Peer Training & Continuing Education
NAMI Multnomah offers Oregon Health Authority-approved Peer Support Specialist (PSS) Trainings several times each year.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Next General PSS Training: Late Summer / Early Fall (anticipated, sign up for application updates here)
For questions about our peer training programming, please contact us at peertraining@namimultnomah.org. For training and CE opportunities offered by other organizations, please check out OHA’s THW Training Program database here.
2SLGBTQIA+ PSS Training
Status: We are currently reviewing applications. We anticipate emailing all applicants with decisions the week of April 19th.
Our next 2SLGBTQIA+ Cohort Peer Support Specialist Training will be in-person May 11th-15th. Sponsored by Multnomah County, this training is offered for 2SLGBTQIA+ peers who live, work, or volunteer in Multnomah County, and it is offered at no cost to participants. It will be held in person at an ADA-compliant, inclusive Old Town community space in NW Portland, accessible by public transit.
Spring 2SLGBTQIA+ PSS Training Schedule
Monday, May 11th: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, May 12th: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, May 13th: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, May 14th: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, May 15th: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Training Program Overview
Our 40-hour job training program is an Oregon Health Authority (OHA) approved PSS training for Adults in Mental Health. NAMI Multnomah developed our peer training curriculum in collaboration with Cascadia Health and other peer collaborators. Peers who complete the training can apply to become OHA Traditional Health Workers (THW) as Peer Support Specialists for Adult Mental Health. Find the OHA’s Traditional Health Worker FAQs here.
Training Requirements for NAMI Multnomah’s PSS Training:
Identify as a peer (a self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services).
Be at least 18 years of age.
Not be listed on the Medicare provider exclusion list.
Other requirements may apply, depending on training; see below for additional information.
Program costs and Additional Eligibility REQUIREMENTS
Our training programs are offered at no cost to participants, thanks to funding from county and state funders.
Our general training, sponsored by Multnomah County, is offered for peers who live, work, or volunteer in Multnomah County.
Our Veteran training, sponsored by OHA, is offered for Veterans and Military Service Members who live, work, or volunteer in the state of Oregon.
Our 2SLGBTQIA+ training, sponsored by Multnomah County, is offered for peers who live, work, or volunteer in Multnomah County.
Continuing Education (CE), Certification, and Recertifcation Information
We offer ongoing Continuing Education (CE) courses, including our Evening with the Experts series. Please sign up here to be notified about upcoming CE courses.
Resources for Training Graduates
OHA has an online portal where PSST graduates can submit their THW applications. Click here to access the portal. For applications in languages other than English, applicants make requests for and submit applications to thw.program@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
Need to earn recertify? Find information here on the recertification process. To find Continuing Education opportunities, you can use the OHA’s database here.
For more information, please visit the Oregon Health Authority’s website here.