HRSA Training Grant

September 2021 Via Hope officially announced the launch of a four year pilot program! This pilot is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a division of the U.S. Health and Human Services. This Behavioral Health Education and Training (BHWET) grant has allowed for the creation of the Via Hope Peer Specialist Training Program. Via Hope trains and places certified peer specialists in non-traditional settings and has created the first registered apprenticeship program for peer specialists in Texas. The overall goal is to improve health outcomes for people served in primary care, criminal justice, and homelessness service settings,

The data collection and evaluation is being performed by the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health. TIEMH focuses on improving the social, emotional, and behavioral health of Texans and is housed in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas Austin. TIEMH is also known for their national peer support evaluations here.

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• Attend a one-day orientation for the program
• Take the 3-day Core training,  a prerequisite for MHPS, RSPS, and RPS certification
• Take the training for Mental Health Peer Specialist, Recovery Support Peer Specialist, or ReEntry Peer Support certification
• Take several skill-building trainings
• Receive placement for their 250 field hours to complete certification, which includes a stipend
• Have an opportunity to participate in a year-long apprenticeship program upon completion of Level I

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• Travis County Jail (Austin, TX)
• H.O.M.E. Center of the Texas Homeless Network (San Marcos, TX)
• Open Door of the Texas Homeless Network (Lubbock, TX)
• Building Promise USA  (Austin, TX)
• Capital Area Private Defender Service (Austin, TX)
• Downtown Women’s Center (Amarillo, TX)
• Tomorrow’s Promise Foundation (Austin, TX)
• Hays County Health Department (San Marcos, TX)
• Austin Mental Health Community (Austin, TX)

Supervision provided by: Austin Mental Health Community

Qualifications

Applicants are required to:

• Have lived experience in mental health, substance use, and/or incarceration. Lived experience with homelessness is also required for the Texas Homeless Network placement.
• Upload a professional letter of recommendation with your application
• Attend virtual orientation
• Commit to attending all trainings
• Complete 250 field hours over 6 months 
• Have a high school diploma, or GED (for initial certification)
• Pass an FBI background check (for MHPS or RSPS for initial certification)

Introductions

Here are some of the people you’ll meet:  

Dr. Sandra Smith, Program Director
Christina Carney, Program Coordinator

Behryn Hatcher, Workforce Development Coordinator

Application Link

Applications are open September 6-September 30, 2024

Have more questions? Check out the Via Hope Peer Specialist Training Program FAQ here! 

You can also reach out to Behryn at [email protected]