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Peer Support Specialist (Adult Mental Health) Training

This course prepares students to be certified as a Peer Support Specialist (PSS) through the Oregon Health Authority. A Peer Support Specialist is an individual with shared, lived experience with substance use and/or mental health who provides supportive services to a current or former consumer of mental health or addiction treatment. A PSS is also a consumer advocate who facilitates connections between individuals and needed services and activities.

For credit seeking students, apply for an Oregon Health Authority Scholarship for the Winter 2027 class Oregon Health Authority Scholarship Application for Public Health Closes on November 22nd

Health Careers Center

 

Course Registration Steps

1Apply to be a COCC student (skip this if you are already a student or wanting to take this class for noncredit)

 You have two options when applying to become a student at COCC:

  • Degree or Certificate-seeking - Planning to earn a degree while taking a Peer Support Course? Click Apply Now to COCC
    • Please note that after you complete your admissions application and enrollment steps, you’ll still need to complete steps 2 and 3 below to register for the Peer Support course. Note you can qualify for a scholarship due November 22nd.  For credit seeking students, apply for an Oregon Health Authority Scholarship for the Winter 2027 class Oregon Health Authority Scholarship Application for Public Health
  • Current student at COCC or taking this class for non credit skip to Step 2
2Request instructor approval

This class requires instructor approval. Please be sure to complete the steps outlined in the Instructor Approval Form which asks about lived experience (a requirement to become an Oregon Health Authority Peer Support Specialist - Adult Mental Health).  

This form will be reviewed and students will receive an email from the instructor to enroll in the class. This will occur after all registrations have opened so that all can register for the class if approved and there is space.

Please be sure to check your COCC email after submitting your form for approval to register for the Winter class in Bend. 

3Register for the class

Once approved you will receive an email with steps on how register. Be sure to look for this email in the first week of December. 

 

What you will learn:

  • The recovery model process and stages of change
  • Strategies for supporting peers with wellness, self-efficacy, resilience, self- mastery, empowerment, and recovery
  • Peer support roles and how to work in a team setting with healthcare providers
  • Culturally responsive care
  • Peer advocacy strategies
  • Motivational interviewing, coaching, group facilitation, conflict resolution, and effective communication strategies
  • Facilitating linkages to community resources
  • Professional and ethical responsibilities
  • Crisis intervention and trauma-informed care

Training Details:

  • Online class - Canvas
  • In-person classes will be held on the Bend Campus on the following days: 1/29, 1/30, 2/19 and 2/20, 9 am - 5 pm. 
  • Remote via Zoom will be held also on the following days: 2/3 and 2/10, 1 pm - 3:30 pm.
  • Please complete the survey for instructor approval to add. 

Please search class schedule under PHE 183 to see dates and times. 

Click here to learn how to search for a class and find a class

Course Requirements:

  • Attend all in-person classes 
  • No academic prerequisites
  • Does not require high school diploma or GED
  • Must have reliable access to internet and computer (computer labs are available on all COCC campuses; Barber Library also lends computers, wifi hot spots, and other technology free of charge)

Oregon Health Authority Peer Support Specialist (Adult Mental Health) Certification Requirements:

At the end of the COCC Peer Support Specialist--Adult Mental Health (PSS) training course, you will be eligible to apply for certification as a Peer Support Specialist through the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). Certification application instructions will be provided at the end of the course.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) requirements for certification:

  • Completion of an OHA-approved COCC PSS course
  • Must be 18 years old
  • Criminal background check required
  • Government issued identification required (state IDs, driver license, or passport)
  • Certification valid for 3 years; 20 hours of continuing education is required to renew

Oregon Health Authority Peer Support Specialist Certification Website