Help those who are fighting the same battles you've fought with Chemeketa's Peer Support Specialist program.
What is a Peer Support Specialist?
A Peer Support Specialist (PSS) is an individual with lived experience who provides services to those that have similar lived experience. You typically provide services to those living with addiction, mental health conditions, or family members of those living with mental health conditions. The program offered at Chemeketa Community College is specifically geared towards adult to adult addictions support.
A peer support specialist for adult addictions shall be: (a) A self-identified individual currently or formerly receiving addictions; (b) A self-identified individual in recovery from an addiction disorder who meets the abstinence requirements for recovering staff in alcohol or other drug treatment programs.
Adult Addictions: A person in addiction recovery who provides support services to people seeking recovery from addiction.
Peer Support Specialists also advocate and facilitate connections between individuals and services they may need.
By completing the program and demonstrating achievement of all assessment requirements, you will be able to apply for certification with the Oregon Health Authority. Once you have the certification you will be required to complete 20 hours of continuing education on a 3-year basis.
*See OHA requirements for application below. Please note, this program is for those with lived experience.
Getting Started
Register for a noncredit class following these instructions to obtain a K-number (Chemeketa ID number) and Chemeketa email by following these steps:
On top menu bar click “Admissions” and scroll to “How to Enroll” and click
Scroll down to “Non-Credit Personal Enrichment” heading and click on “Personal Enrichment/Fun”
Complete the form
Application
A link to the current application (if available) is located in the Apply Now box.
Applications accepted August 7, 2025- October 9, 2025. The deadline may be extended if there are not enough applicants to fill the cohort. The cohort must have a minimum of 10.
You can apply to be admitted into the Peer Support Specialist Program by filling out this application and submitting it either in person at Bldg. 7 Rm. 103 on the Salem Campus, or emailing at healthwellness@chemeketa.edu.
Selection Process
The first applicants for each session who meet all the requirements and who have submitted all requested documents will be considered.
This is a five-week, 40-hour program. Classes will meet on Saturdays from 8 am-5 pm (with a 1-hour lunch) at the Chemeketa's Salem Campus. The class schedule dates are as follows:
1st class: November 1, 2025
2nd class: November 8, 2025
3rd class: November 15, 2025
4th class: November 22, 2025
5th class: November 29, 2025
Students must attend all classes to complete the program.
You can expect in this training to participate in group projects and interactive role play as well as more traditional coursework, online and in-person. This will include homework assignments and individual study as well.
Participants will be responsible for a $50 fee associated with the criminal background check. (OAR 410-180-0326 Background Check Requirements).The price of the background check may vary. This background check is not conducted on behalf of OHA; however, it is required upon entry so students can be aware there may be potential disqualifying crimes on their background check that could hinder certification.
Note: Course tuition or fees are not refundable beyond the first week of class. Additional course fees may be applicable and are non-refundable
Account balances must be paid within 10 business days or have a payment plan set up with Business Services to avoid late fees or removal from the program
Possible assistance available for students accepted into the program available here or visit the STEP Program page
Entry Requirements
A peer support specialist for adult addictions shall be: (a) A self-identified individual currently or formerly receiving addictions; (b) A self-identified individual in recovery from an addiction disorder who meets the abstinence requirements for recovering staff in alcohol or other drug treatment programs.
Adult Addictions: A person in addiction recovery who provides support services to people seeking recovery from addiction.
Must be 18 or older
Must have a government issued ID (i.e. Drivers License, Passport)
Background checks will be ordered once the acceptance form is turned in. Once you receive the email regarding background checks from Advanced Reporting you will have seven days to complete the background check from that date. Students who do not complete the background check will not be able to move forward in the program.
This background check is not conducted on behalf of OHA; however, it is required upon entry so students can be aware there may be potential disqualifying crimes on their background check that could hinder certification.
Questions about disqualifying crimes please see both links:
Upon completion of the Chemeketa Community College PSS Program, you will be able to apply for certification as a Peer Support Specialist through the Oregon Health Authority.