Overview of Course/Training Scholarship
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, specifically the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services (DMH/DD/SUS), recognizes the invaluable contributions individuals with lived experience of serious mental illness and substance use disorders bring to the state's prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Peer Support Specialists, individuals with firsthand experience with recovery from these conditions, play a vital role in supporting and guiding others facing similar challenges.
As part of their commitment to fostering peer support services, the DMH/DD/SUS is providing funds to facilitate the training and certification of Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS). This entails developing and implementing a process to offer scholarships to individuals interested in becoming CPSS. These scholarships will provide financial assistance for the required training for certification.
To execute this project, the DMH/DD/SUS and Behavioral Health Springboard (BHS) will collaborate with Approved Course owners to provide the required training for CPSS certification. Through contractual agreements with the course owners, BHS will ensure the effective implementation of the scholarship program, enabling individuals to access the training they need to become Certified Peer Support Specialists.
This initiative reflects the state's commitment to empowering individuals in recovery and leveraging their experiences to enhance support services for others navigating similar journeys. By investing in the training and certification of CPSS, North Carolina aims to strengthen its peer support network and improve outcomes for individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders across the state.
Course Owners
Scholarship Application: Applicants will complete an ONLINE scholarship application. The application will include:
- ONLINE application form.
- NCCPSS Program Code of Ethics.
- Proof of Education.
- Two reference letters from individuals who have known the applicant for at least a year and are aware of their recovery journey.
- Payment of the application fee.
Review/Award Scholarship: NCCPSS Program staff will review applications and award scholarships based on the following criteria:
- Meeting certification requirements.
- Availability of funds.
The Program will send an award letter to successful applicants, allowing them to select a participating 50-hour approved course.
Complete Course/Training: Awarded applicants will have six months to complete a 50-hour training course. Applicants will provide their award letter upon registration for the course. The letter will serve as a guarantee for payment from BHS to the Course Owner(s) upon completing the 50-hour training course. Once the class is finished, the course owner will submit the certification of completion to the NC CPSS Program. This certificate is required for the applicant's certification process.
Reimburse Course Owner: The NCCPSS Program will reimburse participating Course Owner(s) directly after the applicant completes the training and the Program receives the training certificate. The NCCPSS Program will mail applicants a copy of their training and CPSS certificates.
Process Certification: Upon receiving the 50-hour training certificate from the Course Owner, the NCCPSS Program will complete the applicant's certification process and provide them with a copy of their training certificate and the CPSS certificate.
Scholarship Applicants
Scholarship Award Criteria:
The North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist (NCCPSS) Program has established clear criteria for awarding scholarships to potential Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS). Here's a breakdown of the requirements and the process:
Certification Criteria - Applicants must meet the following criteria to receive a scholarship for a course/training:
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Applicants must be in recovery from either a serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder.
- Be in recovery for at least one year.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Scholarship Award:
Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis while funding remains available. Preference will be given to applicants from the eastern part of the state, with comparatively fewer training opportunities. This preference aims to balance the distribution of resources and encourage course owners to organize training sessions in the East.
Financial Need Assessment:
Applicants will be asked to indicate their participation in government assistance programs and might be required to show proof. (ex: SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, Housing Assistance Programs, Disability benefits, and other social assistance programs). A scholarship recipient might be required to return the scholarship if unable to provide evidence of their involvement in a governmental assistance program upon request. This structured approach ensures that scholarships are awarded fairly based on merit and financial need. It also addresses regional disparities in training opportunities, promoting accessibility and fairness across the state.
Scholarship Award Process:
The implementation process for the NCCPSS Program scholarship awards is outlined as follows:
1. Receive Application: The NCCPSS Program will receive applications ONLINE for potential CPSS. To be considered, applicants must submit a complete application packet, which includes:
- The ONLINE application form includes questions about demographics, financial needs, and recovery.
- Submission of all required documents except for the copy of the Approved Course training certificate.
- Two reference letters from individuals who have known the applicant for at least a year and are aware of their recovery journey.
- Payment of the application fee.
2. Review/Award Scholarship: NCCPSS Program staff will review applications and award scholarships based on the following criteria:
- Meeting certification requirements.
- Availability of funds.
The Program will send an award letter to successful applicants, allowing them to select a participating approved course.
3. Complete Course/Training: Awarded applicants will have six months to complete a 50-hour training course. Applicants will provide their award letter upon registration for the course. The letter will serve as a guarantee for payment from BHS to the Course Owner(s) upon completing the 50-hour training course. Once the class is finished, the course owner will submit the certification of completion to the NC CPSS Program. This certificate is required for the applicant's certification process.
4. Reimburse Course Owner: The NCCPSS Program will reimburse participating Course Owner(s) directly after the applicant completes the training and the Program receives the training certificate. The NCCPSS Program will mail applicants a copy of their training and CPSS certificates.
5. Process Certification: Upon receiving the 50-hour training certificate from the course owner, the NCCPSS Program will complete the applicant's certification process and provide them with a copy of their training certificate and the CPSS certificate.