Certified Peer Support Specialist Training
Turn Your Experience into Empowerment! Become a Peer Support Specialist!
The Johnston County Public Health Department and the Opioid Task Force are pleased to announce scholarship opportunities for Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) training.
Thanks to approval from the Johnston County Commissioners, funding from the Opioid Settlement Funds (Strategy III) will support up to four qualified applicants.
This initiative aims to support individuals with lived experience related to substance or opioid use, recognizing the unique value they bring to supporting others in recovery.
Preferences will be given to applicants who are recommended by a Johnston County agency or community-based organization.
Scholarship Recipient Responsibilities
- Complete 50 hours of CPSS training (includes a minimum of 40 hours of in-person and 10 hours of pre-work or homework)
- Complete 20 hours of WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) training
- Complete two hours of continuing education training online
- Submit all required documents to https://pss.unc.edu/certification forcertification
- Attend Johnston County Opioid TaskForce quarterly meetings
- After certification, provide peer support to a minimum of 30 individuals annually through health fairs and other events coordinated by Johnston County Health Department
- Attend bi-monthly check-ins with the Opioid Grant Coordinator for 12 months post-certification
Cost and Reimbursement
Scholarship recipients will pay 50% of the training costs, up font $250.00. This amount will be fully reimbursed upon completion of the certification process. *Commitment sheet to be signed.
Eligibility
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be in recovery from a substance use or opioid disorder for at least one year
- Have lived experience with, and in recovery from, a substance use disorder and/or serious mental illness
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Participate in an in-person interview
Dates and Locations of the Classes
Click here to view the dates and locations of the Certified Peer Support Specialist training sessions. All sessions are held at the JCPH building or the Behavioral Health building behind JCPH.
How to Apply for the CPSS Scholarship
Complete the CPSS Training Brochure and Application (PDF) and email it to LaNarda.Williamson@johnstonnc.gov.
Submit Applications to:
LaNarda Williamson
Opioid Grant Coordinator
Johnston County Behavioral Health
521 North Brightleaf Blvd, Smithfield NC 27577
919-209-5864
LaNarda.Williamson@johnstonnc.gov
View and/or Download Original Event Brochure and Application
