Chapter Two - General Information

ABOUT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) administers the public mental health service delivery system in Mississippi. DMH was created in 1974 by an act of the Mississippi Legislature, Regular Session. The statute placed mental health, alcohol/drug abuse, and intellectual/developmental disabilities programs into one agency. The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is governed by the Mississippi State Board of Mental Health, a nine-member board whose members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate.

More information about DMH can be found on the DMH website at www.dmh.ms.gov or by contacting DMH; contact information is located inside the document cover.

DMH Mission - Supporting a better tomorrow by making a difference in the lives of Mississippians with mental illness, substance abuse problems and intellectual/developmental disabilities one person at a time.

ABOUT THE DMH PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL

Section 41-4-7 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated authorizes the Mississippi State Board of Mental Health (through DMH) "to certify/license case managers, mental health therapists, mental retardation (i.e., intellectual/developmental disabilities) therapists," and others as deemed appropriate by the Board.

In September 2011, the Mississippi State Board of Mental Health authorized the certification of DMH Certified Peer Support Specialist Professionals.

DMH professional credentials are designed primarily for individuals who are not already professionally credentialed and who are employed in Mississippi's state mental health system.

Employment in Mississippi's "state mental health system," as defined in this document, is a mandatory requirement to apply for and hold a DMH professional credential.

The DMH Peer Support Specialist Professional credentialing program is designed to promote the provision of quality Peer Support services in Mississippi's "state mental health system."

Certification attests to an individual's:

* Educational background;

* Relevant work experience;

* Demonstration of mastery of basic knowledge of recovery and resiliency;

* Demonstration of competencies in a set of educational principles and experiences needed to perform the responsibilities of Peer Support Specialist;

* Continued participation in relevant educational activities, through the continuing education (CE) renewal requirement; and, agreement to adhere to the DMH Peer Support Specialist Professional Principles of Ethical and Professional Conduct.

DMH PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

Certified Peer Support Specialist Professional (CPSSP)

* The Certified Peer Support Specialist Professional (CPSSP) credential is renewable every four years, as long as renewal requirements are met.

* If an applicant has completed the Peer Support Specialist Professional Training and is not employed within one year of completion of the training, the applicant must repeat the assessment process.

PROFESSIONAL TITLES

The recognized professional title within the DMH Peer Support Specialist Professional credentialing program is:

DMH "Certified Peer Support Specialist Professional" or the abbreviations "CPSSP"

STATE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM

DMH professional credentials are valid only in Mississippi's "state mental health system."

For the purposes of DMH professional credentialing, the "state mental health system" is defined as:

* Programs funded and/or certified by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health and/or

* Programs certified/licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health that are operated by the "state mental health system" (i.e., Mississippi Department of Mental Health).

Only individuals employed within the "state mental health system," as defined in this document (above), are eligible to apply for and hold a DMH professional credential.

UPDATES

This document is updated and revised periodically. It is the applicant/certified individual's (or other interested person's) responsibility to ensure that he/she has the most current version of this document. Affected persons must comply with, and are responsible for, provisions contained in the most current version, including utilization of current application and related forms.

NONDISCRIMINATION

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, or political affiliation. The Department of Mental Health promotes nondiscriminatory practices and procedures in all phases of state service administration, as well as in programs funded and/or certified/operated by the Department of Mental Health.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health complies with all aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If requested, special accommodations to aid in the completion of forms or related credentialing matters will be provided.

APPLICATION BOOKLETS

This document and the corresponding application forms are available online. Interested individuals should download a copy from the DMH website. Individuals who need a print copy should contact the DMH Office of Consumer Support.

www.msrecoverynetwork.org

APPLICATION TIME LIMITS

Initial applications will remain open for two years from date of receipt. During that time, as appropriate, applicants have the opportunity to rectify any deficiencies. Once this time period has passed, incomplete applications, applications containing unresolved deficiencies, and applications which did not result in a credential being awarded will be void and destroyed. Various timelines relating to renewal are covered more fully in the relevant sections of this document.

Be sure to make copies of all application forms before submitting the application. DMH will not return forms to you or anyone else once your application has been submitted.

JURISDICTIONAL LIMITATIONS

This program is limited to the issuance of professional credentialing through the DMH Peer Support Specialist Professional credentialing program. Actions of the Division of Professional Licensure and Certification, the Professional Licensure and Certification Review Board, the Department of Mental Health and the State Board of Mental Health should not in any way be construed as a recommendation for or against personnel action.

It is not the intent of DMH to monitor members of other appropriately-regulated professional credentials in Mississippi. Holding a DMH professional credential does not exempt an individual from any other professional certification/licensure required by state law.

FINAL INTERPRETATION

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is responsible for the final interpretation of all matters pertaining to DMH professional credentialing, including (but not limited to) all provisions contained within this document. This interpretation will be considered binding on all applicants and DMH-credentialed individuals (unless otherwise preempted by the Mississippi State Board of Mental Health).

Any provisions or situations not expressly covered in this document will be handled on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of DMH, the Division of PLACE, the PLACE Review Board and, if appropriate, the State Board of Mental Health. Moreover, DMH reserves the right to development ancillary, internal policies and procedures to work in concert with this document.