Peers in the Workforce in Wisconsin

Laleña F Lampe- WI DHSRobert Fredericks- WI-CPS, Ashland / Bayfield CPS

A person with the self-defined lived experience of recovery from a mental illness and / or co-occurring substance use disorder.

Has had formal training in how to support peers seeking recovery.

Is committed to serving as a role model of recovery and assisting others to find their individual paths to recovery.

What is a WICPS?

Shery Mead on Peer Support

Peer support is the process of giving and receiving encouragement and assistance to achieve long-term recovery.

Peers offer emotional support, share knowledge, teach skills, provide practical assistance, and connect people with resources, opportunities, communities of support, and other people.

Mead, MacNeil and Solomon- Peer Support: A Unique Perspective 2004

EARLY EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT PEER SUPPORT & COACHING…

• Reduces the number of admissions and days spent in hospitals and increased time in the community

• Reduces use of acute services (e.g., emergency rooms, detoxification centers)

• Increases engagement in outpatient treatment• Increases active involvement in care planning and

self-care• Improves social functioning 

Continued…

• Increased hope, quality of life, and satisfaction with life

• Reduces substance use• Reduces depression and demoralization• Improves chances for long-term recovery• Increases rates of family reunification• Reduces average service costs per person SAMHSA BRSS TACS: Equipping Behavioral Health Systems & Authorities to Promote Peer Specialists / Peer Recovery

Coaching Services, 2012

A WI CERTIFIED Peer Specialist

-Only Certified Peer Specialists are billable to Medicaid and bound by Code of Conduct etc. Medicaid rules require certification and clinical supervision.

The role of the WICPS

Use personal recovery experience as a tool to inspire & support others

Provide resource info Identify and support peers in crisis Facilitate self-direction & goal setting Communicate with other providers Peer support is the core of all service

provided by a WICPS

State of WI perspective

Evidence shows that peer support in combination with effective clinical practice facilitates recovery.

WICPSs have unique perspective and skills that encourage stronger self-reliance and wellness while decreasing reliance on more expensive and potentially more restrictive environments.

WI is fully committed to expanding peer support as an option for people seeking recovery.

Work Environments

There are ever expanding environments in which WICPSs are employed. The most common in WI are:

Inpatient and Outpatient

Comprehensive Community Services Community Recovery Services

WI Department of Veterans Affairs

Community Support Programs

Crisis Stabilization / Intervention

Approved curricula

The State of Wisconsin currently has three approved curricula for CPS training.

*Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)

*National Association of Peer Supports (NAPS)

*Recovery Opportunity Center (ROC)

Successful completion of one of these curricula qualifies an individual to take the exam.

Examination

Exam hosted by UW Milwaukee. Exam proctored by WI Independent Living

Centers- 8 regional locations. Exam focused on Core Competencies, Code

of Conduct and WI General Job Description, (Curricula approved based on Core Competencies).

Application & $50.00 exam fee to UW Milwaukee.

More Info: exam /certification

UW Milwaukee: www.sce-peerspecialist.uwm.edu

Official WI Peer Specialist website: www.wicps.org (Hosted by Access to

Independence, Inc. Contracted coordinator of WI CPS program- Alice Pauser)

Re-certification

WI CPS is valid for two years from the month the exam is successfully completed.

Twenty hours of on-going education is required for re-certification.– Cultural Competence– Ethics & Boundaries– Trauma Informed Care– Peer Specialist Specific– Substance Use Disorder

Things to be aware of…

WICPS is not…

A junior social worker or case manager

The janitor

The enforcer of court orders etc.

A taxi driver

But why?

The WICPS is a non-clinical supporter and usually does not have the clinical background to do certain tasks. It is not within the WICPS scope of practice.

Unless all staff share in janitorial duties, the WICPS should not be singled out for this. WI CPS is a service type.

To maintain the WICPS role, a WICPS can not engage in medication compliance etc.

While some positions provide more transportation than others, peer support is the goal of all interactions.

A WICPS is…

Able to work with people on goal setting and creating a life as valued by the person seeking recovery. Roles include:Supporting WRAP- or other wellness planningTorchbearer- together with other providers, share the message of recovery and hope.Sounding boardCheerleaderSkill builder- including self-advocacy

Role VS Credential

Some WI CPSs choose to work in other roles (e.g. Care Facilitator, Nurse…)

In this case, individuals are NOT functioning in the role of WI CPS but are utilizing the training and experience gained from WI CPS certification to inform HOW they perform other roles.

WI CPSs may maintain certification while working in other roles if all re-cert criteria are met.

For more of the State perspective

Please contact Laleña Lampe- Community Program Quality Improvement Specialist

Lalena.lampe@wisconsin.gov 608.266.2476

Substance Use Disorder

DMHSAS is currently in the process of creating a Certified Peer Specialist - Substance Use Disorder (CPS – SUD) certification

Positions of this nature are often titled “Recovery Coach”

DMHSAS is including Certified Peer Specialist in the title since Medicaid has already approved reimbursement

CPS (SUD) proposed definition

"Based on personal lived experience in recovery from alcohol and/or other drug addiction, a Certified Peer Specialist (Substance Use Disorder) models a recovery process and provides emotional and motivational support. A CPS (SUD) thoroughly understands the process of addiction and recovery, and serves as a personal guide and mentor for people seeking or already in recovery. A CPS (SUD) shares helpful insight, helps individuals learn recovery tasks, and provides support in obtaining needed and appropriate services. A CPS (SUD) listens and guides - but does not counsel or direct - in accordance with the individual’s desires and personal situation."

Moving Forward…

In December 2013, a survey regarding the title, definition, and core competencies for this role was distributed statewide.

A broad group of stakeholders will be convened in 2014 to work on further developing the certification structure, including scope of practice, training and exam.

It is expected that this work will be completed by the end of 2014

For more information…

Please contact Faith Boersma, Consumer Affairs Coordinator

Faith.Boersma@wisconsin.gov 608-261-6746

Wisconsin families deserve the support of families who have “been there”.

Parent Peer Specialist

A Parent Peer Specialist in Wisconsin is an individual who has: - at least one year of experience as a parent or primary caregiver involved in

the day-to-day care of a child or adolescent with a mental health and/or substance use disorder;

- successfully navigated the process of obtaining mental health and/or substance abuse services for his/her child, the need for which has persisted for a period of at least one year;

- received specific training to provide support to families and to help equip parents with the confidence and tools to better meet their families’ needs;

- because of his/her lived experience, a genuine understanding and appreciation for the challenges faced by families;

- substantial experience with two or more service systems including, but not limited to, mental health, substance abuse, public education, child welfare, juvenile / family court, and corrections.

What is the role of a PPS?

The workgroup defined the role of PPS as supporting parents in navigating complex systems, delivering peer support at all times and encouraging self-reliance, resiliency, and recovery in partnership with the parent being served.

Essential functions:

To provide information and support To provide and / or assist families in

accessing resources To help equip parents with the confidence

and tools to better meet their families’ needs

Population served

The parent or primary caregiver of a child or transition age youth who lives with mental health and / or substance use disorders.

Transition age youth is defined as a person between the ages of 18-26 who is actively engaged in the process of moving into the traditionally defined role of adulthood.

A vision for the future of Wisconsin

We envision a time when all people, regardless of their abilities, will have the comprehensive and holistic supports they need in order to build lives that they find productive and meaningful.