SUPPORT SPECIALIST TRAINING
WellLife Network offers training to become a New York State Certified Peer Specialist through our Vocational Services Division. Certified Peer Specialists provide services in the community, where clients live, work and volunteer. They work one-on-one with their peers to ensure that each client’s individual recovery goals are developed and pursued. Peer specialists help the client to make informed, independent choices; set goals; and become active participants in the community.
Peer specialists can help clients with their social, vocational, educational and self-care goals in many ways, including:
- Crisis support
- Development of Vocational Goals
- Assist those recovering to access and maintain Housing
- Individual advocacy
- Self-help by cultivating the ability to make informed choices
- Self-improvement
- Social networking with family and friends
- Developing communications skills
A Certified Peer Specialist is passionate about helping his and her peers on the journey to recovery. The training includes 70 days of training and a 45 day internship. Upon completion of the coursework, WellLife Network will help trainees to become certified in New York State.
Eligibility
New York State residents interested in helping others on the journey to recovery are eligible to enroll in our training. Candidates must themselves be diagnosed with a serious mental illness and in recovery.
For more information or to enroll:
Kevin BartelsTel. 917.563.3364
Kevin.Bartels@WellLifeNetwork.org
As a peer specialist I connect well with the participants because I have walked in their shoes and can relate to the challenges they experience. Growing up, I had a good life. I did well in school, played sports and socialized with family and friends. At the age of 26, all this changed.
While working and going to college, the death of a family member and the sudden move of another triggered a month-long hospitalization at which time I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. It was a difficult time being hospitalized and the road to recovery was difficult.
I had dropped out of college and was unemployed. Eventually I was able to secure a few part time jobs, but they never were satisfying. Then, I became involved with an IPRT program and was assigned a job coach who helped me find meaningful employment. I worked part-time until 2003 at which time I was promoted to a full-time position. That was a turning point in my life.
While I occasionally still experience symptoms, I have learned coping strategies to manage them and persevere. In 2010, I became a WellLife employee as a peer specialist and have continued to work full time.
I connect well with the clients because I know their challenges, but, I too benefit from being able to share my experiences in helping them in their recovery.
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