Peer Support Services within VHA Office of Mental Health & Suicide Prevention

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Peer Support Services within VHA Office of Mental Health & Suicide Prevention (OMHSP) is seeking a non-profit entity or entities, in accordance with Public law 111-163, to provide established Peer Specialist Certification Training and Certification upon graduation to VA-employed Peer Support Staff.The need for certified Peer Specialists has grown since the profession began back in 2008. From the beginning, it was put into law that this training could only be provided by a non-profit entity using the criteria as set by the VA. The need for this training has spread to more VHA points of care and programs in the recent years. There are requests coming in from Departments such as Primary Care, etc. so the need to expand the training while keeping it true to the needed competencies and skills as defined by the OMHSP is a balance that must be