PSP Certification

Certification is the process through which an individual voluntarily submits his/her credentials for review based upon clearly identified competencies, criteria, or standards. The primary purpose of certification is to ensure that people employed in any state in this field, meet consistent and  high standards of performance.

The certification process began in October 2011.   Many programs offer training at the local level.  If you are unsure how to locate such a program, please contact  the state organization or chapter of  National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health in your state http://ffcmh.org/who-we-are/chapters-state-organizations/ . Currently,  the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health is developing   a training curriculum for applicants to have the core competencies necessary for certification.  It is anticipated in late 2012.

The national exam is an objective test, available on-line beginning spring 2012.  It is a test of the application of knowledge identified in the core competencies    2012 Self-Assessment Training Checklist.  In order to take this test, you will need to show that you have completed 80 contact hours of training and have had 1000 hours of experience.  The application will guide you in how to provide the information.

There are four ways to be involved in the development of the certification program and  the Certification Commission:

• You can check this web site for updates, especially the Frequently Asked Questions, on a regular basis,
• Request to be added to the certification listserv in order to participate in surveys or comment on the current standards of practice,
• Apply to serve as a Certification Commission Governor, the body that provides governance oversight to the Certification Commission Commission Governor Job Description,Commission Governor application, or
• Apply to serve on the Certificant Committee, the body that advises the CPSP Certification Commission about matters related to the Certifified Parent Support Providers certification,  Contact the Certification Commission office for more detail.
• Apply to serve on the Ethics or Appeals Committees, the body that addresses complaints related to the certification process,  Contact the Certification Commission office for more detail.
• Apply to serve as on a future Subject Matter Expert Committee that will provide guidance in reviewing the standards, developing additional assessments items for certification and recertification.Subject Matter Expert application;Subject Matter Expert job description.

You may want to check the blog section for new information about certification and the download resources section for additional information  about the delivery of services by Parent Support Providers.

If you have questions, please contact Frances Purdy, Director, at 240-406-1472 or certification@ffcmh.org