Did you know that UPMC – Beaver County Crisis has moved?
The Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they text PA to 741741.
Mental Health Association in Beaver County
Peer Support Annual Reports
For answers to these questions and more,
View/print/share the FY 2020-2021 Report
View/print/share the FY 2021-2022 Report
Mental Health Association in Beaver
105 Brighton Ave, Rochester, PA 15074
Phone: (724) 775-4165
The Peer Survey Results are In!
Beaver County Peer Specialists
“Who We Are and What We Do”
“In August 2019, the Beaver County System of Care (SOC) surveyed peers (N=47) with and without certification. Peers were asked about peer training, employment, and their experiences as a peer providing services or volunteering within the SOC. Results from this survey will be used for planning purposes.”
Thank you to all who contributed to this project.
Congratulations on the OUTSTANDING work that you are doing as well.
View/Print/Share the Infographic!
Resources
Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition (PAPSC)
- What is a Peer Support Specialist?
- How to Become a Certified Peer Specialist
- How Does it Work?
- Why it Works
- Learn More About Peer Support
- Qualifications to be a Peer Support
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
- Peer Support Specialist Services
- Defining Peer Support
- Background of Peer Support Services in Pennsylvania
- Older Adult Initiatives
- Peer Support Training
- Provider Resources
Doors to Wellbeing
Everything you need to know about CPS (MH) and /or CRS (SUD) Certification in Pennsylvania:
- Educational Requirements
- Personal Requirements
- Training Costs and Requirements
- Funding and Scholarships
- Training Providers (Vendors) for PA
- Specialties and Specializations
- Peer Organizations and Conferences
Pat Deegan PhD & Associates, LLC
Team PDA: A small band of disruptive innovators
Website: commongroundprogram.com
Pat’s “mission is to help empower mental health services users in their own recovery and to provide peer supporters and clinicians with the know-how to support people in their recovery journey.”
Disclosure and Privacy for Peer Specialists
Blog: January 28, 2022
Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Webpage: PEERS
- Recovery Support Tools and Resources
- Core Competencies for Peer Workers
- Share Your Story
- Parents and Families
- Youth and Young Adults
- Video Trainings
- Supervision of Peer Workers
- Decision in Recovery: Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
- Value of Peers
- The Peer Support Role
- and other Peer Support Resources . . .
Mental Health
America
Resources and Support for Peers
- Become a Peer Support Specialist
- Facilitator’s Guide
- MHA Webinars
- MHA’s Peer Partners Program
- MHA National Certified Peer Specialist
(MHA NCPS) Certification - How does the MHA NCPS compare to state certifications?
Philadelphia, PA
Peer Support Toolkit
“The target audiences for this toolkit are administrators, directors, and supervisors of treatment organizations who have recently hired (or plan to hire) peers into new support
roles with the agency. Others, including peer support staff, will also find this toolkit useful.”
This downloadable .pdf manual is organized into four modules, each addressing specific implementation issues relevant to agencies in various stages of integrating peer support services.
- Preparing the Organizational Culture
- Recruiting and Hiring Peer Staff
- Service Delivery
- Supervision and Retention
Philadelphia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities Services and Achara Consulting Inc. (2017).
Peer Support Toolkit. Philadelphia, PA: DBHIDS.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
- Peer Support Specialist Services
- Defining Peer Support
- Background of Peer Support Services in PA
- Older Adult Initiatives
- Peer Support Training
- Provider Resources
- Mental Health in PA
- PA Peer Support
The Warm House
Certified Peer Specialist Program
Located in Allegheny County, mental health consumers who live in the county, age 18 and older, may apply for Certified Peer Support Services at The Warm House.
Phone: 412.248.WARM (9276)
Protecting Pennsylvania’s Children
Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse
Childline: 1-800-932-0313
Mandated and Permissive Reporting | Online Training
This free training, provided by the University of Pittsburgh – Child Welfare Resource Center, is approved for 3 continuing education credits and has been approved by the PA Department of Human Services and Department of State to meet mandated reporting (Act 31) license requirements.
- Clearance Applications
- Child Abuse Referrals
- Services and Information
PA Department of Corrections
Mental Health Services
Read updated information regarding mental health services provided to inmates, including:
- Solitary Confinement for SMI Offenders
- Enhanced Classification and Treatment for Seriously Mentally Ill Offenders
- Certified Peer Specialist Program
- Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training
- Mental Health First Aid Training
- Improved Treatment Units
- MHM performance contracting
- Partnering with NAMI, Rutgers, etc.
