Who are Peer Support Specialists?
A Peer Support Specialist (PSS) is an individual who is personally living well in recovery from a serious mental illness. A Peer Support Specialist uses their recovery story to instill hope. They provide support to other peers and assist them in reaching and maintaining their personal recovery goals. In addition, a PSS can serve as an advocate, provide information, help access community resources, and model competency in recovery and wellness. Peer Support Specialists promote skills for improving mental and physical wellbeing and increasing resiliency. They promote self-determination and support peers in maintaining relationships and increasing a higher level of control and satisfaction over their lives.
Where do Peer Support Specialists work?
Peer Support Specialists are employed in mental health facilities, social service agencies, peer run recovery centers, peer run respites, integrated health homes, hospitals, prisons, with law enforcement agencies and other healthcare organizations. Peer Support Specialists may also serve on a variety of advisory boards and committees at local, state, and national levels.
Peer Support Specialist Trainings
To be eligible for this training, you must:
- be at least 18 years old,
- have a GED or high school diploma,
- have or had a serious mental illness, and
- be living well in recovery.
If you previously completed the Peer Support Specialist (PSS) or the Peer Recovery Coach (PRC) training in Iowa, you are not eligible for this training. Both peer specialist training and peer recovery coach training can be used to seek certification through the Iowa Board of Certification. For this reason and because of high training demand, it is our policy that you can only take ONE training through IPWC, either PSS or PRC.
PSS Training April 2024
Applications
- Registration for this training is closed.
In-Person Training
- Monday, April 22nd - Friday, April 26th, 2024 (8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Location
- West Des Moines
PSS Training June 2024
Applications
- Applications for PSS June Training will open on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024 at noon. At that time, a link to apply will be posted here.
- At this time, training is needing to be prioritized for currently employed Peer Support Specialists.
In-Person Training
- Monday, June 24th - Friday, June 28th, 2024 (8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Location
- Coralville
PSS Training September 2024
Applications
- Registration details will be posted here soon. Thank you for your patience.
In-Person Training
- Monday, September 23rd - Friday, September 27th, 2024 (8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Location
- Council Bluffs
PSS Training November 2024
Applications
- Registration details will be posted here soon. Thank you for your patience.
In-Person Training
- Monday, November 11th - Friday, November 15th, 2024 (8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Location
- Coralville
Training Details
- History of the Peer Support Movement
- Challenging Stigma
- Five Stages of Recovery
- Role of the Peer Support Specialist
- Strengths & Resilience
- Trauma Informed Care Principles
- Ethics & Boundaries
- Wellness & Self-Care
- Advocacy (individual and system)
- Engagement Skills (active listening, effective use of personal recovery story, navigation of resources, cultural competence)
- Activation & Self-Management Skills (problem solving, goal setting, shared decision-making, action planning for prevention and recovery)
Grounded in adult learning theory, this training:
- Covers competencies for Peer Support Specialists set by Mental Health America and SAMHSA
- Trains to the Iowa Peer Support Specialist Scope of Practice
- Meets quality training standards
- Prepares participants for certification by the Iowa Board of Certification
You must commit to attending the entire training. In-Person Training consists of one week of all day training Monday - Friday.
You must arrange and pay for your own lodging (if applicable). If you are currently employed as a Peer Support Specialist, check with your employer about covering these expenses.
This training is FREE, however, trainees must pay for their own lodging, food and travel costs. If you are currently employed as a Peer Support Specialist, check with your employer about covering these expenses.
You must make arrangements for your own food. You will have an hour during in-person training for lunch. There are many food options near the training sites. Most training locations do not allow outside food to be brought into the venue.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this training, please contact us at 319-467-4288 or 319-467-4296 or email us at iowapeersupporttraining@uiowa.edu.
Peer Support Specialist FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
You must have a high school diploma or GED.
The training will provide you with in-depth knowledge and skills. However, in general the PSS role involves the ability to:
- Model effective coping and self-help techniques.
- Work with individuals from diverse socio economic and cultural backgrounds.
- Attend workplace meetings and complete agency requirements.
- Assist people with finding community and natural supports and teaching them how to utilize these services.
- Advocate for someone’s needs and accompany them to meetings as needed.
- Work as a member of an interdisciplinary team focusing on each persons need for recovery.
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Adhere to confidentiality and understand protected health information.
- Maintain records and provide accurate documentation.
- Use computers ( i.e. Basic computer skills-email, web searches, word processing).
- Ability to maintain a part-time or full-time work schedule.
- Willing to share your own personal story of living with and recovery from a mental illness.
You must be 18 years of age to take Peer Support Specialist training.
When applications are open there will be a link above to click and apply for Peer Support Specialist Training.
- Applications will be screened when the application process closes.
- At this time, Peer Support Specialist training is being prioritized for individuals currently employed as a PSS. Those with a pending employment opportunity will also be considered.
- Training acceptance notifications will be sent via email. Applicants can expect to receive a notification around 4 weeks before the start of training.
For questions, please email us at iowapeersupporttraining@uiowa.edu.
Pathways To Become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
Peer Support Specialist Training
In-person training: 40 hours
+
Ethics training: 6 hours
= 46 hours of training approved by IBC
Peer Recovery Coach Training
Recovery Coach Academy: 30 hours
+
Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaches:16 hours
= 46 hours of training approved by IBC
Iowa Board of Certification Requirements
Application
+
Hours
+
Supervision hours
+
Exam
Peer Recovery Specialist
Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) Requirements
Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) certification is administered by the Iowa Board of Certification (IBC). For detailed information, please refer to the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) Handbook and PRS Application at https://iowabc.org/credentials/mhpss/. If you have questions about certification, contact the IBC office at 515-965-5509 or email info@iowabc.org.
Application For Certification
- Applications should be submitted to IBC with a non-refundable fee. To apply, go to the IBC website at https://iowabc.org/credentials/mhpss/, and click on the "PRS Application."
Experience and Supervision Requirements
- A minimum of 500 hours of work/practicum/volunteer experience.
- A minimum of 25 hours of face-to-face supervision.
Questions? Contact the IBC office at 515-965-5509 or email info@iowabc.org.