CERTIFIED FAMILY PEER SUPPORT WORKER

(CFPSW)

PROGRAM MANUAL

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Certified Family Peer Support Work Program

I. Introduction………………………………………………………….…..…………………………..….3

II. Certified Family Peer Support Worker Definition..........................................3

III. CFPSW Scope of Activities…………………………………………………………………………4

IV. Training………………………………………………………………………………………………….….5

A. Training Overview

B. Parent Peer Support Practice Model Overview

C. What to Expect

V. Certification Procedure……………………………………………………………………….…..7

A. Certification Process Summary

B. Certification Requirements

C. Term of Certification

D. Initial Certification

E. National Certification Recognition

F. Background Check

G. Reporting Changes

VI. Recertification………………………………………………………………………………..…...….11

VII. Continuing Education Guidelines………………………………..…………………...….....13

VIII. Code of Ethics………………………………….……………………………………………........…14

IX. CFPSW Code of Conduct………………………………….…………….………………….…...14

X. Conduct or Ethics Violations…………………..………………………………….………..….17

XI. CFPSW Supervisor Training……………………………………………………….….…………17

XII. CFPSW Train the Trainer………………………………………………………….….………..…18

Appendix: CFPSW Application Checklist

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FAMILY PEER SUPPORT WORKER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

I. INTRODUCTION

The Certified Family Peer Support Worker (CFPSW) Program provides a State recognized certification provided by The New Mexico Credentialing Board for Behavioral Health Professionals. This certification does not in any way indicate that Certified Family Specialist is qualified to diagnose an illness, to prescribe or provide medication or to provide clinical treatment. The CFPSW Program is implemented through a collaboration between multiple agencies. Funding to support the implementation of Family Peer Support Services is provided through grant funding currently under NM CYFD Behavioral Health Services. The New Mexico Credentialing Board for Behavioral Health Programs (NMCBBHP), New Mexico State University (NMSU) Southwest Regional Training Center, and the statewide family organization, Families ASAP oversee the training and certification process to ensure the quality control of Family Peer Support Services throughout the state. Certified Family Peer Support Workers serve in a valuable and unique way in their support and assistance to families. Family peer relationships help families to understand that they are not the only ones struggling to meet the unique needs of their children and that they do not have to feel alone in their efforts. The shared lived experience support experience serves to inform, empower and inspire hope and create a feeling for families that things can get better.

II. CERTIFIED FAMILY PEER SUPPORT WORKER DEFINITION

Certified Family Peer Support Workers (CFPSW) is a “Caregiver to Caregiver peer” non-clinical model designed to empower those parenting children with mental health challenges to successfully navigate child-serving systems. CFPSWs are parents/primary caregivers who have the “lived-experience” of being actively involved in raising a child who experiences emotional, behavioral, mental health or co-occurring substance use challenges. This is inclusive of children and youth with a mental health diagnosis, a co-occurring mental health diagnosis and developmental disabilities, or co-occurring mental health diagnosis and substance use disorders. Children and youth need to have a Serious Emotional Disturbance Diagnosis prior to the age of 18. CFPSWs have experience navigating child-serving systems and have received specialized training that fosters resiliency and empowers other families who are raising children with similar experiences. The CFPSW helps families gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to effectively manage their own needs and ultimately move to more family independence. The CFPSW also serves as a role model demonstrating effective relationships, interactions, and behaviors. CFPSWs are committed to taking a culturally competent strength based approach that recognizes the individual youth and family identity, cultural history, life experiences, beliefs, and values both formal and natural supports and ways individuals seek assistance and from whom. CFPSWs also promote family voice and choice by striving to build partnerships between families, providers, and other key stakeholders to ensure that family voice is heard, that their preferences are incorporated into their children's plan of care, and that their natural support systems are strengthened. CFPSWs recognize that the family and all members of the team make meaningful contributions and bring value and expertise to the table.

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III. CFPSW SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES

Engages parents, legal guardians, and other primary caregivers in Wraparound or other service delivery

processes.

