We are happy to announce an online Certified Peer Specialist training coming in November of 2021!

This online (Zoom-based) Certified Peer Specialist training is privately-funded by Wisconsin Community Services (WCS) and organized by Access To Independence.

 

Training dates: November 4th-5th (Thurs.-Fri.), 8th-9th (Mon.-Tues.), 11th-12th (Thurs.-Fri.), 15th-16th (Mon.-Tues.), 18th-19th (Thurs.-Fri.) 22nd-23rd (Mon.-Tues.) 2021.

Hours: 4:30pm-8:30pm CT

Trainers: Marguerit Galindo & Michelle Laga

Training serves: Residents of Milwaukee and Waukesha counties

Training cost: Free for participants

 

When to Apply (and Deadlines/Closing)

A button will appear below this section with the words “Click Here to Apply” at the time applications open. Click that button to access the application form for this training.

Applications Open: 12pm (noon) on Thursday, September 9th, 2021

Application Deadline: 12pm (noon) on Thursday, October 7th, 2021

 

Possible Early Closing of Applications:

A maximum of 50 applications will be considered. If 50 applications are received prior to the application deadline (see above), the application form will automatically close and no additional applications will be received.

 

Determining Eligibility and Fit

The following are required to be eligible to apply for this CPS training:

  • Must self-identify as having navigated personal lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges
  • Must reside in Milwaukee or Waukesha counties
  • Must have at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent
  • Must be 18 years of age or older

14-18 participants will be selected for this training. To be considered for selection, you must meet the basic eligibility requirements above, submit an application form, and complete an interview. There is no training registration cost for participants.

Applying for this or any CPS training does not guarantee selection as a participant.

Applications received are reviewed by trainers in full, and a variety of criteria may determine whether an applicant is asked to interview and possibly participate in a training. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Whether or not the applicant meets the basic eligibility requirements to become a Certified Peer Specialist (18 or older, possesses either a high school diploma or GED, is a Wisconsin resident, has first-hand, personal lived experience navigating mental health or substance use)
  • Whether or not the applicant meets secondary eligibility requirements that are training-specific (belongs to the county, tribe, region, and/or community served by the particular training)
  • Whether or not the applicant is seeking employment or is already employed in a peer support position and/or a supervisory role to CPS (trainings are intended to serve workforce development efforts as part of an employment initiative)
  • Whether or not the applicant is a community member looking to use their personal experiences to support others towards recovery/wellness/meaningful living
  • How well the applicant is able to demonstrate an understanding of recovery principles, especially in such a way that supports self-determination of people with lived experience
  • Whether or not the applicant has experience offering peer support in a professional or personal setting

Because this training is the pre-requisite to registering for the state-approved CPS exam, and a pathway to working in a professional peer support role, applications demonstrating the following may not be given priority in the application review process:

  • Applicants seeking this certification simply as a resume booster
  • Applicants looking to obtain the certification but not go on to work in the role of a CPS or CPS supervisor
  • Applicants looking to use this training as the “next step in their recovery”
  • Applicants who show they do not support many pathways to recovery
  • Applicants only seeking certification in order to bill as a CPS while providing non-CPS services

 

Considerations

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the role of a Certified Peer Specialist before applying. Click here to learn more about the role and work of a Certified Peer Specialist.

 

Filling Out and Submitting the Online Application

First, we highly recommend filling out and submitting the online training application form using a desktop computer or tablet and not a smart phone.

It is important that you answer all required questions  (marked with an asterisk) on the online training application form. There are also formatting requirements in regards to dates and other fields (such as email address). If required fields are not answered in the application form or the fields are entered incorrectly, it will register as an error and your application will not be submitted to us when you press the “submit” button.

This is what happens if you try to submit an application with errors:

  • Applicant presses “submit” button
  • Instead of being redirected to the “application submission page,” the training application form page reloads
  • This page now contains language telling the hopeful applicant that some fields were entered incorrectly (applicant may need to scroll down to see this)
  • Incorrectly filled out or missing fields are highlighted in red
  • Applicant should fix errors and resubmit
  • Upon successfully addressing errors, the application submission page with a timestamp will appear (we recommend you print or save a print screen of this page when it appears) and a copy of the application will be sent to the applicant’s email address they provided alongside an outline of next steps

Please note: If the application form or event page page reloads instead of the “application submission page,” there is something wrong with your application, and you will need to follow the instructions to address any errors.

