Department of Behavioral Health Accepts Applications for 2019-2020
Peer Specialist Certification Training Program
Washington, DC—The District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health is currently accepting applications for the 2020 Peer Specialist Certification Training Program. Participants will learn how to help individuals receiving behavioral health treatment develop goals, monitor their own progress, and advocate for effective services. A peer specialist is a model for personal recovery and ongoing coping skills.
Applications are being accepted for the Peer Specialist Certification Training, Family Peer Specialty Training, Youth Peer Specialty Training and the Peer Specialist Certification Waiver. Individuals may apply for any combination of certifications using the 2020 Peer Specialist Certification Application. Applicants can also apply for a waiver of the requirements to complete the classroom work and the field practicum based upon current work experience or certification as a peer specialist or equivalent granted by another jurisdiction.
Managed by the Consumer and Family Affairs Administration (CFAA), the Peer Specialist Certification Training Program helps prepare individuals to qualify for available certified peer specialist jobs within the community behavioral health provider network. Under general supervision, a certified peer specialist performs a wide range of tasks to help individuals regain control over their lives and their own recovery process. DBH encourages certified providers to include certified peer specialists in their workforce.
Who is eligible for the program? The Peer Specialist Certification Training Program is for self-identified current or former consumers of behavioral health services who have the ability to support other individuals diagnosed with a mental illness and/or substance use disorder. To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must be a District resident (except for waiver applicants) and at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma, GED or higher.
How do I apply for the program? A completed application along with a resume, proof of residency, evidence of education, and two professional letters of reference (work or volunteer related) must be emailed to [email protected] mailed, or hand-delivered to the Department of Behavioral Health Consumer and Family Affairs Administration, 64 New York Avenue, NE, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20002 (Attn: CFAA Staff or hand-delivered to a CFAA staff member). No faxed application will be accepted. Only complete applications will be considered for an interview. Upon review and scoring of applications, selected applicants will be interviewed for entry into the program.
After successful completion of classroom training, an 80-hour field practicum must be completed with a provider identified and arranged by the Consumer and Family Affairs Administration. Following completion of the field practicum requirements, a certification examination must be passed. Waiver applicants are required to interview and, if selected, only pass the certification examination. All participants will graduate in September 2020.
For an application and/or more information, please email [email protected] or go to dbh.dc.gov, click on consumers and scroll down to the Peer Specialist Certification Program. Participants will be eligible to apply for a transportation scholarship contingent upon availability of funds and completion of all certification requirements.
Winter CPS Training Class
| Location | Deadline | Training Dates | Interview Dates | Orientation |
| 64 New York Ave, NE | Jan 3, 2020, 12 pm | Jan 27 – Feb 26, 2020 Monday – Friday 8:45 am – 12:30 pm | Dec 9-20, 2019 Jan. 6-15, 2020 | If selected, Jan 24, 2020 |
**Practicum Dates
March 2 – April 10, 2020
Exam Date
April 13, 2020 at 9 am
Evening CPS Training Class
| Location | Deadine | Training Dates | Interview Dates | Orientation |
| Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital 1100 Alabama Ave, SE |
Feb 21, 2020, 12 pm | Mar 16 – April 15, 2020 Monday – Friday 5:30 pm – 8:45 pm | Dec 9-20, 2019 Jan. 6-15, 2020 Mar 3-10, 2020 |
If selected, Mar 13, 2020 |
**Practicum Dates
April 16, 2020 – May 29, 2020
Exam Date
June 1, 2020 at 9 am
Summer CPS Training Class
| Location | Deadline | Training Dates | Interview Dates | Orientatiom |
| 64 New York Ave, NE | May 1, 2020, 12 pm | June 1 – July 1, 2020 Monday – Friday 8:45 am – 12:30 pm |
Dec 9-20, 2019 Jan. 6-15, 2020 Mar 3-10, 2020 May 11-22, 2020 |
If selected, May 29, 2020 |
**Practicum Dates
July 1, 2020 – August 7, 2019
Exam Date
August 17, 2020
Annual Peer Celebration - Graduation - September 2020
Waiver Schedule- Applications accepted on a rolling basis
| Interview Schedule | Dec 9-20, 2019 Jan. 6-15, 2020 Mar 3-10, 2020 May 11-22, 2020 |
Applications will be reviewed and scored. Applications with a score of 30 or above will be granted an interview on a first come, first served basis. |
Exam Dates
April 13, 2020 at 9 am
June 1, 2020 at 9 am
August 17, 2020 at 9 am
Field Practicum
After successful completion of class work, an 80 hour field practicum must be performed with a DBH community based behavioral health provider. The field practicum will be arranged with the Consumer and Family Affairs Administration.
Certification Examination
After the field practicum is completed, a date to take the certification examination must be arranged with Consumer and Family Affairs Administration.
Peer Specialist Certification Waiver
DBH accepts applications for a Peer Specialist Certification Waiver [PDF]. An applicant may request the waiver of the requirements to complete any or all of the classroom work and the field practicum based upon prior coursework or certification as a peer specialist or equivalent granted by DBH or another jurisdiction, or based upon prior or current work experience.
