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A newsletter of the Washington State Health Care Authority Office of Recovery Support. |
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This year, Peer Pathways celebrates its 10th anniversary! The event will occur Wednesday, August 13, and Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the Lynnwood Event Center. This year's theme: Staying Peer in an Expanding Workforce. The call for presentation proposals is currently open, as is the call for artwork for the brochure.
Early registration begins Monday, March 17, 2025. Please visit the conference website for details. The Washington State Health Care Authority’s Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) is pleased to sponsor this transformative and uplifting gathering hosted by The Rainbow Makers and Jones Community Solutions.
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We've certified 1,051 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.
This month's featured poet is Shawn Mire.
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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
The OPS program is now offering a new training option designed to address rising demand.
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
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NEW Option 1: Two-hour classes that cycle throughout the year on a quarterly basis*
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Option 2 (2-day): March 5 and March 19, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a 30-minute lunch
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Option 3 (4-day): March 4, 11, 18, 25 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Attendance will be tracked for those required to complete the OPS training and those who would like to receive a certificate of completion.
*Quarterly: The virtual 12-hour OPS training spreads across a three-month period and includes two-hour sessions held twice a month with 30 minutes post-training available to reflect and dive deeper into the content. This flexible series allows you to join any session in any order.
Quarterly OPS trainings for administrators and supervisors of Peer Specialists
- Monday, March 24, 2025, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Ethics and Boundaries
- Monday, April 7, 2025, from 8 to 10 a.m.: Peer Support in Washington State
- Monday, April 28, 2025, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.: The Peer Role: What It is and What It is Not
- Monday, May 5, 2025, from 8 to 10 a.m.: How to Create a Culture of Recovery and Resilience
- Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Supervision Fundamental Principles and Core Competencies
If you are interested in attending any of the above, please contact Crystal at OPS for the login information.
Crisis Awareness and Communication in Peer Support (CACPS)
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.
- The training is 36 hours.
- 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
Feeling like you're ready to train future Peers? We have multiple "train the trainer" opportunities for a variety of trainings. Take the next step by becoming a trainer!
Supervisors of Peers
Do you want to take the next step and begin supervising Peers? Take our new training developed for people who want to become supervisors of Peers.
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This month, Tana Russell and Roxane Waldron presented on Peer Support in problem gambling. This Peer Blend webinar occurred March 6.
Look forward to April's Peer Blend webinar with Amanda Polley, Peer Support Program Administrator, as she provides what's new in DBHR’s corner of the Peer Support world in Washington State.
Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 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: weekly Mondays from 1 to 2 p.m.
Upcoming Listening Session for Peer Specialist Changes
Please join HCA’s Maureen Bailey, Shelly Shor, and Amanda Polley, with DOH’s Ted Dale for an informational listening session and Q&A about changes to the peer support credentialing.
Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
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Washington Peer Network open peer support hours
The Washington Peer Network (WPN) is launching peer support hours. Starting in February, WPN will host an open, one-hour long virtual meeting every weekday!
The meetings are daily from 9 to 10 a.m.
This will be a space for peer supporters to network, connect, and will be a safe and supportive space for peers to receive the support they need.
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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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Washington peer jobs database
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.
This 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 journeys to wellness.
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New certified Peer specialist FAQ
Have questions about the changes related to the new legislation about certified Peer specialists?
Washington Support After Suicide
The Washington Support After Suicide (SAS) program offers vital assistance to individuals mourning a suicide loss, helping them connect with others and easing their isolation. According to the CDC, "people who had known someone who died by suicide in the last year were 1.6 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts, 2.9 times more likely to have a plan for suicide, and 3.7 times more likely to have made a suicide attempt themselves."
Recognizing this, SAS serves as a cornerstone for survivors, providing support and connection to those grappling with such profound loss across our community.
The Support After Suicide Program provides three sources of support for loss survivors:
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Grief Companions: Participants are paired up with a volunteer companion who has experienced a similar loss and is trained to actively listen and provide emotional support. Companion pairs have up to six one-on-one phone calls and text contact over the course of a few weeks or a few months.
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Survivors of Suicide (SOS) support group: Drop-in virtual support groups twice a month for those who have lost a loved one to suicide and reside in Washington State. Facilitated by a trained clinician, this is a place to share and build community.
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Care Packages: We ship care packages to anyone who requests them after a loss as long as the recipient resides in Washington State. The package contents were curated from suicide loss survivors and include books, tea and mug, a candle, and other comforting items. We have two boxes, one for individuals and one for families with youth in the home.
SAMHSA launches Center for Addiction Recovery Support
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has launched the Center for Addiction Recovery Support (CARS).
CARS will provide essential training and technical assistance to help organizations better support people facing substance use and co-occurring mental health challenges.
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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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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