ViaHope: A proud legacy of Texas Mental Health

After more than 15 years of transforming mental health support in Texas,
ViaHope has ceased its training programs, effective 8/1/2025.

Important announcement: For recent or current training participants

If you’ve taken training from Via Hope and need copies of your training certificates or any other training documents, you must download your training certificates and information from Litmos by September 30, 2025. These training documents will no longer be available after October 1, 2025. You can click here to access the Litmos system.

Via Hope laid the foundation for peer support services across Texas. As the mental health landscape evolved, Via Hope made the difficult decision to close its training program. This page stands as a tribute to their transformative work and lasting impact on thousands of lives.

Via Hope’s pioneering programs created pathways for peer specialists, transformed organizational cultures, and championed the belief that lived experience is a powerful tool for healing.

Transformative Programs & Initiatives

Peer Specialist Certification

Established Texas's first and only statewide training and certification program for Mental Health Peer Specialists, creating a professional pathway that transformed how mental health services are delivered across the state.

Recovery Institute

Drove organizational transformation across Texas mental health systems, helping 30 mental health authorities and 8 state hospitals shift from medical models to recovery-oriented, peer-driven approaches.

Innovation In Practice

Pioneered evidence-based peer support practices and implemented SAMHSA-recognized Consumer Operated Service Programs, setting the standard for peer support services nationwide.

15 years of impact

2,168

Peer Specialists Trained

270

Certified Family Partners Trained

225

Re-entry Peer Specialists Trained

2,054

CEU trainings completed

64

People trained through Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) program

30

Texas libraries and community organizations where Peers were placed

The journey continues

While Via Hope has ceased its training programs, the spirit of peer support and recovery-oriented care continues to thrive in Texas. The foundation they built remains strong, and their vision lives on through the countless lives they touched. For those seeking peer support services and training opportunities, resources remain available through various organizations committed to continuing this important work.

Help navigating the Peer career

PeerForce is a state-funded program that provides free customer service for individuals trying to navigate the Texas Peer certification process.

Upcoming Peer training classes

Peer Academy offers Texas Peer certification courses for individuals pursuing MHPS, RSPS, and PSS certifications.