CPS Cohorts 107 and 108 Applications (November 2025)

TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT
Announcement and Application

Application: The application will open on October 3rd, 2025 at 9am and will close on October 10th, 2025 at 5pm

Notification: Applicants will be notified by email Friday, October 17th, 2025 at 8PM, whether or not they have been accepted to move forward in the application process--you may be directly accepted or you may be asked to interview. Those who are asked to interview will be notified whether or not they have been accepted into the training on Friday, October 24th at 8pm.

Interviews: Interviews will take place on Monday, October 20th through Thursday,October 23rd. Individuals who are asked to interview, must sign up for an interview slot.

Final Decisions: Final decisions will be emailed to all applicants on Friday, October 24th at 8:00 PM

Registration/Training Fee is due on Tuesday, November 4th by 5pm.

Registration Fee is $125.00

Testing Dates for both trainings will be offered December 8th - December 12th, 2025.

Please write down these dates for your records.
GENERAL INFORMATION

Presenters: Presenters from GMHCN will conduct the training with guest presenters from the Georgia Advocacy Office, DBHDD and CARELON 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 intended for Georgians in mental health recovery, including those who identify as being in both mental health and substance use recovery, and who have an interest in providing peer support services to individuals with behavioral health diagnoses. This initiative is part of a workforce development effort funded by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). In alignment with DBHDD’s goals, priority consideration will be given to individuals who are currently working in the behavioral health field—particularly with a DBHDD provider—those who are part of an ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) or CST (Community Support Team), and those who have a job offer from a DBHDD provider. 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 accepted to the training, you will be notified by email and a "Welcome Packet" will be e-mailed to you.

If you have questions about the application, please contact:

Robert Pugh or Daisey Tate
Georgia Certified Peer Specialist Project
Phone: 404-687-9487
E-mail: cpsproject@gmhcn.org
MANDATORY ONLINE PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VIRTUAL TRAININGS

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.

In order to move forward with this application, all applicants are required to watch the following video in its entirety. This video provides important information that will help guide you through the application process and ensure you have a full understanding of the program requirements. Please take the time to view the video completely before proceeding to the next section of the application.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW:

Watch CPS 101 video
I confirm that I have viewed the required video in full before proceeding with this application.

CPS Application Pre-Screening Question
Have you ever been certified as a CPS-MH in the State of Georgia?*

I have never been certified as a CPS-MH in the State of GeorgiaI have previously been certified as a CPS-MH in the State of Georgia and I need to recertifyI don't know

Thank you for your interest in the CPS application. However, your response indicates that you have been certified in the past, which makes you ineligible for this application. We encourage you to complete your recertification application.

Click here to complete your recertification application: Recertification Application

To learn more about the recertification process, please visit https://www.gmhcn.org/reactivation-policy

Title: Peer Specialist Certification Training

Description: We are pleased to announce the upcoming certification training for Peer Specialists. This training application is availble for individuals who have never been certified in the State of Georgia.

The training will be held

Cohort 107: Monday, November 10th through Friday, November 14th, 2025.
Training Format: IN- PERSON
Training Location: Region 1, exact location TBD

Region 1 consists of the following counties: Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Chattooga, Whitfield, Murray, Gordon, Floyd, Bartow, Polk, Paulding, Haralson, Cobb, Douglas, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Cherokee, Union, Lumpkin, Dawson, Forsyth, Towns, White, Hall, Rabun, Habersham, Banks, Stephens, Franklin, Hart

Cohort 108: November 17th through Friday, November 21st 2025
Training Format: VIRTUAL
Training Location: Zoom

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
Which Peer Specialist Certification Training (Cohort) are you available for?

Only Cohort 107 - IN Person November 10th-November 14thOnly Cohort 108 - VIRTUAL November 17th-November 21stI have no preference (The CPS project will place you into one of the trainings)
Have you applied for the Certified Peer Specialist–Mental Health (CPS-MH) training before?*

YesNo
Please indicate how many times:*

1 time2-3 times4-5 timesmore than 5 times
What is the most recent application Date (Month/Year)?*

TRAINING APPLICATION
These series of questions will assess your understanding of the requirements to become a Georgia Certified Peer Specialist-Mental Health, as well as your reading & writing skills (CPSs support peers in many activities which require these skills).

