Certified Peer Support Specialists Training and Engagement |
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Association for Peer Support
The Association for Peer Support is a membership-driven program that provides national leadership to strengthen peer support practice and advance the peer support workforce. With the dissolution of a former national organization, the peer support community reached out — and we responded by stepping forward to help organize, support, and grow this vital field. Peer support is now the fastest-growing direct service workforce in behavioral health care, and it has always been at the heart of the Copeland Center’s mission and values. |
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| Join the Recovery Community October 15, 2026 Be part of a supportive community that believes in people, purpose, and possibilities. Whether you are in recovery, a peer supporter, an ally, or simply believe in the power of connection, there's a place for you. |
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| A global movement uplifting the power of peers to create hope, connection, and lasting recovery.
Date/Time: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, 12:00pm Join Link: Click here to register |
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Certified Peer Specialist Training |
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Join experienced Copeland Center trainers for PA Certified Peer Specialist Training. This training prepares participants to sit for the PA Certification Board Exam and to enter the workforce as a certified peer support specialist. This course utilizes experiential learning methods that incorporates hands on practice, sharing, and reflecting. This approach effectively brings the philosophy and research of peer support into practical application that can be used for a successful career. We learn about practices and applications for future roles and relationships as we practice those skills in an environment that honors the relationship, values, and ethics of Peer Support.
*You must attend all in-person sessions, online (Zoom) sessions, and complete 10 hours of independent study work (Canvas platform) to receive a certificate Technology Requirements: • Computer • Video Camera for Zoom sessions • Computer microphone or phone (to call into the Zoom session).
*This course cannot be completed using a phone. Cameras must be on during all Zoom sessions. This course fulfills the prerequisite to enroll in Taking Action Facilitator Training. The Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery is an approved CPS training vendor by the Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB). Email afernandez@copelandcenter.com if you have questions. |
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| Time and Dates for Lebanon:
- October 5-9: Online 9:00am - 1:00pm ET
- October 19-21: In-Person 9:00am - 5:00pm
Join Link: Click here to register |
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| Time and Dates for Chambersburg:
- October 5-9: Online 9:00am - 1:00pm ET
- October 19-21: In-Person 9:00am - 5:00pm
Join Link: Click here to register |
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| Time and Dates for Pottsville:
- October 21-23: In-Person 9:00am - 5:00pm
- October 26-30: Online 9:00am - 1:00pm ET
- November 2-4: In-Person 9:00am - 5:00pm
Join Link: Click here to register |
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| Time and Dates for Allentown:
- November 4-6 In-Person 9:00am - 5:00pm
- November 9-13: Online 9:00am - 1:00pm ET
- November 16-18: In-Person 9:00am - 5:00pm
Join Link: Click here to register |
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The Power and Importance of Belonging |
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Belonging is more than being included—it is a fundamental human need that shapes our emotional well-being, resilience, and sense of purpose. In this engaging one-hour webinar, participants will explore the science and lived experience of belonging, why meaningful human connection is essential to recovery and wellness, and how peer support fosters acceptance, hope, and community.
Together, we'll examine the impact of belonging on mental health, identity, confidence, and personal growth while identifying practical ways to strengthen authentic connections in our work and everyday lives. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how creating spaces of belonging can transform individuals, relationships, and communities.
Date/Time: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, 2:00pm Join Link: Click here to register |
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2026 Peer Recovery Support Conference - Connecting for Recovery |
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Join us for a powerful experience designed to strengthen and elevate peer recovery support. By the end of the conference, participants will:
- Gain a deeper understanding of peer recovery support
- Explore the value and impact of lived experience
- Strengthen collaboration across recovery stakeholders
- Learn evidence‑informed practices
- Discover how peer support operates across diverse recovery settings
Hear from nationally recognized leaders and advocates, including:
- Professor William Stauffer – Executive Director, Pennsylvania Recovery Organization
- Todd Noack – Membership Development Director, Association for Peer Support
- Kelvin Young – Peer Support Specialist & Co‑Founder, The Soul Care Love, LLC
This isn’t just a conference—it’s a movement. Invite your team and be part of building a sustainable recovery ecosystem.
Date/Time: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, 3:00pm Join Link: Click here to register Contact Email: OyewaleO85@gmail.com |
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Evidence-Based Self-Help and Peer Support Approach to Wellness and Recovery |
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| Presenting the updated Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) materials on Taking Action: An Evidence-Based Self-Help and Peer Support Approach to Wellness and Recovery (4-part series). These updated workbooks provide additional tools, structured exercises, and practical applications that you can immediately integrate into your work with individuals and groups. Designed to strengthen self-awareness, daily wellness practices, and action planning, the materials build on the core values of hope, self-determination, personal responsibility, and mutual learning. Best of all, the new workbooks are in the public domain and available for download at no cost, making them accessible to communities everywhere.
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| SAMHSA Offers Free Webinars for Peer Supports and Peer Supervisors
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a wide variety of trainings free of charge on their website. These can be for Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) and providers to broaden their skills while working in the community. SAMSHA also provides a Spanish translated free handout on the value of Peer Supports.
Available Trainings:
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| If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. The Peer Warmline is available 24/7. It is free and confidential. Call 1-855-PEERS NC (1-855-733-7762). |
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Call, text, or chat the 988 Lifeline. The 988 Lifeline is a 24/7 free, confidential mental health hotline that connects individuals in need of support. |
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The CHESS Connections App is staffed by Certified Peer Support Specialists with lived experience. It offers free, 24/7 support. |
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