Promotes parent, legal guardian, and other primary caregiver participation in meetings and

other activities.

Supports parents, legal guardians, and other primary caregivers to build skills and self-efficacy.

Models effective personal interactions and behavior and parenting skills.

Assists parents, legal guardians, and other primary caregivers in identifying their strengths and

resiliencies in order to effectively articulate those strengths and prioritize their needs.

Assists parents, legal guardians, and other primary caregivers in identifying community and

natural resources.

Helps parents, legal guardians, and other primary caregivers in identifying and engaging

advocates and supporters as part of their team.

Teaches parents, legal guardians, and other primary caregivers how to effectively navigate

complex service delivery systems including juvenile justice, child protective services, education,

physical health, behavioral health, and others.

Informs parents, legal guardians, and other primary caregivers of service options; explains their

differences and purposes for informed decision making; and explains relevant terms and

conditions related to service options.

Encourages parents, legal guardians, and other primary caregivers to access services and

supports the family in overcoming access barriers when needed.

Assists parents, legal guardians, and other primary caregivers in meeting the child’s educational

needs through written requests for special education and other evaluations and attending

education related meetings.

Assists parents in crisis response and stabilization as needed.

Prepares parents, legal guardians, and other primary caregivers for juvenile justice preliminary

inquiries, meetings and hearings.

Empowers parents, legal guardians, and other primary caregivers to effectively build upon their

child’s strengths through role modeling of persuasive self-advocacy skills and facilitating

collaborative working relationships with professionals.

Maintains verbal or written communication on behalf of families with physical health and

behavioral health providers, Juvenile Probation Officers, Protective Service Specialists,

Education Administrators, Community Support Specialists or other providers as needed.

Procures signed Releases of Information from parents, legal guardians, and other primary

caregivers to ensure parents, legal guardians, and other primary caregivers permission to

acquire assessments and records or to communicate with other agencies or organizations.

Completes documents and maintains case files in accordance with agency polices and

contractual agreements.

Adheres to Code of Professional Conduct.

Organizes support groups, educational opportunities or social gatherings as requested.

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Recruits parents, legal guardians, and other primary caregivers and youth to advocacy and

systems level work as requested.

Maintains confidentiality of family and youth information except in cases of suspected neglect

and/or abuse or exploitation of the vulnerable.

These activities outlined are not all inclusive of duties in any position and are meant to serve as a reference

of typical responsibilities of a Certified Family Support Worker.

IV. TRAINING

A. TRAINING OVERVIEW The State of New Mexico has approved the Family Run Executive Director Leadership Association’s (FREDLA) Parent Peer Support Practice Model training as the requirement for individuals to become CFPSW’s. This five (5) day training must be completed in order to be eligible to take the credentialing exam administered by the New Mexico Credentialing Board for Behavioral Health Professionals (NMCBBHP). The five (5) day training has the purpose of articulating the lessons learned from parenting and cross walk them with the following eleven domains of competence:

Ethics

Confidentiality

Effecting change

Behavioral health information

Education information

Communication

Parenting for resiliency

Advocacy in and across multiple systems

Empowerment

Wellness and natural supports

Local resource information

In accordance with the standard of practice, set forth by the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health the approved FREDLA curriculum training is provided by certified trainers who have been approved by FREDLA to provide this training, in cooperation with New Mexico State University’s Southwest Regional Training Center. The training offers:

Up to date information, research and practice about each competency in each domain mentioned above

Practice and group feedback on application of interaction skills

Annotated list of formal services and resources/benefits applicable to the State of New Mexico

Formal group and individual supervision by a Certified Family Peer Support Worker

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B. PARENT PEER SUPPORT PRACTICE MODEL OVERVIEW The Parent Peer Support Practice Model consists of six modules completed over the course of the five (5) day training. Each module provides lessons, activities and resources outlined below along with the skillsets to be gained within each module:

Module 1: Connect o Establishing your role as a peer o Understanding the family’s story o Cultivating a stance of acceptance o Learning the family’s culture o Developing the relationship

