Certified Peer Specialist - Parent (CPS-P)

Parent Certified Peer Specialist (CPS-P) – A parent or legal guardian (in a permanent relationship for at least 3 years) of a child who is living with a mental health, substance use or a co-occurring diagnosis who provides support to other parents who are raising a child with similar behavioral health conditions.

The Parent CPS-P

• offers emotional support.
• shares knowledge
• supports family empowerment by providing information regarding all services' nature, purpose, and benefits.
• providing interventions and support.
• providing overall support and
  education to a caregiver to ensure that he or she is well equipped to support the youth in service.

No. The personal experience of being legally responsible for the health and wellbeing of a youth/young adult living with a mental health or substance use condition is what makes this certification and service unique.

Yes, if you are functioning in the parental role and can (provide verification that you have legal guardianship).

No. We are seeking individuals who have completed adoption and are in a permanent family relationship with full responsibility for health and wellbeing of the child.

No. We honor the contribution that you have made to families. However, we require individuals that are the biological parent or legal guardian.

• Candidates must be the parent or legal guardian of a child living with mental illness, substance use and/or co-occurring
  diagnosis (the child can have multiple diagnoses); and must
• Be individuals seeking employment as a Certified Peer Specialist-Parent, or who are currently working in that role, and will provide 20-40 hours per week of direct parent peer support.
• Be experienced navigating complex public health or child-serving systems of care;
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Provide (1) letter of reference (please include contact information);

Yes. We understand that recovery from mental health and substance use can be a life long journey and everyone is different. Parents often continue supporting their children into adulthood and we support meaningful family connection that strengthens wellness and recovery.

No. The Parent CPS training teaches participants to skillfully and strategically use their lived experience with raising a child with BH challenges to help others. Parent CPSs are not counselors, caseworkers, or clinicians.

There is no cost to candidates who are accepted into the training. However, candidates are responsible for their own travel expenses.

The Parent Certified Peer Specialist training is 5 consecutive days.

Yes. Every candidate is required to take and pass a test to get certified

If you answered YES to (15) or more questions, you may be ready to participate in the peer specialist training at this time.

• You have strong communication skills.
  You have strong problem-solving skills.
• You have strong writing skills.
  You have strong listening skills.
• You have navigated the Georgia behavioral health system of care without formal training.
• You can find services for your own family.
  You support others taking the lead in their own decisions.
• You have the desire to support other parents raising children living with mental health and substance use challenges without judgment.
• You have accepted all parts of their own personal story and can use both the successes, failures and challenges with raising a child and accessing services as a tool for helping others.
• You have the ability to help your own family in crisis.
• You have the ability to manage your own personal bias.
• You have the ability to meet people where they are in their journey.
• Readily communicate that there are many pathways to wellness and recovery.
• You can easily identify strengths in others.
• You have compassion and appreciation for the unique stories that other families bring.
• You desire to become a part of the behavioral health service system.
• You can find appropriate resources and build professional and community partnerships to assist families in building natural supports.
• You value helping other parents increase their knowledge of mental health.
• You can advocate to inform the system beyond your own story to inform system change for the benefit of other families and children.

No. Receiving the Parent Peer Specialist certification does not guarantee a job. Individuals are required to seek employment independently.

Opportunities for employment may be available at any of the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities DBHDD, Child & Adolescent provider organizations i.e. Community Service Boards (CSB), Family Support Organizations (FSO)

No. We do not drug test for the training. However, most employers require a criminal background and random drug testing.

1. Download and complete the CPS-Y application.
2. provide two letters of recommendation.
3. Email completed application and letters of recommendation to: cps-p@gpsn.org