PEER ACADEMY
Enhanced Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS)
The Veterans Enhanced MHPS Program is a comprehensive Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC)-approved program. Students who complete the course and successfully complete the knowledge assessment will obtain their 6-month initial certification along with a $3,500 stipend.
Overview
Our Veterans Enhanced MHPS program provides you access to our existing MHPS training (Core and Supplemental Components), as well as support before and after training to help you learn about different work environments.
Weβll also provide additional learning modules and support as you go through the certification process. This program concludes when youβve successfully received your provisional (6-month) Texas Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) and completed all of the training.
What You’ll Learn
- Comprehensive overview of peer specialist work, including understanding its historical context and foundations.
- Values and ethics that guide peer specialists in their work, highlighting the importance of language and the impact it has in the context of peer specialist practice.
- Five stages of the recovery process and their relevance to peer specialist practice, as well as the role of personal stories and experiences in supporting others.
- Essential skills such as active listening, holding space for others, group facilitation, and promoting self-help, while also exploring the federal and state mental health systems and their impact on peer specialists.
- Significance of the environment in mental health, problem-solving approaches, managing fear, considering the whole person in peer specialist practice, maintaining ethical boundaries, and being an effective change agent while navigating power dynamics and conflicts with integrity.
Features
- Pre-career assessment profile.
- Access to Certified Peers to help you navigate the certification process.
- Access to workshops for scenario and role-playing based-learning.
- Access to site rotations to see multiple types of Peer work environments.
Features
Path to becoming a Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS)
Virtual (Zoom)
Details
3 Month Cohorts
Core Training - 24 Hours ( 3 Days x 8 Hours)
MHPS Supplemental - 40 Hours ( 5 Days x 8 Hours)
9 am to 5 pm
Requirements
Lived Experience in Mental Health
Device with a webcam
Achieve Peer Academy Performance Standards by actively participating and remaining engaged throughout the training
Letter of Recommendation*
*From someone who can act as a reference on your behalf
Has not previously enrolled in, or is not currently participating in, any other Peer Academy program*
*Including Peer Academy Career Enhancement (PACE) Track I and II
Registration End Date
5 Working Dates Before the Start Date
Investment
100% Free
Why Choose Peer Academy?Β
Online Training
Peer Academy’s training sessions are conducted entirely online, making them accessible from anywhere with a computer and reliable internet connection.
Certified Trainers
Our trainers at Peer Academy are certified and experienced peer specialists, dedicated to ensuring your success in the training program.
Exclusive Financial Aids
As a student enrolled in Peer Academy, you’ll have access to exclusive financial aid, stipends, and internship opportunities.
Ready to Get Started?
Ready to Get Started?
Ready to Get Started?
Join 100+ successful students on the path to making an impact in a career in peer support
Veterans Enhanced MHPS is a Peer Academy program that includes all the training required to become a Mental Health Peer Specialist in Texas, and additional supports to help you be successful. It also includes a $3,500 stipend for you. It is designed to help you as you go through our training program.
Before you start the application:
Make sure to be ready with:
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Letter of Recommendation
From someone who can act as a reference on your behalf
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A front copy of your ID (License, Passport, etc.)
In PDF or in an image format
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Recording a short video
Please be ready to record a short video 1 (minute maximum). We ask that you provide a little background on if you are currently working in a peer related job and the reason you are attending this peer specialist core training class.
Application Guidelines:
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Submit a single application for streamlined processing.
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Register at least 5 working days before the deadline
Early application is highly recommended.