Grant Spotlight: CenterPointe, Inc.

Organization Name: CenterPointe, Inc. 

Mission: To help the people we serve get better, sooner, for longer. 

Funded Program Description: The Integrated Peer Support Training program is designed to serve a diverse group of individuals with lived experience and resilience in mental health and substance use recovery. Developed by our Chief Clinical Officer, a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP), Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), and Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) in the State of Nebraska with nearly 20 years of professional experience in the field, this comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum was crafted over the last year, taking over 400 hours to create. The goal is to prepare individuals to enter the field as professional peers.  The program will be available to prospective peers throughout Nebraska, providing crucial support to individuals seeking to empower others through the sharing of their mutual lived experienced.

Aligned with our mission “to help the people we serve get better, sooner, for longer,” the Integrated Peer Support Training program was developed with the intent to elevate the training atmosphere for CPSS in Nebraska. By ensuring that peer support specialists have the tools, knowledge, and professionalism they need when entering the field.  Additionally, we sought to expand the number of training options available to meet the growing demand for high-quality peer support in the state.

The funds received for this program were primarily used to offset the time and costs associated with dedicating hundreds of hours to developing a sufficient and comprehensive curriculum. This investment will ensure that peers are well-prepared and ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those they serve.

Successes of Program or Inspirational Stories: The curriculum development has been completed, and the approval of the curriculum is pending with the State of Nebraska.  Upon approval, expected within the next 30 days, CenterPointe will begin to offer the training to prospective peers.

The training will include 60 total hours of training, and will enable participants to apply for the CPSS certification.  We anticipate being able to have the first cohort complete the training in November of this year!

Other Comments: Thank you to the Kim Foundation for their generous support of this much needed Training program.

Contact Information:
Ryan Paul Carruthers, PhD, LMHP, LADC, CPSS (he/him/his)
Chief Clinical Officer/Vice President
CenterPointe
2633 P St . Lincoln NE 68503
p: 402.475.8717 x590
www.centerpointe.org