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A newsletter of the Washington State Health Care Authority Office of Recovery Support. |
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Many people consider the new year an opportunity to embrace change and chart a different course by setting New Year’s resolutions.
As people in behavioral health recovery, we know that change is possible. It has been said that the only constant in life is change. So why not embrace it!
If you are setting resolutions, remember to lean into your "peer-ness" by being thoughtful and making your goals SMART. By making your goals and resolutions Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound (SMART), you will set yourself up for success.
Being a peer also means being gentle on yourself if things go differently than you planned. Why not make it a resolution to prioritize self-compassion in 2025? Being gentle with ourselves and others helps us move through the world with more ease and grace. As we’ve learned through our work in peer support, self-acceptance is key for healing and growth.
Whether or not you choose to make resolutions, the new year is a door opening to new possibilities. May we embrace these opportunities with gratitude and optimism. Happy New Year!
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We've certified 791 new peers since July 1, 2024!
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.
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Operationalizing Peer Support (OPS) training
HCA’s Operationalizing Peer Support (OPS) program supports peer supervisors, administrators, organizations, and agencies who want to begin offering or enhance their current peer programs.
New OPS training option
Starting January 2025, the OPS program will be offering a new training option designed to address rising demand.
The virtual 12-hour OPS training spreads across a three month period, with two hour sessions held twice a month with 30-minutes after the training to reflect and dive deeper into the content.
This flexible series, available quarterly, allows you to join any session in any order. However, for the most enriching experience, we recommend following the structured progression, as each session builds upon the last. Attendance will be tracked for those required to complete the OPS training and those who would like to receive a certificate of completion.
OPS training dates
- Option 1: February 11 and 13 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a 30 minute lunch
- Option 2: March 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 1 to 4 p.m.
- Option 3: Two hour classes that cycle throughout the year on a quarterly basis
Quarter 1 OPS trainings
- January 13 from 8 to 10 a.m.
- Peer support in Washington
- January 27 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
- The peer role: what it is and isn't
- February 3 from 8 to 10 a.m.
- How to create a culture of recovery and resilience
- February 17 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
- Supervision fundamental principles and core competencies
- March 3 from 8 to 10 a.m.
- The five functions of supervision
- March 24 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
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.
CACPS training details:
- Attendees must be certified peer counselors. (If your name has changed since your initial peer certification, please let the training organization know to avoid being removed from registration.)
- 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.
Train the trainer
Want to train future peers? We have multiple train the trainer opportunities for a variety of trainings. Take the next step by becoming a trainer!
Supervisor of peers
Do you want to take the next step and start supervising peers? Take our new training developed for people who want to become supervisors of peers.
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Join us in our monthly peer webinar, with Amanda Polley.
- Thursday, February 6
- 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.
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Current peer support supervisors can join to review the National Practice Guidelines for Peer Specialists and Peer Supervisors.
- Monday, January 27
- 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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The National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health (NTTAC) is excited to announce that nominations are open for the third annual System of Care Virtual Summit Awards!
These awards will honor the actions of individuals and organizations in their system of care work to support the mental health and wellness of children, youth, and families. NTTAC will spotlight awardees during the 2025 System of Care virtual summit.
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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New peer support trainer requirements
We've created a new document to help guide you on the mentee to trainer pathway and trainer requirements for each curriculum.
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?
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.
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