2022 August CPS Cohort 84 Application Online

Peer Specialist Certification Training Cohort 84 - Atlanta (Online)
August 1-11, 2022
Announcement, Application, and Pre-Test
Application Deadline May 24, 2022
Training Fee Deadline July 1, 2022

Our application process has changed. Please read through the entire application before you begin in order to learn about the Application Fee and Training Fee Deadline.

TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT

Title: Peer Specialist Certification Training

Description: We are pleased to announce the upcoming online certification training for Peer Specialists. The training will be held August 1-11, 2022. The Georgia Certified Peer Specialist Project is an initiative of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) in partnership with the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network (GMHCN). Please note the training schedule, cost, and application procedure below.

Training graduates are eligible to sit for the certification exam given in Tucker, usually two to four weeks after their training. CPSs are expected to attend continuing education throughout the year. Georgia’s CPSs are prepared to meet Medicaid requirements for reimbursement in Peer Support, ACT, PSR, PS-I, CSUs, and anywhere the power of peer role models can and should be felt.

For more information, go to http://www.gmhcn.org/certified-peer-specialist

GENERAL INFORMATION

Presenters: Presenters from Appalachian Consulting Group, and GMHCN, will conduct the training with guest presenters from the Georgia Advocacy Office and other community partners.

Application: Those wishing to participate should complete this online form, sign electronically, and hit the "Submit My Application" button at the bottom of this page. There is no paper application for this training.

Audience: This training is for Georgians in mental health recovery, including those who identify as being in mental health and subtance use recovery, who have an interest in providing peer support services for people who have been given behavioral health diagnoses. Additional criteria include:

1. Candidates must have a mental health diagnosis or a dual diagnosis of mental health condition and substance use disorder.

2. Candidates should evidence a strong desire to identify themselves as a person in recovery from a behavioral health diagnosis (current or former recipient of mental health services).

3. Candidates must hold a GED or High School diploma and be at least 18 years of age. An applicant may be requested to provide a copy of this document.

4. In addition, applicants must demonstrate strong reading comprehension and written communication skills as indicated by their responses on the pre-test.

5. Applicants must have demonstrated experience with leadership, advocacy, or governance, and be well grounded in recovery (one year between diagnosis and application to the training).

If you have questions about the application, please contact:

Denise Hardy
Georgia Certified Peer Specialist Project
Phone: 404-687-9487
E-mail: cpsproject@gmhcn.org

If accepted to the training, you will be notified by telephone and a "Welcome Packet" will be e-mailed to you.

MANDATORY ONLINE PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to maintain the integrity of the Georgia CPS Project training, all training participants are required to use Zoom software with video turned on and showing their faces for the duration of the training, and audio functions (the ability to hear and be heard) as required by training facilitators throughout the training. Participants are strongly encouraged to have at least one backup method of connecting to the Zoom software with video and audio functions, as the Georgia CPS Project training cannot be successfully completed by participants who are unable to fully participate in training modules as a result of connectivity, hardware, or software challenges.

LODGING INFORMATION

This training will be held online.

INTERVIEW PROCESS

The application process for CPS Training will now include phone interviews with potential training applicants. Applicants may be contacted following their submission of an online written application for additional information.

Because of the very high volume of applicants for each training, only those candidates who are most successful in demonstrating their ability to be a productive part of Georgia’s certified peer workforce through the online (written) application process will be selected to participate in a phone interview. Applicants will be contacted by email to schedule an interview date and time. Each interview will be conducted by two Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network Certified Peer Specialist Project staff, and will last no more than ten minutes. The results of the phone interview will be considered along with the online application to identify the best candidates for each CPS Training cohort.

Please make sure that any contact phone numbers and email addresses you supply are active and able to receive messages in case we need to reach you to schedule a phone interview or for additional information. Missed phone interviews or other missing information can result in your application being considered incomplete and excluded from the review process.

TRAINING PAYMENT

Once you have been notified that you have been accepted to the training, you may submit payment by either:

A. Mailing your $125 Training Registration Fee to:

Attn. Lynn Thogerson, Financial Manager
Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network
1990 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 100
Tucker, GA 30084

B. Paying your registration fee by phone using a Debit or Credit card:

Call 404-687-9487 Monday through Friday 9:00am-5:00pm and ask for the financial office.

