Peer
Specialist Training and Technical Assistance Initiative
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) announced
the availability of training and technical assistance for a peer specialist
initiative. OMHSAS received a three-year grant from the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS) to pilot a peer specialist initiative. Pilot counties
received training and technical assistance to implement peer support services.
In 2006, OMHSAS conducted four regional training programs for peer specialists,
supervisors, and county representatives. OMHSAS now seeks to provide assistance
to counties that have had few peers trained to date. Other counties will be
considered, but preference will be given to underserved areas.
Beginning July 1, Recovery Innovations of Arizona and the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania will both be available to provide training. The focused training and technical assistance initiative will be available in six to eight areas statewide. Counties are encouraged to partner with contiguous counties to apply for participation. Single county or county joinder applications will not be accepted. It is anticipated that this will be the last peer specialist and supervisory training that will be funded by OMHSAS. Twenty individuals from each area will receive 10 days of peer specialist training. Up to 20 persons per area will receive the two-day supervisory training. Applications must be postmarked by July 13. Awards will be made on July 31. Between August – October counties and providers will receive technical assistance to prepare for the peer specialist program. Training will be provided September – December. Successful applicants must meet the selection criteria and requirements described in the OMHSAS peer initiative announcement. The announcement, including the application form that is to be submitted only by county mental health/mental retardation (MH/MR) offices, is available from the link. Interested providers are encouraged to contact their county MH/MR offices to discuss the initiative.
Peer
Support Services Technical Assistance Sessions
OMHSAS will sponsor three technical assistance sessions for county MH/MR offices,
providers, managed care organizations, and interested individuals on peer
support services. The sessions are free, but lodging is the responsibility
of attendees. These programs will focus on Medical Assistance Bulletin
08-07-09 et al. Peer Support Services as well as service descriptions,
billing and enrollment including insights from the Bureau of Program Integrity,
and discussion of peer support from the peer specialist and provider perspectives.
The sessions will be held July 9 in Bethlehem, July 10 in Harrisburg, and
July 24 in Pittsburgh. The flyer, agenda,
and registration information are available from the link.
