G e o r g i a C e r t i f i e d P e e r S p e c i a l i s t P r o j e c t
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TRAINING
The GA CPS Project holds training three times a year, generally in the spring, summer and fall. These trainings are held in rotation in the southern and northern parts of the state, usually at Epworth by the Sea on St Simons Island, GA and at the Lodge at Simpsonwood in Norcross, GA.
NEXT CERTIFICATION TRAINING:
The July 2009 Peer Specialist Certification Training
July-27 -31 and August 3-6, 2009 (Both weeks are required)
Application Deadline: July 8, 2009
We are pleased to announce the upcoming July 2009 certification training for Peer Specialists July 27 - August 6, 2009. at The Lodge at Simpsonwood in Norcross, GA. The Georgia CPS Project is an initiative of the Division of MHDDAD in partnership with the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network.
To date, the CPS Project has trained and certified 493 consumers who are providing the unique vision of their lived experience in Peer Support, ACT, PSR, CSI, and wherever the power of consumer role models can and should be felt.
The GA CPS Project does not provide scholarships. Many graduates of past trainings have been able to secure financial support from agencies and organizations that they are members of including NAMI, DBSA, faith-based organizations and/or churches. Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab) funding has also supported some consumers in the past. Talk to your organization, church, Voc Rehab counselor or to your Supported Employment coach about your interest in becoming a Certified Peer Specialist and the possibility of financial support.
Training Schedule - (Both weeks are required.)
Week One:
July 27-31 - beginning 11:00 am July 27 and ending July 31 at 12:00 PM.
Week Two:
August 3-6 beginning 1:00 pm on August 3 and ending on August 6 at 1:00 PM.
Costs:
Registration Fee:
$85.00 (Covers the cost of the Participant's Manual and Facilitator's Guide, along with the Wellness Recovery Action Plan by Mary Ellen Copeland, other workbooks and materials.) This fee can be refunded upon request if you are, for some reason, not accepted to the training.
Lodging and Meals:
Hotel accommodations and meals are available Monday - Thursday nights of the first week and Monday - Wednesday nights of the second week. Those participants wishing to stay over the weekend between the training weeks (Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights) can do so at an additional cost and must make their own arrangements with The Lodge at Simpsonwood.
Single Occupancy: $798.00 / $868.00 ($114.00 / $124.00 per person per night)
Double Occupancy per person: $539.00 / $ 574.00 ($77.00 / $82.00 per night, including tax)
(Please note that the Project does not assign roommates or assist with transportation. It is expected that participants are able to make their own arrangements.)
Deadline for all application materials is July 8, 2009. Applications received after this date will be handled on a first come first served basis, as space permits.
For more information email Bob R. Patterson, CPS - CPS Project Director at bopatterson@dhr.ga.gov or call him directly at 404-657-3383.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR ACCEPTANCE:
Candidates must have a primary diagnosis of mental illness or a dual diagnosis of mental illness and addictive disease, and a strong desire to identify themselves as a person with mental illness (current or former consumer of mental health services). Applicants must hold a GED or High School diploma. You may be requested to provide a copy of this document. In addition, applicants must demonstrate strong reading comprehension and written communication skills as indicated by their responses on the pre-test. (Please do not type any portion of the application and pre-test, and do not have anyone fill out either of these forms for you.) You must have demonstrated experience with leadership, advocacy, or governance, and be well grounded in your recovery (one year between diagnosis and application to the training). Please feel free to contact the Project if you have any questions about your qualifications
Peers who are interested in becoming a Certified Peer Specialist apply through the Georgia Certified Peer Specialist Project manager. Candidates are selected for the training based on their employment status and the ability to meet the training guidelines. Consumers who are currently employed by a public or private provider of Medicaid billable services are considered for acceptance first. A peer who has distinguished them self as a peer leader and is being sponsored by a Medicaid provider for possible hire is given next priority. Consumers who work within a peer service that does not bill Medicaid or a consumer that is seeking certification to improve their marketability are given next priority. This system was devised to assist program providers in meeting the guidelines that have been set by Medicaid
TRAINING SCHEDULE FOR 2009
“Spring” training - The Lodge at Simpsonwood, Norcross, GA
February 23 – March 5, 2009
Application Available January 5, 2009Application Deadline – Feb 2, 2009“Summer” training - The Lodge at Simpsonwood, Norcross, GA
July 27 – August 6, 2009
Application Available June 8, 2009
Application Deadline – July 6, 2009‘Fall” training – Epworth By the Sea, St Simons, GA
October 19-29, 2009
App Available September 4, 2009
App Deadline – September 28, 2009TRAINING HISTORY
25. July 2009 in Norcross, GA
24. February 2009 in Norcross, GA
23. September 2008 in St. Simons Island, GA
22. July 2008 in Norcross, GA
21. March 2008 in St. Simons Island, GA
20. October-November 2007 in in Norcross, GA
19. August 2007 in St. Simons Island, GA
18. March 2007 in Norcross, GA
17. November-December 2006 in St. Simons Island, GA
16. September 2006 in Norcross, GA
15. March 2006 in St. Simons Island, GA
14. December 2005 in Helen, GA
13. June 2005 in St. Simons Island, GA
12. March 2005 in St. Simons Island, GA
11. December 2004 in St. Simons Island, GA
10. July 2004 in Dahlonega, GA
9. April 2004 in Dahlonega, GA
8. December 2003 in St. Simons Island, GA
7. August 2003 in Dahlonega, GA
6. April 2003 in Milledgeville, GA.
5. November 2002 - St. Simons Island, GA.
4. October 2002 - North GA Mountains
3. April 2002 – Atlanta, GA
2. February 2002 – Macon, GA
1. October. 2001 – Pilot training held at Epworth by the Sea, St. Simons Island, GA