C. Paying by PayPal.

A PayPal link will be included in the acceptance email packet for people who are accepted to the training.

The $125 Training Fee is due upon the Training Fee Due Date set for each training (see the top of this page for the date for this training). Refunds for the $125 Training Fee are available up until the Training Fee Due Date. After the Training Fee Due Date, the Training Fee is non refundable. The Training Fee cannot be waived or scholarshipped. As a result of high demand for this training, people accepted into a training who do not pay the Training Fee by the Training Fee Due Date will lose their eligibility to participate in that training so that others may be invited to attend to ensure a full course for each training; however, they remain eligible to apply to participate in a future training.

Please specify name of applicant on checks money orders, or cards. Because of delays in U.S. mail, we strongly encourage people paying by check to send their payment in by expedited courier (UPS, FedEx, etc) in order to ensure payment is received on or before the Training Fee Due Date.

TRAINING APPLICATION

Full Name *

Prefix First Name MI / MN Last Name

Name you prefer to be called

Gender *

1. Female 2. Male 3. Other 4. Prefer not to answer

Date of Birth *

Month Day Year

Preferred E-Mail Address *

example@example.com

Home Phone Number *

Area Code Phone Number

Cell Phone Number *

Area Code Phone Number

Mailing Address *

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City State / Province

Postal / Zip Code Country

Street address if different from mailing address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City State / Province

Postal / Zip Code Country

Communication Preferences

I want to receive a printed copy of "The Pipeline" quarterly newsletter in the mail at the address above. I want to receive monthly and occasional emails from GMHCN with updates on trainings, events, and advocacy.

County in which you work / volunteer / or receive services *

Current status in that county (check all that apply) *

I work here I volunteer here Other

Agency Name

Current Job Title

Work Telephone

Work/Volunteer Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City State / Province

Postal / Zip Code Country

Work E-Mail Address

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Please let us know if you require special accommodations and tell us what accommodations you need with the training:

Special Accommodations (if needed):

PEER EMPLOYMENT STATUS

* I am currently working as a Peer Specialist *

Yes No

* I am required by my agency to be certified *

Yes No

* I have been told by a mental health agency that I will be hired as a CPS once I pass the certification exam. (You will need to provide documentation in writing on the company's letterhead) *

Yes No

* Name of the agency paying for my training:

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

Voc Rehab is paying for my training *

Yes No

*Name and Phone Number of Voc Rehab counselor

Please include name, phone, and extension

SCHOLARSHIP REQUEST

*I would like to apply for a scholarship *

Yes No

*I am a self-pay participant *

Yes No

If "Yes," please describe in detail your current financial situation and scholarship need.

*Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee that one will be awarded to you. A limited number of scholarships is available. Please be sure to fill out the scholarship need box above in order to be considered.

RESIDENCY STATUS

*I am an out of state applicant *

Yes No

Please include any information that you would like us to know regarding your out-of-state status.

COMMUNICATION PREFERENCES

Add me to GMHCN's email list *

Yes No

Mail "The Pipeline" quarterly print publication to me *

Yes No

Add me as a member of GMHCN *

Yes No

DOCUMENTATION

Applicants may now upload letters of financial support (Tier 1 and Tier 2), letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc., and submit them online with their application.

If you are being sponsored by your agency, by Voc Rehab, or other funding source, a letter of financial commitment is required to accompany your application. The letter should be on the agency's letterhead; it must detail your employment circumstances or conditons of support, and their financial commitment to your training. The lettter must also signed by a representative from the agency.

Upload supporting documentation by clicking the "Browse Files" button:

Browse Files

If you are submitting documentation with your application, please be sure to upload documents before submitting.

If you are unable to upload supporting documents with your application, they may be submitted using one of the following options:

1. Fax to: 404-687-0772; Attn: CPS Project
Or
2. Email to: cpsproject@gmhcn.org
Or
3. Mail to: Attn: Denise Hardy, CPS Project
1990 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 100
Tucker, GA 30084

Please Note: This is for the submission of supporting documentation only. Please do not print, fax, or email this page, as it will not be considered as received unless it is submitted through this online form.

