Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 24 - Mental Health › Part 5 - DMH Peer Support Specialist Professional Standards and Requirement › Chapter One - Certified Peer Support Specialist Professional (CPSSP) Application Procedures

Current through June 25, 2024
The information below includes:
* CPSSP General Requirements Overview;
* CPSSP General Application Directions
* CPSSP Application Packet Checklist; and,
* CPSSP Application and Forms.
Before submitting an
				application
,
be sure to review the
complete
				description
of CPSSP requirements and the
complete
				application process
for CPSSP located in Chapters 1 through
				10,
CPSSP - General Requirements Overview
Requirements to apply for CPSSP
Description
Legal Representative
* If applicable, the legal representative must sign the
						application in addition to the applicant.
Residency
* Applicants must be a resident of Mississippi.
Self-Disclosure
* Applicants must self identify as current or former
						recipient of mental health and/or substance abuse or intellectual or
						developmental disability services.
Employment
* Must be currently employed in Mississippi's "mental
						health system," as defined in Chapter One. For some applicants, employment may
						not occur until after successful completion of Peer Support Specialist
						Professional Training.
Education
* The applicant must provide documentation of a minimum of
						a high school diploma, GED certificate or be at least sixteen (16) years of age
						and enrolled in a GED program or enrolled in school. " Demonstrate proficiency
						in reading and writing
Ethics
* All applicants must read and abide by the
DMH
						Peer Support Specialist Professional Principles of Ethical and Professional
						Conduct.
It is the applicant's responsibility to read these principles
						before signing and submitting the application.
Experience
* The applicant must be a current or former recipient
						  of mental health, substance abuse or intellectual or developmental disability
						  services.
* Have a serious mental illness and/or substance abuse
						  disorder or intellectual or developmental disability
* Self identify as a current or former consumer of
						  mental health, substance abuse or developmental disability services
* Applicant must, within the last three years (not
						  necessarily consecutively), have a minimum of 250 hours of paid or volunteer
						  work or activities in a support or advisory role with adults or transition-aged
						  youth diagnosed with a serious mental illness and/or substance abuse disorder
						  or intellectual or developmental disability.
* One year of college or educational experience (within
						  the last three years) can be substituted for the work experience. All
						  experience must be gained prior to applying for certification.
Reference
* Applicant must submit two Reference Forms. The
						  references must attest to the individual's ability to perform the role of a
						  Certified Peer Support Specialist Professional.
Exam/Training
* Successful completion of Certified Peer Support
						  Specialist Professional Training, as prescribed by DMH.
* Proficiency for successful completion of Peer Support
						  Specialist Professional examination will be 75%. Applicant must provideproof of
						  completion.
CPSSP - General Application Directions
General Application
				Directions
* Applicants should read all directions and application
				materials
before beginning the application
				process
.
* Certain application forms must be an
original
signature, as indicated on the form. Copies
				or faxes are not accepted.
* Please print or type the information requested on the
				application forms; typing is preferred. Be sure to provide all information
				requested. Every blank should have a response, even if it is "Not
				Applicable."
* All submission deadlines reflect the date
received
by the Division of PLACE, not postmarked
				dates.
* The Division of PLACE only considers
complete
applications; all application deficiencies
				must be resolved.
* Only forms prescribed by the Division of PLACE may be
				utilized to apply for certification. Application forms may be changed without
				prior notice. The most current version should be utilized.
* Once submitted, all application materials become the property
				of DMH. Application materials will not be returned; the applicant should keep a
				copy of the application materials, except those under seal.
* All fees pertaining to DMH professional credentialing are
nonrefundable and nontransferable
. If an application
				or other credentialing fee is submitted in error, it will not be
				refunded.
* No application is considered complete without the required
				fees.
* Processing of an application will cease upon return of a
				check due to insufficient funds.
Application Time
				Limits
* Incomplete applications (including unresolved applications
				held pending by the Review Board for additional information), will be held for
				two years from the date of receipt; after two years, these applications will be
				void and destroyed.
Official
				Transcript
* Official documentation of high school diploma or GED
				equivalent (or enrollment in high school or GED program for individuals 16-18
				years of age).
* In rare and extenuating circumstances, other official
				documentation of GED or high school completion may be accepted at the
				discretion of the Department of Mental Health (DMH). DMH does not facilitate
				obtaining documentation.
Verification of Exam/Training
				Requirement
* A copy of the record documenting
successful
completion of DMH's Certified Peer Support
				Specialist Professional Training Program must be submitted to the Division of
				PLACE after successful completion of the Certified Peer Support Specialist
				Professional Training.