Matthew Watman - Program Analyst
What's New at the Institute
Say hello to Matthew Watman! Matthew has been brought on as the Institute's new Program Analyst to oversee and manage all data-driven processes. This includes everything from data collection and cleaning, to analysis and visualization. He will also be in charge of the Institute's website and social media presence. His addition to the team is part of an overall effort to derive deeper insights regarding certified peer specialist outcomes in order to gain a better understanding of the individuals who are trained. In his spare time, Matthew enjoys singing in an A Cappella group, teaching himself new skills, and testing out new vegan recipes.
CPS News and Events

Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition (Pa PSC)
Save the Date for Our 1st Annual Conference

Coming Together
Creating a Culture of Community
1st Annual Conference
April 6, 2018
9:00am - 4:00pm
Ramada Inn - State College

Click here for poster:  https://goo.gl/BpsThq


Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition (PaPSC) and the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) in partnership with the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) is forming a statewide workgroup for the purpose of developing a formal certification process for Pennsylvania's Certified Peer Specialists (CPS) under the PCB. 
PaPSC is currently seeking CPS applicants interested in serving on the statewide workgroup. 

This initiative is the result of information gathered from a statewide survey, focus groups, statewide teleconferences and feedback from the Mental Health Planning Council. 

The Peer Specialist Certification Workgroup is time ended and will meet in person for three meetings.  The meetings will be held at the Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center, 403 East Winding Hill Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.  The meeting dates are: Friday October 13, 2017, Tuesday November 14, 2017 and Tuesday December 12, 2017 from 9:30-3:30.   Workgroup members will be responsible for their own transportation costs and lunch.  Attendance at all three meetings is required with no substitutions.  CPS desiring to be considered for the workgroup should complete the application by clicking the link below:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PCBStakeholderWorkgroupApplication

Applications Due by 9/29/17.


SAMHSA's Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) team would like to inform you that the   MFP grantees have started to accept fellowship applications to award fellowship for the 2018-19 academic cycle. 

The MFP seeks to improve behavioral health outcomes of racially and ethnically diverse populations by increasing the number of well trained, culturally competent behavioral health professionals available to work in underserved, minority communities. 

Specifically, the program offers scholarship assistance, training and mentoring for individuals seeking degrees in behavioral health who meet program eligibility requirements. 

Please help us by sharing this application table with your colleagues. 

The attached table outlines the fellowship application periods for each of the grantees who are awarded funds to implement the MFP. 


Upcoming Trainings & Meetings- for Philadelphia CPS
Sand Mandala taken at Philadelphia DBHIDS Spirituality Conference
Institute @ MHP Training & Event Schedule:
September - December 2017

DBHIDS WRAP Facilitator Networking Meeting
September 28, 2017 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
The Philadelphia WRAP Facilitator Networking Meeting and Continuing Education goal is to provide trained Philadelphia WRAP facilitators the opportunity to network, support each other as well as continue their education as WRAP Facilitators. The quarterly meeting is scheduled from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. in a rotating location schedule.
Where: TBA
Time: 10-12pm
Contact: Deborah Walker-Bey

Co-Occuring Challenges Training
MHP, 1211 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, October 11-12, 2017 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Course description:
The goal of this training is to provide staff with information and skills to support individuals who have co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges. Trainees will explore the prevalence and complexity of co-occurring conditions, their impact on different aspects of wellness, the role and impact of stigma, as well as components of integrated care and support. This training includes elements of Motivational Interviewing practice and is informed by trauma theory and the concept of Recovery capital. 

For more information on the application process, please go here

Application deadline: October 2, 2017

Certified Peer Specialist Professional Development Networking Meeting,  Project Home, 1515 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, October 19, 2017 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Meeting description: 
This is an established meeting for Certified Peer Specialists who are looking to find support and guidance in their professional development from other Certified Peer Specialists. It is also an opportunity to network, share resources, and hear about upcoming trainings, committee openings, and leadership and job opportunities. Guest speakers come on a fairly regular basis at the end of the meeting to share resources or collect input from CPSs.