Module 2: Discover o Discovering strengths o Identifying intensity level of support needed o Addressing immediate need/situation

Module 3: Support o Following the parent’s/family’s lead o Developing a support plan across areas of identified need with short/long term goals o Implementing tasks to reach goals o Increasing options

Module 4: Empower o Empowering families

Assist with development of effective advocacy skills Assist with development of parent’s ability to effectively use their voice Informing parents of their rights and responsibilities in specific systems Assist families in assessing and identifying skills, assets, and strengths of the

professionals in the family’s life o Educating systems

Building and modeling collaborative/supportive relationships Inform service providers, system representative and/or team members about the

importance of family voice and choice Encourage equity and equality in working with families Assist professionals in assessing and identifying skills, assets, culture, and strengths of

the family in the treatment of children/youth

Module 5: Prepare o Transitioning from formal parent peer support o Acknowledging goals achieved and celebrating successes

Module 6: Take Care (Strategies for PPSP self-care) o Establishing a work-life balance and prioritizing your own family and health needs o Recognizing triggers, managing expectations, and seeking support to manage responses o Understanding your role and setting limits o Using supervision effectively

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C. WHAT TO EXPECT

Interested individuals must go through the application process and be deemed eligible to take the training. Training is not available to non-applicants or those who would be considered ineligible based on certification requirements. Once approved for training, applicants will be invited to register for the next scheduled five (5) day training. Eligibility does not expire, individuals may take any future scheduled training. Training is conducted in person, there is no remote/online option for the five (5) day training. Attendance is expected for the entire five days and required to receive certification of completion and eligibility to sit for NMCBBHP certification exam. Attendees will be evaluated by the training instructor at the conclusion of the training to determine each attendees’ interest and readiness levels. All training attendees will receive:

Parent Peer Support Practice Model training manual

Certificate of completion

Resources to complete continuing education credits required

On the first day of training, attendees will:

Be required to sign copyright agreement

Be required to take pre-survey to assess their level of knowledge

On the final day of training, attendees will be required to take a post-survey to assess knowledge gained, as well as evaluate the quality of the training.

V. CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE

A. CERTIFICATION PROCESS SUMMARY – All interested individuals must complete the following certification process:

Complete Application

o Submit application at https://bhs.nmsu.edu/programs/fpsw

o A minimum of one reference is required as part of application

Interview

o Families ASAP or CYFD-Behavioral Health Services will contact interested applicants who

meet all required criteria and conduct a phone interview

Training

o Completion of the required 5-day Parent Peer Support Practice Model training program

o Receive certificate of completion to verify training attendance and participation

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Work Experience

o Completion of 40 hour required work/volunteer experience within 90-days of passing the

Certified Family Peer Support Worker (CFPSW) certification exam.

Work or volunteer activities may include the following: providing direct peer-to-peer

support services, family support, family advocacy, case management, facilitating

family support groups, teaching/co-teaching educational family workshops, child-

serving systems improvement activities, or shadowing others performing these

activities.

When an applicant identifies a work/volunteer site, they must complete the contact

information form here https://bhs.nmsu.edu/programs/fpsw/work-experience/.

Verification of work/volunteer hours will be needed, completing this online form is

required.

Testing

o Receive a 75% or better score on the CFPSW certification exam proctored by New Mexico

Credentialing Board for Behavioral Health Professionals (NMCBBHP).

B. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS – Individuals must meet the following requirements to submit an

application to become a Certified Family Peer Support Worker:

1) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age or older.

2) Hold a current and valid driver’s license and have a current New Mexico address.

3) Hold a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or higher degree.

4) Experience as being or having been the primary caregiver (parent, adoptive parent or family member) of a child or youth with an emotional, behavioral, neurobiological, or co-occurring developmental disability and mental health disorder, or mental health and substance use disorder that has received their mental health diagnosis and received services, before the age of 18.

5) Experience and understanding navigating one or more child-serving system as the primary caregiver for a child with mental health challenges. OR Professionals that hold current Parent Support Provider Certification from the Certification Commission for Family Support are eligible for FPSW Certification from NMCBBHP. See National Certification Recognition Section for more information.

