Comprehensive Health and Family Services System

We provide the listed below board certification training:

(1)  Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) 
(2) Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) or (VMHPS) Veteran Mental Health Peer Specialist

(3) Whole Health Coaching
(4) Certified Family Partner (CFP)

(5) Certified Family Partner (CFP )Supervisor Training
(6) Juvenile Justice (Endorsement Training)
(7) Special Education (Endorsement Training)
(8) Wraparound Process (Endorsement Training)
 

(1) Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) 
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Have lived experience with a mental health condition, substance use issue, or both
• Have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma
• Be willing to appropriately share your recovery story
• Be able to demonstrate current self-directed recovery
• Pass criminal history and registry checks (link when live) Next Steps Once you finish reviewing this information, complete the self-assessment below, and sign the acknowledgement, you will be able to apply for the Core training described in Step 2 above. Self-Assessment
• To become a peer specialist must complete a training program and pass written exams. Peer specialists have the opportunity to be aware of and openly share what they have learned in the recovery process.
• How have you handled disclosing to other people that you have faced behavioral health challenges?
• What has helped you move from where you were to where you are now? What did you do? What did others do?
• What have you learned about yourself in your recovery?
• What strengths have you have developed?
• What do you do on a regular basis to help yourself feel well?
• What are some of the beliefs and values you have or have developed that help strengthen and support your recovery?
• How has facing individual challenges impacted your life?
• How might you handle sitting in another’s discomfort?
• What part does a sense of hope or resiliency play in your life and your recovery?
• What are some words you would use to describe this?
• How have you dealt with difficult setbacks?
• • I am willing to disclose to my colleagues and peers that I have struggled with behavioral health challenges. I understand that in doing so, I help educate others about the reality of recovery.
• I have the time needed to participate in a challenging course of study.
• I have taken and completed formal schooling, adult education classes, have a GED or high school diploma.
• I am able to travel away from my home for multi-day trainings.
• I feel ready to be involved in a class that requires active participation.
• I am able to participate in a full 8-hour training day
• I am able to discuss my own recovery story and experience with others
• I can listen to others’ stories and feel empathy for their experience, even when it parallels painful experiences from my past.
• I can arrange for my own transportation needs. Agreement with these statements does not necessarily predict program completion, but they can help you make the decision about whether you are ready for training now.

(2) Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) or Veteran Mental Health Peer Specialist (VMHPS)
Steps for peers to become certified to bill Medicaid South Carolina Peer Specialist Certification has implemented a new peer support benefit for the state Medicaid Program. There is a specific training and certification process that must be followed for peers to be eligible to bill Medicaid. Once certified, individuals will have the credential of “Mental Health Peer Specialist” (MHPS) this credential does not mean a peer is a clinician, rather than the designation of Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS). SC SHARE peer specialist training will be eligible to apply for this new certification.

Steps below:

The following is a summary of the steps for this new training and certification process. You must compete each step, in order, to be eligible for certification.

(1) Review the online orientation materials below and complete the self-assessment. You must acknowledge at the end that you have reviewed the materials. This will enable you to apply for training on the Core Principles of Peer Support (“Core” training).

(2) Apply and take the Core training. Complete the application and submit along with payment by credit card. Application for the Core training is not a competitive process; all eligible applicants are accepted. The current fee is $125 (no refunds). The Core training is a 6-7 hour, facilitated and interactive webinar. You must register at least one week prior to the next scheduled training. Once your application and payment are received by SC Peer Specialist Certification Board you will be sent an email with instructions for logging onto the training. At the end of the Core training is a short knowledge assessment. Once you complete and pass the knowledge assessment you will be able to apply for supplemental training.

(3) Apply for the supplemental training in either mental health or substance use peer support. The training to become an MHPS (Mental Health Peer Specialist) or VMHPS (Veterans Mental Health Peer Specialist) are both a competitive process. If you are accepted, you will be sent an invoice for payment by credit card and information about the training. The current registration fee is $150.00. The supplemental training is a five day, 40 hour, classroom style training held in various cities around the state. Refer to our training calendar for details. At the end of the supplemental training, you will get an email with a link to take an online knowledge assessment. Once you complete and pass the knowledge assessment you will receive instructions for downloading and printing a confirmation that you have successfully completed all the steps in the training process. You will need this document to apply for certification.

Mental Health Peer Specialist Certification Program Competencies
During our 2 week course, participants will learn the following additional competencies:
• Practical assessment skills and basic knowledge of mental health and substance use disorders
• Supporting skills to assist a consumer to develop skills identified in the approved Individual Recovery Plan
• Documentation of services provided including preparation of progress notes
• Computer skills
• Unique role of the peer, using self as a therapeutic presence
• Ethics and professionalism
• Recovery and Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) or similar planning
• Advocacy skills, and
• Cultural competency and sensitivity

​

(3) Whole Health Coaching

What is Whole Health Coaching?

Whole Health Coaching is a service designed to improve health and wellness. It is a variation of integrative health coaching and is being used in Veterans Health Administration medical centers. 

 

What is whole health?

Whole Health, also known as “Personalized, Proactive, Patient-driven Care,” is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and to live their life to the fullest.

