ADULT PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION TRAINING

peer into the future

2025 APSS TRAININGS HAVE CLOSED

SIGN UP FOR OUR JANUARY 2026 TRAINING EVENT

Registering for our trainings is a 3-step process:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

Complete The Online Application
Have Someone Complete The Online Reference Form Whom Can Verify You Qualify As A Family Peer Support (See Qualification Below)
Submit Registration Fee $200.00 +tax
***Spaces In Our Trainings Are Only Reserved Once All Three Requirements Are Fulfilled. All Completed Registrations Can Be Transferred To The Next Available Training Dates In The Case The Training For Which You Originally Applied Is Full. Thank You!

Adult Peer Support Certification Training Application

The Kentucky Adult Peer Support Specialist training is a thirty (30) hour program. An applicant must possess the following to qualify for this training per state Requirements:

Applicant must possess, at a minimum, a high school diploma or GED equivalent and meet the following criteria:
Have a primary diagnosis of a behavioral health disorder which the applicant has received treatment and a strong desire to identify themselves as a person with a behavioral health disorder (current or former consumer of behavioral health services including substance abuse treatment).
Demonstrate strong reading comprehension and written communication skills as indicated by their responses on the short- essay form.
Demonstrated experience with leadership and advocacy in the field of behavioral health/ substance use disorders; as well as the ability to demonstrate his or her own efforts at self-directed recovery. If you have any questions about your qualifications, please feel free to contact The Training Center at 502-370-8781

TRAINING GOALS

The Training Center is pleased to offer and present core curriculum to train and certify Kentucky Adult Peer Support Specialists. For those working in, or wishing to work in the field of peer support, this training is designed to:

-Present students with a curriculum that sources the latest available materials for an up-to-date presentation. The curriculum is developed, and approved for use, and meets the requirements of the Kentucky Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID).

-Prepare participants to use curriculum to work in Peer Specialist Services within the Community Mental Health Centers, state-operated or contracted inpatient facilities, or other organizations approved by the KDMHDDAS Commissioner.

-Prepare participants to pass oral and written APSS Examination.

Please be Aware-

A registration becomes final once an applicant submits Our application, and has someone who can verify their diagnosis and subsequent recovery complete our reference form and the registration fee. If the training you selected becomes full Before all three Registration Requirements are met, your registration will carry over to the next available training or any future training of your choice. Registration fees are non-refundable but can be transferred to another training event.

YOUR INFORMATION.

YOUR INFORMATION

Name

First Name

Last Name

BIRTHDATE

HOME ADDRESS

PHONE

COUNTY OF RESIDENCE

COUNTY OF RESIDENCE (in which county do you currently reside?)

Which Event Do You Plan To Attend (ALL EVENTS ARE HELD VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM)

January 3rd, 4th & 10th, 11th 2026 8am-5pm EST

If a third party will be covering the cost of your training registration please indicate the name of that organization or person here

If a third party (SOMEONE OTHER THAN YOURSELF) will be covering the cost of your training registration please indicate the name of that organization or person here

Email Address Of Third Party Contact

Where did you hear about The Training Center?

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS Kentucky Peer Support Specialists must meet regulatory requirements in order to serve in this role. By initialing each of the following I confirm that: 

I completed High School and hold a High School Diploma.

I completed my GED coursework and hold my GED Certificate.

I can supply documentation of my High School Diploma or GED Certificate.

I have a primary diagnosis of a Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse Disorder. The Kentucky Adult Peer Support Specialist (APSS) Program only accepts persons who have a diagnosis of Behavioral Health/ Substance Abuse/Addictive Disease.

I have received treatment for my Mental Health/ Substance Use Diagnosis

I understand that Kentucky Adult Peer Support Specialists work from the perspective of their own lived experience with behavior health issues, substance use/abuse and recovery. I agree to be open about the fact that I have been diagnosed with a mental illness. I understand that in doing so I help educate others about the reality of recovery.

I understand that the Kentucky Adult Peer Support Specialist Training is not a job placement program and completion of the training does NOT guarantee that I will be hired as an APSS.

I am over the age of 18

RECEIVED SERVICES VERIFICATION:

COUNTY IN WHICH YOU RECEIVE/RECEIVED TREATMENT/SERVICES

COUNTY IN WHICH YOU RECEIVE/RECEIVED TREATMENT/ SERVICES

AGENCY NAME

AGENCY NAME (AGENCY WHERE YOU RECEIVED TREATMENT/SERVICES)

AGENCY CONTACT PERSON

AGENCY TELEPHONE

AGENCY ADDRESS

AGENCY CONTACT PERSON’S E-MAIL

1. Why do you want to become a Peer Support Specialist ?

2. Why do you think it is important for Peer Specialists to tell their recovery stories?

3. What will be your most difficult challenge in attending this training? How will you deal with this challenge?

4. Describe your current employment situation (or volunteer situation). If neither applies, how do you spend your time?

5. What makes you a good candidate to work with other consumers in the behavioral health/ substance use field?

6. What does recovery mean to you?

7. What were some of the important factors in your own recovery?

8. What types of experiences have you had in advocating for consumers of behavioral health/ substance abuse services? Please describe in detail, listing efforts in letter-writing, personal advocacy, public testimony, programs you began, or the work you are doing now. Be specific

9. Is there anything else you would like us to know in considering you for the Adult Peer Support Specialist training?

I understand all submitted information to be true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and acknowledge that any false information will be grounds for not qualifying for the training.

First Name

Last Name

peer into the future

2025 APSS TRAININGS HAVE CLOSED

SIGN UP FOR OUR JANUARY 2026 TRAINING EVENT

Registering for our trainings is a 3-step process:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

Complete The Online Application

Have Someone Complete The Online Reference Form Whom Can Verify You Qualify As A Family Peer Support (See Qualification Below)

Submit Registration Fee $200.00 +tax

***Spaces In Our Trainings Are Only Reserved Once All Three Requirements Are Fulfilled. All Completed Registrations Can Be Transferred To The Next Available Training Dates In The Case The Training For Which You Originally Applied Is Full. Thank You!