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A newsletter of the Washington State Health Care Authority Office of Recovery Support. |
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Since 2004, October has been Emotional Wellness Month. It is a time for us to pay attention to the internal landscape of our emotions.
One way to do this is to learn to name our emotions in a more nuanced way. An emotion wheel can help us! Are we angry, or are we bitter or humiliated? Are we happy, or are we playful or courageous? The better we can identify our emotions, the more likely we are to effectively process and express them.
One healthy way to express our emotions is through art, such as painting or writing poetry. Identifying our emotions can also empower us to pinpoint and articulate our needs associated with specific emotions. Overall, being more aware of our emotional wellness can help keep us healthier and more grounded.
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The Washington Peer Jobs database is an online platform dedicated to connecting individuals in the behavioral health and substance use recovery fields with employment opportunities.
The database:
- Provides a centralized resource for peer support roles.
- Offers listings for job seekers and recruitment tools for employers.
- Aims to enhance workforce development by promoting careers in peer support, ensuring that individuals with lived experience can contribute to recovery services and support others on their journey to wellness.
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Operationalizing Peer Support (OPS) training
HCA’s Operationalizing Peer Support (OPS) program supports peer supervisors, administrators, and organizations agencies who want to begin offering or enhance their current peer programs.
The OPS program is holding a free, two- or four-day training to support organizations with the implementation and operationalization of their peer programs.
Participants should attend all sessions to best implement their peer programs effectively.
Topics will include the history of peer support, the peer role in Washington, laws related to peer services, peer supervision, and more.
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Option 1: Tuesday, November 5 and 12 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a 30 minute lunch break
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Option 2: Tuesday, December 3 and 10 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a 30 minute lunch break
Crisis Awareness and Communication in Peer Support (CACPS)
Are you a certified peer working in a crisis setting? Join the crisis awareness and communication in peer support training! This training is 36 hours over the course of five days.
Beginning July 1, 2025, any entity that uses certified peer specialists as peer crisis responders, may only use certified peer specialists who have completed CACPS training.
Details:
- Attendees must be certified peer counselors.
- Peers working in crisis settings are given priority.
- Peers must complete the online prerequisite "Power of peer support in crisis services" training to attend this training and download a copy of the certificate to be offered as proof of completion to the hosting training organization.
- Peers must complete the post-traumatic growth survey (sent by the training organization) before the first day of training.
- Peers must attend the training in person, there is no virtual option.
- Peers must cover their own travel and hotel accommodations.
- Breakfast, refreshments, and lunch, will be provided during the training day.
Times, dates, and locations for CACPS trainings may shift and change in response to regional needs. Please reach out to Amanda Polley for more information.
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Join us in our monthly peer webinar. This month, with special presenter, Raymond Gregson.
- Thursday, October 3
- 9 to 10 a.m.
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Need support with your organization's peer support program? Drop in to the Operationalizing Peer Support (OPS) office hours.
There will be no office hours, Monday, October 7.
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Current peer support supervisors can join to review the National Practice Guidelines for Peer Specialists and Peer Supervisors.
- Monday, October 21
- 11 a.m. to noon
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Live event captioning available
Communication Access Real-time Transcription (CART) services, or live closed captioning, are available for events, on demand. Scheduling CART services requires a three-week lead-time.
To request this accommodation, please submit a request as soon as possible to Amanda Polley.
If you make your request less than a week in advance of the event, our language access manager cannot guarantee that a CART writer will be available.
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Poetry is a great avenue for self-expression and community-building. Every month, we feature poetry written by peers in the community.
To be considered for publication in the newsletter, submit a hopeful, resilience-inspired poem to Marie Marchand, our peer support training coordinator, before the twentieth of the month.
Do you want to share your lived and living experiences to inform policies, practices, and resources for statewide behavioral health services? Join the Office of Community Voices and Empowerment advisory committee.
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Problem gambling
When gambling causes problems with life, relationships, financial situation, job, or school, help is available.
Call, text, or chat the Problem Gambling Helpline in Washington at 1-800-547-6133. Family members can also receive help.
Medicaid (Apple Health) now covers problem gambling treatment, and the State Problem Gambling Program is a low-barrier program that provides free treatment.
Peer support in the news
Washington Peer Network
The Washington Peer Network provides comprehensive and accessible training and support for peer counselors across our state.
Department of Health peer specialist licensing
Are you interested in knowing more about what the Department of Health (DOH) is doing to support the efforts of recent peer legislation (SSB5555) and moving forward with our Washington State Legislators and the future of licensing for peer services?
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Do you know a CPC or peer-run organization who you think deserves a little extra kudos? We want to highlight them in an upcoming newsletter!
Please email Amanda Polley as much information as possible:
- Name of person/organization
- Their location
- Why are you highlighting them?
- Their picture (optional)
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