MENTAL HEALTH PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST (PRSS-MH) COMING IN 2025

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WVCBAPP is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has approved a process for a person with direct lived experience with a mental health (MH) condition and in long-term recovery to become certified. We are a volunteer board, so please be patient while we develop manuals, requirements, and applications. We anticipate that by the conclusion of March of 2025 we will be ready to accept applications. Please hold all questions until we ask for public comment in January of 2025.

West Virginia Northern Community College Announces 2 New Programs

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West Virginia Northern Community College

WVNCC Brochure WVNCC Video Link WVNCC SUD Intervention Program

Substance Abuse Intervention Programs at West Virginia Northern Community College.

 WV Northern is pleased to announce two new academic programs to train individuals to work in the field of Substance Abuse Intervention as Peer Recovery Support Specialists or Prevention Specialists.

The “Substance Abuse Intervention Technician” Skill Set is a 29 credit hour program in which students take technical classes for college credits, the majority of which will transfer to other colleges or universities toward an Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, or a related field.  Students who successfully complete this program (which requires 500 practicum hours) and have a personal recovery experience are then eligible to apply and test for the Peer Recovery Support Specialist certification through the WV Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals. (WVCBAPP.org).  Individuals who can verify that they have already completed 500 hours of paid or volunteer work experience at a qualified Substance Use Disorder treatment facility can petition for and may be granted credit for these practicum classes.

 

Students who wish to pursue an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree can pursue the 60 credit hour “Substance Abuse Intervention Specialist” degree, All courses from the Skill Set will fulfill the requirements for the first year of the Associate degree. Students also complete 200 hours in a field experience/internship at a qualified Substance Use Disorder treatment facility.  Individuals who can verify that they have already completed the additional 200 hours can petition for and may be granted credit for the internship.  Students who successfully complete the Associate degree and who have also completed 2,000 hours of clinical experience or on the job training may be eligible to apply and test for the Prevention Specialist I credential through the WVCBAPP.

BMS Announcement: PRSS Certification and NPI Extension

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The Bureau of Medical Services (BMS) is making some changes to the Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS.) On September 30, 2022, BMS will no longer be offering their PRSS certification. However, we are extending the adoption of the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP) Peer Recovery certification for PRSS until December 31st, 2022. This means that until December 31st, 2022, either certification will be eligible for reimbursement from Medicaid. On January 1st, 2023, all PRSS must have the WVCBAPP Peer Recovery certification to be reimbursed by Medicaid.

Furthermore, BMS is also extending the deadline for NPI registration until December 31st, 2022. Gainwell will start registration of the rendering of PRSS NPI on August 1st, 2022, and will continue with the registration through December 31st, 2022. 

 

Additional information for PRSS service can be found in Chapter 504 Substance use Disorder Services under section 504.15.1

Information regarding the WVCBAPP certification can be found at www.wvcbapp.org.

  

Current and future PRSSs must obtain a National Provider Identifier (NPI) and current PRSS must obtain an NPI by December 31, 2022.The Taxonomy Code for a PRSS is 17500000X and the description can be found on the NPI Peer Specialist webpage.

 For additional information on obtaining an NPI, please visit the CMS NPI Webpage.

BMS Announcement RE: PRSS Required Certification Time Extension

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The Bureau for Medical Services (BMS) provided a two-year period from October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2022, to assist individuals with a BMS certification to transition to the West Virginia Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP) Peer Recovery certification. October 1, 2022 is fast approaching and BMS would like to make sure this announcement reaches everyone involved with Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) services.

BMS is extending this transition to December 31, 2022, but will no longer offer the BMS certification for PRSS services after September 30, 2022. Beginning October 1, 2022, new PRSS will be required to obtain the WVCBAPP Peer Recovery certification prior to providing services. On January 1, 2023, BMS will only accept the WVCBAPP Peer Recovery certification for reimbursement on PRSS services. There is no grandfathering between these two certifications.

By August 1, 2022, BMS is requiring that all current PRSS (and future PRSS) obtain a National Provider Identifier (NPI.) The Taxonomy Code for a PRSS is 17500000X. The description can be found on the NPI Peer Specialist webpage. Once the Gainwell Technologies’ system is ready, agencies will be notified to begin enrolling their PRSS providers.

·         Information for PRSS services can be found in Chapter 504 Substance Use Disorder Services under section 504.15.1 as well as under our Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) Certification Page

·         Information regarding the WVCBAPP certification can be found at http://www.wvcbapp.org

·         Information on obtaining an NPI can be found at the CMS NPI Webpage

·         Information about Gainwell Technologies can be found at https://dhhr.wv.gov/bms/Provider/DXC/Pages/default.aspx

VOLUNTARY INACTIVE STATUS

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VOLUNTARY INACTIVE STATUS:

1.     Conditions for application for Voluntary Inactive Status: WVCBAPP shall grant inactive status if one (1) or more of the following conditions apply;

a.     Medical Necessity

b.    Maternity or Paternity

c.     Military Service

d.    Relapse or reoccurrence of substance use disorder behaviors or symptoms

 

2.     Instructions for application for Voluntary Inactive Status:

A credential holder desiring Inactive Status shall send an application to the WVCBAPP office which includes the following information;

a.     Name/Address/Phone Number/Email Address

b.    Reason(s) for request for Inactive Status

c.     Fee for application for Inactive Status

3.     The written request for Inactive Status shall be placed on the agenda of the next regularly-scheduled meeting of the WVCBAPP board of directors for consideration.

4.    The applicant shall be notified of the board’s decision no later than two (2) weeks after the board’s meeting.

5.    Upon approval of Voluntary Inactive Status application, the WVCBAPP shall make a referral for the credential holder to voluntarily participate with the WVAADC Peer Assist Team.

