Peer Specialist Empower Peers To Be Well On Their Journey Of Wellness & Recovery.

Certified Peer Specialist and Certified Parent Peer Specialist trainings are currently free of charge for participants. The state-approved, competency-based certification exam, run through UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education, costs $50 to complete. The recertification cost is also $50 every two years. These $50 exam registration and recertification fees are the only costs associated with this initiative.

A CPS is a professional who utilizes their own recovery journey from mental health and/or substance use challenges to support others. They are formally trained and certified, demonstrating that recovery is possible and providing peer support in various settings.

The training coordinated by the Wisconsin Peer Specialist Employment Initiative covers both mental health and substance use lived experiences, integrating state-approved curricula for Certified Peer Specialists (CPS) and Certified Parent Peer Specialists (CPPS). Each training consists of 52 hours, covering topics such as principles of strengths-based recovery, ethics and boundaries, communication strategies, trauma-informed care, and navigating crises, among others. These sessions are designed to equip participants with comprehensive skills and knowledge for effective peer support.

All Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) trainings are now conducted online, using the Zoom platform for interactive participation and engagement. Sessions are facilitated by two state-approved trainers, each bringing their own lived experience—one with a focus on mental health and the other on substance use challenges. This ensures a comprehensive educational experience that addresses various aspects of peer support. The training schedules are designed with a focus on accessibility and participant convenience.

The Wisconsin Peer Specialist Employment Initiative (WIPSEI), in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), plays a central role in the training and certification process for CPSs in Wisconsin, ensuring they are well-prepared to offer support based on their lived experiences.

CPSs are valuable members of recovery and treatment teams, offering peer support, fostering empowering relationships, using their lived experiences to connect and inspire, and advocating for person-centered, recovery-oriented approaches.

They leverage their personal stories of recovery to offer empathy, inspire hope, and support others in navigating their own paths to wellness. This unique perspective enriches their ability to connect and advocate for those they support.

In Milwaukee County, Certified Peer Specialist services are funded by the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program. This voluntary Medicaid program supports residents with mental health and/or substance use diagnoses by offering personalized recovery plans and a variety of wellness services. For details on eligibility and services, visit milwaukee.gov/CCS.

Certified Peer Specialists can anticipate earning between $15 to $24 or more per hour, depending on their experience level, employer, geographic location, and the specific duties of their role. This range reflects the growing recognition of the value of peer support in mental health and substance use recovery services.

Services include facilitating empowering relationships, self-disclosure to deepen connections, providing information on community resources, valuing self-determination, and practicing trauma-informed approaches, among others.

Wisconsin's certification for CPSs is unique in its inclusion of training for supporting individuals with both mental health and substance use challenges, reflecting the state's comprehensive understanding of the overlapping nature of these issues.

They are found in a variety of settings including community mental health programs, state departments, non-profit organizations, and healthcare facilities, playing key roles in supporting mental health and substance use recovery.

This initiative, sponsored by the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, aims to enhance the mental health and substance use support framework by training and deploying peer support specialists in collaboration with local organizations.

The Academy's goals include enhancing access to peer support, empowering individuals through peer connections, building community resilience, and promoting collaboration among health services. Objectives focus on comprehensive training, fostering partnerships, impact measurement, and public awareness to combat stigma.