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.

Smiling Peer Support Specialist

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 20% of the training costs, upfont $100.00. This amount will be fully reimbursed upon completion of the certification process. Participants are required to sign a Commitment Acknowledgment Form.

Eligibility

Be at least 18 years old
Be in recovery from a substance use or opioid disorder for at least 18 months
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