-ethics-final06-22-16.pdf
In 2012, N.A.P.S. embarked upon an inclusive process, with assistance from a panel convened by SAMHSA, to establish Practice Standards for the emerging profession of Peer Support, as a first step in a possible national credential.
Following a series of national focus groups and surveys, in which over 1000 peer support providers participated, 98% agreed with the core values and practice guidelines, which were published in the summer of 2013 as the National Practice Guidelines for Peer Supporters.
The belief that recovery is possible for all who experience psychiatric, traumatic, or substance use challenges is fundamental to the practice of peer support. The likelihood of long-term recovery is increased with effective support. Peer support has been demonstrated through research and practical application to be highly effective.
Peer Support
Peer support is the process of giving and receiving non-clinical assistance to achieve long-term recovery from severe psychiatric, traumatic or addiction challenges. This support is provided by peer supporters people who have “lived experience” and have been trained to assist others in initiating and maintaining long-term recovery and enhancing the quality of life for individuals and their families. Peer support services are inherently designed, developed, delivered, evaluated and supervised by peers in long-term recovery.
Peer Supporter
A peer supporter, or in Prevail’s parlance, Certified Peer Support Specialist, is someone who has experienced the healing process of recovery from psychiatric, traumatic and/or substance use challenges and, as a result, can offer assistance and support to promote a User’s own personal recovery journey following successful training and supervision. Certified Peer Support Specialists share portions of their recovery experience in an appropriate and effective manner.
Peer
In the context of peer support, a peer is a person who has lived experience with a psychiatric, traumatic and/or addiction challenge, and may benefit from peer support. In Prevail’s system, they are referred to as Users, as they are “users” of Prevail’s service offerings.
Peer Support Relationship
The qualities that make an effective peer supporter are best defined by the User receiving support, rather than by an organization or provider of care. Generally it is their prerogative to select their own Certified Peer Support Specialist.
Practice standards
Practice standards are rules or guidelines used as the basis for informed decision-making about acceptable work performance and practices of our Certified Peer Support Specialists. They are established by the leadership of Prevail Health and operationalized through the training and supervision provided by the Prevail Academy. Our standards are based on values, ethics, principles and competencies. Having a core set of standards is one important way to legitimize a field of practice. Practice standards generally have three basic components:
1) practice guidelines,
2) identification and description of core competencies, and
3) ethical guidelines or code of ethics.
https://www.peersupportworks.org/resources/national-practice-guidelines/
I do not see any need to change (other than perhaps re-brand as Prevail Academy) any of the training materials already in use.
We should consider creating an “audit calendar” for review and updating of out training materials. Perhaps every 1 – 2 years depending on the topic?
I think the current approach we have as discussed in the Syllabus/Model Template section above, is perfectly fitting as to how we would approach the concept of a training Academy in terms of criteria, acceptance, and education.
For our own quality metrics and improvement, as well as performance statistics to share with customers and in our marketing efforts, we should have a core set of metrics that we internally track.
This would include areas such as the following:
• Number meeting the criteria to apply for Level 3/Certified Peer Support Specialist, annually
• Number applying for Level 3/Certified Peer Support Specialist, annually
• Number of enrollees, annually
• Number of graduates, annually
• Total number of graduates
• Percentage of peer-staff that are graduates
• Average number of specialties graduates’ hold
• Average time to complete Level 3/Certified Peer Support Specialist training
• Average time to complete specialty training (by area)
• Average number of supervised chats, annually
• If there are exams, the passing rate
• Other performance criteria to be developed
This is not an exhaustive list, and will likely always grow and be revised. These data may also be helpful should we wish to pursue an external certification of our Academy in order to demonstrate our high level of training, rigor of our program, excellence of supervision, and caliber of graduates. We should also consider the process of re-credentialling as well. Perhaps on a two- or three-year basis?
