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A newsletter of the Washington State Health Care Authority Office of Recovery Support. |
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Congratulations to the HCA Peer Support Services Team for winning the Public Service Recognition Week Extra Mile Award!
Honorees include Maureen Bailey, Shelly Shor, Amanda Polley, Marie Marchand, Naomi Herrera, Mary Chambers, Gillian Holsinger, John Caldwell, Jacob Sunday, Meghan Hickerson, Heather Maxwell-Rychart, and Crystal Getchell.
The Extra Mile Award celebrates individuals and teams who push past expectations, showing visionary thinking, outstanding leadership, a commitment to equity and inclusion, and top-notch customer service.
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We've certified 1,393 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 Nicholas Graham.
Great news! The Peer Support Specialist process has been simplified for current Certified Peer Counselors to move toward the new Certified Peer Specialist credentialing.
Based on feedback, HCA has changed the format of the Gap training to include only part 1. Part 2 of the training will no longer be offered by HCA.
Thank you to the individuals who took the 2nd part of the GAP training for your participation. Your thoughtful feedback continues to help streamline the transition from Certified Peer Counselor to Certified Peer Support Specialist.
What changed?
The first part of the GAP training (Gap 1) will remain the same. You can access the GAP 1 virtual training on talent LMS. The second part of the GAP training (GAP 2) was the live virtual training, which will no longer be required. For more information about credentialing requirements please visit the Department of Health (DOH) web page: https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/peer-specialist.
Remember, CPCs have until the end of 2026 to complete Gap 1, so there is no rush. Once you do start, please try to finish within a two-week period so that our system can accommodate all of the online learners.
 Debra Sheldon works at AKIN (formerly Childhaven + Children's Home Society) as a Peer Parent Partner for their WISe Team. We meet remotely via Zoom and phone calls. I've never had the honor of meeting her in person, but her support is so life-changing that it feels like she is with me (her client) every step of the way through this journey with my kids.
If ever there was a person who ought to be teaching, training, and supervising other peers, it should be her. I feel seen, heard, respected, and understood. When she doesn't share my perspective, she remains curious to explore my experience further and doesn't shy away from holding space for me with the complexities and challenges of my situation.
When she wants to bring something to the attention of the rest of the WISe Team, she respectfully asks my permission to share. When I don't agree with taking a certain path or choice, that is respected and without judgement or even a whiff of condescension. Rather, she refocuses on my being sure of myself or advocating for myself or calls out a strength in knowing what I need to do for myself and my kids.
In a time fraught with online and in-person comparisons and unattainable ideals, I am so relieved to just 'be myself' and be comfortable with that with her support. What a beautiful gift that is, and what a confidence booster!
Nomination written and submitted by Carrie De Vault
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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. These trainings are for current administrators and supervisors of Peer Specialists only.
Through our virtual training, monthly webinar series, and technical assistance support, we equip agencies, organizations, or individual providers with the knowledge and resources to help develop, manage, and grow their peer support programs.
OPS Training
This 12-hour virtual training consists of evidence-based knowledge and leading practices that are essential for peer support supervision and administration. It also provides opportunities for an open dialogue, in a safe environment.
OPS training dates
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Tuesdays June 3 and June 10: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a 30-minute lunch
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Tuesdays July 22 and July 29: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a 30-minute lunch
Attendance will be tracked for those required to complete the OPS training and those who would like to receive a certificate of completion.
To sign up, email OPS with your preferred dates.
Quarterly OPS trainings for administrators and supervisors of Peer Specialists
The quarterly virtual OPS training spans a three-month period, with two-hour sessions held twice a month with a 30-minute post-training segment available 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.
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Monday, June 2: 8 to 10 a.m.: (5) The Five Functions of Supervision and Documentation
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Monday, June 23: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.: (6) Ethics and Boundaries
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Monday, July 7: 8 to 10 a.m.: (1) Peer Support in Washington State
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Monday, July 28: 8 to 10 a.m.: (2) The Peer Support Role: What it is and is not
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Monday, August 4: 8 to 10 a.m.: (3) How to Create a Culture of Recovery
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Monday, August 25: 8 to 10 a.m.: (4) Supervision of Peer Workers
To sign up, email OPS with your preferred dates.
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
If you are currently a supervisor of Peers or on a track to supervise Peers, take our new training developed for people who are supervisors of Peers or who are on track to become supervisors of Peers.
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.
Please visit the conference website, Peer Pathways, 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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June's Peer Blend topic: Peer Bridgers and Peer respite in Washington State, featuring speaker Amy Griesel.
Thursday, June 5, 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.
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Washington Peer Network open peer support hours
The Washington Peer Network (WPN) has peer support hours! Launched in February, WPN hosts an open, one-hour-long virtual meeting every weekday.
This is a space for Peer supporters to network, connect, and will be a safe and supportive space for Peers to receive the support they need.
The meetings are daily from 9 to 10 a.m.
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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 Marie Marchand.
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 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 Marie Marchand as much information as possible:
- Name of person/organization
- Their location
- Why are you highlighting them?
- Their picture (optional)
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