Peer support is a mutual relationship between individuals with lived experience of mental challenges that emphasizes a non-judgmental, values-driven approach that promotes multiple perspectives, advocates for human rights and dignity, and focuses on genuine, mutual relationships that enrich the lives of those involved.
Certified peer support providers use their lived experience of mental health challenges in combination with specialized training to build genuine, mutual relationships that support individuals to live self-determined lives of their own choosing.
Peer support services include, but are not limited to, providing health and wellness supports; supporting individuals in accessing community-based resources and navigating state and local systems; providing employment supports, including transitioning into and staying in the workforce; and promoting empowerment and a sense of hope through self-advocacy. They address areas or issues in an individual’s plan of care, if they are consistent with the Certified Peer Supporter Code of Ethics and related to increasing an individual’s capacity to live a self-determined life of their own choosing.
PEER SUPPORT CERTIFICATION
To become a certified peer support provider in Vermont, there are certain steps you need to follow. These steps include completing all the necessary training, passing a certification exam, and agreeing to a Code of Ethics.
At this time, the training and certification exam are in final development. DMH is offering interim credentialing until the training and the certification exam are available.
WHAT IS INTERIM CREDENTIALING?
Interim credentialing permits individuals working as peer support providers in Designated Agencies or Specialized Service Agencies to bill Medicaid for peer support services until the full certification process is implemented in fall 2025. Once the certification process is established, you will have until July 1, 2026, to obtain certification to remain an allowable Medicaid biller for peer support services.
After your application for interim credentialing is reviewed and approved by the Department of Mental Health, you will receive interim credentialing status.
The application can be found on this webpage: Application for Interim Credentialing – Peer Support Provider. In order to read the document, you will be asked to sign in with your name and email address.; then click on the ‘begin signing’ box. You do not need to sign anything to read through the information about the application process.
CODE OF ETHICS TRAINING
Completion of Ethics training is necessary for Interim Credentialing.
Here’s the link to the sign-up form for the Code of Ethics Training: https://forms.gle/Bfam6wXKjq4Jt5PQ8
Here are the dates:
Virtual Option: Tuesday, May 27 – Friday, May 30, 2025
9:30 AM – 2:00 PM daily
(Includes one 15-minute break and a 45-minute lunch break)
In-Person Option: Wednesday, June 11 – Thursday, June 12, 2025
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
(Includes 15-minute breaks in the morning and afternoon and a 1-hour lunch break)
Tentative location: Burlington, Vermont
Questions about credentialing or certification?
If you have any questions after reading the Application for Interim Credentialing, please send an email to AHS.DMHPeerCredentialing@vermont.gov