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D.C. Municipal Regulations (Last Updated: September 13, 2017) |
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Title 22. HEALTH |
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SubTilte 22-A. MENTAL HEALTH |
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Chapter 22-A73. DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH PEER SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION |
Section 22-A7301. GENERAL PROVISIONS
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7301.1The Department’s Office of Consumer and Family Affairs (OCFA) shall administer the certified peer specialist certification program (Certification Program).
7301.2The Certification Program consists of structured training designed to provide applicants with the skills necessary to provide Peer Support Services. The training at a minimum includes the completion of seventy (70) hours of classroom work as described in Section 7307 and an eighty (80) hour supervised field practicum described in Section 7308.
7301.3Applicants who desire to receive a specialty designation may be required to take additional training in accordance with the standards set by the Department.
7301.4After successful completion of the classroom work and a field practicum, or appropriate waiver in accordance with Section 7305, an applicant shall take a written and oral examination. The OCFA shall develop the written and oral examination, which shall be administered in accordance with Section 7309.
7301. 5Applicants who complete the required classroom work, field practicum and receive a passing score on the written and oral examination will be granted certification by the Department as a peer specialist (Certified Peer Specialist).
7301.6The Department may offer a specialty designation for Certified Peer Specialists in accordance with the identified needs of the Department. Certified Peer Specialists may qualify for the specialty designation upon completion of the Certified Peer Specialist program, additional training, and any other requirements established by the Department. Specialty designations may include:
(a) Certified Peer Specialist – Family: an individual who is or has been a parent or legal guardian of a child or youth who is receiving or has received mental health services, and is able to provide services to children or youth and the parents or legal guardians currently receiving mental health services.
(b) Certified Peer Specialist – Youth: an individual who was a consumer of mental health services before the age of twenty-two (22), and is able to provide services to children or youth currently receiving mental health services.
(c) Certified Peer Specialist – Recovery: for those individuals with a history of substance abuse who are able to provide services to other individuals currently receiving services for substance abuse.
7301.7The Department will provide notice to the public of upcoming training for Certified Peer Specialists, to include information on the application process and what, if any, specialty designations are being offered.