Montana's Peer Network has developed a comprehensive 40 hour training program to provide you with basic education and instruction around the most important elements of peer support work. We were the first provider approved by the Board of Behavioral Health to meet the training requirements for obtaining certification as a Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist.
This empowering and highly interactive training includes topics such as: whole health recovery, one-on-one work, support group facilitation, ethics and standards, confidentiality, change model, recovery concepts and much, much more. This unique training experience provides hands on learning, role play examples, and group discussion that isnt available in online or computer based trainings and a personal connection to other peer supporters around the state.
This training is designed to allow the participant to develop core competencies of peer support, gain better understanding of their own recovery story, build upon strengths, network with other peer supporters and understand the important role peer support can play in the recovery process. Upon successful completion of this training participants will receive a certificate of completion from Montana's Peer Network. This course meets the National Practice Standards for Peer Supporters and the guideline set up by the Montana Peer Support Task Force and the guidelines for Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist Certification.
If you are interested in taking PS 101, please visit the Find Your Trail page for application instructions.
Training Categories
Introduction
Orientation and Expectations
Foundation
History and Types of Peer Support
Peer Supporter Toolbox
Recovery Concepts
Dimensions and Guiding Principles
Montana Peer Support Task Force
Role and Scope
Boundaries and Ethics
Recovery Team
Recovery Talks
Self-Care
Clinical Supervision
Benefits Planning, FMLA and Accommodations
Mentoring Continuing Education
Communication Skills
Emotional Intelligence
Trauma Informed Care
Cultural Understanding and CLAS Standards
Personal Bias
Providing Support
Goal Setting
Healthy Minds Healthy Bodies
Obstacles
Stages of Change
Situational Awareness
Suicide Intervention
Recovery and Crisis Planning
Advance Psychiatric Directive
Advocacy
Recovery Stories
Confidentiality, Reporting, HIPAA and Documentation
Montana State System
Resources state and national
10 Homework assignments
Training Evaluation
Exam
You must complete an application to be considered for PS 101.
Peer Supporters currently working in the field will have priority but you must sign up early to ensure your spot. Seats are extremely limited.
You must have an overall score of 80% to pass the course. This includes homework, class participation, and the final exam.
You will receive a certificate of course completion to submit with your Certified Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist application
If you don’t pass the Peer Support 101 training you cannot just retake the exam, you must retake the entire course.
We offer a limited number of trainings each year and we cannot guarantee that you will be able to retake the class on the next training date.
If you need a copy of your certificate, please email us with your name, address, and the date you took the training. there is a $10 fee for certificate reprints which can be paid at this link.
Please be advised that it may take up to two weeks for you to receive your replacement certificate.