Peer Support Specialist Training
NAMI Multnomah offers Peer Support Specialist (PSS) Training four times a year:
One general training
One LGBTQ+ specific training
Two Veteran specific trainings
This 40-hour training is an Oregon Health Authority (OHA) approved PSS training for Adults in Mental Health recovery. It was developed and is facilitated and led by Fumiyo Nishimoto, MSW, LCSW, and her team at Cultivating a New Life LLC. The core elements of this program include wellness coping skills and WRAP training (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), all from a social justice framework with an emphasis on trauma-informed care, cultural humility model and narrative approaches.
Peers who complete the training can apply to become OHA Traditional Health Workers (THW) as Peer Support Specialists (PSS) for Adult Mental Health. Find the OHA’s Traditional Health Worker FAQ here.
Training Requirements:
Identify as a peer, defined as a self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services.
Be at least 18 years of age.
Not be listed on the Medicaid provider exclusion list.
Other requirements may apply; see application for details.
Application Process
The general training and LGBTQ+ specific training, sponsored by Multnomah County, are available for peers who live, work, or volunteer in Multnomah County. The Veteran specific trainings, sponsored by OHA, are offered to people who live, work, or volunteer in the state of Oregon. All trainings are offered at no cost.
Please note: we can only accept a small amount of participants per training, and we receive a large volume of applications.
Resources for PSST Graduates
OHA has created an online portal where PSST graduates can submit their THW applications. Click here to access the portal. Graduates can still submit a PDF version of their application, which can be found here: Oregon Traditional Health Worker (THW) Application
For more information about Traditional Health Worker certification, please visit Oregon Health Authority’s website here.
Upcoming Trainings
We are not currently offering any trainings. To be notified of future training opportunities, please sign up here. You can also check out the OHA website for other Oregon trainings.
You may also be interested in learning about Volunteering with NAMI Multnomah!
For more information about our free programs, or to learn which programs might best fit your needs, please give us a call on the NAMI Multnomah Helpline at 503-228-5692 or send an email to info@namimultnomah.org.