OPDI Peer Support Core Essentials Training Program - North Bay

OPDI Peer Support Core Essentials™ Program involves five full days face-to-face in the classroom with two trainers. There are many individual exercises, group exercises and role plays in class time, and daily written reflections assigned as homework. Prior to classroom training, a required 1.5 hour “Expectations” webinar is delivered by OPDI staff. Program managers or supervisors contemplating sending individuals into training are also encouraged to attend this one, as well as potential participants. Then, some basic content and concepts are introduced in a second, 2 hour mandatory webinar called “Beginnings”, which is strictly for participants only.  Homework (information gathering) is assigned to be brought for use in class. It should be noted that taking this training does not guarantee everyone an automatic “pass”. Participants are evaluated by the trainers, and the outcomes can range from “Incomplete” to “Level 1”, “Level 1R” and eventually earning “OPDI Certified Peer Supporter”.

Level 1 means the person attended and participated fully in the training, and is deemed at this point appropriate to deliver an informal friendship style of peer support within supervised settings that would correspond with the first three categories in the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Continuum of Peer Support, up to and including a C/SI or PSO. Level 1R means that the trainers are of the opinion the participant may be ready to work in a more formalized setting, and are Recommending that they proceed to an internship or practicum in which they deliver 50 hours of person to person support which is monitored and evaluated. It is not mandatory to do the practicum, but it is necessary for those who wish to earn the OPDI Certified Peer Supporter certificate.

• materials (binder, 9 participant workbook modules totalling 175 pages, electronic storage device of other resource materials)materials (binder, 9 participant workbook modules totalling 175 pages, electronic storage device of other resource materials)
• two trainers, alternating presentation/ feedback/ support duties
• Introduction/orientation module via webinar(s) delivered by OPDI staff (attendance mandatory)
• 5 days of face to face training
• Lunch and two breaks daily during face to face training.
• A signed document stating your achievement, mailed to your home address
  • Level 1 (has completed classroom) or 1R (ready for informal peer support in supervised setting)
• Post training support to meet conditions should trainers set any for elevating result from 1 to 1R
• Standing invitation to webinar on internship requirements/process (for interested 1Rs)
• OPDI staff support of your internship consisting of
  • approval of internship plan or suggestions to strengthen it
  • monitoring of your reports and evaluations filed at five intervals, and feedback
  • troubleshooting help
  • Signed document “OPDI certified peer supporter” mailed upon successful completion of internship
• “Graduates” are listed on OPDI’s database for this and any other OPDI trainings completed
  • potential employers can check your credentials (only with your written permission)
  • invitations & news about other opportunities around peer support

Does Not Include participant travel or accommodation, breakfasts, dinners. 

No-shows cannot be refunded.  Registration fee is $1000. To register and for more information, visit: https://www.opdi.org/news-even...th-bay-february-2020