Peer Specialist APprenticeship Program
Breaking new ground
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 will train and place certified peer specialists in non-traditional settings and create 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.
Applications!
Here’s where we talk about how to apply
All about the program!
This is the place where we tall people what the requirements are.
- Take the 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 five skill-building trainings
- Receive placement for their 250 field hours to complete certification, which includes a stipend
- Ability to participate in a year-long apprenticeship program
Partner Site locations
Field hours will take place in one of the following locations. Please explore the links provided before making a selection on the application:
- Travis County Mental Health Public Defender Office (Austin, TX)
- Travis County Jail (Austin, TX)
- H.O.M.E. Center of the Texas Homeless Network (San Marcos, TX)
- Building Promise USA (Austin, TX)
- Capital Area Private Defender Service (Austin, TX)
- Restoring Justice (Houston, TX)
- Austin Area Urban League (Austin, TX)
- Hutchinson County United Way (Hutchinson, TX)
- Open Door of the Texas Homeless Network (Lubbock, TX)
Supervision provided by: Austin Mental Health Community
Introductions
Here are some of the people you’ll meet:
Dr. Sandra Smith, Program Director
Christina Carney, Program Coordinator
Applications will open on December 2, 2022. The deadline to apply is December 21, 2022
Have more questions? Check out the Via Hope Peer Specialist Training Program FAQ here!
You can also reach out to Christina at christina.carney@viahope.org
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.
- Attend virtual orientation
- Commit to attending all trainings
- Complete 250 field hours over 6 months
Introductions
Via Hope HRSA Staff:
- Dr. Sandra Smith, Program Director
- Christina Carney, Program Coordinator
Have more questions? Check out the Via Hope Peer Specialist Training Program FAQ here!
You can also reach out to Christina at christina.carney@viahope.org