PSS stands for Peer Support Specialist (sometimes referred to as a 'Peer Navigator' or 'Peer Coach Coach').
A PSS is a person with lived experience with mental health challenges, substance use disorder or co-occurring challenges, or physical health, who have received specialized training to work with their peers.
Their role is to meet people 'where they are' and walk alongside an individual providing hope, problem solving skills, coping skills, identify barriers to goals, and provide education on wellness and recovery a strengths-based way.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Action Planning for Prevention & Recovery originated over 25 years ago. It was originally a brief workbook known as Action Planning for Prevention and Recovery proven effective evidence based practices, and copyright free.
Sharon Schlerf, has been a contractor as Adjunct Faculty and Technical Advisor for US DHHS SAMHSA 'Service Members, Veterans, and Families (SMVF), and upon request she was given permission to create Courage to Change (R) (Your Thinking) Wellness & Resiliency texts. in 2012. The purpose was to apply the program for Peer Support Services delivery. the Courage to Change (R) Wellness & Resiliency Facilitator curriculum for Peer Workforce beginning 2012. Michael W Newcomb has been the leading collaborator and developer for these texts.
Today, Courage to Change is registered and trademarked curriculum registered nationally as behavioral health textbooks. (Along with the Revielle; One More Day Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention developed & copyrighted 2022).
Level I: Individual Life Experience and Wellness Implementation Basics (16 hours)
Level II: II Facilitator Training... (24 hours) (TOTAL CERTIFICATION 40 HRS)
Beacon Institute's programs are clearly focused, evidence-based practices, carefully designed, with specific quantifiable outcomes and are fully evaluated for Human Resources advancement.
Your workforce is your best asset, and as 'life happens' especially now with ongoing three years that COVID-19 pandemic has swept nation, behavioral health crisis is facing all of us. Peer Coaches (Civilians) and Peer Navigators (Military) are the solution to wellness and resiliency with through Employee Benefit Programs (EBP) and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
WE TRAIN YOUR EMPLOYEE FOR YOU OR WE ARE ALWAYS RECRUITING AND TRAINING PEERS READY, WILLING AND ABLE TO BE PLACED WITH YOU
For a Human Resources with a Hiring Transitioning Military/Veteran/Spouses, we have trained and certified US DHHS SAMHSA Courage to Change Wellness & Resiliency Peer Support Specialists. Military connect are also identified as 'Peer Navigators'. They can assist with new employee orientations, employee group 'Wellness & Resiliency Action Plans', or individual employee assistance through a specific crisis, such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, health challenges, or family transitions & relocations.
These 'Peer Navigators' Level I (16 hours) Wellness & Resiliency Curriculum, and Level II (24 Hours) classes subject matter includes Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, Forgiveness, Grief, Suicide Prevention and Domestic Violence education. The Courage to Change® Wellness & Resiliency Workbook is then used for application with employees completing their own plans including Advanced Directives considerations. (They receive a Level I Personal and Workforce Certificate).
Upon request, we will also provide 250 hours of Peer Workplace Supervision to assist with the Peer Support Specialist to successfully teaching & implement the Courage to Change Wellness & Resiliency for all of your employees. (Additional Fee)
Contact us for more information or assistance!
PROVIDE EDUCATION ON WELLNESS & RECOVERY: Facilitate peer-to-peer evidence-based practices to best establish and maintain a peer relationship based on mutuality rather than a hierarchical relationship; partners to facilitate recovery dialogue and evidence-based and best practices methods. Facilitate non-clinical peer to peer recovery education and wellness coaching through group activities or one on one in topics such as stress management, healthy leisure activities, alternative treatment options, self-affirmation, recovery, wellness, etc.
COMMUNITY INTEGRATION: Once they have completed the Peer Support Specialists (PSS). They are equipped to provide community networking and linkage with social, recreational, spiritual, volunteer, educational or vocational resources. They assist a client in identifying traditional and non-traditional community-based support that sustains a healthy life- style. They provide their clients with opportunities to practice socialization, interaction, and engagement abilities in the community.
Peer Specialists support, encourage and enhance the development of natural support systems and independent choice and participation. They assist in the development of a community integration plan that sets milestones for an increased independent community involvement, showing a decrease of dependency on the PSS. Peer Support Specialists teach clients day to day problem solving related to integration/ reintegration into the positive community of choice. At the same time, they assist other behavioral healthcare service providers in identifying program and service environments that are conducive to whole health management, including recovery from addictions.
While lived experience of having mental health challenges or substance use disorders are one of the requirements for working in this field, the following characteristics should also be present:
Self-aware and connected to their authentic selves. Open-minded and accepting of themselves and others. Respectful. Flexible and adaptable. Empathetic. Responsible. Willing to grow and continue learning. Self-empowered. Honest. Mindful and able to be in the present.
The PSS Certification Training is the same for both: "Courage to Change" (Your Life) based on (US DHHS SAMHSA: Courage to Change (R) Wellness & Resiliency Level I (16 hours), plus Level II Facilitator (24 hours), provide comprehensive competency skills for implementation with clients. It is a total of 40 hours US DHHS SAMHSA C2C Peer Support Specialist Facilitator credential.
Our PSS are referred to as Peer Navigators as 'Military Culture Experience'. Our Peer Coaches are 'Civilian Culture Experience'. Everyone is trained in military culture dynamics. As you complete Levels I-II) behavioral health training with Beacon Institute, we provide both Navigators & Coaches with additional services such as employer placement services or as independent contractor positions with us or assist other employers with their Human Resources personnel.
Beacon Institute: Veteran Pathways Home LLC
Copyright © 2023 Beacon Institute: Veteran Pathways Home - All Rights Reserved.
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