Peer Support Specialist Training Deadline Approaching
Date: 07/10/18
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) has announced that the deadline to apply for the upcoming Peer Support Specialist (PSS) Training is Monday, July 30, 2018. The PSS Training is scheduled to occur Aug. 27-Sept. 7, 2018, in Metairie.
Peer Support Specialists are self-identified consumers who are in recovery from mental illness and/or substance use disorders. The role of PSS is supported on both a statewide and national level with CMS recognizing the importance of PSS as a viable component in the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. In Louisiana, PSS work in a variety of capacities throughout the behavioral health service system. There are several rehabilitation services outlined within the Behavioral Health Manual in which PSS are identified as a qualified provider type.
These services include:
- Community Psychiatric Support and Treatment
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation
- Crisis Intervention
- Assertive Community Treatment
- Addiction Services
Louisiana utilizes the curriculum developed by the RI International (formerly Recovery Innovations) of Arizona as its statewide training for PSS. This is a two (2) week, 76 hour course, which is held multiple times annually in varying locations throughout the state. There is a $500 registration fee for peers who are not directly employed by LGEs or state-run hospitals. Employers are also expected to pay for travel and meals outside of the training.
Please click here to see the application with additional information about the training.
If you wish to send someone to the training and cannot meet the July 30 deadline, or if you have questions about the training, please contact Linda Boudreaux at lindabtem@bellsouth.net or Nancy Hughes at nancy.hughes@la.gov.