- Development of Suicide Prevention Committees
- Trauma Screening
- Mental Health Advocate
- Department of Corrections’ Mental Health Initiatives
- Related Information / Documents
Pennsylvania Department on Aging
Protective Services
Report Elder Abuse:1-800-932-0313
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging has created a free, online Mandatory Abuse Reporting training module to help aging and human services providers recognize and report elder abuse.
Although the training is intended for mandated reporters, anyone who is interested in protecting older adults from abuse can take the training.
The module was developed to reach a broad audience from entry-level to seasoned professionals. The training takes about 30 minutes to complete and includes knowledge checks throughout to ensure that participants understand the information. A printable certificate recognizing the successful completion of the training module is available. This training module will also help to ensure that facilities are compliant with licensure requirements.
The training is available on the PDA Learning Management System (LMS). Anyone with an existing account may access the Mandatory Abuse Reporting Training Course by clicking here to login. Individuals who do not have an established PDA LMS training account, and are not associated with a AAA can click here to request an account.
Wellness Recovery Action Plan
(WRAP)
The Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP®) is a personalized wellness and recovery system born out of and rooted in the principle of self-determination. WRAP® is a wellness and recovery approach that helps people to:
- decrease and prevent intrusive or troubling feelings and behaviors
- increase personal empowerment
- improve quality of life
- achieve their own life goals and dreams
Working with a WRAP® can help individuals to monitor uncomfortable and distressing feelings and behaviors and, through planned responses, reduce, modify, or eliminate those feelings. A WRAP® also includes plans for responses from others when an individual cannot make decisions, take care of him/herself, and/or keep him/herself safe.
Try a FREE introductory course to WRAP® or visit the Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery to learn more.
Pennsylvania
Adult Protective Services
24/7 Hotline: 1-800-490-8505
In 2010, the Adult Protective Services (APS) Law (Act 70 of 2010) was enacted to protect adults between the ages of 18 and 59 with a physical or mental disability that limits one or more major life activities. The APS Law establishes a program of protective services in order to detect, prevent, reduce and eliminate abuse, neglect, exploitation, and abandonment of these adults in need.
A report can be made on behalf of the adult whether they live in their home or in a care facility such as a nursing facility, group home, hospital, etc. Reporters can remain anonymous and have legal protection from retaliation, discrimination, and civil and criminal prosecution. The statewide Protective Services Hotline is available 24 hours a day.
My Mental Health Crisis App
(Provided by SMI Advisor, the link above can be used to download the app, a Facilitator Guide, or find related on-demand courses to take and earn credits.)
- This easy-to-use app lets individuals create and share a psychiatric advance directive (PAD) that gives them a voice in their own care during a mental health crisis.
- The Facilitator Guide can help Certified Peer Specialists (or other members of the mental health care team) guide individuals on how to use the app to create a PAD. It also offers guidance on how to introduce concepts that are part of a PAD.
- SMI Adviser offers free, on-demand courses on PADs and crisis planning topics. Participants can earn CME/NCPD/CE credits.
- Lastly, explore the web page’s section, “What Should I Know About PADs?” for answers to FAQs.
Mental Health Partnerships
Free Continuing Education Courses for individuals who work or reside in PA only!
| Ethics and Boundaries July 12, 2022 9:00am-12:00pm This training, adapted to address Peer’s particular needs while working remotely, is intended to support staff in developing and maintaining appropriate boundaries in service provision, and explore and clarify ethical dilemmas. Participants will explore power and privilege and how these differentials affect our work. Participants will practice assessing decisions about boundaries and dual relationships. The Code of Ethical Conduct will be presented and participants will participate in interactive activities to support their learning experience and the implications of putting them into practice. This three-hour online experience will allow for question and answer, group discussion, activities, and an evaluation. This 3-hour workshop fulfills the 3-hour CE requirement to maintain a CPS certification in the state of Pennsylvania. Register HERE |
| Part 2: Understanding Youth Suicidality July 20, 2022 9:00am-12:00pm Understanding Youth Suicidality aims to provide an introductory understanding of youth suicidality in a community context. Note that this course is a required prerequisite in order to take the next course in the “Community-Based Youth Suicide Prevention” series. Register HERE |
| Trauma-Informed De-Escalation August 4, 2022 9:00am-11:00am This training equips participants with an understanding of the cycle of escalation and with strategies for preventing escalation as well as defusing tension. As a result of this workshop, learners will be able to: identify what causes and contributes to escalation, list strategies for maintaining safety, and use Verbal Methods for defusing tension. In addition, participants will understand the role of self-awareness in de-escalating tension. Register HERE |