Certified Youth Peer Support Specialists (CYPSS) are young people over the age 18 who work one-on-one with transition-aged youth who share similar lived-experiences in youth-serving systems such as but not limited to Behavioral Health, Foster Care, and Juvenile Justice.
CYPSS are professionally trained to share their experience overcoming challenges related to mental health, trauma, or substance use, to guide and support young people receiving services where the YPSS is employed.
CYPSS promote hope and resiliency by listening to the self-determined needs of the young person they work with and by identifying the strengths, resources, and next steps to achieve their goals.
Requirements
At least 18 years of age or older with a valid New Mexico ID.
Experience
Have personal experience, prior to the age of 18, navigating systems involvement in child welfare, juvenile justice, or children’s behavioral health OR have personal experience recovering from substance use or trauma that occurred prior to the age of 18.
Have personal strategies used to maintain health and wellness and have been doing so for the past 2 years or more.
Have a willingness and ability to share those strategies with others.
Education
A high school diploma or equivalent is required and verification must be submitted.
Exposure Hours
Youth Peer Support Specialist certification requires 40 hours of worksite exposure with a youth serving agency such as a community center, behavioral health provider, or school. Supervisors will complete Hours Verification Form at completion of hours.
Application Review Fee: $55
Testing Fee: $100
Recertification Fee: $100
Fess will be collected in your Certemy account. If your employer will be paying your fees, you may request an invoice at info@nmcbbhp.org.
After submitting the application, applicants will be contacted for a brief phone interview to verify eligibility for the CYPSS training. All CYPSS applications must be approved by the Children, Youth and Families Department Behavioral Health Services Division. Applicants must successfully complete the CYPSS in order to qualify to take the CYPSS exam.