What's New

Program Updates July 1, 2023

NCCPSS UPDATED PROGRAM FORMS

The NCCPSS Program Updated the following forms:

  • Certification Application Forms
  • Recertification Application Form (check the new reference letter requirements)
  • Reference Form

The new forms will become effective July 1st for online and mail applications.

Pause Lifted for New Course Submissions September 2023

The Department of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services with the support of University of North Carolina School of Social Work Behavioral Health Springboard will be re-opening new course certifications for the full 50-hour training for North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist Certification. Courses can be submitted for certification beginning on September 1, 2023 and ending on September 7, 2023. Please see course submission policies and procedures here.

NC 'One Community in Recovery' Conference 3/1-3/2023

The planning committee for the NC “One Community in Recovery” Conference is excited to announce the dates for our 14th annual program. The conference will be held in person at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Greensboro-Airport from March 1-3, 2023. 

For more information, please check this page: https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/onecommunity 
 

July 2021 - NCCPSS Online Application for Certification and Recertification

In response to the COVID-19 challenges and to reduce problems generally associated with the mail system, the NCCPSS Program developed an online application process as an alternative to the mail application. Therefore, the Program would like to inform you of a NEW Online Application for certification and recertification from the PSS Website.

New Policies Effective July 1st, 2020

New Policies

The North Carolina’s Certified Peer Support Specialist (NCCPSS) Program is working on strategies to enhance the quality of the CPSS workforce, and these strategies include introducing new policies that address some gaps in the certification process. Therefore starting July 1st, 2020, the NCCPSS Program will implement two new policies that will affect certification and recertification. All applications postmarked June 30th, 2020, will be subject to these new policies.

Application Processing Update 5/11/2020

The NC Certified Peer Support Specialist program resumed the processing of applications effective May 11, 2020. Applications for certification can be mailed to the address on the application form. Please note that processing time will be longer as a result of the limited access to the office and the likely influx of applications.

All Certified Peer Support Specialists that have a renewal date in March and April are encouraged to submit their recertification by May 31st.

COVID Update:

Peer Support Specialist Certification Program and COVID-19 UPDATE

Lateset Update 5/12/2020

For updates on the NC State guidelines on COVID-19, please visit:
https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/guidance#behavioral-health

 

Updated 3/31/2020

Dear North Carolina Peer Support Specialist community,

DHHS Suspends Implementation of Managed Care

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced that because the NC General Assembly did not take needed action, managed care implementation and open enrollment for NC Medicaid must be suspended. The General Assembly adjourned last week without providing required new spending and program authority for the transition to managed care. Managed care will not go live on Feb. 1, 2020.

Please read the full story at:
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/legislators-adjourn-without-taking-actions-required-medicaid-managed-care-dhhs

Peer Support Certification Training Curriculum Pause 10/2019

The Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services (DMH/DD/SAS), in consultation with Behavioral Health Springboard (BHS) at the UNC School of Social Work and key stakeholders from the peer workforce, will institute a pause on the review and approval of new Peer Support Training curricula effective October 8, 2019.

NCDHHS Extends Open Enrollment for Medicaid Beneficiaries, Announces Statewide Move to Managed Care in February

September 3, 2019

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced today that it will extend open enrollment for Medicaid beneficiaries and move to a statewide transition to managed care on February 1, 2020.

DHHS shared the following announcement:

Application and Website Updates 05-2019

Application Updates

New Certification and Recertification application forms have been updated. Applicants will want to review the updated Code of Ethics section for new code elements. You will find the downloadables on their respective pages at the usual buttons and links.

Site Update

The Contact Us page, under our About page has been updated with a new message category to include "Complaints" in that drop-down field.    

New processes, application forms, and course developer requirements are now in place

Certification and Recertification forms have now been updated on the site. The forms reflect the recent changes and are no longer a zip package but a single, fill-able PDF form file. Much easier to download, open and complete!

Current Peer Support Specialists can now request a new certificate and wallet sized certificate for lost certificates or name changes. Visit the Request Certificate page found under the main Certification tab near the top.

Changes to the PSS Program Coming in July

Change imageThe North Carolina Peer Support Specialist Program is undergoing some changes. These changes will affect the application, recertification, and the course development and submission processes. Please take note of the changes outlined on this flyer and the effective date of July 2, 2018. Any mail post marked June 30, 2018 will be subject to these new changes.The North Carolina Peer Support Specialist Program is undergoing some changes. These changes will affect the application, recertification, and the course development and submission processes. Please take note of the changes outlined on this flyer and the effective date of July 2, 2018.

