Peer Support: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

NKU’s next Peer Support foundational course starts January 13, 2025. Applications are open now and close on December 6th. The fee for the course is $65. Applications are open to Kentucky residents only.

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Online Kentucky Peer Support Specialist Training Program:

Peer Support Specialists are individuals in recovery from substance use disorder or other mental health conditions who provide social and emotional support to others with similar conditions. Kentucky Peer Specialists (KPS) are employed to guide clients toward the identification and achievement of specific goals as defined by the client and specified in the treatment plan. The role is not to replace current clinical mental health staff but to offer additional and/or alternative options to help people in their efforts to recover.

NKU offers a part-time, flexible online training program where participants will:

Gain new knowledge and understanding of the stages and principles of the recovery process, the shift from maintenance to recovery, behavioral health, spiritual and cultural awareness, trauma-informed services, the Wellness Recovery Action Plan, self-care, and much more.
Develop new skills to assist in effective listening and communication, problem solving, exploring dissatisfaction and fears, establishing goals, combating negative messages/self-talk, suicide prevention, developing and sticking to ethical boundaries, and more.
Increase personal awareness
Enhance personal recovery

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Qualification for certification includes successfully completing both a written and oral exam upon completion of the course with an aggregate score of at least 70%. If you do not pass the exam, you may re-take it up to two times within a year from the training. You will be unable to take the certification exam if you have not completed all 7 weeks of the online course. Please note that certification with the Commonwealth of Kentucky does not carry over into Ohio.

Personal Reference Forms

Two letters of recommendation, in addition to a completed application, are required to be considered for the training. These references should come from members of your treatment team (i.e. healthcare provider, psychiatrist, therapist, group leader, employer if applicable). A reference from a sponsor is recommended. You are responsible for giving or emailing the attached personal reference request to the individuals speaking on your behalf.

Please have your references (2) address the following in an email to thorntonm4@nku.edu :

The applicant’s demonstrated recovery over the past year;
Any strengths or assets the applicant may offer as a Peer Support Specialist;
And the applicant’s ability to share his/her recovery experiences

Qualifications

In order to qualify, applicants must:

Reside in Kentucky
Be eighteen (18) years of age or older
Have a current or past diagnosis of a mental health, substance use, or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
Have received or been receiving treatment
Have a minimum educational requirement of a high school diploma or General Equivalence Diploma (GED) certificate
Demonstrate a pattern of recovery from a mental health, substance use, or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders

Applicants will complete an online application which asks for basic personal information, contact information, educational and employment background, and experience in recovery.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What days/times does the course run?

The course is fully asynchronous, meaning there are no set class times, and you can complete the work on your own time. Typically, each week's work will be assigned on a Monday and be due on the following Sunday.

What are the responsibilities of a peer support specialist?

Uses relevant personal stories to assist other consumers through experience.
Serves as a role model to consumers.
Encourages consumer voice and choice during development and implementation of plans.
Supports clients by:
- Attending team meetings on behalf of or at their request or
- Accompanying them to meetings upon their request
Empowers clients to have the confidence to be a self-advocate
Helps providers or other individuals understand the importance of integrating client voice and choice in services and support within a system of care.
Promotes socialization, recovery, self-advocacy preservation, and enhancement of community living skills for clients.
Completes and maintains documentation of a minimum of six (6) hours of related training or education in each subsequent year after successful completion of the adult peer support specialist training.

Does this course provide job placement?

No, the training is not a job placement program, although those completing the training often pursue employment in peer support positions. The training provides education on the foundations of peer support. Individuals who complete the course and pass the certification exam (with an aggregate score of at least 70%) will be certified as Kentucky Adult Peer Specialists.

How much does the training cost?

The cost of the training is $65, which includes registration, all materials, exams, a certificate, and registration as a peer support specialist with the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

learn about Peer Support Specialist Continuing Education

Peer Support

Online Kentucky Peer Support Specialist Training Program:

Personal Reference Forms

In order to qualify, applicants must:

The Institute for Health Innovation

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