The North Carolina Peer Support Specialist Registry in collaboration with the Community Engagement and Empowerment team at the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services is pleased to offer free training to Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS). These webinars will focus on a variety of topics related to Peer Support. The contact hours can be used towards the additional training requirement for certification and recertification.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Overview With Emphasis on Title I - Employment and Reasonable Accommodations
This webinar covers the accommodations available for those with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Attendees will learn what rights and responsibilities are covered under the ADA and how reasonable accommodations can contribute to your success on the job.
Date: January 16th, 2025 Time: 12–1:30 p.m. EST Training Hours: 1.5 hours Trainer: Rosemary Weaver
Advocacy & Engagement
Through this webinar, peer support specialists will have the opportunity to explore strategies in promoting the cause of peer support and learn different ways to encourage action. As a result of this webinar, peers will gain an understanding on mobilizing around peer support to create sustainable change within the profession.
Date: February 20th, 2025 Time: 12–1:30 p.m. EST Training Hours: 1.5 hours Trainer: Wes Rider
Harm Reduction
The goal of this webinar is to instruct peer support specialists on the methods available to empower self-direction and community practices that lead to substance use prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion. You will learn the importance of meeting people where they are and help bridge peers in recovery to helpful resources.
Date: March 20th, 2025 Time: 12–1:30 p.m. EST Training Hours: 1.5 hours Trainer: Patty Schaeffer
Trainers
Rosemary Weaver
Rosemary has been a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist since 2008. She also achieved the Advanced Level National Peer Support Certification in 2018. Additional certifications include Work Incentives Practitioner for SSI/SSDI beneficiaries, Digital Peer Support, Digital Peer Support Supervision, Supporting Older Adults Remotely, and Wellness Recovery Action Plan Facilitator. Rosemary trained peer support specialists under 2 different NC curriculums from 2013-2017. She is a former Chair of the SCFAC and served on two legislative committees (“Blue Ribbon Commission on Transitions to Community Living Initiative” and “LME/MCO Governance.”)
Wes Rider
Wes Rider recently retired, after a thirty-year career in the field of social work. After graduating from East Carolina University with a BSW in 1993, Wes worked in a variety of social work roles, most of which focused on supporting people to gain or maintain employment. Early in his career, Wes served on one of the first teams to implement person centered planning in NC. Wes has been a long-time recovery champion and advocate for recovery-oriented supports and consumer run service programs.
