Peer Academy programs for individuals
In addition to our Texas state certification training programs, we offer comprehensive programs designed to enhance the careers of Peer Specialists.
None of these training are required to become a Peer Specialist, but each of them can help you into the career field. Best of all, they're all free to you and include stipends, if you're accepted into the programs.
Here are our current programs for individuals:
For potential Peers
Enhanced Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS)
$3,500 stipend to you (for full program completion)
- Designed for people interested in starting a career, but who have not been trained
- Our Enhanced MHPS program provides you access to our existing MHPS training (including both the Core and Supplemental components), as well as support before and after training to help you learn about different work environments. We'll also provide additional learning modules and support as you go through the certification process. This program concludes when you've successfully received your provisional (6-month) Texas Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) and completed all of the training.
- Approximate length: 6-12 weeks
- Texas MHPS Core (6 hour) training
- Texas MHPS Supplemental (40 hour) training
- Pre-career assessment profile
- Access to Certified Peers to help you navigate the process
- Access to workshops for scenario and role-playing based-learning
- Access to site rotations to see multiple types Peer work environments
For new Peers
Peer Academy Career Enhancement (PACE) Track I
$5,000 stipend to you (for full program completion)
- Limited to Peers that received MHPS training through our organization
- Our Peer Academy Career Enhancement (PACE) program includes a variety of self-paced online modules on topics such as boundaries, self-care, problem-solving, and communication. This program is by invitation only and is only available to students that have received their MHPS training through our organization. The program concludes when you complete your 250-hours of initial certification, and complete the application for your 2-year certification, and complete all of the learning modules.
- Approximate length: 7 - 9 months
- Pre-career assessment profile
- Access to Certified Peers to help you navigate the process
- Access to workshops for scenario and role-playing based-learning
- Peer Supervision for your State-required 250 experience hours
- Access to all of our online learning modules
- Access to our online community and mentors
For experienced Peers
Peer Academy Career Enhancement (PACE) Track II
$3,500 stipend to you (for full program completion)
- Limited to Peers with a current 2-year Texas certification that are working in Peer roles
- Our Peer Academy Career Enhancement (PACE) program includes a variety of self-paced online modules on topics such as boundaries, self-care, problem-solving, and communication. This is highly-selective. We accept 32 experienced Peers per year. MHPS, RSPS, or Certified Family Partners (CFPs) that are currently working as Peers in Texas, regardless of where you were initially certified or where you currently work, are eligible. The program concludes in exactly 7 months when you complete all of the learning modules.
- Approximate length: 7 months
- Career assessment profile
- Access to workshops for scenario and role-playing based-learning
- Access to all of our online learning modules
- Access to our online community and mentors