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On the 50th Anniversary of Tarzana Treatment Centers, TTCC provides an affordable, high-quality Medi-Cal Peer Support Training Program for people with recovery experience to respond to the drug abuse epidemic, providing help in diverse communities.

Tarzana, California, United States – June 8, 2022

At Tarzana Treatment Centers College, the newly launched Peer Support Specialist program is a critical ingredient in stemming the tide of the drug overdose epidemic and providing mental health treatment services. With drug overdoses surpassing car accidents as the number one cause of death in the United States, the new peer support program certification program is crucial.

Indeed, the new program, backed by the California Mental Health Services Authority and the California Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS), is sorely needed. With Tarzana Treatment Centers College’s focus on expanding the recovery and mental health workforce, lives will be saved. Tarzana Treatment Centers College is a division of Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc.

Recovery and treatment services have historically been inaccessible to those with marginalized identities, including race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class, ability, and documentation status. Moreover, people who have been through the recovery and treatment process have invaluable knowledge in navigating services that may be intimidating for others.

Hence, peers will be able to connect with community members and bring comfort and support through their shared lived experiences. Moreover, such a program is monumental in ensuring that treatment services are accessible, approachable, and culturally comfortable.

An Innovative Approach to Peer Support

The new innovative approach to Peer Support provides an intensive three-week, 80-hour (15 business days long) program explicitly designed to train individuals who have experienced or are experiencing recovery from SUD or other mental health challenges.

At TTCC, the program is offered onsite, online through Moodle, and hybrid. Hence, the program assists individuals in getting certified as Peer Support Specialists. Thus, in this process, they learn core competencies identified by the DHCS.

Peer Support Means Focused Hope and Empathy

When asked how the new Peer Support Specialist and Peer Support Supervisor programs will help, Ashley McGowan, Chair of Peer Support Specialization Training at TTCC, explains:

“Peer support is an essential element in the recovery process. By connecting with peers, people with substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health challenges experience relatable perspectives and empathy. Moreover, the program’s core competencies offer an array of proven recovery tools for the students in each cohort. They learn about wellness, advocacy, ethics and confidentiality, cultural competency, psychiatric rehabilitation skills, and so much more. In a short period of intensive work, they become acquainted with the tools that will help them uplift their communities and support people in crisis.”

More importantly, all these lessons are connected to the trainee’s personal experience with substance use or mental health challenges. Thus, by committing to the new program, a trainee will learn to help others. Also, they build tools for self-care to ensure their ongoing recovery.

Peer Support = An Evidence-Based Recovery Practice

As an evidence-based practice, peer-based support has been proven to help people in the recovery process. Indeed, recovering from what Dr. William Silkworth described as “a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body” is not easy.

Given the challenges, the California Department of Healthcare Services recognizes the importance of being able to connect to those with relatable experiences during the recovery process. Hence, peers provide a level of support that connects individuals to an ongoing tradition of successful recovery.

Moreover, the new certification is recognized by all counties in California. Showing the nonprofit organization’s dedication to this program, Tarzana Treatment Centers has waived all fees for TTC employees. Indeed, with over 1250 employees across 13 locations, help is on the way. Without a doubt, many talented people are ready to give back.

Peer Support Means Becoming Part of the Solution

Beyond TTC employees, the new program is open to anyone who meets the basic qualifications and is willing to apply. Indeed, the Peer Support program allows you to become part of the solution to a problem. Moreover, this challenge is plaguing the country nationwide. As the Chief Academic Officer of Tarzana Treatment Centers College, Dr. James B. Golden, Psy.D., illuminates future goals:

“Our biggest hope in launching the Peer Support program is that we may offer the State of California a full-service postgraduate college that finds value in informing intersectional healthcare practices through a more diverse workforce. We need peers around the state who come from underserved communities to lift up their families, friends, and fellow community members.”

For more information:

Ashley McGowan

Chair of Peer Support Specialization Training

Please call (855) 957-5969

or email TTCC@Tarzanatc.org

or visit https://www.ttccollege.org/

We are here to help.