Mental Health Association of Northwestern PA

Mental Health Association of Northwestern PA

Erie County Certified Peer Specialists

There are thirty-seven Certified Peer Specialists trained in Erie County to date with twenty-two Certified Peer Specialists (CPS) working in the Mental Health field and some other CPS working outside the field. Eighteen CPS have been certified as WRAP Facilitators and are qualified to facilitate WRAP groups. CPS have worked in different sites such as Drop-In Centers, CRU, Outpatient, Lodges, Personal Care Homes, Hospital ER, Youth, Arts Program and State Hospital.

If you are interested in hosting a WRAP Group or becoming a Certified Peer Specialist contact Kate Bender at 814-452-4462 Ext. 132 for information. We will probably be holding another Certified Peer Specialist training within the calendar year of 2008.

Employment Opportunities

View our list of known employment opportunities as of July 1, 2008

Monthly Support/Information Meetings

Monthly support/information meetings for Erie County Certified Peer Specialists will be held at the Mental Health Association of Northwestern PA, 1101 Peach Street, Erie PA. Map.

The time of each meeting posted on the schedule of activities. They are generally the fourth Monday of every month at 5PM and the second Wednesday of every month at noon. For the noon meeting please bring a lunch.

Each meeting will include time to talk about what is happening at your work site. We'll also have an educational presentation at each meeting and provide training certificates for that presentation which will help you meet your requirement for recertification.

PA Peer Support Coalition Discussion Forum

PMHCA website - A very good resource of CSP information.

Peer Specialist Alliance of America (PSAA)

People in recovery from psychiatric disabilities, researchers and others from around the country gathered in Philadelphia in July 2006, to create a new national trade association , named the Peer Specialist Alliance of America (PSAA). The purpose of this association is to promote the emerging profession of Certified Peer Specialist.

National Association of Peer Specialists

The National Association of Peer Specialists, Inc. (NAPS), is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to peer support in mental health systems. We are a group of dedicated peer specialists seeking ways to improve the effectiveness of the mental health system through the hiring of other peer specialists.