Applications for PREP 2023-2024 are now closed. Keep a look out for further information regarding PREP and/or
when applications will be open for the next cohort by subscribing to our newsletter.
The Krasman Centre’s Peer Recovery Education Program (PREP) is a comprehensive series of courses and trainings about Peer Support and Mental Health and Addiction Recovery concepts. The course includes a paid 60-hour internship, offered within a supportive community. The program is designed to support your personal recovery and support you to enter or progress in the peer support, mental health, recovery or social services workforce.
To participate, individuals must meet the following criteria:
- Have lived experience with recovery from mental health and/or addiction challenges and/or have participated in the services/supports/groups of the Krasman Centre.
- Currently, be receiving social assistance benefits – Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) or be unwaged.
- Live in York Region, North York, Peel, or North Toronto.
- Internships will be held in-person at one of our Drop-ins.
- Access to a computer and reliable internet
- The successful applicant will be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Screening.
- This internship position is conditional upon the candidate having received all doses of a COVID-19 vaccine series approved by
Health Canada or the World Health Organization, at least 14 days prior to the start date, as well as the expressed understanding and agreement that the candidate is required to maintain and/or obtain follow up vaccination(s) doses as approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization throughout their employment with the Krasman Centre. - Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process as per the
Ontario Human Rights Code.
Here are some highlights about the Krasman Centre PREP Program:
- This is a training and employment preparation program delivered within a supportive environment incorporating the values principles of recovery and peer support.
- PREP is made available to participants through bursaries they are awarded, through the United Way. The training is FREE for those selected to participate. (*Please note that not everyone who applies will be selected to participate)
- Applicants must currently be receiving income support i.e., ODSP or OW, CPP, or be unwaged
- The program is designed to support an individual’s personal recovery through mental health or addiction struggles to enter or progress in the peer support, mental health, recovery or social services workforce.
- PREP includes a 60-hour paid internship
- Basic computer skills are required. (Microsoft Windows file management, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills are important). Students without computer skills will be referred to outside training centres to brush up on or learn the necessary skills.
- PREP is a 6-month-long commitment. This session will run from the beginning of September 2024 until March 2025.
- Most training will take place online over Zoom platform. Please note that there will be some in-person classes held in York Region. There will also be in-person components of the internship that will be held in York Region. Please consider this when applying. Accommodations for transit ticket support considered)
- Students are expected to attend all classes and may put their certificates at risk if they are not able to do so.
- Internships will run in the New Year over 3 months. Time commitment during the internship component is approximately 8 hours per week.
- Time commitment during the training component is approximately 15 hours per week
Everly Javier, Peer Wellness & Recovery Education Coordinator
Phone: 289-763-3388
Email: Prep2024-2025@krasmancentre.com
Recovery education is a supportive peer support learning process that assists people to understand and manage their mental health/addiction problems, enhance their well-being and achieve the lives that they choose. The evidence for recovery education is constantly growing and the results are:
- Increased sense of hope.
- Increased sense of self-efficacy and empowerment.
- Increase in self-perceived recovery.
- Reduced experiences of psychosis and anxiety.
Recovery education including peer zone, wellness recovery action planning, pathways to recovery, etc. provides the opportunity for peers to be part of an ever-growing work force and “the opportunity to give back” as paid peer support workers who facilitate recovery education groups. It enhances their well-being in many ways, including becoming empowered and improved physical, psychological, social and spiritual health. Many people who experience mental distress and addictions struggle financially and this gives them the opportunity to live more comfortable lives, as well as giving purpose to their life. Peer support in its many forms is also extremely cost effective as it reduces hospital admissions, emergency visits, and reliance on other mainstream mental health/addiction services which are financially more expensive in the mental health/addiction system.
(Source: Making the Case for Peer Support: O’Hagen, Cyr, McKee and Priest, Mental Health Commission of Canada, September, 2010).
The following are links to some organizations that offer Peer Support training programs and/or resources for Peer Support workers:
Robyn Priest Live Your Truth – https://www.robynpriest.com/
PeerWorks – https://www.peerworks.ca/training-education/training-professional-development
The Copeland Centre for Wellness and Recovery – https://copelandcenter.com/
Support House – https://supporthouse.ca/peer-services/system-and-partner-services/
Peer Support Canada – https://peersupportcanada.ca/
N.A.P.S. – (National Association of Peer Supporters) – National Association of Peer Supporters (peersupportworks.org)
Stella’s Place (in Toronto) has training for youth (18-29): Peer Support Training Program | Stella’s Place (stellasplace.ca)
GraceWins Peer Support: https://gracewins.ca/
The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) Community Services: https://tngcommunityto.org/Programs-Services/Programs/Peer-Programs/Peer-Training-and-Development
Mental Health Rights Coalition
The following are videos of Mary Ellen Copeland leading discussions on the parts of WRAP:
Beginning your WRAP: https://www.brattleborotv.org/wrap-wellness-recovery-action-plan/wrap-ep-1-beginning-your-wrap
Triggers and Early Warning Signs: https://www.brattleborotv.org/wrap-wellness-recovery-action-plan/wrap-ep-2-triggers-and-early-warning-signs
When Things Are Breaking Down: https://www.brattleborotv.org/wrap-wellness-recovery-action-plan/wrap-ep-3-when-things-are-breaking-down
Crisis & Post-Crisis Plan: https://www.brattleborotv.org/wrap-wellness-recovery-action-plan/wrap-ep-4-crisis-and-post-crisis-planning
The Following power point presentations are from the Krasman Centre’s 2016 Conference Developing and Supporting Peer Support Teams with Keynote speaker Mary O’Hagan.
Krasman Centre Recovery and Wellbeing O’Hagan
Like Minds Peer Support Education is a 5 day core training program to help individuals build, update and enhance the necessary skills for providing and enhancing the practice of peer support.
This training is in line with theGuidelines for the Practice and Training of Peer Support set by the Mental Health Commission of Canada . The training will cover a broad range of topics including:
- Mental Health Recovery
- History of Peer Support & Consumer/Survivor Movement
- What is Peer Support?
- Summary of Intentional Peer Support www.intentionalpeersupport.org/
- Peer Support Skills & Competencies
- Effective Communication – Listening Differently
- Building Trauma-Informed Relationships
- Sharing Your Recovery Story
- Ethics & Limit Setting in Peer Support
- Managing Conflict & Creating Mutually Responsible Relationships
- Providing Support to People in Distress and Negotiating Risk
- How to be a Change Agent
- Peer Drift – How to stay authentic and mutual as a Peer Supporter in a clinical
setting - Self-Care for the Peer Supporter
Completion of pre and post activities, as well as attendance at all five days of training, is
required to be eligible for certification.
There is a fee for this training. When possible, we do offer a limited number of full or
partial subsidies for those that are unwaged.
For more information, contact Dylan de la Rivière at d.delariviere@krasmancentre.com or call (647) 717- 4035.