All supporting documentation must be received by the application deadline.

TRAINING PRETEST

Answer all questions on your own. This is a brief examination to assess your reading & writing skills as well as your understanding of the requirements to become a Certified Peer Specialist in the State of Georgia including your lived experience with recovery. Certified Peer Specialists assist peers they serve in many activities requiring these skills. The content and clarity of essay responses play a significant role in the application selection process.

Question 1: Why do you want to become a Certified Peer Specialist?

Question Why do you want to become a Certified Peer Specialist?: *

Question 2: Discuss your ideas on what it means to provide strengths-based mental health recovery services and how it relates to the work of Certified Peer Specialists. *

Question 3: What does mental health recovery mean to you? *

Question 4: What were some of the important factors in your own mental health or mental health and substance use recovery? *

Question 5: Describe a turning point in your mental health or mental health and substance use recovery where you felt empowered to take responsibility for your own recovery choices and life decisions. What happened and what did you do? *

Question 6: What types of experiences have you had in working with peers in mental health services? Please describe in detail, listing efforts in letter-writing, personal advocacy, public testimony, programs you began, or work you are doing now. Be specific i.e. advocating, self-help groups, community activities: *

Question 7: Discuss your thoughts on how culture and diversity might impact the work of a Certified Peer Specialist. *

Question 8: Why do you think it is important for Certified Peer Specialists to tell their mental health or mental health and substance use recovery stories? *

Question 9: Discuss a time during your own mental health or mental health and substance use recovery journey when you shared elements of your own recovery experiences to support a peer? *

Question 10: What will be your most difficult challenge in attending the Certified Peer Specialist training? How will you deal with this challenge? *

Question 11: Describe your current employment situation (or volunteer situation). If neither applies, how do you spend your time? *

Question 12: What other skills, talents, and attributes do you have that you believe will enable you to be a successful Certified Peer Specialist? *

Question 13: Please describe how you have demonstrated leadership. *

Question 14: Are you fluent in a language other than English? *

Yes No

If you answered "yes" to Question 14, please identify the language(s) here: *

Type your INITIALS next to the statements that apply.
Do NOT use a checkmark or an X.

I understand that Georgia Certified Peer Specialists work from the perspective of their lived experience with recovery from a mental health diagnosis . I agree to be open about the fact that I have been diagnosed with a behavioral health concern, and to use my lived experience to support other peers along their recovery journeys. I understand that in doing so I help educate others about the reality of recovery.

I am in recovery from mental health or mental health and substance use concerns.

I have been in mental health recovery for at least one year.

I agree to work from the perspective as a person in recovery from mental health or mental health and substance use concerns.

I completed High School and hold a High School Diploma or have a GED Certificate.

I understand that I must make all hotel and travel arrangements to attend the CPS training.

I understand that completion of the CPS training does not guarantee a job.

I completed this pre-test on my own.

By printing and signing your full name below, you confirm that the information submitted on this application is true and accurate, and acknowledge that the CPS Project may terminate your participation in the CPS Project training, or revoke your certification (if received) at any time, if it is determined that false information was supplied on this form.

Print your full name here: *

Signature *

Clear

Application Fee and Submission

You will receive a confirmation response after you click the "Submit My Application" button that will indicate that your application has been received. You will also receive a confirmation email from the Georgia CPS Project which will be sent to the "preferred email" that you entered in your application.

A $20 online application fee is required for each applicant to each CPS training they apply for. This fee is non-refundable, non-transferable, and cannot be waived or scholarshipped. The administrative costs for processing applications begins upon submission of the application, at which time payment is required.

Please be certain before submitting your application that it is ready to submit, and that you will be able to attend the training if you are selected to attend. Neither training acceptance nor the application fee can be transferred to a future training.

If you have questions about your eligibility, the strength of your application, or the application process, please email cpsproject@gmhcn.org prior to submitting your application.

Application Fee

$20 Application Fee $ 20.00

Total $ 0.00