As discussed in the Syllabus/Model Template section above, we have a great approach and model that fits most all content and topical areas:
As for an Academy Curriculum, we can simply adopt the areas in which we already offer training and Badges. My thinking is that there is a broad “Certification” (analogous with currently achieving a Coach Level 3) with “Specialties” (“Badges”) in the following areas following successful training completion:
Anxiety
Depression
Stress
PTSD
Grief (and survivor’s guilt)
Panic Attacks
Sleep Disorders (and general difficulty sleeping)
Unhealthy Eating
Loneliness
Drug Abuse
Alcohol Abuse
Bullying
Quitting Tobacco
Financial Stress
Differences/Disabilities
Relationship Stress (family/social/romantic)
Veteran Resources
Parenting Stress
Student Stress
Infant Loss Pregnancy (including postpartum depression & infertility)
Gender and Sexuality (including sex vs. gender sexual assault and
lgbtqia+)
Racial Discrimination
COVID-19
Caregiving
Chronic Pain and Illness
Self-Esteem
Break-Ups
ADHD
OCD
Cancer Support
Managing Feelings
Overcoming Difficult Situations
Anger Management
Model Standard #1: Authenticity and Lived Experience
RECOMMENDED STANDARD
SAMHSA’s National Model Standard on Authenticity and Lived Experience recommends that certification entities include a self-attestation requirement (e.g., a written narrative, questions, check box) that promotes the following statements of authenticity across the peer workforce.
Prevail’s meets this Standard, please see chapter on Certification Standards.
Model Standard #2:
Training
RECOMMENDED STANDARD
SAMHSA’s National Model Standard on Training recommends that:
Quantity (hours)
• Training requirements range from 40 to 60 hours for mental health and substance use certifications.
Prevail’s exceeds this Standard, at 322 hours, please see chapter on Certification Standards.
Content and Facilitation
• Incorporate accommodations as need.
• Ensure that certified peer workers with relevant lived experience play a leading role in the design, application, and revision of peer certification trainings and state certification entities utilize a clear and transparent process for procuring new training organizations.
• Include principles outlined in SAMHSA’s Core Competencies for Peer Workers in Behavioral Health Services (for mental health and/or substance use peer certifications).
• Address the following cross-cutting core content areas for mental health and substance use in conjunction with expert partners with lived and professional experience.
Prevail’s meets this Standard, please see chapter on Certification Standards.
Model Standard #3: Examinations
RECOMMENDED STANDARD
SAMHSA’s National Model Standard on Examinations* recommends that:
Content (of Examinations)
• Relates directly to and is appropriately based on the peer role.
• Only reflects information explicitly covered in trainings.
• Includes a general focus on the competencies of peer support.
• Is incorporated into a study guide or similar resource(s) that is provided between training and examination.
Development and Revision (of Examinations)
• Is led by Certified Peer Support Specialist to promote fidelity and reliability.
• Involve collaboration with other state certification entities to encourage alignment and reciprocity.
Prevail’s meets this Standard, please see chapters on Core Competencies, Scope of Practice, Practice Guidelines, and Standardized Curriculum.
Structure, Format, and Accommodations (of Examinations)
• Include alternative testing methods such as vignettes, case studies, and scenario/role-playing based questions to encourage content application.
• Incorporate all accommodations outlined in Model Standard #8 (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility).
• Offers multiple dates/times to take an examination throughout the year.
• Allows individuals to re-take an examination up to three (3) times before they may be required to retake certification training.
Prevail’s meets this Standard, please see chapters on Core Competencies, Scope of Practice, Practice Guidelines, and Standardized Curriculum.
Model Standard #4: Formal Education RECOMMENDED STANDARD
SAMHSA’s National Model Standard on Formal Education recommends that:
• In lieu of any formal educational requirements, prospective certified peer workers should be able to demonstrate literacy and fluency in the language in which they will be providing services, either through required examinations or other application requirements.
Prevail’s meets this Standard as we require that all Certified Peer Support Specialists (volunteers, interns, contractors and employees) successfully complete the Prevail Lessons Program which consists of numerous guided tools and 12 required chats with Certified Peer Support Specialists. They then read the Training Documents (8 for Level 1 Certified Peer Support Specialists) and are required to score 100% on the quizzes in order to be able to proceed. The next training component is to complete a practice chat and a questionnaire that queries why they want to be a Certified Peer Support Specialist and why mental health is important. Role approval is not guaranteed and additional practice chats may can be assigned if/when needed. It is Prevail’s position that this process serves as a dependable proxy for demonstrating literacy in lieu of a specific literacy and fluency evaluation.
