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    Peer Support Program

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    Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health

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    Peer Support Program

    Support, mentoring, education and advocacy

    Peer Support can make all the difference in the fight against addiction and mental health challenges.

    Peer Recovery Specialists understand what it’s like to experience mental illness, addiction, co-occurring conditions—AND recovery—because they’ve lived through it. These specially trained professionals support others going through life challenges similar to ones they once experienced themselves. They use what they’ve learned to help people develop the skills and connect with resources needed to live independent and productive lives in the community. And they do it all with a high standard of professionalism and ethics.

    Certified Peer Recovery Specialists provide a range of services across the behavioral healthcare system in Delaware, both as employees and volunteers.  Some of those settings include:

    • Assertive Community Treatment Teams
    • Peer Resource Centers
    • Detox Programs
    • Emergency Departments
    • Intensive Care Management Teams
    • Group Homes
    • Inpatient/treatment facilities
    • Veterans Administration Programs
    • Intensive Outpatient Programs
    • Mental Health Court
    • PROMISE Access Centers

    There are many places to begin the process on your own, but the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) Peer Services team is ready to answer questions and guide you through the process. Once you begin getting experience providing peer support, you will be on your way to certification. After a few months of volunteering or working, you will be eligible for Delaware Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training.

    Here are some options to get you started:

    • Attend a “Peer 101” training to learn more about peer support and gain basic skills needed to begin volunteering or working as a peer.
    • Contact local behavioral health providers, peer resource centers, or behavioral health advocacy organizations about volunteer opportunities.
    • Apply for work as a Peer Recovery Specialist at a program that employs peers.
    • If you are currently working with a Peer Recovery Specialist, talk with them about their experience and the resources available.
    • If eligible, work with an employment specialist or the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation to obtain job training and placement assistance.

    To become a certified Peer Recovery Specialist, you must complete the Delaware Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training Application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

    You must:

    • Be at least 18 years of age
    • Have a high school diploma or GED
    • Have direct personal experience living with mental illness and/or addiction and recovery.
    • Be willing to self-disclose (openly talk about) your lived experience for education, role modeling, and providing hope to others about the reality of recovery.
    • Have at least 3 months of experience and be currently working or volunteering under supervision in a peer role.

    There is no cost to participate in training to become a Peer Recovery Specialist.

    • Peer 101: A two-day introduction to the roles & responsibilities of a Peer Recovery Specialist in Delaware; offered monthly.
    • Supervising Peer Recovery Specialists: A one-day training for those supervising Peer Recovery Specialists; offered quarterly.
    •  Continuing Education Units (CEUs): A variety of workshops tailored for Peer Recovery Specialists for recertification and professional development; offered monthly.
    • Certified Peer Support Specialist Training: An advanced nine-day training for Peer Recovery Specialists preparing for certification in the state of Delaware; offered twice a year.
    • Specialty Training: Peer Services will gladly develop and provide specific training designed to meet your needs upon request.

    As a Peer Recovery Specialist, you’ll have access to:

    • Peer Networking Call: A monthly peer networking bridge line (exclusively for Peer Recovery Specialists in Delaware) to connect with other Peer Recovery Specialists to discuss any topics or issues they encounter in the workplace; third Thursday of each month 
    • Facebook: A closed Facebook group featuring upcoming events, announcement, and community interest stories.
    • Listserv: upcoming events, training announcements, peer support news
    • Technical Assistance: Peer-related support and guidance, including program development, employment, and supervision

    Call today! (302) 654-6833 or email: Peereducation@mhainde.org.