Keep reading to learn more about who we are, where we work, trainings, and how to sign up for a training.
Applications are closed and class is full
May 31 - July 22, 2022
(Self-paced prerequisite)
August 9 - 12, 2022
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(Training with all participants)
Coralville
University of Iowa
Bioventures Center
2500 Crosspark Rd.
Coralville, IA 52241
Applications will open August 22nd and close when the training class is full.
An application link will be posted below when applications open on
August 22nd.
Sept. 6 - October 28, 2022
(Self-paced prerequisite)
November 15 - 18, 2022
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(Training with all participants)
Virtual
Training for Family Peer Support Specialists is in two parts: Phase 1: Online Training and Phase 2: In- person training. Participants must complete online training to be admitted into In-Person training, and participants must complete both phases in order to be certified.
Offering online training allows flexibility; new hires can start training immediately rather than wait for a scheduled in-person session. Because time away from work is reduced to only 4 days, the program expects participants will be given at-work time to complete online training.
Online training offers a knowledge base and content for practice as an FPSS. Online training consists of 14 courses which typically takes 15-25 hours to complete.
In-Person training provides the setting for participants to practice skills in a safe learning environment.
These four days of In-Person training require 32 hours.
Grounded in adult learning theory, this training:
You must commit to attending the entire 4-day training. Training begins promptly at 9AM each day and ends at 5PM. Training will break each day around noon for lunch.
You must arrange and pay for your own lodging (if applicable).
This training is FREE, however, trainees must pay for their own lodging, food and travel costs. If you are currently employed as a Family Peer Support Specialist, check with your employer about covering these expenses.
You must make arrangements for your own food. You will have an hour for lunch and there are many food options near the training site. Most training locations do not allow outside food to be brought in.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this training, please contact us at 319-356-8637 or 319-356-7020 or email us at IowaPeerSupportTraining@
healthcare.uiowa.edu.
If you are not currently employed as a FPSS (and will not have your costs paid by your employer), you may be eligible for a stipend that would reimburse you for part of your training related expenses. You would be required to pay the initial costs of you hotel, gas and meals and submit a form for reimbursement upon completion of the training. You must submit the stipend application 2 weeks before the first day of training. Stipends must be applied for, processed and approved BEFORE the training. If you would like more information about applying for a stipend please email: IowaPeerSupportTraining@
healthcare.uiowa.edu.
You must have a high school diploma or GED.
Be a parent or caregiver of a child with a mental health diagnosis
Willing to share your own personal story of caring for a child with a mental illness
Provide support for families as one who has been there
Assist families with finding community and natural supports
Advocate for a family’s’ needs and model self-advocacy
Model effective self-care and coping techniques
Work with families from diverse socio economic and cultural backgrounds
Ability to maintain a part-time or full-time work schedule
Work as a member of a team
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
Adhere to confidentiality and understand protected health information
Maintain records and provide accurate documentation
Use computers (email, web searches, word processing)
You must be 21 years of age to take Family Peer Support Specialist training.