Peer Support skills training is continually advancing and evolving, and strengthening our specialized peer skills is important. On this page, find upcoming training opportunities, recorded trainings you can watch anytime, and other training-related resources for Peer Support Specialists.
Peer Support Specialist Core trainings are held over the course of 40 hours while Peers learn the core competencies of delivering peer services. During this training, Peers learn many wonderful things such as but not limited to boundaries and ethics, using their recovery story intentionally and healing-centered support. It is also a wonderful opportunity for supervisors of Peer Services to join and learn more about the value of their role’s within agencies and how beneficial Peer Services are.
We are so excited that you are interested in using your lived experience to help others! As Peer Support Services expand in North Dakota, we are creating more unique opportunities for individuals to attend Peer Support training. Each Peer Support training is 40 hours long, over the course of 5 days. Full attendance is required for successful completion of Peer Support Training. For all upcoming trainings we utilize application process to offer priority to those who have a current or pending position at an agency that would benefit from attending. Please note, the application does NOT register you for the training. As applications are processed, you will receive notification of next steps for registration within 4-6 weeks before the training.
For individuals traveling from over 60 miles to an in person training, we will be offering hotel accommodations and travel reimbursement dependent on successful completion of the training.
For virtual trainings, you must have access to a dependable desktop device.
Who should attend?
- Individuals who will be supervising, or working alongside Peer Support Specialists on a care team
- Anybody who publicly identifies as an individual in recovery from a mental health disorder, substance use disorder, brain injury, or supportive of other realms of recovery
- A family member of an individual living with a mental health disorder, substance use disorder, brain injury, or supportive of other realms of recovery
August 16-18, 24-25, 2023
This class will be held virtually, and will be available to individuals who are unable to attend the in person training due to limiting circumstances.
Application closes: July 31, 2023
December 11-15, 2023
This class will be held in-person in Fargo
Application opens: September 25, 2023
Application closes: November 25, 2023
Integration of Peer Services
Two in person options
Is your agency interested in adding peer support services? Has your agency implemented peer support services but needs continued support or more information? Would you like to learn more about integrating peer support at your agency?
This training will cover the following and more:
- Scope of Practice
- Identify Gaps and Challenges
- Model of Integration
- Funding
- Potential Solutions
Who should attend?
- Agency Leadership
- Peer Support Supervisors
- Any others leading peer support initiatives within their organization
This training is free to attend, with limited availability for hotel accommodations paid by ND HHS. 6 CEU’s available for North Dakota Social Workers, Addiction Counselors and Peer Support Specialists.
June 13, 2023
9am-4pm
Delta Hotel, Fargo
June 14
9am-4pm
Baymont Hotel, Bismarck
Supervision of Peer Services
July 28, 2023
1-3 PM Central Time
Online Training
The supervision of sustainable peer services is one of the most vital pieces of fabulous peer services! In this interactive webinar we will cover the following:
- Developing a job description for peers
- What is the day to day work of peer support specialist?
- Is supervising a peer different than other positions?
- How can a peer be utilized the best at agency and/or on different teams?
- ...And more! We will also have an open space for questions and discussions!
Who Should Attend?
- Supervisors of Peer Support Specialists
- Care team members of teams with integrated Peer Services
- Care teams considering peer services integration at their agency
- Current Certified Peer Support Specialists who oversee other peers/peer services
- Agency leadership
- 1915i peer services leadership
This training will offer 2 CEU's to LAC/SW, as well as meet the recertification supervision CEU's for CPSS II's.
The link to join the meeting will be sent out prior, as well as handouts!
Ethics of Peer Support
Virtual
Thursday, July 20, 2023
12:30 pm to 4:30 pm central time
In this training, Peer Specialists will discuss practical applications of ethics and values to everyday peer interactions. It will assist in enhancing critical thinking skills in ethical situations, clarify your own values as persons providing services, and foster learning opportunities while working with community agencies. There will also be some awesome interactive pre-work for you to complete prior to class!
Agenda:
- Welcome/Introductions
- Learning Objectives/agenda
- What are ethics?
- Ethical Terms
- Decision making tool
- Self-Care
- Code of Ethics
Bold North Recovery does not award partial credit, nor CEU's unless required pre-work has been completed.
This training offers 6 CEUs that will fulfill re-certification qualifications for Certified North Dakota Peer Support Specialists I and II pertaining to Peer Support Ethics. 6 CEU’s are also available to Licensed Addiction Counselors and Social Workers
Registration fee: $25
For all ND Human Service Center Peer Support Specialists, please email peersupport@nd.gov for a promo code that offers a free ticket!
Peer’s in Criminal Justice Settings Online training
Hosted by Bold North Recovery
August 29 - 30, 2023
12:30 pm – 4:30 pm Central time (Full attendance each day is required for credit)
Who should attend? Peer Support Specialists
Those living with substance use disorder and/or a co-occurring mental health diagnosis face unique challenges and barriers to their recovery when also involved in the justice system. The best resources for navigating justice settings are people who have used them. This is where our lived experiences will serve us, two-fold. Not only do we get to share what we know, we get to share who we are, in recovery. Our goal is to prepare you for working within any of these justice settings.
Peer's who complete this training will:
- Understand the different justice settings where peer specialists can serve
- Learn about the barriers and resources that people involved within these settings can face
- Explore the ethical considerations of serving in these systems
- Explore how culture and stigma can affect people involved within this system and people affected by incarceration
- Know how to serve in the capacity of your expertise by staying in your lane
- Demonstrate how to utilize the skills of a peer specialist to support those within justice settings.