Model Standard #5: Supervised Work Experience
RECOMMENDED STANDARD
SAMHSA’s National Model Standard on Supervised Work Experience recommends that:
• For state certification entities that currently institute a supervised work experience requirement, a maximum of 120 hours of supervised work experience should be required.
• For state certification entities that institute a minimum requirement, any combination of paid, volunteer, virtual, and out-of-state hours should be accepted.
Prevail’s exceeds this Standard, please see chapter on Certification Standards.
Model Standard #6: Background Checks RECOMMENDED STANDARD
SAMHSA’s National Model Standard on Background Checks recommends that:
• Background checks be the responsibility of hiring organizations rather than part of the certification process.
• In instances where a state certification entity chooses to obtain criminal background information on prospective certified peers, it is recommended that they:
a. Clearly outline potentially disqualifying offenses* and include guidelines for time after which such offenses will no longer be considered.
b. Limit potentially disqualifying offenses to those that pose a risk to the people being served, and preclude or avoid mention of, investigation into, or required disclosure of misdemeanors, drug and alcohol related crimes, non-violent felonies, and similar offenses.
c. Utilize an initial process of self-disclosure that solely focuses on the identification of potentially disqualifying offenses.
d. Conduct background checks for confirmation purposes or where additional information is needed.
e. Review applications flagged for potentially disqualifying offenses on a case-by-case basis within 90 days of submission.
f. Incorporate a process that allows prospective certified peers to appeal disqualifications due to criminal offenses.
Prevail’s meets this Standard as we conduct background checks on contractors and employees who have completed the program. Prevail does not conduct background checks on Certified Peer Support Specialists who are Volunteers or Interns as they would be vetted via their participation in the Academy and have all User interactions supervised.
Model Standard #7: Recovery RECOMMENDED STANDARD
SAMHSA’s National Model Standard on Recovery* recommends that:
• Recovery pathway-specific requirements, including those that are abstinence-based, be excluded from certification requirements. Instead, state certification entities should allow hiring organizations to consider pathway-specific recommendations that meet the needs of the population(s) they serve.
Prevail’s meets this Standard, please see chapters on Core Competencies and Scope of Practice.
Model Standard #8: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility RECOMMENDED STANDARD
SAMHSA’s National Model Standard on DEIA recommends the following strategies for incorporating DEIA across peer certifications.
Training and Examination (accessibility)
• Incorporate captioning, signed video materials, braille materials, interpreters, and other accommodations for people with disabilities.
• Include alternative methods such as vignettes, video, and scenario/role play components.
• Offer multiple formats and languages.
• Provide at multiple locations and include remote/virtual options to promote equitable access and certification.
• Offer multiple dates/times to take accessible trainings/examinations throughout the year.
• Allow for individuals to choose a different training entity if the original choice does not meet their accessibility needs or cannot do so.
• Provide reasonable accommodations according to the ADA and Title 6 of Civil Rights Act of 196417, 18.
Training and Examination (content)
• Address anti-racism, discrimination, privilege, implicit bias, and structural barriers.
• Are designed and facilitated by individuals from diverse and under-represented populations.
• Incorporate accessibility-specific trainings for peers who may work with protected populations.
• Include content on cultural and structural competency and DEIA practice and implementation.
• Include content on barriers to service access for marginalized groups.
General Strategies
• Target recruitment and promote pathways to certification for diverse and under-represented populations.
• Hire or contract with consultants and trainers from diverse and under-represented populations.
Prevail’s exceeds this Standard, as we use https://www.equalweb.com for accessibility purposes on the Prevail site. Prevail covers the topics listed in the training section in various places. Prevail offers a Specialization Badge Training in Racial Discrimination is required for contractors, employees, and interns, and Prevail’s Volunteer Certified Peer Support Specialists are incentivized to complete this training.