C. TERM OF CERTIFICATION

The term of certification shall be two (2) years.

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D. INITIAL CERTIFICATION

1) Submit the completed application and other required documentation to the NMSU Family Peer Support Worker Portal at https://bhs.nmsu.edu/programs/fpsw/

Required application materials: o Completed application o Statement of personal experience o Recommendation form completed by 1-2 reference(s)

It is the responsibility of the applicant to complete any follow up and any processing of the application will be on hold until all required documentation has been turned in.

2) Once all information has been turned in the application will be reviewed, typically, within (30)

days. If an applicant appears to meet eligibility a telephone interview will be set up to clarify and to discuss the relevance of the applicant’s personal experience.

3) If an applicant is found eligible they can sign up for the required five (5) day training – Upcoming training dates and locations will be posted at https://bhs.nmsu.edu;

Applicants will be required to take a pre-survey to assess their knowledge prior to training and then will be given a post-survey to assess their immediate knowledge after training.

Applicants are also required to sign a copyright agreement to receive training and training manual.

Applicants that successfully complete the training will receive a certificate of completion from NMSU with instructions on signing up for testing with the New Mexico Credentialing Board for Behavioral Health Professionals.

4) Once the 5-day training is complete, applicants may sign up to take the credentialing exam with

the New Mexico Credentialing Board for Behavioral Health Professionals

Initial exam should be taken within 1-year completion of training. Examination fees are currently sponsored by the New Mexico Children Youth and Families Department, Behavioral Health Services (CYFD-BHS).

On testing day, test takers must have their government issued ID or Driver’s license. Pencils will be provided and any personal bags or purses will not be permitted at the testing tables. Purse or bags may be set in a designated area, although test takers are encouraged to bring a minimum of belongings. Late comers will not be allowed to enter and take the test once the testing has begun.

Applicants must pass the certification exam with a 75% or better score and will be required to read and sign a copy of the Certified Family Peer Support Worker Code of Conduct before proceeding with testing (Code of Conduct forms will be provided by The Board on testing day).

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5) Applicants are required to have 40 experiential hours of volunteer or paid work. This must be verified by a supervisor or committee member via completion of the online verification form.

The 40 hours of work/volunteer time can be completed anytime between completing the 5-day training and within 90 days of taking the credentialing exam. NOTE: Hours completed prior to the training will be considered on a case by case basis, it is not guaranteed that hours completed prior to the training will be counted towards the required 40 hours.

Work/volunteer hours can be earned through shadowing a professional or through direct work or committee participation. Experience should be in a family support role or child systems agency role. The work/volunteer hours are verified when the supervisor at the identified work site has completed the emailed form.

IMPORTANT: When an applicant has identified their work/volunteer site, they must complete the contact information form at https://bhs.nmsu.edu/programs/fpsw/work-experience/. A link to the verification form will be emailed to the supervisor provided who will need to complete the verification form in a timely manner.

In special cases, the 40 hours of work/volunteer time can be hours completed prior to taking the training, these will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Any hours that were completed more than 6 months prior to the 5-day training will not be considered in any case.

E. National Certification Recognition

Professionals that hold current Parent Support Provider Certification from the Certification Commission for Family Support are eligible for FPSW Certification from NMCBBHP. The State of New Mexico and NMCBBHP recognizes the Certification Commission’s requirements mirror or exceed New Mexico requirements and will provide eligible applicants with the New Mexico certification. Applicants should be aware that The Certification Commission for Family Support does not have reciprocity agreements with New Mexico, and that holding a New Mexico Certification does not make them eligible for certification outside of New Mexico. Those holding both National Certification and New Mexico certifications will need to be re-certified separately.

Application for Recognition Process

1) Complete” Recognition of National Certification” Form 2) Provide copy of current Parent Support Provider Certificate from the Certification Commission

for Family Support 3) Submit documents to the NMSU Certified Family Peer Support Worker Program by emailing

Lorretta Diaz at lediaz@nmsu.edu.

