Via Hope

03/10/2025

🎉 WRAP® is coming back! Details will be available soon, including dates, location and registration. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates: https://viahope.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=53ecbddb317f531b882513adb&id=90e02250aa

If you'd like to host a WRAP® event at your organization, please contact [email protected].

🌈 What is WRAP®? 🌈
Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP®) is a personalized wellness and recovery system born out of and rooted in the principle of self-determination. WRAP® is a wellness and recovery approach that helps people to: 1) decrease and prevent intrusive or troubling feelings and behaviors; 2) increase personal empowerment; 3) improve quality of life; and 4) achieve their own life goals and dreams. Working with a WRAP® can help individuals to monitor uncomfortable and distressing feelings and behaviors and, through planned responses, reduce, modify, or eliminate those feelings.

While this tool can be used by anyone who wants to make a positive change in the way they feel and react to life, it often has a specific focus such as managing mental health or substance use challenges or re-entering society following incarceration.

Learn more: wellnessrecoveryactionplan.com

03/05/2025

Via Hope is accepting applications for the Reentry Peer Specialist Certification Training on March 17th - 22nd, 9am - 5pm CST.

This virtual training is developed for formerly incarcerated individuals who wish to help other people through recovery and reentry. It's designed to directly address the barriers to becoming a "whole person" that many people face after release, as well as the trauma people experience before, during and after incarceration.

⭐️ Prerequisites: Texas residents must complete Core Training before RPS
✅ Application fee: $950
⏰ Apply by Sunday, March 9th: viahope.org/event/reentry-peer-specialist-training-3

01/28/2025

Via Hope is accepting job applications for the following positions:

⭐️ Workforce Program Manager
⭐️ Workforce Apprenticeship Manager
⭐️ Communications Manager
⭐️ Systems and Data Manager
⭐️ Curriculum Manager
⭐️ Training Manager

Visit our website to learn more: viahope.org/jobs

01/28/2025

Registration is open for "Healing Centered De-Escalation Training" on Wednesday, February 19th at 9am - 12:15pm CST. viahope.org/event/healing-centered-de-escalation-4

This virtual training is designed to enhance understanding of what someone may be experiencing (both physiologically and emotionally) during escalation. Participants will explore several techniques and tools to support escalated individuals in the process of coming back to self. This training is open to anyone who would like to use a peer/healing-centered approach to support people in the de-escalation process.

⭐ 3 CEUs provided for MHPS, RSPS, RPS, CFP
✅ Registration fee: $60
📆 Deadline to register: February 10th at 5pm CST

01/24/2025

Via Hope promotes wellness and recovery through peer support training, workforce development & organizational change work. This February, we're offering the following online trainings.

⭐ Peer Specialist Core Training (February 4th - 6th)
📆 Apply by January 27th

⭐ Healing-Centered De-Escalation Training (February 19th)
📆 Register by February 10th

⭐ MHPS Certification Training (February 24th - 28th)
✅ Prerequisite: Core Training must be completed before MHPS
📆 Apply by February 10th

Visit viahope.org/events to register and find more upcoming training events.

01/24/2025

Via Hope is pleased to announce that we are now accepting manuscript submissions for our groundbreaking research project, "Transformative Potential: Mental Health Impact of Reentry Peer Support for Underrepresented Communities."

💡 Background 💡
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the challenges faced by individuals from underrepresented communities during the process of reintegration into society after incarceration. The relationship between reintegration into society for individuals from underrepresented communities and mental illness is multifaceted, shaped by systemic inequalities, societal stigmas, and individual challenges. These communities often encounter systemic barriers that hinder their successful transition and perpetuate cycles of incarceration. However, research and practice have shown that peer support programs can play a transformative role in addressing these challenges and promoting positive outcomes for individuals reentering society. This Research Topic seeks to explore the transformative potential of reentry peer support specifically tailored to underrepresented communities.

💡 To learn more about this Research Topic, visit: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/67867/transformative-potential-mental-health-impact-of-reentry-peer-support-for-underrepresented-communities

💡 If you're interested in submitting a manuscript, click here to provide your contact information and we'll reach out to you as soon as possible: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYpLmMzqxGHoKpxDj5uIdoZnH3h7kOWJNJkLjwWeWnz27vKw/viewform

01/10/2025

There's still time to apply for the Mental Health Peer Specialist certification training January 27th - 31st! Apply by Monday, January 13th at 5pm CST.

This five-day, 40-hour virtual training is designed to provide individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to become certified as a Mental Health Peer Support Specialist (MHPS) in Texas. It was developed for individuals who have lived experience of mental health challenges, and who wish to to use their experience to positively impact individuals, communities, and systems.

