Hawaii Certified Peer Specialist (HCPS) - Hawaii

Hawaii Certified Peer Specialist (HCPS) Program Certifying Body: State of Hawaii, Department of Health, Adult Mental Health Division (AMHD) - Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) Address: 1250 Punchbowl Street, Room 256, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Phone: (808) 586-4686 | OCA: (808) 586-4688 Website: health.hawaii.gov/amhd/consumer/hcps/ Certification covers Mental Health peer support only. A primary diagnosis of substance use disorder alone does NOT qualify. Acronyms: HCPS = Hawaii Certified Peer Specialist; FPS = Hawaii Forensic Peer Specialist Eligibility Requirements: - Age 18 or older - High school diploma or GED - Primary diagnosis of mental illness or co-occurring disorder - Self-identify as receiving/having received mental health or co-occurring services - Minimum 12 consecutive months in self-directed recovery within the last 2 years Training Requirements: - Complete an AMHD OCA-approved Peer Specialist Training Program - Pass both oral and written certification examinations - Submit completed HCPS Application with 3 professional references - Signed HCPS Code of Ethics and Scope of Activities - Documentation of completed WRAP, BRIDGES, Peer Educator, CPRP, or other relevant training (if applicable) - Signed Intention to Become a Certified and Employed HCPS Certification Costs: Not publicly listed; contact OCA at (808) 586-4688 Background Check: Not required; criminal record does not appear to disqualify Continuing Education: 16 hours/year (max 8 hours online); submit verification form to OCA Renewal: Annual renewal required; application due 45 days before expiration date Medicaid Reimbursable: Yes, through the Medicaid Rehabilitation Option (MRO) program, when employed by an AMHD-funded agency Digital Peer Support: Likely reimbursable if Medicaid standards are met Statewide Peer Organizations: - Pua Foundation / Peer Support Kokua Project: puafoundation.org | info@puafoundation.net | (808) 945-3570 - United Self-Help: unitedselfhelp.org | Waikiki Community Center, 310 Paoakalani Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 Specialization: Hawaii Forensic Peer Specialist (FPS) Training for adults with co-occurring substance abuse and mental illness reentering from justice system Certified Peer Specialists in Hawaii (2024): 152 Source: Copeland Center Peer Specialist Database