(NOTE: The training unitized is quite comprehensive an includes: Introduction to Key Equity Terms and Concepts; Types and History of Racism; Appropriate Language; Microaggressions; Discrimination and Coping with Racism; Understanding White Privilege and How to Be an Ally. Concepts on being respectful, treating everyone as equal, and being open-minded are covered in Lesson 2 of L1 Certified Peer Support Specialist training. Prevail’s training also provides an entire lesson on Cultural Competence in Level 2 of Certified Peer Support Specialist training. Prevail also has additional measures that are part of our continued education for all Certified Peer Support Specialists.
Model Standard #9: Ethics RECOMMENDED STANDARD
SAMHSA’s National Model Standard on Ethics* recommends that:
• Develop a Code of Ethics or revise an existing one to ensure that the ethical guidelines are applicable to the peer role and are non-clinical in nature.
• Prospective Certified Peer Support Specialist be required to read, sign, and adhere to a Code of Ethics.
• Codes of Ethics include, but are not necessarily limited to, ethical standards that require agreement/attestation to:
o The defined role, scope, and responsibilities of the peer
o Maintaining personal and professional boundaries
o Preventing conflicts of interest
o Confidentiality
o Mandated reporting
Prevail’s meets this Standard, please see chapter on Code of Ethics.
Model Standard #10: Costs and Fees RECOMMENDED STANDARD
SAMHSA’s National Model Standard on Costs and Fees recommends that:
• State certification entities work with their state to find resources to subsidize all costs or fees for both certification and re-certification.
o Potential sources of funds might include but not be limited to state general revenues, SAMHSA’s block grants (SUBG/MHBG), other allowable formula or discretionary grant funding programs, other public and/or private sources.
• State certification entities work with their state to find resources to subsidize all costs or fees associated with reasonable accommodations (e.g., CART, ASL interpretation and other disability or language access accommodations).
• If costs are associated with a certification, state certification entities offer scholarships* to any individuals that are unable to pay for their certification.
• In cases where the above is not possible, or where revisions associated with these changes are in progress, state certification entities clearly outline the exact costs or fees associated with each of the following, if applicable:
o General application fee
o Trainings
o Examinations
o Total cost of certification
o Total cost of re-certification, including costs associated with any Continuing Education Units (if applicable)
Prevail does not charge any fees.
Model Standard #11: Peer Supervision RECOMMENDED STANDARD
SAMHSA’s National Model Standard on Supervision recommends that:
• State certification entities consider the development and implementation of a certification process for peer supervisors that includes the following characteristics:
o State certification entities require certified peer supervisors to receive training that includes, at minimum, the recommendations outlined in Model Standard #2 (Training).
o State certification entities incorporate the recommendations outlined in Model Standard #4 (Formal Education) into peer supervisor certifications.
o State certification entities require certified peer supervisors to adhere to a code of ethics that includes, at minimum, the recommendations outlined in Model Standard #9 (Ethics).
Prevail’s exceeds this Standard, please see chapter on Certification Standards.
The preceding is abstracted from pp. 8 – 20 of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification. Publication No. PEP23-1001-001, Office of Recovery, Rockville, MD, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2023.
National Model Standards, Exhibit B Guiding Questions for Revising Peer Certifications, and Prevail Academy’s responses
1. Does our certification ensure that prospective certified peers have lived or living experience that aligns with the population(s) they may serve upon certification?
Yes, Prevail Academy Certified Peer Support Specialists have lived or living experiences that is in alignment with those they may serve. See Certification Standards Chapter for details.
2. Barring any formal education requirements, how can prospective certified peers demonstrate literacy and fluency in the language in which they will be serving?
Yes, this is a standard requirement upon initial acceptance into training.
3. Does a prospective certified peer already have professional experience working as a certified peer in another state? If so, what process(es) can we take to expedite/transfer their certification?
If a prospective Certified Peer Support Specialist already has some level of training, they are nevertheless required to complete the Prevail Academy Program in its entirety in order to become a Certified Peer Support Specialist in our program.
