Certified Peer Support Specialists for people who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or
deafblind
Certified Peer Support Specialists for people who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deafblind are people who also have those
characteristics and have: been successful with the mental health recovery process; completed a training program; and passed an
exam showing that they have the skills to work with peers who also have mental health challenges.
Certified Peer Support Specialists have “been there” as clients in treatment and have valuable experiences that can help others
who have similar struggles. Certified Peer Support Specialists will meet with peers who are experiencing mental health
challenges, and will provide support in many different ways. A few examples include: modeling wellness and personal
responsibility; helping the person identify resources (therapists, social workers); meeting 1:1 to encourage the person to develop a
support system; accompanying the person to doctor or case management appointments for support. The Certified Peer Support
Specialist will receive clinical supervision from a licensed mental health professional while working as a CPSS.
Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) Qualifications:
To become CPSS, a person must the qualifications below before they can apply. A qualified person might be hired as a Certified
Peer Support Specialist Level I (entry level) or at an advanced level as a Certified Peer Support Specialist Level II.
Certified Peer Specialist Level I Qualification Requirements:






Must be at least 21 years of age
Must have a high school diploma or GED
Must have a mental health diagnosis
Must have in the past received mental health services (or be currently receiving mental health services)
Must be willing to share experiences with recovery with peers
Must successfully complete the Department approved CPSS training and exam
Certified Peer Specialist Level II Qualification Requirements:


Must be qualified at the Mental Health Practitioner level as defined by Minnesota Statute 245.462, subdivision 17
Must have at least 6,000 hours of supervised experience while providing peer services to persons who have mental health
challenges
Certification is valid for two years from the time the person gets certified. To keep certification, the CPSS must complete 30 hours
of training in areas of mental health recovery, mental health rehabilitative services and peer support. The CPSS must get
documentation proving that they received training and send every two years to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division.
Training and Certification:
The Certified Peer Support Specialist Training for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals is a 40-hour training program
provided in American Sign Language (ASL) and includes a final exam. The training is designed to provide hands-on experience
using role-playing and group discussion. This will allow people who join the training to learn new concepts and actually practice
those with each other. People who participate in the training are expected to share their personal stories about their mental health
struggles and recovery.
Individuals who take the training must pass the final exam before they will be considered for a CPSS position. Not all of the
participants who take the training will be hired.
Interested in becoming a Certified Peer Support Specialist?
For more information contact Dr. John Gournaris, Mental Health Program Director, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division,
John.Gournaris@state.mn.us, John Gournaris, Mental Health Program, 444 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-3814