Peer Support Specialist Training
NAMI Multnomah offers Peer Support Specialist (PSS) Training four times a year:
One general training
One LGBTQ+ specific training
Two Veteran specific trainings
This 40-hour training is an Oregon Health Authority (OHA) approved PSS training for Adults in Mental Health. It was developed and is facilitated by Fumiyo Nishimoto, MSW, LCSW, and her team at Cultivating a New Life LLC. 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, defined as a self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services.
Be at least 18 years of age.
Not be listed on the Medicaid provider exclusion list.
Other requirements may apply; see 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 PSST Graduates
OHA has created 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.
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 Oregon Health Authority’s website here.
Upcoming Trainings
We currently are no longer accepting applications for the Veteran PSS Training in November. To be notified of future training opportunities, please sign up here. You can also check out the OHA website for other Oregon trainings.
You may also be interested in learning about Volunteering with NAMI Multnomah!
For more information about our free programs, or to learn which programs might best fit your needs, please call us at 503-228-5692 or send an email to info@namimultnomah.org.