Overview of Course/Training Scholarship
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, specifically the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services (DMH/DD/SUS), recognizes the invaluable contributions individuals with lived experience of serious mental illness and substance use disorders bring to the state's prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Peer Support Specialists, individuals with firsthand experience with recovery from these conditions, play a vital role in supporting and guiding others facing similar challenges.
As part of their commitment to fostering peer support services, the DMH/DD/SUS is providing funds to facilitate the training and certification of Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS). This entails developing and implementing a process to offer scholarships to individuals interested in becoming CPSS. These scholarships will provide financial assistance for the required training for certification.
To execute this project, the DMH/DD/SUS and Behavioral Health Springboard (BHS) will collaborate with Approved Course owners to provide the required training for CPSS certification. Through contractual agreements with the course owners, BHS will ensure the effective implementation of the scholarship program, enabling individuals to access the training they need to become Certified Peer Support Specialists.
This initiative reflects the state's commitment to empowering individuals in recovery and leveraging their experiences to enhance support services for others navigating similar journeys. By investing in the training and certification of CPSS, North Carolina aims to strengthen its peer support network and improve outcomes for individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders across the state.