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Peer Support Specialist (PSS) An individual providing services to another individual who shares a similar life experience with the peer support specialist (addiction to addiction, mental health condition to mental health condition, family member of an individual with a mental health condition to family member of an individual with a mental health condition). A peer support specialist shall be: (a) A self-identified individual currently or formerly receiving addictions or mental health services; (b) A self-identified individual in recovery from an addiction disorder who meets the abstinence requirements for recovering staff in alcohol or other drug treatment programs; (c) A self-identified individual in recovery from problem gambling. There are four categories of Peer Support Specialists:
- Family Support: an individual who meets qualification criteria adopted under ORS 414.665 and may be either a peer support specialist or a peer wellness specialist who, based on similar life experiences, provides support services to and has experience parenting a child who:(a) Is a current or former consumer of mental health or addiction treatment; or (b) Is facing or has faced difficulties in accessing education, health, and wellness services due to mental health or behavioral health barriers.
- Youth Support: means an individual who meets qualification criteria adopted under ORS 414.665 and may be either a peer support specialist or a peer wellness specialist and who, based on a similar life experience, provides supportive services to an individual who: (a) Is not older than 30 years old, and (b) Is a current or former consumer of mental health or addiction treatment; or (c) Is facing or has faced difficulties in accessing education, health, and wellness services due to mental health or behavioral health barriers.
- Adult Addictions: A person in addiction recovery who provides support services to people seeking recovery from addiction.
- Adult Mental Health: A person with lived experience of mental health who provides support services to other people with similar experiences.
Peer Support Specialist Training Requirements for Certification
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Complete an
approved training program;
or
- Provide documentation that you are certified by a group other than the Oregon Health Authority that requires completion of an approved training program and at least 20 hours of continuing education every three years;
or
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Provide documentation that you have worked or volunteered as a peer support specialist for at least 2000 hours in Oregon in the past five years.
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Peer Support Specialists are required to complete THW Oral Health for Peer Support and Peer Wellness Training Program, in addition to your approved training program curricula.
- (Note: If you are a Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) and are registered through Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO), you are now required to also submit a THW Peer Support Specialist Application along with all other required documents).
Application
- Apply for Traditional Health Worker (THW) certification via the portal at https://healthworkforceregistry.oregon.gov/
- *Regarding recertification, for renewal purposes, we require applicants to apply within 60-90 days prior to their expiration date.
Once you are certified with the Oregon Health Authority, we will add you to our state registry. The registry is a reliable, trusted source for finding a traditional health worker in Oregon.
Do you have a Civil Rights Complaint or concern regarding THW-PSS services?
For additional Information about the THW program, please contact us at:
Telephone: 971-673-3353
Fax: 971-673-1128
Email:
thw.program@odhsoha.oregon.gov