 

The training is designed for peer specialists who agree to: 

•    Create and work toward a whole health and resiliency goal
•    Provide peer support to reach his/her whole health and resiliency goal
•    Facilitate or participate in an 8-week whole health and resiliency peer group

(4) Certified Family Partner Program
A Certified Family Partner (CFP) is a parent or guardian who has lived experience raising a child with mental, emotional or behavioral health challenges and who has at least one year successfully navigating a child serving system.
The Certified Family Partner is trained to use this experience to help other parents/guardians for the purpose of educating, role modeling and providing hope related to the recovery process.

Currently, most Certified Family Partners work in community mental health centers, although there are a growing number in private and public hospitals, residential treatment centers, juvenile justice centers, and other settings. Family partners work to give voice to, and promote recovery and resiliency within, families of children with mental, emotional and behavioral health challenges. They work to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health in schools, faith communities, state agencies and communities.
 

How to Be Trained:

To obtain certification as a Certified Family Partner (CFP) one must complete an intensive 4-day training followed by an exam that assesses competency skills needed by successful family partners. The training is offered at least twice a year. At this time, only English language courses are available; however, we are exploring options to offer Spanish language training and materials. Further information on the training view CFP training application.

The curriculum was originally developed by stakeholders and based on resources from several other states. The material is undergoing revision to include updates and ensure that the training is trauma informed.
Once certified, family partners must earn at least 20 CEUs every two years to maintain their certification.

The program is administered according to the policies in the Certified Family Partner Policy and Procedures Manual.
SCPCB also offers a one-day course for CFP supervisor that is highly recommended.

(5) Certified Family Partner (CFP) Supervisor Training
This unique one-day training introduces current and prospective supervisors of Certified Family Partners (CFPs) to the value of this vital profession, the core competencies CFPs are trained in, their Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and especially the services they provide.
Family partner support services provided by Certified Family Partners significantly increases engagement and hope for the families served. Family partner support services are an invaluable adjunct to clinical services.
 

Also covered in this training is information about:
• What appropriate supervision of CFPs includes,
• How to plan supervision for a highly mobile workforce that spends much of its time in the field,
• Special considerations in supervising newer family partners, and
• Key areas to focus on for successful supervision of family partners.
 

Reciprocity

Family partners who have taken certification training in another state or who have passed the national certification exam administered by the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health may apply for a certification through SCPSCB. If it is determined that the other training and certification is comparable to that provided by SCPSCB, the individual will be certified for the lesser of 1) their certification period from the other state, or 2) twenty-four months. The individual must meet the same requirements as other Certified Family Partners to be eligible to be recertified.
 

(6) Juvenile Justice (Endorsement Training)
The Juvenile Justice Endorsement training is a two-day training provided to Certified Family Partners providing support to families whose youth are involved or at risk of being involved with the Juvenile Justice system.

The training explores prevention and early identification strategies for CFPs to utilize with the families they serve, and provides a better understanding of the complex juvenile justice process.
Each participant receives tools to help guide their families along the continuum of services in the SC Department of Juvenile Justice System.

The training examines the impact of Juvenile Justice involvement on the family and how the CFP can support them in developing a partnership with those involved with their youth.

The training provides participants with the opportunity to have their questions answered by a Statewide subject matter experts in the field of juvenile justice. The training will provide 12 CEUs.
 

(7) Special Education (Endorsement Training)
Three-day training to assist the Certified Family Partner in understanding how to assist a family who may find their child/youth struggling in school. This training explores the rights and responsibilities of parents/guardians, a comparison of the education laws as they pertain to accommodations and special education, and how to assist the parents/guardians in writing the appropriate requests to a school or district.
The training provides an understanding of the tiered instruction approach used in South Carolina, examining Response to Intervention, Section 504 and IDEA. The CFP will gain an understanding of the qualifying disabilities for Special Education, and the development of an Individualized Education Plan, as well as, providing tools to assist families to appropriately advocate for their child’s successful education. The participant will receive 15 CEU credits.
 

(8) Wraparound Process (Endorsement Training)
Two-day training which provides a comprehensive understanding on the role of the CFP with a family engaged in the wraparound process to gain successful outcomes for their youth and family.
The Wraparound endorsement training for Certified Family Partners (CFPs) is a two-day training which provides a comprehensive understanding on the role of the CFP with a family engaged in the wraparound process. The training covers wraparound both within and outside the Youth Empowerment Services (YES) waiver program. Because it was developed specifically to address the role of the CFP in the Wraparound process, it covers some different information than what is covered in the National Wraparound Institute training.

This training is interactive, covering the principles and values of wraparound, the specific role of the Certified Family Partner with the family and as part of the treatment team, specifically looking at how the CFP can effectively participate and assist the family, and explores the components of each of the four phases of wraparound with a checklist of CFP responsibilities to assist the family through each phase.

The training provides opportunities to explore actual family scenarios using the wraparound process. The CFP will gain skills in assisting the family to understand how to identify and use their strengths toward successful outcomes. This includes coaching tips to encourage the family to use their voice to make informed choices, drive the process and their plan; as well as, step-by step tools to use with the family to assist the process.
Participants receive 12 CEU credits.

​

​

​

​

​

​