Overview
Overview The North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist (NCCPSS) Program is an initiative of the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS). The NCCPSS Program certifies persons in recovery from serious mental illness (SMI) and substance use disorders (SUD) to become Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS). The NCCPSS Program is housed in the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) in the Behavioral Health Springboard (BHS). BHS implements the certification, courses, stakeholder engagement, and evaluation of the NCCPSS Program, among many other projects.
Who are Peer Support Specialists?
Peer Support Specialists are people in recovery from a mental illness and/or substance use disorder and provide support to others who can benefit from their experiences. The North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist Program acknowledges that the peer has met a set of requirements necessary to support individuals with mental health or substance use disorder.
NCCPSS Program's Vision
To develop a qualified Peer Support Specialist workforce with the support, access, credibility, competency, respect, and valued role within the mental health and substance use disorder service delivery system to positively impact the lives of individuals experiencing mental health and addiction challenges. This vision is accomplished through the NCCPSS Program.
NCCPSS Program's Mission
The mission of the NCCPSS Program is to:
- Prepare peer specialists for work in the North Carolina mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) service system.
- Certify persons in recovery who have met the certification criteria outlined by the DMH/DD/SUS.
This program does not:
- Certify anything other than that the person has satisfactorily met all state requirements for certification.
- Guarantee the individual's job qualifications or employment skills.
The employer agency where the CPSS works is responsible for hiring, supervising, performance reviews, and ensuring the peer specialist can perform the job's essential functions, just like other positions.