Paraprofessional Continuing Education

Equips peer support specialists with practical de-escalation techniques and collaborative safety planning skills. Participants learn to recognize escalating behaviors, apply verbal and non-verbal strategies, and co-develop personalized safety plans using trauma-informed, autonomy-respecting approaches.

• Identify early warning signs of crisis escalation
• Apply verbal de-escalation techniques including active listening and validation
• Utilize non-verbal communication strategies to create safety
• Collaborate with individuals to develop personalized safety plans
• Recognize personal triggers and practice self-regulation during crisis

Explores the unique ethical considerations and boundary challenges inherent in peer support work. Covers strategic self-disclosure, dual relationships, confidentiality requirements, and ethical decision-making frameworks aligned with National Practice Guidelines for Peer Supporters and professional ethical standards for paraprofessionals.

• Articulate core ethical principles specific to peer support practice
• Distinguish between helpful boundary flexibility and harmful boundary violations
• Apply an ethical decision-making framework to complex scenarios
• Identify strategies for managing dual relationships in small communities
• Understand confidentiality requirements and mandatory reporting obligations

Provides a comprehensive understanding of trauma and its neurobiological effects. Participants explore SAMHSA's six principles of trauma-informed care, learn to recognize trauma responses in peer relationships, and develop skills for creating psychological safety while managing vicarious trauma.

• Define trauma and differentiate between acute, chronic, complex, and intergenerational types
• Explain the neurobiological effects of trauma on brain function and behavior
• Apply SAMHSA's six principles of trauma-informed care
• Recognize trauma responses and triggers in peer relationships
• Develop strategies for managing vicarious trauma and personal wellness

Moves beyond cultural competence to cultural humility — a lifelong practice of self-reflection, openness, and accountability. Participants explore personal cultural identities, examine implicit biases, and develop practical skills for serving Oregon's diverse communities including communities of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, refugees, and rural populations.

• Distinguish between cultural competence and cultural humility
• Identify personal cultural identities and their influence on practice
• Recognize and address implicit biases affecting service delivery
• Apply strategies for adapting peer support across cultural contexts
• Understand the impact of systemic racism and discrimination on mental health

Explores the complex relationship between technology use and mental health. Peer supporters learn to recognize problematic technology use, understand the psychological mechanisms behind social media's impact on wellbeing, and develop strategies for supporting peers in building healthier digital habits — including the beneficial uses of technology in recovery.

• Explain how social media affects mental health through social comparison, FOMO, and dopamine loops
• Recognize signs of problematic technology and social media use
• Discuss unique technology impacts on youth, adults in recovery, and isolated individuals
• Apply strategies for supporting peers in developing healthier digital boundaries
• Navigate online safety concerns including cyberbullying and misinformation

Prepares peer support specialists to deliver effective telehealth services. Covers technical best practices, strategies for building rapport virtually, HIPAA compliance, adapting peer support techniques to virtual delivery, and managing crisis situations remotely — with hands-on paired practice.

• Set up a professional and confidential telehealth environment
• Demonstrate strategies for building rapport and connection virtually
• Apply HIPAA compliance requirements to telehealth peer support
• Adapt peer support techniques for effective virtual delivery
• Manage crisis situations in a telehealth context

Provides a comprehensive overview of Oregon's behavioral health system including CCOs, community mental health programs, the Oregon Health Plan, and the full continuum of care from prevention to crisis. Participants practice navigating referral processes, supporting care transitions, and advocating for peers within system constraints.

• Describe Oregon's behavioral health system structure including CCOs and CMHPs
• Explain the Oregon Health Plan and eligibility requirements
• Identify the continuum of services from prevention to crisis care
• Navigate referral processes and care transitions effectively
• Advocate for peers within system constraints

Develops systematic skills for mapping and connecting peers to community resources. Covers social determinants of health, resource evaluation for cultural responsiveness and accessibility, strategies for building community partnerships, and executing warm referrals that support successful connection.

• Explain how social determinants of health affect behavioral health and recovery
• Apply a systematic approach to community resource mapping
• Evaluate resources for accessibility and cultural responsiveness
• Demonstrate strategies for building relationships with community partners
• Execute warm referrals that support successful connection

Develops skills for facilitating peer-led support groups — distinct from clinical therapy groups. Participants learn to create psychologically safe group environments, use effective facilitation techniques, and manage common group challenges including dominant participants, conflict, and emotional escalation.

• Distinguish peer-led groups from clinical therapy groups
• Create psychologically safe group environments
• Demonstrate effective facilitation techniques for opening, flow, and closing
• Manage group challenges including conflict and emotional escalation
• Foster mutual support and authentic connection among group members

Builds advanced communication skills using motivational interviewing (MI) principles and the OARS framework. Participants practice the "I Notice, I Wonder" technique for non-confrontational conversations, navigate difficult dialogues, and communicate effectively as advocates within multidisciplinary teams.

• Explain the spirit and principles of motivational interviewing for peer support
• Demonstrate all four OARS skills: Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries
• Apply the "I Notice, I Wonder" framework to address concerns non-confrontationally
• Communicate effectively with clinical team members using assertive advocacy
• Navigate difficult conversations while maintaining the peer relationship

Addresses the unique burnout risks facing peer support specialists who manage their own recovery while supporting others. Distinguishes individual self-care, community care, and organizational responsibility — and guides participants in developing a personalized wellness plan with an accountability partner.

• Recognize signs and stages of burnout across three dimensions
• Identify personal risk factors and early warning signs
• Distinguish self-care, community care, and organizational responsibility
• Develop a personalized, practical wellness plan
• Apply professional boundaries as a form of sustainable self-care

Empowers peer support specialists to advocate for themselves and their workforce at organizational, community, and policy levels. Participants learn to articulate the evidence-based value of peer support, develop compelling narratives, and create a personal advocacy action plan for meaningful systems change.

• Identify key workforce issues facing peer support specialists in Oregon
• Articulate the value of peer support using evidence and personal narrative
• Apply advocacy strategies at organizational, community, and policy levels
• Develop a personal advocacy action plan for continued engagement
• Connect peer support leadership to broader systems change efforts