Sign up for our free veteran peer support training

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LODGING PROVIDED UP TO 5 DAYS!

$50 FUEL CARD & LUNCH PROVIDED!

FREE LAPTOP!

To apply for training, contact:

Training Manager Ashley Taylor – 714-600-0297 –  twvnworegon@gmail.com   

Together With Veterans NW Oregon has been awarded a grant from Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to provide two in-person Peer Support Specialist trainings (with Addictions focus) between October 2022 and February 2023. We are looking to add 40 more Peer Support Specialists to aid in supporting the cause throughout Oregon. This training is covered over four days and one day’s worth of homework, totaling 40 training hours. 

This funding opportunity is being offered in response to the 2019 Oregon Veterans Behavioral Health Services Improvement Study, feedback received at community forums, and requests made by organizations serving veterans in counties identified as predominantly Rural and/or Frontier.

OHA is a state governmental agency with a single overarching strategic goal: to eliminate health inequities in Oregon by 2030. OHA’s Health Equity definition is as follows: Oregon will have established a health system that creates health equity when all people can reach their full health potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances.

Achieving health equity requires the ongoing collaboration of all regions and sectors of the state, including tribal governments to:

• Address the equitable distribution or redistribution of resources and power; and

• Recognize, reconcile, and rectify historical and contemporary injustices.

We have two training opportunities scheduled:

December 5th through 8th, 2022

Second date is to be determined. Information on date will be released in November 2022. 

For these two training offerings, training days will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9:00am-5:00pm

- Lunch will be provided daily

- Lodging accommodations in a local hotel are available for up to five days if you are attending the training. Lodging accommodations will typically begin with a Sunday afternoon check-in and check-out of Thursday morning prior to the final day of training. However, a fifth night may be available for Thursday night. 

- Each participant will receive a $50 fuel card to help off-set fuel costs to drive to and from training. 

- Each participant will receive a laptop and hotspot as an incentive to complete the training and also to aid in future 

Once you are approved to attend the training and become a certified Peer Support Specialist, you will receive information similar to what is listed here, with more specifics about your particular training. 

To apply for training, contact:

Training Manager Ashley Taylor – 714-600-0297 –  twvnworegon@gmail.com 

1. What do I get when I complete the class? A certificate of completion. This class is approved by the Oregon Health Authority to be used for application to MHACBO (Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon) for the CRM credential (Certified Recovery Mentor)(See attached letter from OHA). If you identify as a person in Recovery you can apply for the CRM. Go to MHACBO.com for the CRM application.

2. How long do I have to be in Recovery and exactly what does that mean? According to MHACBO, Working definition of recovery from mental disorders and/or substance use disorders: A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. https://mhacbo.org/media/filer_public/22/ab/22ab9b40-88e6-49cc-935f-e58e21904e56/definitionofrecovery.pdf The published standard is for two years but they are currently allowing folks with one year or more to become CRMs.

3. How do I prove I am in Recovery? MHACBO requires a professional helper sign a form that documents you have been in the process of recovery for at least one year.

4. What happens if I am not in Recovery? You can apply directly to the Oregon Health Authority as a person with lived experience with addictive disease if a significant other or family member of yours had (or has) addictive disease. Apply to Abdiasis Mohamed, MSW.Traditional Health Worker Program Coordinator, Office of Equity and Inclusion, Division of the Oregon Health Authority

421  SW Oak St, Suite 750

Portland, OR 97204

Cell: 503-754-2366

Desk Phone: 971-673-3389

Fax: 971-673-1128

Email: mohamed.abdiasis@dhsoha.state.or.us

5. I thought I got a Peer Support Specialist designation, what gives with that? When you get a CRM via MHACBO they automatically send your information to the Oregon Health Authority who enrolls you as a PSS. If you go directly to the OHA you are enrolled as a PSS. All CRMs are enrolled as PSSs but PSSs are not automatically enrolled as CRMs.

6. What type of Peer Support Specialist credential do I get? This education is specific to working with folks who are Adults Recovering from Addictive Disease. This is not a Mental Health PSS.

1. What if I      have a Criminal History? From MHACBO: Background check with      exclusionary criteria of ORS 443.004/0AR 407-007-0277 Crimes (conviction,      attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation for any of the crimes) regardless of      how long ago the conviction occurred: • ORS 163.095, Aggravated murder •      ORS 163.115, Murder • ORS 163.375, Rape I • ORS 163.405, Sodomy I • ORS      163.411, Unlawful sexual penetration I • ORS 163.427, Sexual abuse I
2. What do      you need to do to pass the course?
   1. Attend every training day. In case you miss a day and       need to make it up in a future training. There is no charge for making up a day. There are no partial days       so if you miss any part of a day you need to make up the entire day.
   2. Complete the Post Test. I have attached the Post Test for Modules 1 to       5. You need to complete this as       we work through each module and then after the completion of day two,       send me the completed post-test. It is my job to make sure you get all the answers and your job to       ask me questions until you understand the material. There is only a post test for Modules 1       to 5. 
   3. Complete the Attached Take-Home Module       (which is Module 6), (Most of you have already completed this). This will take several hours to       complete. The last page of the       Take Home Module describes how to complete the Dental Module.
   4. Compete the Dental Module. Once you compete the Dental Module, MHACBO will       send you an e-mail that says you completed it. Keep this e-mail for your       records and forward me a copy of it. Many of you have already completed it.

9.  What materials will you need for each day? 

a. Day One – will cover modules One and Two. You will want to have your Post Test form to fill out as we go. (I have sent both of these documents as an attachment to this email).

b. Day Two – will cover Module Three to Five During Day Two. You will want to have your Post test to fill out as we go. I will send you Modules Three to Five and other course materials prior to Day Two.

c. Days Three and Four – will cover Modules 7 to 12 during days Three and Four. There are no post-test for Modules Three and Four but there are in class role plays that will serve as your demonstration of the basic required competencies. Kelly will send you materials for Modules 7 to 12 prior to class Three.

10.  When will I get my certificate of completion for the course? Once you have attended all of the courses and turned in the required materials I will send you your certificate of completion.