PWST

Our Peer Wellness Specialist Training (PWST) program meets the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Traditional Health Worker training standards for Adults in Mental Health Recovery.  Individuals who complete the 80 hour PWST training are eligible to become Oregon State Certified Peer Wellness Specialists under the Traditional Health Care Worker (THW) program.

PWST includes several wellness topics:

  • Recovery Components: recovery principles
  • Peer Support: compassionate interactions with peers
  • Person-Centered Planning (PCP): supporting individuals in creating wellness plans
  • Motivational Interviewing: supporting individuals toward wellness
  • Wellness & Resiliency: skills to bounce and bend through stressful life events
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences: understanding ACE’s
  • Understanding Mental Health & Addictions: information toward empathy
  • Group Facilitation: peer-led facilitation skills

Project ABLE provides training scholarships to Oregon Veteran’s, older adults (over 55) experiencing substance use, individuals experiencing homelessness, individuals experiencing opioid use, and individuals experiencing recent incarceration.  Please contact the Training Director for eligibility and requirement details.

Modified training schedule includes:

(1) week 40 hour session and (5) weekly one day 8 hour sessions

PWST Training Requirements:

  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must identify as a mental health or addictions peer in recovery defined by OHA
  • Participants must complete 80 training hours and pass end of course assessment to be eligible for the Peer Wellness Specialist Certification through OHA

Project ABLE supports all Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS) training participants with the certification process.

Specific Oregon Health Authority (OHA) certification requirements for Traditional Health Workers (THW’s) may be found here:

  • OHA Certified Peer Wellness Specialist Requirements
    • Be at leat 18 years of age
    • You must Not be listed on the Medicaid provider exclusion list
    • You must identify as a peer under one or more of the following:
      • A self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services; or,
      • A self-identified person in recovery from an addiction disorder, who meets the abstinence requirements for recovering staff in alcohol and other drug treatment programs (2 years); and
      • Successfully complete the required training offered by an OHA approved training program for Peer Wellness Specialist
    • Complete an OHA application and send it to the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI)
    • The application form is on the OHA OEI website: http://www.oregon.gov/oha/oei/Pages/Traditional-Health-Worker-Program.aspx
    • Pass a criminal history background check administered by the OHA background check unit (BCU)
    • If you have questions about the background check process, contact the Background Check Unit at 503.378.5470 or 888.272.5545 or http://www.oregon.gov/dhs/chc/Pages/tools.aspx