To receive “Bridge Builder - Peer Support Advocate of the Year” Award!
Charlie Wuth, MHANJ Workforce Development Coordinator (L) and Stephanie Knight, Consumer Connections Outreach Coordinator (R) congratulate Ray Cortese, Director of MHANJ's Consumer Connection's program on his receipt of the NAPS Peer Specialist Advocate of the Year Award.
, Director of
Consumer Connections at the
Mental Health Association in New Jersey (
MHANJ) has been selected by the
National Association of Peer Specialists (NAPS) to receive the “Bridge Builder - Peer Support Advocate of the Year” Award at the Association’s National Conference held in Philadelphia, PA from August 19 -21st.
The award recognizes Ray Cortese for his leadership in promoting peer support on the state and national level through the creation of the Community Mental Health Associate (CMHA) and Peer Specialist Associate (PSA) credentials in New Jersey, integration of WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) into peer support models, and the expansion of peer services at the Veterans Administration in NJ.
Consumer Connections, established in 1997, is a comprehensive system of training, credentialing, supporting and developing employment opportunities to facilitate the use of peers in the deliverance of mental health and human services. Since becoming Director of Consumer Connections, Mr. Cortese has actively promoted peer support through his participation in state and local organizations and agencies.
“Within the past two years, Consumer Connections has expanded greatly, both geographically and programmatically. In addition to a broader array of trainings, the program has established new relationships with organizations that employ consumers as providers,” stated Mr. Cortese. “In 2008 Consumer Connections has worked with such employers as Family Guidance Center in Warren County, Drenk Behavioral Health and Delaware House, resulting in plans for a 2009 conference for mental health organizations that currently employ or will be employing consumers as providers. We have been collaborating with the Mental Health Administrators of Middlesex, Ocean and Monmouth Counties to organize this conference, which will emphasize Best Practice issues related to consumer employment. As with all Consumer Connections programming, consumers will be involved in the development and implementation of this important conference.”
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Tags:
Bob Kley,
Consumer Connections,
MHANJ,
Ray Cortese,
Supportive Housing,
Supportive Services
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