You are required to answer all questions on your own. You may not use Artificial Intelligence software, such as but not limited to ChatGPT or Bard. Additionally, everyone is strongly encouraged to:

> Use your lived experience with recovery.

> Pay close attention to the content and clarity of your responses, as they play a significant role in the application review process.
1. Describe a turning point in your mental health recovery where you felt empowered to take responsibility for your own recovery choices and life decisions. What happened and what did you do?*

0/200
2.What does it mean to provide strengths-based mental health recovery services, and how does it relate to the work of a CPS-MH?*

0/200
3. How have you supported your peers in their mental health recoveries? Be specific, and include the duration of your activity.*

0/150
4. Describe how you spend your time. What does an average week look like for you? Do you work, volunteer, provide care for someone, attend services? How many hours do you spend at each?*

0/150
5. How does culture and diversity impact the work of a CPS-MH?*

0/250
6. Why do you think it is important for Certified Peer Specialists to tell their mental health recovery stories? Discuss a specific time during your own mental health recovery journey when you shared elements of your own recovery experiences to support a peer.*

0/250
7. Describe ways you have demonstrated leadership.*

0/200
9. Are you fluent in a language other than English?*

YesNo
If you answered "yes" to Question 9, please identify the language(s) here:

0/150
Communication Preferences*

CPS Project uses Constant Contact to inform all applicants of their status. All applicants must check this box to ensure proper email notification regarding application status.
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 concerns.*
I have been in mental health recovery for at least one year.*
I agree to work from the perspective of a person in recovery from mental health 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 take the CPS test.*
I understand that completion of the CPS training does not guarantee a job.*
I completed this pre-test on my own, without the use of artificial intelligence programs such as but not limited to chatGPT or Bard. *
When I become certified as a CPS-MH, I will be required to provide 12 CEUs per calendar., in order to remain certified in Georgia.*
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

FINANCIAL INFORMATION
If accepted into the training, my training fees will be covered by the following?*

Myself ( I will pay the $125 non-refundable training fee)My EmployerDBHDD ScholarshipVocational Rehab/Training AgencyOther
If Employed by a behavioral health agency, are they willing to pay for your training? If no, then Why
How will this scholarship help you further your career goals?
After completing the training, when do you plan to begin working in the Peer support workforce?
Name of the agency paying for my training:*
Name of Vocational Rehab counselor*
Please include full name (First and Last)
Phone Number of Vocational Rehab counselor*
Please enter a valid phone number.

Application Fee*

$20 Application Fee

$20.00

GMHCN Employee Application Fee

$20.00

Enter coupon

Total

$0.00

After you submit your application below, it will take you to the payment page. There you will have the option for PayPal, Credit or Debit Card.

Please, if you are not using PayPal, do not enter your email or phone number. Move down to see the credit card/debit option.
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.

TRAINING PAYMENT

Applicants who are accepted into the training are responsible for paying a non-refundable $125 Training Registration Fee. Payment may be submitted by one of the following methods:

A. Mail a check or money order for $125 to:
Attn:Finance Manager
Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network
1990 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 100
Tucker, GA 30084

B. Pay by phone using a debit or credit card:
Call 404-687-9487, Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and ask for the finance office.

C. Pay online via PayPal, debit card, or credit card:
A PayPal link will be included in the acceptance email packet for applicants who are accepted into the training.

The $125 Training Registration Fee is non-refundable and must be paid by the Training Fee Due Date listed in your acceptance materials. Due to high demand, applicants who do not submit payment by the deadline will forfeit their spot in the training. However, they may still be eligible to apply for a future training session.

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.

Scholarship Option:

A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to cover the training fee. These scholarships are provided by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD).

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1) Be a resident of the state of Georgia
2) Be at least 18 years of age or older
3) Have a minimum of two (2) years in active recovery
4) If not currently working in behavioral health, must be actively seeking employment in the behavioral health field
Should be Empty:

CPS Application Pre-Screening Question

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