Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
September 9, 2004, Vol. 04-92

SAMHSA/CMHS Free Web-Based Teleconference Training on Medicaid-Funded Peer Support Services

September 28, 2004 - 2:00 P.M. Eastern Time

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) is sponsoring a Web-based teleconference presentation on the provision of peer-support services in State mental health systems that are paid for in part by Medicaid. The teleconference and accompanying Web-based PowerPoint presentation are open to the public at no charge and will take place on September 28, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. See below for sign-up instructions.

The final report of the President�s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health stated that peer support serves as a important resource in the recovery of individuals with mental health problems. The report also encourages the promotion of consumer-run organizations and consumers who work as providers.

CMHS is currently developing a Peer Support Services Toolkit, that includes a manual for States with detailed instructions needed to design, plan, implement, and manage Medicaid-funded peer support services. It will also examine approaches for the training and certification of a peer workforce for service delivery. Additionally, the toolkit includes a fact sheet on the important aspects of a peer support program and a Peer Support Services Guide for consumers and advocates.

The toolkit highlights the experience of Georgia, which initiated a peer support program in 1999 that is financed by state, federal and private revenues. The Georgia Peer Support model was the first of its kind in the United States to receive Medicaid Rehabilitation Option federal participation for providing specialized recovery supports by peers.

The Web-based teleconference will provide detailed information about the Peer Support program in Georgia relevant to implementation in other States, the foundation and principles of recovery that drive peer support initiatives, the importance of partnerships between state Medicaid and mental health authorities, the training and certification of peer specialists, and the evaluation and outcomes emerging around Georgia�s peer support efforts.

The Web-based teleconference presenters include Chris Marshall, Project Officer, Center for Mental Health Services, SAMHSA; Larry Fricks, Director of Consumer Affairs, Department of Human Resources, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities & Addictive Disease; and Wendy Tiegreen, Department of Human Resources, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities & Addictive Disease.

HOW TO JOIN TELECONFERENCE

For the audio portion of the teleconference,

• Shortly before 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time call 1-800-531-3250
• Enter the conference ID number which is 9930754
• Press the pound (#) sign.

To view the power point presentation on computer,

• Go on the internet to http://www.raindance.com
• Click on the box that reads, "Join a call."
• When the next screen opens type in your name, email address, and the same conference ID number listed above which is 9930754.
• Then click on the button that says "Go" and the power point will come on your screen. The moderators will change the power point on your screen as they progress through the presentation.

The presentation will last for one hour followed by a 30-minute question and answer period.

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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.