F. BACKGROUND CHECK

Currently, a background check is not part of the certification process. Please note, however, that you may be required to submit to a background check when being considered for employment as a family peer support worker.

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G. REPORTING CHANGES

If address or phone number should change after receipt of certificate, the certified individual can enter their new contact information email address, physical address and phone number into the NMSU Certified Family Peer Support Worker portal at https://bhs.nmsu.edu/programs/fpsw/. This will allow the applicant to be contacted with relevant conference and training opportunities, family peer support group calls, and re-certification reminders.

VI. RECERTIFICATION

To be eligible for recertification applicants must;

Complete twenty (20) Continuing Education Units per year for a total of forty (40) CEUs within two (2) years. Six (6) CEUs must be for applicable ethics and Six (6) CEUs must be for cultural competence. No more than 50% of CEUs earned can be on-line CEUs.

Recertification costs are currently sponsored by the Children Youth and Families Office of Behavioral Health Programs; (NOTE: Recertification costs do NOT include costs associated with continuing education activities)

All recertification forms can be found at: https://bhs.nmsu.edu/programs/fpsw/recertification/

A. RECERTIFICATION

The completed application, original certificate and documents must be sent forty-five (45 days) prior to the expiration dates in order to allow time for review. It is best to get the re-certification application and documentation submitted early in order to ensure that all documents are accepted before the expiration date and to avoid a late fee. It is advised to turn in documentation even if a document is still needed, include a letter explaining the situation (and information) and when the board can expect submission of missing required documents.

All recertification materials and questions can be emailed to lediaz@nmsu.edu. Completed recertification packet may also be mailed to:

Southwest Regional Training Center New Mexico State University

Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agriculture, Consumer & Environmental Sciences College

P.O. Box 30003, MSC 3470 Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003

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Recertification Packet

The recertification packet to be turned in should include the following:

Application for recertification form

Training Summary Form

Original Certification Certificate

Letter of Endorsement

Make copies of your application and your certificate and keep all originals of your CEU training documents for your own records NMCBBHP is not responsible for the return of any documents.

Application for Recertification Form

The application form requires the name of the applicant, Certification #, and expiration date, personal mailing address, personal phone number, email address, current employer, employer phone number, and employer address. Document must be signed and dated.

Training Summary Form

1) Sponsor/organization/instructors name or NMCBBHP approved provider number, date of training, and number of continuing education hours provided.

2) Copies of all trainings listed on the training summary must be provided. The re-certification

process includes submitting documentation of forty (40) hours of continued education courses

and trainings relevant to family peer support worker credentials.

Original Certification Certificate

Original Certificate must be turned in with the recertification packet before NMCBBHP will issue a new certificate.

Endorsement letter

A letter of endorsement written on agency letterhead and signed by a current supervisor is required. If you are unemployed, a letter from a colleague or peer that has witnessed volunteer work or committee participation will be allowed.

Fees

At this time all fees are waived and sponsored by the New Mexico CYFD-BHS. Late Fees

When your certificate expires, you are considered non-certified and your certificate will be placed on “inactive status” for 90-days. To re-instate the credential you must reinstate your certificate before the 90-day inactive status expires. To reinstate certification, a completed recertification packet and a $100.00 late fee must be turned in within the 90-days. Incomplete recertification packets or unpaid late fees will not be accepted beyond the 90-day expiration of the certificate. Certificate Retirement (temporary)

If a certified individual is unable work professionally for a period of time due to professional or personal circumstances, they may apply to have their current certification placed into retirement status for up to 5 years. For more information, CFPSWs may contact the Southwest Regional Training Center.