6.    Upon approval of Voluntary Inactive Status, the credential holder shall immediately notify their employer of this change in status with regards to their PRSS credential.

7.    A PRSS on Voluntary Inactive Status shall not function in the capacity of or use the acronym of a PRSS.

8.    Voluntary Inactive Status is valid for up to six (6) months from the date of approval. A new application for Voluntary Inactive Status must be submitted and approved prior to the expiration of the original, in order to extend the inactive status.

9.     Reinstatement of PRSS credential from Voluntary Inactive Status: Individuals requesting reactivation of their PRSS credential shall send a letter/application of request to the WVCBAPP office that shall include the following;

a.     Name/Address/Phone Number/Email Address

b.    Description of change of circumstances allowing active participation in the field.

c.     Address of employing agency, if applicable.

d.    Nonrefundable reactivation fee.

10.  A request for reactivation shall be considered at the next regularly-scheduled meeting of the WVCBAPP board of directors.  The applicant shall be notified of the board’s decision within two (2) weeks of the board’s meeting.

Email

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An email address is required to register you for your exam. It is also necessary to send you reminders and updates. We have found that if work email address are used instead of personal email address, you miss updates and exam communications. Company emails some times get blocked or are inaccessible after termination of employment. Please, use your personal email.

WVAADC Call for Presenters!!

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WVAADC Call For Presenters

Exciting Opportunities!

We need presenters for our Annual Conference

Please help us to find great speakers for our conference by filling out this form if you are interested in speaking,  by passing it on to someone that you would like to hear.  This is a way for YOU to shape the course of the conference to meet your needs.  If you know of someone you would like to hear, send us an email at heathersharpspinks@gmail.com, and we will try to contact them. 

Ethical Code of Conduct PR

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Ethical Code of Conduct Peer Recovery

It is the policy of the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction Professionals to promote and safeguard the quality, effectiveness and competence of Peer Recovery through the insistence of adherence to its Code of Ethics by all WVCBAPP certified Peer Recovery specialists.  

The ethics committee develops and recommends an ethical code of conduct for adoption by the Board of Directors. Currently, the Board has adopted the code of conduct adhered to by the NAADAC/NCC AP National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) Code of Ethics The NCPRSS code of ethics can be found here:  https://www.naadac.org/ncprss-code-of-ethics

The ethics committee has jurisdiction over all matters of violation and misconduct by WVCBAPP certified peer recovery specialists in the state of West Virginia. It immediately and thoroughly investigates such charges and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for appropriate action.

WVCBAPP re-cert

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WVCBAPP Re-certification Reminder

If the first two numbers of your certification number are EVEN numbers (example: 02, 42, 94, etc.) you will RENEW your credential during 2018.  

If the first two numbers of your certification number are odd (example: 01, 45, 91, etc.) please DISREGARD this email, you will re-certify in 2019.

The re-certification application is available online at https://www.wvcbapp.org/applications/.  Your re-certification application must be postmarked by August 30, 2018.  Applications received after that date will incur a $75.00 late fee.  If re-certification applications are not received by December 30, 2018 your credential information will be considered inactive and your certification will no longer be valid.

 

Please remember that you will need 6 hours of addiction specific ethics CEUs as indicated by the title of the workshop or training event, or by other documentation of course content.

 

WVCBAPP Re-certification Reminder

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WVCBAPP Re-certification Reminder

If the first two numbers of your certification number are EVEN numbers (example: 02, 42, 94, etc.) you will RENEW your credential during 2018.  

 

If the first two numbers of your certification number are odd (example: 01, 45, 91, etc.) please DISREGARD this email, you will re-certify in 2019.

 

The re-certification application is available online at https://www.wvcbapp.org/applications/.  Your re-certification application must be postmarked by August 30, 2018.  Applications received after that date will incur a $75.00 late fee.  If re-certification applications are not received by December 30, 2018 your credential information will be considered inactive and your certification will no longer be valid.

 

Please remember that you will need 6 hours of addiction specific ethics CEUs as indicated by the title of the workshop or training event, or by other documentation of course content.

 

Ethics training

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Ethics--How does it affect me?

Military Mental Health Issues and Services

Join us in various locations throughout the state for a training regarding these topics!
Tickets are $50 for members in advance, $75 for non-members, and $30 for Peer Recovery Coaches. At the door, all tickets are $75.

The sessions will be held in:
Wheeling, WV 4/20/18---
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-do-ethics-affect-me-and-military-mental-health-issues-and-services-wheeling-wv-tickets-44346873693
Beckley, WV 4/23/18--
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-do-ethics-affect-me-and-military-mental-health-issues-and-services-beckley-wv-tickets-44346953933
Martinsburg, WV 4/27/18
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-do-ethics-affect-me-and-military-mental-health-issues-and-services-martinsburg-wv-tickets-44366121263
Flatwoods, WV 4/27/18
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-do-ethics-affect-me-and-military-mental-health-issues-and-services-flatwoods-wv-tickets-44365966801

In each location, the student can expect to meet the following objectives:
Understand the principles of the Codes of Ethics in relation to the ACA Code, the NAADAC code, and the Social Work code (changes in the new codes).
Understand the nature of the counseling relationship and corresponding ethical obligations.
Understand your ethical responsibility relating to peers and society.
Gain an understanding of the mental health issues facing veterans and family members.
Gain an understanding of how veterans are affected by combat trauma.
Gain an understanding of methods of treatment methods for veterans and their families. 

Addictions and LPC CEUs are approved.  SW pending.