Washington, DC—The District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health is accepting applications for the 2015 Family Peer Specialist certification training class. To be eligible, an applicant must be willing to self-disclose as a parent or caregiver of a child or youth diagnosed with an emotional, mental and/or behavioral health disorder who is a current or former consumer of services within the Department of Behavioral Health. If not a biological parent or legal caregiver, an individual must be a significant non-paid caregiver. At least two years of experience navigating the various systems of care for children and youth is required. An applicant must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent and a District resident.
An application along with supporting documentation must be received in the Department of Behavioral Health Office of Consumer and Family Affairs by 12 Noon, Friday, December 19, 2014.
A Family Peer Specialist is a person who has had the experience of caring for a child or youth with an emotional, mental and/or behavioral health disorder. A Family Peer Specialist has learned how to navigate social service systems and advocate for services and supports and is able to use this experience and training to help families with children or youth facing similar challenges.
The six-week certification program ensures that valuable peer supports services meet acceptable standards. The peer specialist certification program also helps prepare individuals to qualify for available peer specialist jobs within the public community provider network. Successful completion of the certification program is not a guarantee of an offer of employment.
Classes will take place from January 20, 2015 to March 20, 2015, from 8:45 am to 12:30 pm, at a location to be announced. After successful completion of class work, an 80 hour field practicum must be performed with a certified community based behavioral health provider. The field practicum will be arranged by the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs and must be completed by April 24, 2015. After successful completion of the field practicum, a certification examination must be passed.
Applications must be received in the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs by 12 Noon, Friday, December 19, 2014. Applications can be emailed to [email protected] and hand delivered or mailed to 64 New York Avenue NE Third Floor, Washington, DC 2002. No late applications will be accepted. Only a fully completed application with all supporting documentation—a resume, evidence of education which may be a high school diploma, GED or equivalent, and two letters of reference (at least one which is work or volunteer related), and evidence of District residency—will be considered. Selections will be announced by January 9, 2015. Each participant will receive a stipend of $200.00.
For additional information regarding the Family Peer Specialist certification program, contact Vivi Smith, Director of the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs at (202) 673-4377 or [email protected] or go to www.dbh.dc.gov.