✅ Prerequisites: Core Training must be completed before MHPS
✅ Cost: $650
⭐️ Learn more and apply online: https://www.viahope.org/event/mental-health-peer-specialist-training-5/

Mental Health Peer Specialist training is a five-day, 40-hour training designed to provide individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to become certified as a Mental Health Peer Support Specialist […]

12/02/2024

We've extended the deadline to apply for this month's Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) Training! Apply by Wednesday, December 4th at 5pm CST.

This five-day, 40-hour virtual training is designed to provide individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to become certified as a Mental Health Peer Support Specialist in Texas. It was developed for individuals who have lived experience of mental health challenges, and who wish to to use their experience to positively impact individuals, communities, and systems.

✅ Prerequisites: Core Training must be completed before MHPS
✅ Cost: $650
⭐️ Apply online: viahope.org/event/mental-health-peer-specialist-training-4

11/22/2024

This month, we hosted a gathering in New Braunfels for peer specialists, library staff and community partners involved in the Libraries for Health (L4H) initiative. This event included guest speakers and workshops dedicated to crucial topics such as capacity building, grant writing and program planning in a public library context.

Through the L4H Initiative, peer support specialists are placed in public libraries where they can offer support to communities that might otherwise have limited access to mental health services. Learn more: https://www.viahope.org/programs/libraries-for-health

We believe in the power of building the capacity of organizations to engage community members to foster healthier communities. And through our Libraries for Health pilot project, we have partnered closely with Central Texas-based libraries to reimagine libraries as hubs for health.

Recently, Senior Program Officer Abena Asante joined Via Hope and RAND Corporation at the Libraries for Health end-of-year gathering in New Braunfels, Texas.

Leaders from libraries across Central Texas came together to discuss how they are strengthening and sustaining the mental health and well-being of their communities by providing access to Peer Support Specialists and other vital social support resources.

St. David’s Foundation is proud to support the Libraries for Health initiative working to expand mental health resources and services in underserved communities.

11/20/2024

Applications are open for the Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) Certification Training on December 16th - 20th. Apply online by Monday, December 2nd: viahope.org/events

This five-day virtual training is designed to provide individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to become certified as a MHPS in Texas. It was developed for individuals who have lived experience with mental health challenges, and who wish to use their experience to positively impact individuals, communities, and systems.

❗ Core Training must be completed before MHPS
✅ Application fee: $650

This training is followed by a knowledge assessment. Once passed, participants can apply for initial certification with the Texas Certification Board. Learn more: viahope.org.

11/12/2024

Next week! 📢 Register on Zoom: tinyurl.com/ym3a25hs

Join Via Hope for a free informational webinar celebrating peer support apprenticeships as a crucial new career pathway that keeps peer workers doing the work we love without feeling the need to transition to clinical work to make ends meet.

📆 Tuesday, November 19th at 1:30 - 3:30pm CST
✅ Register on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvce2vpjMjGtVVyztxMxBbU1yejTEStrVJ #/registration

The event includes a panel of peer specialists, peer specialist supervisors and partnership sites. We’ll discuss the vital role peer support apprenticeships play in expanding services for marginalized populations, such as individuals with mental health and substance use challenges, as well as people returning to their communities after being incarcerated. Information will be provided about how to support and apply to apprenticeship programs.

⭐️ What Is Apprenticeship? ⭐️
Apprenticeship is an employer-driven model that uses related instruction and on-the-job training to provide individuals the opportunity to master essential skills and gain knowledge to be proficient in their occupation. It's referred to as an “earn while you learn” model because apprentices get paid while they learn on the job.

⭐️ About This Initiative ⭐️
In April 2023, Via Hope launched the Peer Specialist Registered Apprenticeship Program through the Department of Labor. By partnering with organizations that wish to become registered apprenticeship sites, this program allows employers to develop and prepare their workforce across multiple industries, while providing a high quality career path for peer specialists across Texas. Learn more: viahope.org

This program is funded by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Behavioral Health Workforce, Education and Training (BHWET) grant, with support from St. David's Foundation. Via Hope holds the responsibility of the sponsoring organization for Peer Specialist Registered Apprenticeship sites.

11/08/2024

If you have lived experience with mental health or substance use conditions, trauma or incarceration and you want to help others with similar experiences, have you thought about becoming a peer specialist?

Peer specialists are trained and certified to provide peer support in a variety of settings. They help people develop goals, create strategies for self-empowerment, and take steps towards building fulfilling, self-determined lives.

The first step to becoming certified in Texas is to complete the Core Training. Applications are now open for the December 3rd - 5th training with Via Hope. Learn more: viahope.org/event/core-training-19

📆 Deadline to apply: Monday, November 25th at 5pm CST
✅ Application fee: $250

Can't make it in December? Via Hope offers this training every month, as well as other professional development trainings. Visit our website to find upcoming learning opportunities: viahope.org/events