Peer Support For Aging Populations Training
MHP, 1211 Chestnut Street, Philadephia, PA , November 7-9, 2017  9:00 AM - 5:00 PM  EST

Course Description: 
Peer Support for Aging Populations is a three-day continuing education course. This training is for current Certified Peer Specialists who are interested in utilizing existing experience, skills and training to work with Older Adults living with mental health, behavioral health and/or co-occurring challenges.
The training involves both lectures and group activities.  Training is designed to provide a greater understanding of mental health challenges specifically for aging populations. As well as provide techniques for supporting older adults. 

For more information on the application process, please go here

Application deadline: October 30, 2017
Online application:  https://mhaspwufoo.wufoo.com/forms/w31l7k505h0xsj/

Philadelphia County Certified Peer Specialist Professional Development Networking  Meeting, Project Home, 1515 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST

Meeting description:
This is an established meeting for Certified Peer Specialists who are looking to find support and guidance in their professional development from other Certified Peer Specialists. It is also an opportunity to network, share resources, and hear about upcoming trainings, committee openings, and leadership and job opportunities. Guest speakers come on a fairly regular basis at the end of the meeting to share resources or collect input from CPSs.

Philadelphia Certified Peer Specialist Training- CPS Working With Youth and Young Adults
MHP, 1211 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, November 27 - December 1 & December 11-15, 2017, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Course description
The next CPS Training is targeting (18-30 year olds) who want to work with youth and young adults and will be held 11/27-12/1 & 12/11-12/15. The regular CPS Training that you have been interested in the past will be held on 3/5-3/9 & 3/19-3/23. The CPS Training Coordinator will send you more information about when to apply. As always you can check the information regarding CPS Training on our website: http://dbhids.org/about/organization/strategic-planning-division/peer-culture-and-community-inclusion-unit/certified-peer-specialist-training/.



WRAP SEMINAR II: WRAP FACILITATOR TRAINING 
MHP, 1211 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA  December 4-8, 2017, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST 

Course description: 
The WRAP Facilitator Training program is an intensive five day training designed for individuals who have experienced the Mental Health Recovery Education Curriculum designed by Mary Ellen Copeland and, who have developed and are using a Wellness Recovery Action Plan in their own lives (the two day WRAP Seminar I meets the pre-requisite for this training). This program teaches participants the skills necessary to become facilitators of the Copeland Mental Health Recovery Education Curriculum and of WRAP Groups. 

The WRAP Facilitator Training focuses on all aspects of successful preparation for implementing the Copeland Mental Health Recovery Education curriculum and WRAP groups. Training participants receive the Mental Health Recovery Education Curriculum Manual (including WRAP) as well as a CD-ROM complete with teaching material in the format of power point presentations and overhead projection slides.

Individual participants will complete a brief application to certify they meet the pre-requisite training and experience criteria. Note: This criterion is the standard set by Mary Ellen Copeland for WRAP group facilitation.

For additional information please contact  DBHIDS.PeerCulture@phila.gov .

DBHIDS Quarterly CPS Supervisor Meeting
CBH, 801 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA , December 14, 2017, 
10:00 AM - 12 PM EST

Meeting description: 
This is an established meeting for Peer Specialist Supervisors to offer feedback and discussion on important topics and issues pertaining to the supervision of Peer Specialists. It is also an opportunity to network, share resources, and hear about upcoming training, leadership, and job opportunities. The meetings occur quarterly. The meeting location is announced prior to the meeting.

DBHIDS WRAP Facilitator Networking Meeting
Philadelphia, PA, December 14, 2017  10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Meeting description: 
The Philadelphia WRAP Facilitator Networking Meeting and Continuing Education goal is to provide trained Philadelphia WRAP facilitators the opportunity to network, support each other as well as continue their education as WRAP Facilitators. The quarterly meeting is scheduled from 10 am - 12 pm in a rotating location schedule.

Philadelphia County Certified Peer Specialist Professional Development Networking  Meeting (Annual Holiday Party), Project Home, 1515 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, December 21, 2017  3:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST

Meeting description:
This is an established meeting for Certified Peer Specialists who are looking to find support and guidance in their professional development from other Certified Peer Specialists. It is also an opportunity to network, share resources, and hear about upcoming trainings, committee openings, and leadership and job opportunities. Guest speakers come on a fairly regular basis at the end of the meeting to share resources or collect input from CPSs.
DBHIDS CPS Celebration-June 2017
DBHIDS CPS Celebration - June 2017
DBHIDS CPS Celebration-June 2017
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