Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 24 - Mental Health › Part 5 - DMH Peer Support Specialist Professional Standards and Requirement › Chapter Five - Certification Phases

Current through June 25, 2024
APPLICATION PHASE
* Individual submits a co
mplete
application packet.
*
Complete
applications are forwarded
				to the PLACE Review Board. The Review Board reviews all applications, evaluates
				materials against established criteria and makes recommendations to the DMH
				Executive Director. Applicants are notified in writing if more information is
				needed.
Each regularly-scheduled PLACE Review Board meeting has a
				corresponding deadline for receipt of complete application materials. Review
				Board meetings may be cancelled without prior notice.
A Review Board meeting calendar will be posted on the DMH
				website and provided to program Staff Development Officers (SDOs) on an annual
				basis.
To obtain a copy of the PLACE Review Board
				meeting
calendar, visit the DMH website, or contact the
				Division of
PLACE.
* The Executive Director reviews the PLACE Review Board
				recommendations and approves or disapproves each application for professional
				credentialing.
* Each applicant is subsequently notified in writing of the
status
of his/her application. The possible outcomes
				are:
1) Approval - Individual is
			 awarded the credential.
2) Hold
			 Pending - The Review Board may request additional information from the
			 applicant before rendering a decision/recommendation.
3) Denial - The Review Board may deny
			 applications for credentialing for the following reasons, including, but not
			 limited to: lack of appropriate employment; failure to pay required fees; lack
			 of appropriate educational recruitment; lack of appropriate experience; failure
			 to complete
successfully
any or all credentialing
			 requirements; failure to acquire necessary continuing education hours;
			 unacceptable practice of the applicant; violation of the
DMH Peer
			 Support Specialist Professional Principles of Ethical and Professional
			 Conduct;
conviction of a crime which is a felony under federal or
			 state law; and/or, declaration of mental incompetence by the court.
CERTIFICATION PHASE
Certification
				(CPSSP)
Once credentialed, the CPSSP will receive a credential award
				letter, followed by a certificate.
The credential award letter will
				outline
:
* The length of certification, including the CPSSP expiration
				date; the CPSSP expiration date is made to coincide with the DMH Peer Support
				Specialist Professional four-year renewal deadline. CPSSP renew every four
				years by the renewal deadline. Full certification timelines are addressed in
				Chapter Six.
* The CPSSP renewal requirements; renewal requirements are
				outlined in Chapter Seven.
Individuals who have been awarded full certification are
				expected to abide by the professional responsibility provisions in Chapter
				Eight.
CERTIFICATE ISSUANCE
Professional
				Identification
Individuals who make successful application for certification
				will be awarded a full certificate attesting to the title of "Certified Peer
				Support Specialist Professional" (CPSSP). CPSSP is renewable every four
				years.
Certificates
Wall certificates issued by the DMH remain the property of DMH
				and must be surrendered upon request.
DMH intends that each individual hold only one certificate per
				professional title. DMH does not provide multiple original wall
				certificates.
Certificates issued by DMH reflecting credentialing as a CPSSP
				are valid for a maximum four-year Certification Period established by the
				Division. The issuance date is indicated on the certificate. Full certification
				timelines are addressed in Chapter Six.
Full certificates are
				renewable.
Individuals holding a DMH professional credential who are
				currently practicing in the state mental health system should maintain a copy
				of proof of certification in their personnel file.
Upon separation from state mental health system employment, the
				credentialed individual should notify the Division accordingly, as outlined in
				Chapter Nine. Unless the separating individual is reemployed with another state
				mental health system program or requests and receives an appropriate credential
				status change, the certificate is invalid.
Replacement
				Certificates
Only individuals in good standing who are currently employed in
				the state mental health system (or in Inactive Status) may request a
				replacement certificate.
Upon written (or email) request, an individual may be allowed
one
replacement certificate
at no
				charge
for any of the following reasons:
* Printing Error;
* Damaged/Destroyed;
* Lost;
* Never received; or,
* Legal Name Change.
If the request is due to a legal name
				change,
along with the request, the individual should submit a
copy
of legal documentation of the name change. The
				request should indicate the new name as it should appear on the replacement
				certificate. Name changes reported at the time of a new application do not have
				to be accompanied by a request or a copy of the legal documentation; this
				exemption does not apply to renewal applications.
If an individual makes more than one request for a replacement
				certificate, the Division reserves the right to impose the certificate
				replacement fee.
Once the new replacement certificate is issued, the previous
				certificate immediately becomes invalid. Possession and utilization of two
				certificates for fraudulent purposes is grounds for disciplinary action,
				including possible loss of credentialing.
ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL
The terms of administrative appeal are only applicable to the
				application process.
An applicant aggrieved by a decision regarding the initial,
				upgrade or renewal application for professional certification has the right to
				appeal to the DMH Executive Director. The applicant must notify the Division
				and provide any supplemental application information
within 30
				calendar days
of the mailing of the application review
				results.
The DMH Executive Director or designee will review the
				application and supplemental information, if provided, and notify the applicant
				of the results of this review within 30 days.
An applicant aggrieved by the DMH Executive Director's final
				decision may then appeal to the State Board of Mental Health. Appeals to the
				State Board of Mental Health must be made
within 30 calendar
				days
of the mailing of the DMH Executive Director's final
				decision; the appeal must be made and conducted in accordance with established
				Board policy.