AMI Inc. offers two lvels of Peer Services with both levels of service provided by trained individuals who have been diagnosed with a mental illness.  Peer mentoring services may include a social or recreational component in addition to any other services provided. Both levels of Peer Services differ from traditional services in some basic ways that include services provided with these characteristics, as established by OMHSAS:

�      Reduced reliance on professionals

�      Voluntary participation

�      Equality among participants

�      A nonjudgmental atmosphere

�      Informality of peer mentoring services avoids artificial barriers such as those between "consumers" and "professionals" since peer mentors are also persons who have received services

CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALIST

A Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) is an individual who has been diagnosed with a mental illness who is specially trained to assist their Peers to gain control over their own lives and empower them to not feel limited by their diagnosis.

The Certified Peer Specialist must successfully complete an OMHSAS approved two week intensive training prior to providing service and must also demonstrate positive recovery in their own life.

A CPS works one on one with an individual to assist them to achieve the following:

�      Realization that recovery from mental illness is possible

�      Claim their right to choice and personal responsibility

�      Setting and achieving their own goals

�      Developing and individualized Recovery Plan and/or a wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)

�      Relapse prevention strategies

�      Voluntary participation

�      Equality among participants

�      A nonjudgmental atmosphere