Attendance Verification
- Participant attendance will be taken at the beginning and ending of each day of training. Full attendance is required both days for credit.
- Training Evaluation
- Participants must complete a post evaluation survey after training.
- Max Online Class Size: 24
- Registration Closes: Tuesday August 1, 2023
- This training provides 12 CEUs to North Dakota Certified Peer Support Specialists
Tickets are $25
Register now
Ethics of Peer Support
Virtual
Thursday, Decemeber 21, 2023
12:30 pm to 4:30 pm central time
In this training, Peer Specialists will discuss practical applications of ethics and values to everyday peer interactions. It will assist in enhancing critical thinking skills in ethical situations, clarify your own values as persons providing services, and foster learning opportunities while working with community agencies. There will also be some awesome interactive pre-work for you to complete prior to class!
Agenda:
- Welcome/Introductions
- Learning Objectives/agenda
- What are ethics?
- Ethical Terms
- Decision making tool
- Self-Care
- Code of Ethics
Bold North Recovery does not award partial credit, nor CEU's unless required pre-work has been completed.
This training offers 6 CEUs that will fulfill re-certification qualifications for Certified North Dakota Peer Support Specialists I and II pertaining to Peer Support Ethics. 6 CEU’s are also available to Licensed Addiction Counselors and Social Workers
Registration fee: $25
For all ND Human Service Center Peer Support Specialists, please email peersupport@nd.gov for a promo code that offers a free ticket!
Registration information coming soon!
We are beyond excited to launch reoccurring, supportive, online meetings for Peer Support Specialists, as well as supervisors of Peer Support Services! These groups will be help separately to give us an opportunity to offer insight, education, and support to both realms as best as possible.
Below are the dates for upcoming meetings, as well as the link to join. You do not need to pre-register. If you have any questions, or topic ideas, feel free to reach out anytime! Peersupport@nd.gov
North Dakota Peer Support Specialist Connection
Are you a North Dakota Peer Support specialist, or waiting to be attend peer support training? This one is for you! The goal of these calls is to come together as peer support specialists and talk about our roles, share insight and education with one another, and build more community.
- January 26, 2023 1-2:30 pm Central Time - Click here to join the meeting
- March 30, 2023: 1-2:30 pm Central Time - Click here to join the meeting
- July 6, 2023: 1-3 PM Central Time - Click here to join the meeting
- September 14, 2023 1-3 PM Central Time - Click here to join the meeting
- November 30, 2023 1-3 PM Central Time - Click here to join the meeting
North Dakota Peer Support Supervision Connection
Are you supervising peer support specialists, or interesting in integrating peer services at your agency? This one is for you! The goal of these calls is to ensure that we are meeting the needs of peer support supervisors, agencies employing peer support specialists and most importantly, successfully integrating peers into the behavioral health workforce.
- February 9, 2023:12-1:30 pm Central Time “Join Now” Click here to join the meeting
- April 27, 2023: 12-1:30 pm Central Time “Join Now” Click here to join the meeting
Peer Support Refresher
Peer Support skills training is continually advancing and evolving, and strengthening our specialized peer skills is important. This training will provide the opportunity to review our core peer skills and introduce updated enhanced skills. 4 CEUs with be offered that fulfill re-certification qualifications for Certified North Dakota Peer Support Specialists I and II.
At the end of this webinar training, a link will be provided to a Microsoft forms survey. Upon completion of the survey, you will be emailed a certificate of attendance.
Workshop Objectives:
- Examining Our Unique Skills
- Five Stages in the Recovery Process
- Effective Listening
- Peer Specialist Skill Evaluation
- Self-Care
Who should watch?
- Individuals recently hired by organizations to offer Peer Support Services who have not yet attended Peer Support training
- Individuals interested in attending Peer Support training
- Individuals who have previously attended Peer Support training
- Certified Peer Support specialists
- Supervisors of Peer Support Specialists
- Individuals interested in the role of a Peer Support Specialist in the workplace
Peer Support Ethics and Values in the Workplace
In this pre-recorded training, we discussed practical applications of ethics and boundaries to everyday peer-to-peer interactions. It will assist in enhancing critical thinking skills in ethical situations, clarify our own values as persons providing services, and foster learning opportunities while working within community agencies.
Workshop Objectives:
- Understand how ethics and boundaries lead to the delivery of quality services.
- Strengthen knowledge of ethics and how they apply to the individuals served by your agency.
- Learn how core recovery values are used as guiding principles and practices.
Who should watch?
- Individuals interested in attending Peer Support training
- Individuals who have previously attended Peer Support training
- Certified Peer Support specialists
- Supervisors of Peer Support Specialists
- Anybody interested in the role of a Peer Support Specialist in the workplace.
Watch Peer Support Ethics and Values in the Workplace
Integration and Supervision of Peer Support Services in the Workplace
The integration and supervision of peer services is one of the most vital pieces to sustainability of peer support services. We no longer offer a this as a pre-recorded option, however have a lot of great opportunities coming soon!
If you are a 1915i provider, and need access to the previously recorded ‘Integration and Supervision of Peer Support Services in the workplace”, please email peersupport@nd.gov
The North Dakota Behavioral Health Division welcomes other Peer Support trainings that could potentially qualify you for certification.
Current Division Approved Peer Support trainings and credentialing:
- Minnesota Recovery Academy
- CCAR/Center for Addiction Recovery training
- Federation of Families credentialing
- IPS/Intentional Peer Support
The North Dakota Behavioral Health Division welcomes other Peer Support trainings that could potentially qualify you for certification.
If you are curious about a certain curriculum not offered by North Dakota, please email peersupport@nd.gov.