Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
E. Douglas Varney, Commissioner

TENNESSEE CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Peer Support is a best-practice model for supporting people with mental illness. This model relies on individuals who live with mental illness to provide peer-to-peer support to others, drawing on their own experiences to promote wellness and recovery. This model is fostered in Tennessee through the Tennessee Certified Peer Specialist Certification Program administered by the Office of Consumer Affairs. Additionally, Tennessee Certified Peer Specialist Certification expands professional employment opportunities for consumers.

A Tennessee Certified Peer Specialist has self-identified as a person with a mental illness or co-occurring disorder and has successfully navigated the service system to access treatment and resources necessary to build personal recovery and success with his or her life goals. This individual undergoes training recognized by the department on how to assist other persons with mental illness in fostering their own wellness, based on the principles of self-directed recovery.

Tennessee Certified Peer Specialists

• Deliver unique services in the mental health system
  
• Provide Medicaid-billable services through provider agencies
  
• Assist service recipients by promoting self-directed recovery goals
  
• Function as life coaches, advocates, teachers and group facilitators

Principles of Peer Support

• Identification and Empathy
  
• Recovery and Resiliency Modeling
  
• Personal Responsibility
  
• Instill Hope - “I’m doing it. So can you!”
  

Tennessee Certified Peer Specialist Certification Guidelines and Forms

• CPRS Program Guidelines, Standards and Procedures (Handbook)
• Tennessee Certified Peer Specialist Application Process Checklist(Auto-Fill PDF)
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training Application-MH-5483
• Employment Summary(Auto-Fill PDF)
• TCPS Professional Reference(Auto-Fill PDF)
• Acknowledgment of the TCPS Scope of Activities
• Acknowledgment of the TCPS Code of Ethics
• Frequently Asked Questions
• TCPS Certification Renewal Application(Auto-Fill PDF)
• TCPS Inactive Status Request(Auto-Fill PDF)
• Duplicate Diploma Request
• Request for GED Documents
• TCPS Volunteer Work Summary
• TCPS Ethics Complaint Form
• Conservator Status Form
• Proof of Webinar Attendance Procedure
• Continuing Education Fact Sheet (PDF Version) (Word Version)

Obtaining Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) Face-to-Face

If you are experiencing difficulty finding face-to-face continuing education hours for your recertification, we can help. Please contact us- Email: OCA.TDMHSAS@tn.gov Toll free 800-560-5767 / Local (Nashville): 615-532-6700.