The primary tool for providing our PAPSRS members and others interested in the delivery of psychiatric rehabilitation services is through the Institutes and Workshops at our Annual Conference. Take a look at the descriptions of our conference brochures where prior Institutes and Workshops are described.
At our most recent conference in April/May, 2008 we conducted two well received full day Institutes:
“Planning and Implementing Recovery-Focused Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services” -- This Institute offered the perspectives of organizational directors based on their experiences in integrating recovery and psychiatric rehabilitation services. Institute attendees learned from the experiences of their peers’ experiences. The morning session featured a panel of CEOs from different PAPSRS member Psychiatric Rehabilitation agencies that have implemented transformation of their services. The afternoon focused on strategies for securing funding, program evaluation and staff development for the transformation.
“Intentional Peer Support: What Makes it Unique?” – PAPSRS brought Sherry Mead a national consultant located in New Hampshire and Jeannie Whitecraft trainer from MHASP in Philadelphia to provide an interactive Institute covering some of the basic concepts of what makes peer support different than other kinds of “help.” Using the Intentional Peer Support Model, the presenters covered the “four tasks” of connection, worldview, mutual responsibility, and moving towards. Attendees also learned about the most current Pennsylvania experiences in development of peer specialists.
Be sure to check out our conference announcements and listing of workshops and Institutes to find out about the latest offerings.

2-CPRP Test Preparation Workshops

Pennsylvania has the largest number of CPRP practitioners of all the USPRA State Chapters. Psychiatric rehabilitation organizations seek employees who have this credential – the Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner. The PA DPW state license for providing psychiatric rehabilitation services requires that 25% of staff have this credential. For detailed information about the CPRP application and testing procedures link to USPRA (www.uspra.org). The USPRA/CPRP website will also provide you with a list of dates and places where the CPRP test will be given. Here are some ways that you can prepare to take the test:

First you should fully explore all the procedures and resources provided through the USPRA/CPRP website and so that you understand all the requirements to achieve this credential.
Next, you may want to purchase Psychiatric Rehabilitation Skills in Practice: A CPRP Preparation and Skills Workbook. The USPRA website describes it as
…”a comprehensive compendium of the seven practice domains of psychiatric rehabilitation. It provides experiential learning through group exercises to assist individuals studying for the CPRP exam or simply seeking a deeper understanding of the practice of psychiatric rehabilitation. This new resource looks to be about 500 pages and is available now.”
"The need for this 'Skills Book' has been around for many years. Written by some of the most credible and experienced psychiatric rehabilitation practitioners, this workbook provides background on the skills associated with each task identified in the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner Credential's Role Delineation Study, as well as examples of how each skill could be demonstrated in a particular situation. Over and above its field relevance and CPRP preparation, this book is vital for use in courses, trainings, supervision, and staff meetings. Early-, mid-, and late-career practitioners will find it valuable and relevant to their work." -- Mark Salzer, PhD, LCP, Executive Editor
You can purchase this workbook directly from PAPSRS at a discount price of $45 each with no minimum quantity for PAPSRS organizational or individual members and for $60 for non-members. Click here for the “workbook” order form.

You may also want to sign up for one of PAPSRS’ “CPRP prep courses” to help you feel confident about your own study plan prior to taking the test. PAPSRS always offers a test prep class at our Annual Conference. In addition we offer CPRP prep courses across Pennsylvania in response to requests. If you would like PAPSRS to bring a CPRP prep workshop to your area, contact papsrs@comcast.net. We provide these workshops for free and ask only that there be a minimum of six (6) people. If you are interested, we can help you let others in your region know of the workshop opportunity so that they too can prepare for the test.

And finally, when you are ready you can log on to the USPRA/CRPR website and take a pre-test.

PAPSRS Training Opportunities
In the rapidly growing and changing field of recovery-oriented psychiatric rehabilitation services, improving our skills and upgrading our knowledge base are key to staying ahead and moving creatively and effectively into the future. Training and education are essential for agency management and practitioners dedicated to providing quality psychiatric and rehabilitation services. There are three ways that PAPSRS can assist your organization to enhance competencies and to provide opportunities for psychiatric rehabilitation professionals to achieve their personal career goals: (1) Workshops and Institutes offered at our Annual Conference; (2) CPRP preparation workshops; and (3) Technical Assistance requests for specific consultations with your organization.

Peer Support Coalition Meets at PAPSRS Conference

The newly formed PA Peer Support Coalition held an informal meeting at PAPSRS’s conference this year in State College, PA.

Individuals who provide peer support gathered to learn about the new statewide coalition, share information, and support each other. Members of the Peer Support Coalition interim steering committee, along with the Coalition’s coordinator, Nicole Darr, answered questions about the efforts underway to organize the coalition, and listened to peers’ experiences with providing peer support services.

PAPSRS has generously offered to continue hosting a networking meeting for certified peer specialists at future conferences. The Coalition looks forward to a continued partnership with PAPSRS.

For more information about the Coalition, visit PMHCA’s website forums at: www.pmhca.org/forum/index.php