Recipient Advocacy Training Program
The Mental Health Association in Suffolk County provides a training program that enables consumers of mental health services to develop the skills necessary to work and volunteer as peer specialists in the areas of assistant case management, supportive counseling, group facilitation, peer bridged programs, peer advocacy, and program and benefit education. MHAS is able to offer a stipend to eligible consumers for the cost of transportation and meals associated with their involvement in the consumer advocacy movement. The goal of the program is to build and restore confidence and assist consumers to become empowered to make individual choices.
In addition, the program staff will establish and maintain contacts within the various agencies in Suffolk County in order to develop a network for referrals to and placement in employment and volunteer opportunities. By gaining skills and knowledge, consumers are better able to pursue socio-economic independence. Utilizing their life experience and skills, trained consumers impact the mental health system by providing first hand insight as to the system's effectiveness.
Training Modules
Personal Development
A 10 week course that focuses on expanding, enhancing and advancing one's own personal recovery.
Peer Specialist Training
A 16-week training course focusing on showing consumers how they may use their personal experience and the knowledge gained in this course to become successfully employed in entry-level human service jobs.
Mental Health Planners
A 12 week program geared towards expanding students knowledge of system and program advocacy from the local to the national levels.
The courses are offered at various sites throughout Suffolk County.
For information on upcoming classes, please visit our calendar of events or contact Susan Schaffer, at (631) 226-3900 or via e-mail at susanschaffer@mhasuffolk.com
Training is also offered to staff to facilitate the transition of working with a patient/consumer to working with a colleague.
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