4. If a prospective certified peer does not have any experience working as a certified peer worker, what core trainings are critical to their success? And can they be successful without any work experience?
A prospective Certified Peer Support Specialist must satisfactorily complete all coursework in the Standardized Curriculum and they are then eligible to optional specialty Badges in other areas (see chapter on Standardized Curriculum)
5. Does our certification train peer workers on DEIA? And similarly, how does our certification incorporate DEIA principles for expanding the peer workforce?
The Prevail Academy’s Standardized Curriculum does not, per se, as it is more clinically based. However, the general onboarding process of Prevail Health does so. Details are noted in Model Standard #8, pages 33 – 34.
6. After the completion of any training requirements, what examination process would limit barriers and what content can be used to determine competency and expand accessibility?
Subpar User ratings for a Certified Peer Support Specialist could be a limitation as to advancement. Such would then be a performance improvement focus managed in the supervisory process.
7. Will a background check pose a barrier to expanding the peer workforce in my state? Conversely, does the lack of a background check put any special populations at risk? Not per se, details are noted in Model Standard #6, page 33.
8. Do we have a code of ethics that was written by peer workers? How do we handle ethical violations in an impartial manner?
Prevail Academy has a Code of Ethics this is a distillation of diverse sources and standards (Please see the chapters on The Prevail Code of Ethics and on Practice Guidelines for specifics as to their application).
9. Do we have a current certification for peer supervisors? If not, how can we develop one? Yes, it is this Charter.
10. How can we collaborate with other state certification entities and peer and family run organizations to write or adopt an examination that can be used for certified peers who move? And what steps can we take to process an interstate compact?
Prevail holds an ethos of collaboration and transparency with all stakeholders in our work currently, be it public, private, governmental, or academic, and we would value any and all opportunities to expand such collaborations with all appropriate states, parties, and institutions.
11. Are there any tribal nations that share a border between our state and another’s? If so, how can we ensure that tribal peer workers can provide services across their tribe?
As Prevail is a digital health company and all Certified Peer Support Specialists work remotely, providing services to any User that is fluent in English or Spanish. Prevail welcomes individuals from tribal nations to become Certified Peer Support Specialists, and via our DEIA training, we work to provide culturally appropriate services as noted in Model Standard #8, pages 33 – 34.
12.What, if any, parts of our certification process that may be barriers to expanding the peer workforce and certifying qualified peer workers?
We are confident that our training process is inclusive and fair, while also comprehensive and challenging, nevertheless with support to our trainees. However, we balance this with the needs, expectations and responsibilities we have to our Users to ensure the best level of care we are able to provide.
Much of the material and standards herein are based on materials believed to be in the public domain and sourced from publicly funded, trustworthy institutions that demonstrate leadership and excellence in mental health, particularly in the area of peer recovery. We have worked to select, curate and utilize near-verbatim adoption whenever possible, with aggregated attribution below and as footers in some topical areas as well. If any content herein is considered to violate any copyright, please let us know and we will remove it. The foundation of the Academy is adopted, adapted, and informed by, but not limited to, the following sources:
Policy Statement on Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology
https://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/evidence-based-statement
APA Professional Practice Guidelines
https://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines
Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology
https://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/about/policies/standards-of-accreditation.pdf
National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist https://www.naadac.org/ncprss
National Certified Peer Specialist https://flcertificationboard.org/certifications/mental-healthamerica-national-certified-peer-specialist/
Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Mental Health
https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=29735
Illinois Model for Mental Health Certified Recovery Support Specialist
https://www.dhs.state.il.us/OneNetLibrary/27894/documents/mental%20health/Recovery/CRS S/2020/CRSS-Model-4_10_18.pdf
Wisconsin Peer Specialists
https://www.wicps.org/certified-peer-specialist/ International Association of Peer Supporters (iNAPS) https://na4ps.wordpress.com/ National Association of Peer Supporters https://www.peersupportworks.org/ and https://www.peersupportworks.org/about/the-science-of-peer-support/