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VII. CONTINUING EDUCATION GUIDELINES

Applicants must complete the twenty (20) Continuing Education Units per year for a total of forty (40) CEUs within two (2) years. Six (6) CEUs must be for applicable ethics and Six (6) CEUs must be for cultural competence. No more than 50% of CEUs earned can be on-line CEUs. Trainings must be applicable to CFPSW and relevant to children’s systems. Some adult oriented mental health and behavioral health trainings are allowed - but will be decided on a case-by-case basis and should not be more than 25% of total CEUs. Accepted CEUs are Social Work CEUs, Counseling CEUs, and Education CEUs. Below is a list of some accepted training, agencies and conferences. This list is not inclusive of all activities CFPSWs may participate in to obtain CEUs. Topic areas listed are also a sample of topics that may meet CEU requirements. Additional resources are provided at https://bhs.nmsu.edu/fpsw/ce.

Accepted National and State of New Mexico CEU Trainings, Agencies and Conferences

FREDLA (Family-Run Executive Directors Leadership Association) Federation of Families For Children’s Mental Health Pacer Center Conferences and Trainings Native American Disability Law Center Conference Parents Reaching Out Conference EPICS Conference Families ASAP Trainings and Conferences Wright’s Law Conference COPAA Conference Head to Toe Conference Children’s Law Institute Conference Southwest Disabilities Conference Disability Rights Trainings and Conferences PSRANM (For Peer and Family Ethics, Cultural Competency and any related topics listed below)

Accepted Topic Areas

Children’s Mental Health or Behavioral Health Related Trainings Wraparound related trainings Systems of Care Trainings or Children’s Mental Health Systems Trainings and Conferences Children’s Education related trainings: Special Education, IEPs, 504’s, Behavior trainings, etc. Prevention Trainings Family Engagement and Family Leadership Trainings Suicide Prevention Mental Health First Aid Youth Transition Trainings Parenting Classes Motivational Interviewing or other Mental Health Practice Trainings Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) Child Protective Service, Juvenile Justice, Early Childhood, Infant Mental Health Trainings

*Note*Ethics for Prevention may align more closely with Peer ethics than Ethics for Clinicians

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VIII. CODE OF ETHICS

It is the expectation of the New Mexico Credentialing Board for Behavioral Health Professionals that all credentials shall meet and comply with all terms, conditions, or limitations set forth in the allowed scope of practice of any credential or license held.

Credentialed individuals shall not engage in conduct that does not adhere to ethical standards or their individual practice and shall not misrepresent the scope of their practice. Credentialed individuals shall not claim, either directly or by implication, knowledge, qualifications or affiliations that they do not possess. Credentialed individuals shall not knowingly make any false statements to any licensing, credentialing boards or disciplinary authorities. Credentialed individuals shall not practice under a false name or a name other than the name under which his or her credential is held. Credentialed individuals shall not perform services outside his or her area of training, expertise, competence, or scope of practice while performing services under their credential. Credentialed individuals shall comply with all laws, codes, rules, and regulations.

IX. FAMILY PEER SUPPORT WORKER CODE OF CONDUCT

As a FPSW with the NMCBBHP, I shall pledge to strive to:

Share my experience as a parent when it may help other family members.

Support other family members as peers with a common background and history rather than as experts who has all the answers.

Acknowledge that each family member’s answers may be different than mine.

Take responsibility for clarifying my role as a Family Peer Support Worker and as a parent of a child who experienced emotional, behavioral or mental health challenges.

Build partnerships with others who are involved in the care of our children.

Commit to honesty in all my interactions as a Family Peer Support Worker and expect the same from others.

Commit to a non-judgmental and respectful attitude in my dealings with and discussions regarding families.

Commit to a non-adversarial approach to advocacy in my role as a Family Peer Support Worker.

Principle 1 – Integrity

To maintain high standards of competence and integrity, I will:

1. Apply the principles of resiliency, wellness and/or recovery, family-driven approach, youth-guided

or youth-driven approach, consumer-driven approach and peer to peer mutual-learning principles

in every day interactions with family members.

2. Promote the family member’s ethical decision-making and personal responsibility consistent with

that family member’s culture, values and beliefs.

3. Promote the family members’ voices and the articulation of their values in planning and

evaluating children’s behavioral health related issues.

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4. Teach, mentor, coach and support family members to articulate goals that reflect each family

member’s current needs and strengths.

