The Mid-Carolina Regional Council, a coalition of local governments across Cumberland, Harnett and Sampson counties, is sponsoring 15 people who want to be trained as certified peer support specialists.
Peer support specialists are those with experience living with a mental health and/or substance use disorder who provide guidance and advice to those currently struggling with such disorders. By having lived experience, peer support specialists model behaviors helpful to substance use and mental health recovery. They can also help people navigate the health care system.
To become certified in North Carolina, peer support specialists are required to complete 50 hours of state-approved training and another 20 hours of additional training, including an ethics course.
The flier for Mid-Carolina Regional Council’s peer support specialist program scholarship, which they’re offering to 15 people interested in becoming state-certified peer support specialists. Credit: Mid-Carolina Regional Council
The scholarship from Mid-Carolina requires applicants to be 18 or older and have a high school diploma or GED. In addition to having the lived experience necessary to be a peer specialist, they also should serve Cumberland County residents to be eligible.
Applicants must also have a sponsoring agency that deals with substance use disorders, mental and behavioral health, senior care, kinship care or youth mentorship. Seniors and kinship caregivers raising children impacted by parental opioid abuse and overdoses will receive priority.
Those who receive a scholarship will complete the 50-hour state-certified training facilitated by Ontrack Wellness and the Recovery Center Peer Support Specialist Certification Course from May 12 to 17. The daily training will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. out of Mid-Carolina’s Fayetteville office at 6205 Raeford Road.
In addition to completing the required training, participants will receive Narcan training and a two-hour introduction to caregiving for families affected by opioid overdoses.
To apply for a scholarship, submit an online application through the North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist Program portal. Those receiving a scholarship will be notified on May 1.
Questions about the program and scholarship opportunity can be sent to Barbara White, family caregiver specialist with Mid-Carolina, at bwhite@mccog.org or 910-323-4191 ext. 28.
Additional scholarships are available through NCCPSS, with applications available on its website.