are former or current consumers of mental health services (also known as “peers”) and are accountable to the Board of Directors. The majority of our staff have received an intensive forty-hour peer specialist training followed by a State of Michigan delivered competency test. After successfully completing the test, they become qualified by the Michigan Department of Community Health as a Certified
Peer Support Specialist (CPSS). Peer Support Specialists (PSS) are individuals who are strong in their recovery, have specialized training and have a unique background and skill level that is based on their experience with their own mental illness as well as use of services and supports to achieve their personal goals of community membership, independence and productivity. A PSS has a unique ability to gain trust and respect of others because of their shared experience and perspective with mental illness, and with planning and negotiating the human services system. Peer Specialist Services, as defined by the Michigan Department of Community Health Medicaid Provider manual 17.3.H.1., “provide individuals with opportunities to support, mentor and assist consumers to achieve community inclusion, participation, independence, recovery, resiliency and/or productivity.”