5. Demonstrate respect for the cultural-based values of the family members engaged in peer

Support.

6. Communicate information in ways that are both developmentally and culturally appropriate.

7. Empower family members I am assisting to be fully informed in preparing to make decisions and

understand the implications of these decisions.

8. Maintain high standards of professional competence and integrity.

9. Abstain from discriminating against or refusing services to anyone on the basis of race, ethnicity,

gender, gender identity, religion/spirituality, culture, national origin, age, sexual orientation,

marital status, language preference, socioeconomic status or disability.

10. Only assist family members whose concerns are within my competency as determined by my

education, training, experience and on-going supervision/consultation.

11. Abstain from establishing or maintaining a relationship for the sole purpose of financial

remuneration to me or the agency associated with me.

12. Terminate relationship when it becomes reasonably clear that the peer relationship is no longer

the desire of the family member.

Principle 2 – Safety

To maintain the safety of all family members involved with their services, I will: 13. Comply with all laws and regulations applicable to the jurisdiction in which the parent support

services are provided, including but not limited to confidentiality.

14. Maintain confidentiality in my personal and professional communication and ensure that family

members have authorized my use or release of any and all information about themselves or family

members for whom they have legal authority, including but not limited to verbal statements,

writing, or re-release of documents.

15. When complying with laws and regulations involving mandatory reporting of harm, abuse or

Neglect.

16. Respect the privacy of the agencies with whom I partner, and refrain from distributing internal or

draft document or private or internal conversations.

17. Comply with all laws and regulations applicable to the jurisdiction in which the parent support

services are provided.

18. Discuss and explain to family members the rights, roles, expectations, benefits and limitations of

the peer support process.

19. Avoid ambiguity in the relationship with family members and ensure clarity of my role at all times.

20. Maintain a positive relationship with family members, refraining from premature or unannounced

ceasing of the relationship, until a reasonable alternative arrangement is made for continuation

of similar peer support services.

21. Abstain from engaging in intimate emotional or physical relationships with family members

engaged in a peer support relationship.

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22. Neither offer nor accept gifts, other than token gifts, related to the professional service of parent

support, including but not limited to, personal barter services, payment for referrals, or other

remunerations.

23. Abstain from engaging in personal financial transactions with family members engaged in parent

support relationship.

Principle 3 – Professional Responsibility

Through educational activities, supervision and personal commitment, I will: 24. Stay informed and up-to-date with regard to the research, policy and developments in the field

of parent/peer support and children’s behavioral health which relates to my own practice are and

children’s general health and wellbeing.

25. Engage in helping relationships that include skills building not exceeding by scope of practice,

experience, training, education or competence.

26. Perform or hold myself out as competent to perform only parent support services not beyond my

education, training, education or competence.

27. Seek appropriate professional supervision/consultation or assistance for my personal problems

or conflicts that may impair or affect work/volunteer performance or judgment.

28. File a complaint with the NM Credentialing Board for Behavioral Health Professionals when I have

reason to believe that another Parent Support Provider is or has been engaged in conduct that

violates the law or this Code. Making a complaint to the NM Credentialing Board for Behavioral

Health Professionals is an additional requirement, not a substitute for or an alternative to any

duty of filing report(s) required by statute or regulation.

29. Refrain from distorting, misusing or misrepresenting my experience, knowledge, skills or research

Findings.

30. Refrain from financially or professionally exploiting a colleague or representing a colleague’s

work, associated with the provision of peer support or the profession of peer support, as my own;

31. In the role of a supervisor/consultant, be responsible for maintaining the quality of my own

supervisory/consultation skills and obtaining supervision/consultation for work as a

supervisor/consultant.

Principle 4 – Certification Responsibilities

As an applicant or certificate, I will:

32. Comply with Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics and recertification requirements;

33. Only use the CFPSW credential or represent myself as having that credential when I am in full

compliance with the credentialing requirements.

34. Always utilize the CFPSW designation appropriately.

35. Cooperate with any ethics investigation by any professional organization or government agency,

and truthfully represent and disclose facts to such organizations or agencies when requested or

when necessary to preserve the integrity of the parent support profession.

