From Dana McCrary, Parent & Youth Peer Specialist Coordinator, DBHDD:

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), Office of Children, Young Adults & Families and the Office of Recovery Transformation (ORT) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the upcoming Youth Certified Peer Specialist (CPS-Y) training. This five-day event is scheduled for the week of January 22nd- January 26th . This training is intended for enrollees who meet the lived experience expectations outlined below.

  • Be 18-26 years of age; provide a copy of this document or valid Georgia ID;
  • Have a mental health (MH) , substance use disorder (SUD), or a co-occurring diagnosis; and a strong desire to identify themselves as a person living with a mental illness or substance use diagnosis (current or former person receiving behavioral health services);
  • Be able to advocate for themselves;
  • Have a high school diploma or GED; provide a copy of these documents;
  • Be able/willing to actively seek and manage their own appropriate care; and
  • Be able to share their own personal story in a safe and appropriate way.
  • Must be well grounded in recovery wellness (At least one year between diagnosis and application to training) and/or one year continuous abstinent from substance use
  • Provide (1) letter of reference (please include contact information)

The Application below, along with documentation must be submitted by
Friday, January 5, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.

Applicants will be interviewed January 10th and January 11th