Peer Training & Continuing Education Program

NAMI Multnomah offers Peer Support Specialist (PSS) Training four times a year:

One general training
One LGBTQ+ specific training
Two Veteran-specific trainings

We also offer Continuing Education courses, like our Evening with the Experts series.

Please sign up here to be notified of upcoming peer training opportunities.

Our 40-hour job training program is an Oregon Health Authority (OHA) approved PSS training for Adults in Mental Health. NAMI Multnomah developed the peer training curriculum in collaboration with Cascadia Health and other community collaborators. Peers who complete the training can apply to become OHA Traditional Health Workers (THW) as Peer Support Specialists for Adult Mental Health. Find the OHA’s Traditional Health Worker FAQs here.

Training Requirements:

Identify as a peer (a self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services).
Be at least 18 years of age.
Not be listed on the Medicare provider exclusion list.
Other requirements may apply; see specific application for details.

Application Process

The general training and LGBTQ+ specific training, sponsored by Multnomah County, are available for peers who live, work, or volunteer in Multnomah County. The Veteran specific trainings, sponsored by OHA, are offered to people who live, work, or volunteer in the state of Oregon. All trainings are offered at no cost.

Please note: we can only accept a small amount of participants per training, and we receive a large volume of applications.

Resources for Training Graduates

Reference Guide on Applying for Your THW Certification
OHA has an online portal where PSST graduates can submit their THW applications. Click here to access the portal. For applications in languages other than English, applicants make requests for and submit applications to thw.program@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
Required Oral Health Module
Need to earn recertify? Find information here on the recertification process. To find Continuing Education opportunities, you can use the OHA’s database here.

For more information, please visit the Oregon Health Authority’s website here.