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36. Notify the NMCBBHP of any legal action with potential impact on my practice of parent support,

including but not limited to, the filing in any court of an information, complaint, indictment,

conviction, revocation of suspended imposition of sentence, revocation of probation/parole, filing

of any charge or action before a state, tribal or federal regulatory agency or judicial body

concerning the practice of parent support or related professions, or a matter before another

certification body. Such notification shall be made within sixty (60) days of the filing of such

charge or action, and I shall provide documentation of the resolution of such action within sixty

(60) days of that resolution.

X. CONDUCT OR ETHICS VIOLATIONS

All violations of conduct or ethics should be reported to the NMCBBHP. Reported violations will be

investigated by CYFD-BHS and any disciplinary or revocation of credential will be voted on by the board

after evidence has been considered. Individuals have the right to appeal, and may contact NMCBBHP to

appeal any decisions made by the Credentialing Board.

XI. FAMILY PEER SUPPORT WORKER SUPERVISOR TRAINING

CFPSW have a specific scope of practice. It is beneficial for CFPSWs to have a supervisor who is also trained

in the principles of family peer support.

Typically, the minimum expectations/qualifications of an individual who will serve as a supervisor to

certified family peer support workers include:

• Licensed practitioner (i.e. psychiatrist, psychologist, LCSW, LISW, LPCC, LMFT)

• A minimum of four (4) years relevant experience in the delivery of case management,

comprehensive community support services, or family peer support services with the target

population

• A minimum of one (1) year demonstrated supervisory experience

Training Information

The three (3) day FPSW Supervisor Training will be offered, at minimum, once a year.

Additional information and the application can be found at: https://bhs.nmsu.edu/programs/fpsw/

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XII. CFPSW Train the Trainer

The Family Run Executive Director Leadership Association (FREDLA) provides the training and curriculum

that prepares individuals to become Certified Family Peer Support Workers. The FREDLA Parent Peer

Support Practice (PPSP) training can be provided by those who have successfully completed the train the

trainer program. The curriculum is not available for reproduction. Additional information can be found

at www.fredla.org.

Multiple CFPSW trainers are currently trained in the State of New Mexico. The Southwest Regional

Training Center coordinates the train-the-trainer events as well as maintains the database of certified

CFPSW trainers. The SWRTC coordinates all CFPSW trainings.

Family Peer Support Worker

Certification Checklist

Review Family Peer Support Worker (FPSW) job description and certification requirements. Visit https://

bhs.nmsu.edu/programs/fpsw/ and download the Program Manual for this information

Determine eligibility. You must meet all listed requirements in order to apply for the FPSW certification

Fill out CFPSW application online. You will receive notification that your application was received

Complete 15-20 minute phone interview with FamiliesASAP. FamiliesASAP will contact you to schedule your

interview. You will receive notification by phone if you are eligible to take the CFPSW training

Sign up for 5-day/40-hour training. Upcoming trainings can be found at https://bhs.nmsu.edu/programs/

fpsw

Attend 5-day training. Complete pre-survey and sign copyright agreement prior to beginning

training. Post survey will need to be completed before certificate of completion is issued.

Register to take certification exam. NMSU will provide you with the upcoming test dates

Complete 40 hour work/volunteer hours (all hours must be completed by 90 days after taking the

certification exam). Submit work site information at https://bhs.nmsu.edu/programs/fpsw/work-experience

Supervisor submits verification form confirming 40 hours completed in work/volunteer hours

Take the Certified Family Peer Support Worker Certification test through the New Mexico Credentialing

Board for Behavioral Health Professionals. Testing will be held in Albuquerque by the NMCBBHP

(www.nmcbbhp.org)

Certificate will be awarded once the test is passed and the verification form of work/volunteer

hours is received

Loretta Diaz

lediaz@nmsu.edu

575-646-5334

Contact information

Southwest Regional Training Center at NMSU

https://bhs.nmsu.edu/programs/fpsw/

Fax: 575-646-6860