1. PRESENTED BY: Gail Avent, Director Total Family Care Coalition Tricia Mills, Interagency Liaison Dept. of Behavior Health November 22, 2014

2. 1.Learn the governing body of Medicaid Reimbursable Certification for the District 2.How advocacy drives system of care validations of families “lived experience” 3.How Family Run Organizations years of valuing families and their children’s life journey guided the training framework A.Application development B.Interview Process C.Delivery Model D.Selection of Practicum Sites 4.How an evaluation process is incorporated to continuous quality improvements to program 2

3. The Department ’s Office of Consumer and Family Affairs (OCFA) shall administer the certified peer specialist certification program (Certification Program). Ensures that the rights of people with mental illness are protected Encourages and facilitate consumer and family input into all aspects of an individual’s treatment Supports inclusions of families in individual plans for recovery Link consumers and their families to services available through the public mental health system Roles and Responsibilities of Office of Consumer and Family Affairs (OCFA) 3

4.  The language is entrenched in regulation.  The Director of the Department of Behavioral Health (“the Department”), pursuant to the authority set forth in Sections 5113, 5115, 5117 and 5118 of the “Department of Behavioral Health Establishment Act of 2013”, effective December 24, 2013 (D.C. Law 20-0061; D.C. Official Code §§7-1141.06 and 7- 1141.07 (2014 Supp.)), hereby gives notice of an amendment to Chapter 73 (Department of Mental Health Peer Specialist Certification), of Subtitle A (Mental Health) of Title 22 (Health) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR).  The language states…  Certified peer specialists, working for the Department of Behavioral Health-certified community mental health providers will be authorized to provide Medicaid-reimbursable mental health rehabilitation services to mental health consumers, when working under the supervision of a mental health professional. 4

5. CHAPTER 73 DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PEER SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION 7300PURPOSE AND APPLICATION  7300.1These rules establish the Department of Behavioral Health’s (Department) requirements for training and certifying Peer Specialists (“Certified Peer Specialists”), who will be employed by Department-certified community mental health agencies to provide Medicaid reimbursable mental health rehabilitation services (MHRS) and other mental health supports and services to adult and children and youth mental health consumers and their families under the supervision of a qualified mental health professional in the District of Columbia (District). 5

6.  The Department of Behavior Health DC. Gateway SOC Implementation Project ◦ Grew from concept in Peer-to-peer Sub Committee  One of Five Sub Committees Implementing DC System of Care  The Family Run Organization envisioned parents as professionals ◦ Defined what is a Certified Family Peer Specialist  Created training elements  Developed family specifics Core Competencies  Training Elements became framework for curriculum  Established Protocol for Trainers and Facilitators 6

7.  Grew from concept in Peer-to-peer Sub Committee ◦ One of Five Sub Committees Implementing DC System of Care  The Family Run Organization envisioned parents as professionals  Defined what is a Certified Family Peer Specialist  Created training elements  Developed family specifics Core Competencies  Training Elements became framework for curriculum  Established Protocol for Trainers and Facilitators 7

8. 8 Criteria for Applying to Training Program  D.C. Resident  Have at least a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma (GED); and  Self-identified as having received or is presently receiving behavioral health services  Be a parent or legal guardian of a child or youth consumer who was or is currently a consumer of mental health services (for Certified Peer Specialist – Family

9.  Step One ◦ Fully Complete Application Process ◦ Completed Application ◦ Resume ◦ Proof of D.C. Resident ◦ Supporting documents  Step Two ◦ Interview before the Peer Certification Committee ◦ Each applicant receives written notice of selection or non-selection. 9

10.  Completion of 70 hours of required classroom work  Completion of an 80 hour, nonpaid, supervised field practicum with a District community based behavioral health provider  A score of a minimum of 85% on the certification examination 10

11.  Completion of an additional 20 hours of “specialist training” classroom work  Completion of an additional 20 hour, of supervised field practicum with a District community based family or child serving agency/provider  A score of a minimum of 85% on the certification examination 11

12.  “Lived Experience” - Familiar with family challenges  Code of Ethics – Adhere to governing body standards  On-Job-Training – Field Practicum training  “Certification” – demonstrates a rigorous training was successfully completed.  Salary is Medicaid reimbursable to hiring agency/provider 12

13.  Family Matters – not-for-profit organization  D.C. Child and Family Services- Child Serving Agency  D.C. Choices – Wraparound program  Total Family Care Coalition – Family Run Organization 13

14.  Evaluators liked presenter scheme ◦ Professional – family member  Suggested additional time of the current 20 classroom hours  Incorporate additional responsibilities for the Family Run Organizations  Utilize FROs as ambassadors to promote family support certification program ◦ Each 14

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16.  Eight Graduates ◦ Graduate ceremony ◦ Attended by DBH Directors ◦ Family members attended ◦ Next class scheduled announced 16

17.  Spring 2015 ◦ 8 participants  Summer2015 ◦ 8 to 12 participants 17

18.  Certified Youth Peer Specialist Class ◦ Projected for Winter 2015  8 trainees 18

19. 19 QUESTIONS