 

What to Expect After Applying

Once the application deadline has passed or 50 applications are received (whichever is sooner), trainers will be sent applications to review, contact up to 25 applicants out of the total applicant pool for virtual interviews, and then select a final cohort of training participants after conducting virtual interviews. Though a maximum of 25 people will be contacted for interviews, everyone can expect to hear back about the final decision in regard to their application.

Please know that it may take some time for participant selection to be finalized, and we ask for your patience. Final selection decisions for this training may not be made until October 21st, 2021 (two weeks prior to the training start-date).

We are happy to announce an online Certified Peer Specialist training coming in August and September of 2021!

This U.S. Military Veterans community-specific training is the fifth in a series of various community-specific Certified Peer Specialist trainings this year.

A note on this community-specific training:
This CPS training is for those who have served any amount of time as a US military servicemember regardless of one’s character of discharge. Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria to apply as outlined below under “Determining Eligibility and Fit.”

Training dates: August 30thSeptember 3rd (Mon.Fri), 8th10th (Wed.Fri), 13th14 (MonTues.), 17th (Fri.), 22nd (Wed.) (5pm-9pm all days)

Trainers: Oliver Johnson & Tanya Kraege

Determining Eligibility and Fit

The following are required to be eligible to apply to this CPS training:

  • Must have served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces
  • Must self-identify as having navigated personal lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges
  • Must reside in any Wisconsin county (this training is open statewide to U.S. military veterans regardless of character of discharge)
  • Must have at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent
  • Must be 18 years of age or older

14-18 participants will be selected for this training. To be considered for selection, you must meet the basic eligibility requirements above, submit an application form, and complete an interview. There is no training registration cost for participants.

Considerations

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the role of a Certified Peer Specialist before applying. Click here to learn more about the role and work of a Certified Peer Specialist.

 

When to Apply (and Deadlines/Closing)

A button will appear below this section with the words “Click Here to Apply” at the time applications open. Click that button to access the application form for this training.

Applications Open: 12pm (noon) on Monday, July 5th, 2021

Application Deadline: 12pm (noon) on Monday, August 2nd, 2021

 

Possible Early Closing of Applications:

A maximum of 50 applications will be considered. If 50 applications are received prior to the application deadline (see above), the application form will automatically close and no additional applications will be received.

 

Apply to become a Certified Peer Specialist Trainer in Wisconsin!

In August 2021, the Division of Care and Treatment Services (DCTS) and staff at Access to Independence working on the Wisconsin Peer Specialist Employment Initiative will be holding an online Certified Peer Specialist Training of the Trainer (CPS ToT) with a focus on members of marginalized communities.

Training dates: August 16th-18th and 23rd-25th

Hours: 9am-4pm CDT (there will be breaks and 45 minutes for lunch as part of this structure)

Trainers: Brittyn Calyx, Tara Wilhelmi, and Vic Welle

 

What are Certified Peer Specialist Trainers?

Certified Peer Specialist Trainers are Certified Peer Specialists (CPS) who go on to co-facilitate the 48-hour CPS curriculum used in Wisconsin. They are CPS with skill and experience in both the role of a CPS and adult education and group facilitation who have successfully completed the Certified Peer Specialist Training of the Trainer. They are not employees of DCTS or Access to Independence and are currently paid at a rate of $35 an hour for the prep work and facilitation of CPS trainings they contract to co-facilitate.

 

Determining Eligibility and Fit

The following are required to be eligible to apply to this CPS ToT:

  • Must be a Certified Peer Specialist with active Wisconsin certification or attain certification as a peer specialist in Wisconsin by July 28th, 2021
  • Must reside in any Wisconsin county
  • Must identify as a member of a marginalized community
  • Must be willing and able to facilitate a minimum of 2 CPS trainings per year
  • Must be able to facilitate online trainings and arrange for travel for facilitation of in-person trainings

It is anticipated that 8-12 participants will be selected for this training. To be considered for selection, you must meet the basic eligibility requirements above, submit an application form, and complete a virtual interview. There is no training registration cost for participants.

 

What are Marginalized Communities?

Marginalized communities are those excluded from mainstream social, economic, educational, and/or cultural life. Examples of marginalized populations include, but are not limited to, groups excluded due to race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, language, and/or immigration status. Marginalization occurs due to unequal power relationships between social groups. It can also take the form of systemic oppression when it is driven by institutions of the society, including education systems, health care systems, justice systems, housing systems, and financial systems, through laws, customs, or practices.

