Training Programs

Peer Delivered Services (PDS) provide support to individuals experiencing issues with mental health and co-occurring issues.  Support provides individuals hope that recovery is possible and the belief that an individual with a mental health or substance use issue can live a healthy, happy, and productive life.

Project ABLE was the first peer-led organization in the State of Oregon to receive accreditation from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) in 2010.  Since this time, Project ABLE has trained thousands of peers from all over Oregon to become certified Peer Support Specialists (PSS).

Individuals interested in providing PDS must meet the definition of a “true peer”.  This is someone who self-identifies as an individual that has received or is receiving mental health or substance use services.  ABLE’s training programs are centered around principles of recovery and compassion for others.  True peers model recovery, promote wellness and practice self-care.

CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS

Project ABLE provides two different Core Peer Training Programs approved through the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

  • Peer Support Specialist Training (PSST)
    • 40 credits
    • Peer Support Specialist Training (PSST) provides individuals with the base to provide peer delivered services.  This intense one-week program introduces participants to true peer support, offers core skills needed to provide support, and is the pre-requisite course to the Peer Wellness Specialist Training.  The course is centered around recovery, empowerment, and hope.  This course includes trauma-informed peer techniques and promotes compassionate interactions.
  • Peer Wellness Specialist Training (PWST)
    • 80 credits
    • Peer Wellness Specialist Training (PWST) provides individuals with advanced skills to provide peer delivered services.  This 80 credit program includes select skills learned in the PSST program to create a base for learning, before introducing new advanced skills.   The PWST program is built upon dimensions of wellness and how to stay well by addressing several lifestyle and risk factors.

Participants must complete and pass an exam on the last day of the course to become eligible for the Traditional Health Worker Certification through OHA.

What is the difference between Peer Support Specialist Training (PSST) and Peer Wellness Specialist Training (PWST)?

TOPICS
  • Intro to Recovery and Self-Care
  • History of Mental Health & Addictions Treatment
  • Recovery Components
  • Medical Model vs. Recovery Model
  • Peer Communication & Intentional Listening
  • Telling your recovery story
  • Boundaries & Ethics
  • True Peer Support
  • Recovery Principles
  • Recovery Culture
  • Documentation
  • Traditional Health Worker Role of Peer Support Specialist
  • Knowing the Law
  • Mandatory Reporting
  • Wellness
  • Resources
  • Advocacy
  • Wellness Recovery Action Plan
  • Living with Chronic Conditions
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s)
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Person Centered Planning (PCP)
  • Group Facilitation
  • Substance Use Disorders
  • Tobacco Cessation
  • Cultivating Resiliency
  • Medication Empowerment
  • Mental Health 101
Peer Support Specialist Training
PSST is an introductory peer support training course focused on essential skills and techniques to provide peer delivered services.
Peer Wellness Specialist Training
PWST is an advanced peer wellness training course that relies on the core peer support skills and techniques gained from PSST to introduce new and progressive skills focused on wellness.

Look at what some of our participants are saying about our training programs:

“I was not expecting to work on myself- I appreciated my journey of self-discovery.”

Participant

“The comradery is what I liked best about the training; the support, no judgements, room for healing and Fun!”

Participant

“Tons of information packed into the perfect amount of time.”

Participant

“Project ABLE provided me with a safe place to learn and share.”

Participant

“I liked that we had a lot of interaction with our peers and were able to share some of our experiences.”

Participant

“Small, intimate groups! Everyone needs to take this class!”

Participant

“Training emphasizes individual strengths.”

Participant

“Training taught me that I can just be: I do not have to fix anyone.”

Participant

“Good Job Project ABLE! The work flow and focus on self-care were what I liked most about the training.”

Participant

“I gained a better insight and learned how to empower others to take control of their own journey in what recovery looks like for them.”

Participant

“Project ABLE gave me a gift during that week of training that no other could ever compare, you gave me the gift of accepting myself where I am at and the ability to use my past trauma not only to help others. Now I wear my past experiences like a badge of honor; it is my purple heart and that is nothing to be ashamed of. Thank you.”

Participant

“Facilitators are passionate, open, and have empathy for others.”

Participant

“Training was well thought out, person centered, and organized.”

Participant

“Great Heart Project ABLE.”

Participant

“Thank you, Project ABLE, I am truly grateful for this experience.”

Participant

TRAINING CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS POLICY

The following cancellation and refund policy applies to all of Project ABLE’s training courses.  All training participant cancellations and refund requests must be submitted to Mae Salas, Program Director in writing.

Training Participant Cancellations

  • Training cancellations received up to three weeks prior to class or before will be charged the $50.00 non-refundable registration fee.
  • Training cancellations 3-10 business days prior to training will be invoiced the full training fee.  As a courtesy, we will allow individuals to apply 50% of the payment invoiced or received toward a future Project ABLE Training course within one year of the cancellation date.
  • Training cancellations 1-3 business days prior to class, and no-shows, are subject to payment for the full amount without future training credit.
  • Please note that if you do not cancel or do not attend, you are responsible for payment.

Project ABLE Training Cancellations

  • Project ABLE, Inc., reserves the right to cancel or change a training at any time, including but not limited to, lack of participation, venue, equipment or trainer availability.
  • Notification will be provided within 21 days of the training, whenever possible.
  • Registered training participants will not be charged for the course.
  • Project ABLE, Inc., is not liable for any direct, or indirect consequential or special damages that may be incurred due to a cancellation of a scheduled training, including, but not limited to, cancellation penalties for transportation or accommodations.  The training participant sole remedy shall be the refund of prepaid training fees.

Mae Salas, Program Director
503.983.0489 or [email protected]

Barb McDowell, Executive Director
503.363.3260 or [email protected]