Any mail post marked June 30, 2018 will be subject to these new changes.

Changes include:

  1. Certification / Recertification application fee will be $20.00
  2. Introducing a new wallet size card (to be added to certificates).
  3. Request for lost certificate or wallet size card will cost $5.00
  4. New application forms will be available on website
  5. Course submission fee is $800.00 per course
  6. New course submission protocol and forms will be available on PSS website
  7. NCCPSS 40 hour courses for approval will only be accepted 1-7 April and 1-7 October every year.
  8. Courses not approved within one year of submission will require resubmission with the required fees (see # 5)

 

Hold on New Course Submissions

The NC Certified Peer Support Specialist (NCCPSS) program will be making changes to the course submission and review process to go into effect in July, 2018. As a result of these upcoming changes, the Behavioral Health Springboard (BHS) will not be accepting new courses for review, effective immediately.

Recertification Application Changes on 04/2017

  • Effective April 1, 2017 Recertification Applications and necessary forms will no longer be mailed out prior to recertification dates. Emails will be sent as a reminder with the recertification forms attached 60-90 days prior to your recertification.
     
  • If you do not have an email on file, recertification forms will be sent to your mailing address that is on file. You can complete the forms either electronically or by hand. Once forms are compete, print if you haven’t and mail all requested documents to the Peer Support Registry.
     

New Military Designation Section

A section dedicated to the new NC CPSS military designation has been added to the site. This area will handle the specific requirements and resources for this new designation. You will find the basic eligibility requirements and additional steps needed in this site section. Also there is a page dedicated to the recertification process that will hold military specific training websites and resources. Please explore the new section!

 

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North Carolina Peer Support Specialist Certification Military Service

The NC Peer Support Specialist Certification Program is pleased to announce the rollout of a new special designation option for NCCPSS who are active or veteran Military Service Members, effective immediately. 

Eligibility

North Carolina has created a designation for CPSS with the name “Military Service Member” for those with active status and “Veteran Service Member” for those with previous service.  Eligibility requirements for this designation include:

  • Meeting requirements for PSS certification
  • Having current or previous military service

Process

For current NCCPSS that want to add designation:

  • Submission of a copy of a DD 214 form or Military ID
  • Completion of 8 hours online training from courses listed on website (see link  below)

For New Applicants interested in NCCPSS & Military Designation:

  • Submission of a copy of a DD 214 form or Military ID
  • Competition of 8 hours of online military specific training from courses listed on the website (see link below) in addition to the 20 hours (human service, mental health, and/or substance use training) needed for certification (total of 28 hours). Military training can be found here: http://www.aheconnect.com/citizensoldier/courses.asp
  • Submission of NCCPSS certification application & necessary documents
     

Maintaining Designation (Recertification)

 

Please send any additional questions or comments to:  pss-support@listserv.unc.edu 

 

New NC Peer Support Specialist Certification Program Website

phoneWelcome to the new North Carolina Peer Support Specialist Certification Program website! We hope you will find the organization of the site much more intuitive and manageable for both new visitors and our regular job and training posters. The site was developed with input and feedback from NC peers to reach some core goals:

  1. The new site would make a much stronger emphasis on the Peer Support Specialist Certification Program and less so on Behavioral Health Springboard.
  2. Information would be better organized and shaped by survey data and Google Analytics data.
  3. Visually, the site would be easier to consume and the most frequently visited areas would be brought forward to the front page (certification, training, jobs).
  4. The site would use contemporary technology and be accessible on mobile devices; check it out on your phone or tablet!

Please take some time and explore the site using the new menu bar near the top. You will quickly find information on NC PSS certification process, upcoming training opportunities, and the latest job posting around the state. Also be sure to click on our new info-graphics that illustrate and help simplify the steps to becoming a certified Peer Support Specialist all on a single page. Thanks to all the peers who contributed through survey responses, ideas and early testing!

NCCPSS Code of Ethics

Applicants submitting either their certification or recertification application will now be required to include in your packet a signed and dated copy of The North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist Code of Ethics. Applications will not be processed until all documents are correctly submitted postmarked after July 31, 2015.