SAMHSA’s Working Definition of Recovery
https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/pep12-recdef.pdf
American Psychological Association (APA) policy on the Evidence Based Practice of Psychology (EBPP) found here: https://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/evidence-based-statement
http://www.inspiredatwork.net/uploads/WWT_Peer_Certification_Research_Report_FINAL_6. 20.12__1_.pdf
Hendry, P., Hill, T., Rosenthal, H. Peer Services Toolkit: A Guide to Advancing and Implementing Peer-run Behavioral Health Services. ACMHA: The College for Behavioral Health Leadership and Optum, 2014
Peer Specialist Code of Ethics and Professional Standards by Colorado’s Northeast Behavioral Health Partnership (2011) and
https://www.dhs.state.il.us/OneNetLibrary/27894/documents/mental%20health/Recovery/CRS S/2020/06302020-codeofethics_for_crss_professionals.pdf
https://dbh.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dmh/publication/attachments/PeerSpecialistCod eEthics_0.pdf
https://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals
https://www.pacertboard.org/sites/default/files/peer%20code.pdf
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p00972a.pdf
https://www.naadac.org/assets/2416/nccap-peer-recovery-support-specialist-code-of-ethics-final0622-16.pdf
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/MH/Documents/CMHPCPeerCertPaper.pdf
https://www.peersupportworks.org/resources/national-practice-guidelines/
SAMHSA’s Core Competencies for Peer Workers https://www.samhsa.gov/brss-tacs/recoverysupport-tools/peers/core-competencies-peer-workers
SAMHSA’s Core Competencies for Peer Workers in Behavioral Health Services – 2018
https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/programs_campaigns/brss_tacs/corecompetencies_508_12_13_18.pdf
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p00972b.pdf
Core Competencies for Peer Workers in Behavioral Health Services Committee of the State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse: https://scaoda.wisconsin.gov/diversity.htm
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/recovery
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p00972.pdf
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/recovery
SAMHSA Working Definition and Guiding Principles of Recovery
https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/20230606/hhs-publishes-nationalmodel-standards-substance-use-mental-health-family-peer-worker-certifications
National Model Standards for Substance Use, Mental Health, and Family Peer Worker Certifications.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification. Publication No. PEP23-10-01-001, Office of Recovery, Rockville, MD, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2023.
There are no specific standards for a “certification.” Certification provides independent verification of a certain level of expertise in a particular area. Basically, it means an individual has completed the steps required to receive a particular designation. A certification program is a defined set of components or training programs offered to prove that a graduate achieved a measured level of knowledge within a designated timeline.
We may wany to consider working with MHA and/or NAADAC to establish an agreement that graduates of our Academy may sit for their National Certification, but they would nevertheless need to study those organizations’ particular materials and pass their exam(s). This model is not unlike going to graduate school, graduating, being supervised, and then sitting for the licensure exam.
There may not be a need for Prevail to do this vis-à-vis the benefit to the Company, more so as a benefit to our User-facing staff. But, there may not be a strong consensus of our User-facing staff’s need for this either.
Is there any value if our Academy training also acts to provide undergraduate or graduate elective or work-study credit? Maybe adding a paper and some research work could be added for an elective credit option? Again, may or may not give value to the Company.
If there is a need for a third-party to provide certification to the work of the Academy, we can likely develop an agreement with https://www.evergreencertifications.com/ or https://www.cceglobal.org/ for doing so or via Jack Krasuski, MD’s https://www.beattheboards.com. We could also check in with our friends at The Chicago School for a similar type of agreement. And, of course, I could do so via my non-profit as the certifying institution as well: http://www.alifeinfull.org/courseworks.html
My personal bias is that many “Life Coach” programs, while perhaps offering some good and helpful ideas and content in training, may not really be a good fit for the Peer Support and Recovery work that our staff would be doing. There is also a risk of “Life Coach” seeming faddish or light-weight. (I think the following article nicely points out this risk.)
While I do like the term “Coach” as it is non-threatening and not confusing with anything clinical however, it is my bias that the level of training and supervision a Prevail Certified Peer Support Specialist has is of a very high caliber, and their title should reflect this. I think it also may instill a sense of pride, seriousness, and professionalism that is also befitting their work.
