Family Peer Support Services

Mother hugging her daughter

What is Family Peer Support?

MHA’s Family Peer Support services provides services and support to parents/caregivers raising children or young adults up to age 21 who are experiencing social, emotional, addiction, or behavioral health challenges.

For more information contact email info@mhaedu.org or call (607) 273-9250. 

Hands together in a circle

How Can a Family Peer Advocate Help?

  • Assist you in implementing an individualized family support plan taking into account your family’s values and culture.

  • Provide information regarding various child-serving systems.

  • Empower you to advocate for your child’s needs.

  • Help you to build skills within the family for the benefit of your child.

  • Stand with you at school meetings, treatment meetings or court hearings.

  • Provide opportunities for families to connect and support one another.

What is a Certified Peer Specialist?

All Certified Peer Specialists in New York State need to meet specific requirements: be at least 18 years of age, have earned a high school diploma, complete 18 on-line courses/exams, and publicly (self-determined) acknowledge that they have or are currently using mental health services. Certification also requires completing 2,000 hours of supervised peer specialist work. Mental Health Association Peer Specialists are trained through the NYS Academy of Peer Services and certification is administered and authorized through the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB). New York Certified Peer Specialist certification is funded through the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYSOMH).

Learn more at Academy of Peer Services or New York Peer Specialist.