DEVELOPMENT OF A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR FAMILY PEER

SUPPORT SPECIALISTPRESENTED BY:

Gail Avent, Director Total Family Care Coalition Tricia Mills, Interagency Liaison Dept. of Behavior Health

November 22, 2014

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1. Learn the governing body of Medicaid Reimbursable Certification for the District

2. How advocacy drives system of care validations of families “lived experience”

3. How Family Run Organizations years of valuing families and their children’s life journey guided the training framework

A. Application developmentB. Interview ProcessC. Delivery ModelD. Selection of Practicum Sites

4. How an evaluation process is incorporated to continuous quality improvements to program

Training Goals and Objectives

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The Department ’s Office of Consumer and Family Affairs (OCFA) shall administer the certified peer specialist certification program (Certification Program).

Ensures that the rights of people with mental illness are protected

Encourages and facilitate consumer and family input into all aspects of an individual’s treatment

Supports inclusions of families in individual plans for recovery

Link consumers and their families to services available through the public mental health system

Roles and Responsibilities of Office of Consumer and Family

Affairs (OCFA)

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The language is entrenched in regulation.

The Director of the Department of Behavioral Health (“the Department”), pursuant to the authority set forth in Sections 5113, 5115, 5117 and 5118 of the “Department of Behavioral Health Establishment Act of 2013”, effective December 24, 2013 (D.C. Law 20-0061; D.C. Official Code §§7-1141.06 and 7-1141.07 (2014 Supp.)), hereby gives notice of an amendment to Chapter 73 (Department of Mental Health Peer Specialist Certification), of Subtitle A (Mental Health) of Title 22 (Health) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR).

The language states… Certified peer specialists, working for the Department of Behavioral

Health-certified community mental health providers will be authorized to provide Medicaid-reimbursable mental health rehabilitation services to mental health consumers, when working under the supervision of a mental health professional.

Certification is Govern by Regulation

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CHAPTER 73DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PEER SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION 7300 PURPOSE AND APPLICATION  7300.1 These rules establish the Department of Behavioral

Health’s (Department) requirements for training and certifying Peer Specialists (“Certified Peer Specialists”), who will be employed by Department-certified community mental health agencies to provide Medicaid reimbursable mental health rehabilitation services (MHRS) and other mental health supports and services to adult and children and youth mental health consumers and their families under the supervision of a qualified mental health professional in the District of Columbia (District).

Law Establishes Medicaid Reimbursable Eligibility

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The Department of Behavior Health DC. Gateway SOC Implementation Project◦ Grew from concept in Peer-to-peer Sub Committee

One of Five Sub Committees Implementing DC System of Care

The Family Run Organization envisioned parents as professionals ◦ Defined what is a Certified Family Peer Specialist

Created training elements Developed family specifics Core Competencies Training Elements became framework for curriculum Established Protocol for Trainers and Facilitators

Why A Certified Family Peer Specialist Program

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Grew from concept in Peer-to-peer Sub Committee◦ One of Five Sub Committees Implementing DC System of

Care The Family Run Organization envisioned parents as

professionals Defined what is a Certified Family Peer Specialist Created training elements Developed family specifics Core Competencies Training Elements became framework for

curriculum Established Protocol for Trainers and Facilitators

Peer-to-Peer Committee -Accomplishments

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Criteria for Applying to Training Program

D.C. Resident Have at least a high school diploma or a

general equivalency diploma (GED); and Self-identified as having received or is

presently receiving behavioral health services

Be a parent or legal guardian of a child or youth consumer who was or is currently a consumer of mental health services (for Certified Peer Specialist – Family

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Step One◦ Fully Complete Application Process◦ Completed Application◦ Resume◦ Proof of D.C. Resident◦ Supporting documents

Step Two◦ Interview before the Peer Certification Committee◦ Each applicant receives written notice of selection

or non-selection.

Two-Step Selection Process

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Completion of 70 hours of required classroom work

Completion of an 80 hour, nonpaid, supervised field practicum with a District community based behavioral health provider

A score of a minimum of 85% on the certification examination

Requirement for Core Classroom Training

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Completion of an additional 20 hours of “specialist training” classroom work

Completion of an additional 20 hour, of supervised field practicum with a District community based family or child serving agency/provider

A score of a minimum of 85% on the certification examination

Requirements for Family Peer Classroom Training

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“Lived Experience” - Familiar with family challenges

Code of Ethics – Adhere to governing body standards

On-Job-Training – Field Practicum training “Certification” – demonstrates a rigorous

training was successfully completed. Salary is Medicaid reimbursable to hiring

agency/provider

Graduates –Workforce Ready

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Family Matters – not-for-profit organization D.C. Child and Family Services- Child

Serving Agency D.C. Choices – Wraparound program Total Family Care Coalition – Family Run

Organization

Practicum Sites

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Evaluators liked presenter scheme◦ Professional – family member

Suggested additional time of the current 20 classroom hours

Incorporate additional responsibilities for the Family Run Organizations

Utilize FROs as ambassadors to promote family support certification program◦ Each

Highlights of Evaluation

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Graduation Day

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Eight Graduates◦ Graduate ceremony ◦ Attended by DBH Directors◦ Family members attended◦ Next class scheduled announced

Graduates

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Spring 2015◦ 8 participants

Summer2015◦ 8 to 12 participants

New Classes

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Certified Youth Peer Specialist Class◦ Projected for Winter 2015

8 trainees

Coming Attraction

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QUESTIONS