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Howie The Harp (HTH) Peer Training Program

GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

(as of March 2022)

commitment to our program, you will be able to:

• Establish and sustain your own self-directed recovery and care.

• Provide effective peer support services in Human Services.

• Choose, get and keep competitive employment.

Application and attendance to HTH’s Peer Training Program is free of charge to all participants.

We are funded by: Dept of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Office of Mental Health

(OMH) ACCES-VR Adult Career and Continuing Education Services, and donor sponsorships.

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HTH PEER TRAINING PROGRAM COMPONENTS

I. 16 week classroom training (approx. 320 hours)

Personal Wellness - our training provides a solid foundation of self-directed recovery tools that

every effective employee needs for work/life balance and satisfaction. Classes include:

W.R.A.P., Self Regulation, Anger Management, Conflict Resolution and Food Justice,

Professional Development - course topics not only address the how/why of the peer profession

(History of the Movement, The Evolution of the Peer Specialist) but the knowledge, tools and

skills that inform a well-rounded practice of Peer provision. Classes include: Stages of Change,

Motivational Interviewing, Active Listening, Intentional Peer Support, Social Justice, Cultural

Competence and Navigation of various Public Systems.

Upon completion of the classroom training, you get to select from, and interview with, a myriad

of internship partner agencies from across the NYC area. Our list of internship partner agencies

includes:

• In-patient and out-patient hospital settings

• Respite centers

• PROS programs

• Supportive housing

• Mental health wellness/recovery programs

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Upon completion of the internship, you’ll then move on to the final phase of the program –

employment! Each week you’ll attend our Career Club and meet with your Career Coach to

enhance your employment search. The group camaraderie provides you with the support to

enhance your job search experience. Also, agencies seeking peer providers often contact us

meetings.

People with personal mental health recovery experience who want to use their recovery

process to help others and establish a career in social services

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must:

• Have a clinical mental health diagnosis

• Reside in the NYC metropolitan area

• Have at least a high school diploma (or the equivalent)

• Be able to work in the U.S.

Daily format:

• AM Class: 9:30AM – 12pm (15 min break at 10:45AM)

• Lunch break: 12pm-1pm

• PM Class: 1pm – 3:30PM (15 min break @ 2:15PM)

Additional class days off:

Midterm Break: Mon Oct 10 through Thu Oct 13, 2022

Holidays: Mon Sept 5 - Labor Day

Thu Nov 24 – Thanksgiving

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INTERNSHIP FORMAT

Most internships will start in Jan 2023. Internship start dates vary – depending on the

onboarding process of the internship site.

Most internships will be 12 weeks – all sites confirm with us their needs and expectations so we

inform trainees of details before the Internship Fair. Internship schedules vary – but usually

within normal office hours – between 9am and 5pm. Trainees will work no more than 24

hours/week. HTH offers a $45 stipend per week.

BENEFITS OF THE HTH PEER TRAINING PROGRAM

27 years of peer training experience

Since 1995, HTH has trained hundreds of peers working across a broad range of mental health

develop your competency and understanding. Studying alongside your peers, discussions with

trainers and staff bring the information alive in real-world ways. And most important to our

students – you will not be alone in the process.

Socialization Education (aka Social Curriculum)

Both students and staff work together to secure a safe and functional learning environment.

You’ll learn to work in a group setting and be part of team – as workplace skills require.

Supportive Peer Staff

Our staff provides support throughout your participation in the program. As a peer run

HTH will support you in obtaining the state certification. New York State Peer Certification is a

New York State initiative of the Office of Mental Health – Consumer Affairs, which is additional

to our peer training program. For more information about the New York State Peer Certification

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process/application, download an application from their website http://nypeerspecialist.org – it

explains the process on the first page – or please contact:

New York Peer Specialist Certification Board

11 North Pearl Street, Suite 801

Albany, NY 12207

(518) 426-0945

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

• The online application for Fall 2022 is open from Wed, March 2, 2022 – Wed, May 4

2022.

• Applicants may work on the application over time before submitting.

• Submitting inaccurate or incomplete documentation may delay the application process

10 years – volunteering, caretaking children/family, programs, trainings etc.

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Step 3: Application status deadline: Fri May 20, 2022

Applications completed accurately will be assessed throughout the application submission

process. Once assessed, select applicants will be invited to an in-person group interview in the

NYC area during the week of Monday May 9 – Thu May 12. After group interviews are

complete, 40 applicants will be invited to attend the training, an additional 10 applicants will be

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Excerpt from NY Times- Feb 14, 1995

"I've been diagnosed as a schizophrenic, as psychotic, as manic-depressive and as psychotic

depressive," Mr. Geld said later. "I don't really believe in those labels, but there have been times

in my life when I went into what can be called a manic episode, and when I went into severe

HTH will follow all COVID health and safety guidance including those regarding staff, program

participants and program site protocols as per our contracts with the NYC Department of

Health & Mental Hygiene. COVID related safety protocols could possibly require:

with your classmates and take care of any personal needs before the AM session starts:

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PM Class: 1pm – 3:30PM (15 min break @ 2:15PM)

Additional time off:

Midterm Break: Mon Oct 10- Thu Oct 13, 2022

Holidays: Mon Sept 5 - Labor Day

Thu Nov 24 – Thanksgiving

HTH programs are free of charge for all participants. We receive funding from the Office of

Mental Health (OMH), the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene (DOHMH), ACCES – VR as

well as grants and generous donations from private funders.

We will request upon admission that all trainees apply for ACCES VR services to help fund their

participation in our program. However, your invitation is not a conditional to ACCES VR funding.

6. Do you offer any financial help/carfare during the training? Meals?

should I do?

Attendance is a critical component of this training – attendance will be recorded. This training

does not work unless you attend and participate in classes. We suggest that you use the lead

time between acceptance and the first day of training to reschedule your appointments.

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9. I’m concerned about my history of incarceration and/or convictions. How will that

affect my chances of actually getting work?

It depends on the conviction charge. Convictions that prohibit or greatly limit employment in

social services:

12. This program requires a great commitment of time – can you guarantee me

employment?

We can’t guarantee you work. It really is up to you to commit to the program as well as to your

personal growth and competency to work in the field. Our staff will work with you to identify

employers with gainful opportunities.

However, be assured that between your commitment and our over 27 years of experience, your

time at HTH will be well spent! Being an HTH graduate gives you an advantage when seeking

peer specialist work in the New York City area. Peer Specialist positions often list “HTH