ADMH has long valued the power of peers to support fellow consumers and promote recovery. ADMH first established the position of peer support specialist in 1994 at Greil Hospital and later expanded the program to all state facilities. In 2008, provisions were made to expand peer support services to the community provider network. The movement toward peer services led to the credentialing requirements for the certification of peer specialists. In 2016, Substance Use peer programs and Mental Illness peer programs merged to create the new Office of Peer Programs which is staffed by peers. The office promotes recovery by coordinating the department’s support for peer-operated programs, training, and educational programs.

Conferences

Annual Alabama Institute for Recovery
This annual conference is organized by the Office of Peer Programs with the assistance of Wings Across Alabama. Approximately 800 participants attend each year with more than 600 attendees awarded scholarships that would not be able to attend otherwise. This year marked the 25th anniversary of the conference. The conference is coordinated by peers and features speakers and workshops on topics and issues of interest to individuals with mental illness. Activities during the conference also include the presentation of the annual RESPECT awards, the annual Talent Show, a candlelight vigil, a watermelon social, and a dance. This three-day conference not only offers educational and inspirational tracks but promotes opportunities for true peer camaraderie and empowerment. Medical staff from state psychiatric facilities and community mental health centers volunteer every year to be part of the Crisis Response Team. Health screenings are offered to consumers in attendance.
Alabama Institute for Recovery Documents

SA Consumer Conference
SA Consumer Conference is a yearly educational conference for substance use consumers throughout Alabama. The conference offers workshops and speakers on topics and issues of interest to individuals around the state recovering from substance use disorder. Most of the presenters at the conference are themselves in recovery from substance use. The conference is coordinated by the Office of Peer Programs but most of the planning and execution of the conference is done by consumers. In addition to educational opportunities, the conference provides opportunities for interaction with peers, empowerment, and social interaction. All of the attendees receive scholarships to attend the conference.

SA Peer Conference
SA Peer Conference is a yearly state-wide educational conference for Certified Recovery Support Specialists. The purpose of the conference is to provide education on peer services, highlight peer accomplishments, allow peers to share combined knowledge and experience working as a peer, promote the value of utilizing peer services, encourage collaborations, promote advocacy, and encourage the development of consumer-operated services in communities.
Alabama Statewide Peer Support Conference Documents

Awards

Hope Award
The Hope Award is awarded to an individual or organization for their statewide efforts to unify and benefit the various stakeholders in the mental illness arena in Alabama.

Peer Warrior Award
The Peer Warrior Award is given each year to a Certified Recovery Support Specialist at the annual Peer Conference in June of each year. This award is a symbol of proven hard work in advocacy and peer support services to individuals with a substance use disorder.

Respect Award
Respect Awards are given each year to individuals who are consistently respectful and supportive to individuals with mental illness. RESPECT is an acronym for the characteristics of the recipients of the Respect Award.

View Award Winners

Training Programs

Certified Peer Specialist Training and Certified Recovery Support Specialist Training
The office coordinates the Alabama Certified Peer Specialist Training Program for individuals in recovery from mental illness and the Certified Recovery Support Specialist Training Program for individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. These trainings are designed to prepare individuals; in recovery for employment as a Certified Peer Specialist in a mental health or substance abuse provider setting.


Respect Initiative
The Respect Initiative is a relatively new program that trains individuals in recovery from mental illness and substance use disorders to tell their experiences with their illnesses and how they are rebuilding their lives. It is unique in that individuals learn how to take their often confusing and overwhelming experiences with their illness and recovery and hone in on what is important to them and what they would like others to know about their experiences into a 10-minute presentation.

Nicholas Snead, Director
Vacant, Certified Peer Specialist II Coordinator
Alyssa Burden, Certified Peer Specialist II-Youth
Deborah Pennington, Certified Peer Specialist

1-800-832-0952 Toll-Free
334-242-3456 Montgomery Area
334-242-3025 Fax

Training Dates

CPS-A
December 8-13, 2024 In Person
March 3-7, 2025 Virtual
June 23-27, 2025 Virtual
September 14-19, 2025 In Person

CPS-P
November 18-22, 2024 Virtual
February 24-28, 2025 TBD
May 19-23,2025 Virtual
August 18-22, 2025 Virtual

CSP-Y
December 2024: 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 12
February 2025: 27, March 3, 5, 7, 11, 13
August 2025: 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 14

CRSS
January 19-24, 2025 Virtual
February 23-28, 2025 Virtual
March 23-28, 2025 In Person
April 6-11, 2025 Virtual
May 4-9, 2025 Virtual
June 8-13, 2025 Virtual
July 13-18, 2025 Virtual
September 7-12, 2025 Virtual
October 5-10, 2025 In Person
November 2-7, 2025 Virtual