Here is the piece on Life Coaching and a video link from CNBC:
What exactly is a life coach? It seems even Google can’t precisely explain it. When you search the term, Google returns sites from Oprah and Tony Robbins trying to answer this exact question. Perhaps that’s because lifecoaching can be fuzzy. The membership-based coaching organization, International Coaching Federation (ICF), defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”
Life coaching is also completely unregulated, and scandals of life coaches running Ponzi schemes or college admission schemes haven’t helped the profession’s reputation either. Still, the life coaching industry is thriving. Life coaching is part of the $2.85 billion global industry of professional coaches, according to ICF. Beyond life coaching, there’s also executive, career, leadership and even nutrition coaching. ICF estimates there are 71,000 professional coaches worldwide and 23,000 based in North America.
And the profession is growing. Between 2015 and 2019, the number of professional coaches worldwide increased by 33% globally and 33% in North America, based on ICF’s 2020 Global Coaching Study Final Report.
Whatisalifecoach?
Life coaches work with functioning individuals who are looking to create a pathway to reaching set goals. Whether it is work, personal or family, coaches act as unbiased thinking partners and hold their clients accountable by typically having weekly or bi-weekly one-hour sessions.
“The process of coaching often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity and leadership,” according to ICF, the largest coaching organization and closest to a regulatory body.
The average cost of a session is $244, according to ICF, but costs can rise as high as $1,000.
Life coaching is unregulated. The profession requires no formal education, training or licensing. This allows virtually anyone to call themselves a coach.
Alyse Parker, a 26-year-old YouTube influencer and life coach, holds no credentials or education in the life coach profession. She has nearly one million social media followers and has documented her day-to-day life on her YouTube channel, everything from moving to relationships to health and wellness. She noticed many of her followers expressing appreciation for sharing her life routine and wanting to follow in her footsteps. This led her to create 12-week group seminars that cost $3,000 per person.
“The birth of this group coaching program came from me sharing my journey authentically for years and receiving so many questions and comments on like, ‘I wish I could be living my dream life. I wish I could have the courage and bravery to really go after my dreams,’” Parker tells CNBC Make It.
Parker feels the openness of life coaching has enabled her to coach over 200 women in the last four years. “I do believe that the flexibility and the openness for me to create what I what of this, of course within the realm of life coaching, it has been a huge element of why it works so perfectly for me as a person,” Parker says.
Life-coachingisnotpsychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a collaboration between a licensed therapist and a client using research-based techniques that help people develop more effective habits and live happier, healthier lives, according to the American Psychological Association.
“Psychologists predominantly provide assessment, can diagnosis different mental health conditions, provide psychotherapy interventions,” says Amanda M. Spray, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone. “Whereas a psychiatrist has gone to medical school, and they can also do psychotherapy. They are uniquely trained in the provision of psychotropic medication.”
“You cannot call yourself a psychologist without being licensed as a licensed psychologist in the state in which you practice,” Spray continues.
Life coaching’s increased popularity may be due to the fact that it is not therapy. Coaches and therapists are often explicit about the differences.
Life coach Danielle Copsy, in New Jersey, says that she’s been in situations where she started working with a client, and it became clear that they needed to be referred to a therapist instead.
“How that becomes apparent is you just literally cannot move forward. All the conversation is past-based. All the conversation comes from a perspective of all of this stuff is happening to me. And part of that is also getting trained to understand what the difference is,” Copsy says.
While it’s important to understand the differences when seeking a coach, life coaching may act as a needed step to getting someone the mental health treatment they need.
Despite the fact that many high-functioning people go to therapy to enrich their lives, there’s “still stigma associated with mental health treatment,” Spray explains. But “we’re making a lot of progress,” she says. “There have been great public awareness campaigns that have made it more acceptable to speak with mental health professionals.”
# # #
Here is a video about the unregulated business of life coaching and the original article above: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/26/what-is-a-life-coach.html?__source=newsletter%7Cmakeit
