Q: Who can become a certified Peer Recovery Supporter?
A: Any individual who has a direct lived experience of a mental health and/or substance use disorder, who is in recovery, and does not have any of the disqualifying offenses may become a certified Ohio Peer Recovery Supporter.
Q: If I support a family member with a lived experience, can I attend the training and/or be certified as a Peer Recovery Supporter?
A: No, the training and the role of certified Peer Recovery Supporter are only for those with their own lived experience.
Q: Do I need to take the 40-hour training to become a certified Peer Recovery Supporter?
A: Most applicants do need to complete the OhioMHAS 40-hour training to become certified. You may qualify for certification without taking the training if you have at least 3 years verifiable work experience in a position titled peer specialist, peer supporter, peer recovery coach, or peer navigator, AND you have a direct lived experience of a mental health and/or substance use issues. See the OhioMHAS website for more information.
Q: I took a different training in another state. Do I still need to take the OhioMHAS training?
A: There are other training models that will qualify you for certification. See the OhioMHAS website for a list of approved trainings.
Q: Does anyone else offer the OhioMHAS 40-hour training in Franklin County?
A: Yes, occasionally another organization may host this training in Franklin County. There are also other opportunities to take the training throughout the state. To view the current calendar of trainings, go to the OhioMHAS website and select “40-hour In-person PRS Training Calendar,” under the “Quick Links” heading.
Q: What happens if the training is full?
A: If the training you’d like to attend is full, you will be placed on the wait list and will be contacted if seats become available. You will also be automatically assigned to the next available training in Franklin County hosted by MHAOhio. If you are interested in attending a different training, you will need to contact the host of that training to register.
Q: Who should I ask to be a reference?
A: A reference can be anyone who knows you well and is familiar with your recovery story. If you choose to ask a supervisor or colleague, please note that this person should be able to discuss your strengths, not just confirm your employment. Please be sure your reference puts your full name on the form.
Q: What should I do if the E-based Academy website is not working for me?
A: Unfortunately, MHAOhio cannot access the E-based Academy. If you need technical assistance due to problems with the E-based Academy, please email OhioMHAS at MHAhelpdesk@mha.ohio.gov. Please note that you can only complete E-based Academy courses on a desktop or laptop computer. The E-based Academy will not work properly on a phone or tablet.
Q: What if I need to miss part of the training?
A: The PRS 40 hour in-person training consists of 5 days of training, for 8 hours each day. The virtual training consists of 10 days of training, for 4 hours each day (with a one-hour break). To be eligible to apply for certification as a Peer Recovery Supporter in the State of Ohio, you must be present for all 40 hours of the PRS training. If you arrive late, leave early, or miss any portion of the in-person training, you will not receive a Certificate of Training Completion, and you will be required to repeat the entire 40 hours at a different training. OhioMHAS will only consider allowing participants to make up a day of training in the case of extreme emergency (EX: hospitalization, death of family member). You will not be permitted to make up training days for pre-scheduled obligations (EX: employment, wedding, any type of pre-scheduled appointment). If you miss any portion of training due to extreme emergency, please e-mail peerservices@mha.ohio.gov, and describe the reason for missing training. Extreme emergencies will be considered by OhioMHAS on a case by case basis. Documentation may be requested.
Was your question not answered here? Please feel free to contact Mental Health America of Ohio (MHAOhio) at peertraining@mhaohio.org or 614-221-1441 x115
