Designations

Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist (COAPS) Designation

Why COAPS Designation?

The opioid crisis most impacts older adults because they often use prescription opioids to cope with acute pain, such as after surgery or ongoing pain from chronic conditions. Also, alcohol abuse in older people has become more common in the past few decades, and alcohol is now the most abused substance among people over 65. Coupled with these are the stressors brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, which have increased mental health service needs for older adults due to the snowballing effects of social isolation leading to trauma, anxiety, and depression. The COAPS training is critical because:

• Fewer than 50% of older adults with mental and/or substance use disorders receive treatment.
• COAPS are more effective in engaging older adults than traditional professionals.
• COAPS provides hope, empowerment, choices, and social connectedness to older adults that promote mental health recovery in a supportive environment.
• COAPS prepares a peer workforce to meet the health and wellness needs of older adults with behavioral health disorders.
• COAPS strengthens the capacity of the workforce to meet the health and wellness needs of people with behavioral health issues who are aging but whose health is often neglected.
• COAPS improves the quality of life of older adults.

Requirements for COAPS Designation:

• Must be a current CPSS in North Carolina  
• Must be at least 50 years old
• Complete the North Carolina Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist (COAPS) Training through the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS)

For currently Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) interested in the COAPS Designation:

• Submission of a copy of NCCPSS certificate
• Submission of a copy of COAPS training certificate

Maintaining COAPS Designation (Recertification)

• Twelve hours of human service, mental health, and/or substance use training at the time of recertification.
• Eight hours of aging-specific training 

Training

In order to register for the COAPS training, please contact a Certified COAPS trainer.  See trainers and their contact information below.  

For additional information about the COAPS Designation, contact the NCCPSS Program at nccpssprogram@unc.edu or (919) 843-3018.