 

Desired skills and experience in applicants:

  • Demonstrated skill and experience in supporting adult education, community building, group facilitation, effective communication, and skill development
  • Experience in supporting equity, accessibility, and inclusion in communities, programs, training spaces, or workplaces
  • Clear understanding of and experience related to the role of a Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist and peer support principles and frameworks
  • Experience with online meeting platform facilitation for events (especially Zoom)
  • Bilingual or multilingual fluency a plus, especially in English/Spanish, English/Hmong, English/Indigenous languages spoken by Wisconsin Tribal Nations, English/ASL

 

Reasonable Accommodations and Accessibility Support

If you require reasonable accommodations due to disability, technology assistance, or language accessibility supports for applying or participating in this CPS ToT if selected, please reach out to Brittyn Calyx, Peer Specialist Program Communications Assistant at brittync@accesstoind.org or (608) 416-3033.

 

When to Apply (and Deadlines/Closing)

A button will appear below this section with the words “Click Here to Apply” at the time applications open. Click that button to access the application form for this training.

Applications Open: 12pm (noon) on Monday, June 7th, 2021

Application Deadline: 12pm (noon) on Monday, July 5th, 2021

 

 

 

 

We are happy to announce an online Certified Peer Specialist training coming in August of 2021!

This online Certified Peer Specialist training is hosted by Independence First.

Training dates: August 10th-12th (Tues.-Thurs.), 14th (Sat.), 17th-19th (Tues.-Thurs.), 21st (Sat.), 24th-26th (Tues.-Thurs.), 28th (Sat.)

Time: 5pm-9pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays / 9am-1pm on Saturdays

Trainers: Phillip Corona and Susie Austin

Determining Eligibility and Fit

The following are required to be eligible to apply to this CPS training:

  • Must self-identify as having navigated personal lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges
  • Must reside in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, or Waukesha County and be a Wisconsin resident
  • Must have at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent
  • Must be 18 years of age or older

14-18 participants will be selected for this training. To be considered for selection, you must meet the basic eligibility requirements above, submit an application form, and complete an interview. There is no training registration cost for participants.

Considerations

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the role of a Certified Peer Specialist before applying. Click here to learn more about the role and work of a Certified Peer Specialist.

 

When to Apply (and Deadlines/Closing)

A button will appear below this section with the words “Click Here to Apply” at the time applications open. Click that button to access the application form for this training.

Applications Open: 12pm (noon) on Tuesday, June 15th, 2021

Application Deadline: 12pm (noon) on Tuesday, July 13th, 2021

 

Possible Early Closing of Applications:

A maximum of 50 applications will be considered. If 50 applications are received prior to the application deadline (see above), the application form will automatically close and no additional applications will be received.

 

We are happy to announce an online Certified Peer Specialist training coming in July & August of 2021!

This online Certified Peer Specialist training is sponsored by WCS – Wisconsin Community Services.

Training dates: July 23rd (Fri.), 26th-27th (Mon.-Tues.), 29th-30th (Thurs.-Fri.), August 2nd-3rd (Mon.-Tues.), 5th-6th (Thurs.-Fri.) 9th-10th (Mon.-Tues.), 12th (Thurs.)

Time: 1pm-5pm CDT all training dates

Trainers: Shirley Drake and Michelle Laga

Determining Eligibility and Fit

The following are required to be eligible to apply to this CPS training:

  • Must self-identify as having navigated personal lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges
  • Must reside Milwaukee County and be a Wisconsin resident
  • Must have at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent
  • Must be 18 years of age or older

14-18 participants will be selected for this training. To be considered for selection, you must meet the basic eligibility requirements above, submit an application form, and complete an interview. There is no training registration cost for participants.

Considerations

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the role of a Certified Peer Specialist before applying. Click here to learn more about the role and work of a Certified Peer Specialist.

 

When to Apply (and Deadlines/Closing)

A button will appear below this section with the words “Click Here to Apply” at the time applications open. Click that button to access the application form for this training.

Applications Open: 12pm (noon) on Thursday, May 27th, 2021

Application Deadline: 12pm (noon) on Thursday, June 24th, 2021

 

Possible Early Closing of Applications:

A maximum of 50 applications will be considered. If 50 applications are received prior to the application deadline (see above), the application form will automatically close and no additional applications will be received.

 

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