In Phoenix, Arizona there is a unique state certified peer support specialist training program being offered in three areas – two of which are highly specialized.
1) Peer support specialist within the clinical setting.
2) Forensic peer support specialist within criminal justice settings.
3) Life support peer specialist with an emphasis on suicide intervention and prevention.
Students enrolled in this program have the opportunity to receive state certifications in all three categories – if they so desire.
The program is broken down in three distinct phases.
Students can graduate into each of the three level of the program, but only if they can meet some of the toughest testing standards ever set by the state of Arizona, and the nation in terms of peer support training!
This includes, demonstrating a proficiency level of 80% on all tests, which is the absolute minimum in terms of passing the course!
That is a B+ level in this college level course, which is unprecedented in terms of peer support. Needless to say this will require a high degree of commitment, resolve and dedication and study on the part of the students involved.
The initial phase of the program is 5 weeks of intense training focusing on just the basics to become state certified peer support specialists.
Graduates completing the first phase have the option of either continuing training to become forensic peer support specialists, which requires an additional 20 hours of specialized training, or stopping there and completing the required 40 hour internship program and pursuing employment in the field of peer support.
Phase three consists of yet another 20 hours of highly specialized training in the field of crisis suicide prevention and intervention.
“This is the only state certified peer support specialization program focused on forensic and life support services in the state of Arizona at this time”, according to Christopher Gonzales, Chief Executive Officer at Hope Lives – Viva La Esperanza, at Phoenix, Arizona, when addressing students enrolled for the first day of class on July 7, 2014.
The mission of Hope Lives – Vive La Esperanza is as follows:
“Hope Lives – Vive La Esperanza strives to increase access to services by developing community partnerships and mobilizing resources to address barriers that affect the health of culturally and ethnically diverse communities in Maricopa County, Arizona.”
The forensic and life support peer support program is the brainchild of both C. Gonzales (CEO of Hope Lives) and Mr. Armondo Maldanado, a peer support specialist and educator with over 30 years of lived experience dealing with psychiatric symptoms.
The pilot training program started on July 7, 2014, and has 9 students currently enrolled. The program continues through August. The graduates will be the first in the state of Arizona to receive such specialized training certifications in forensic or life support peer support.
For more information – See : Hope Lives – Vive La Esperanza 1016 East Buckeye Road, Suite 145, Phoenix, Arizona, 85034 {Monday – Saturday 7am – 7pm}| Toll Free 1 (855) 747-6522 website: http://www.vivehopelives.org/