Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate -- Now Accepting Applications for Fall 2018 Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Course

RAMS, in collaboration with San Francisco State University (SFSU) Department of Counseling, is excited to announce that the Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Program is currently accepting applications for the RAMS/SFSU Fall 2018 Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Course!

Funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), the Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Course provides a 12-week intensive program that offers training and education for individuals, and family members of individuals, that have accessed behavioral health services & who are interested in (or are currently) providing peer counseling, advocacy and support services in the behavioral health field in San Francisco. Having already successfully completed 16 cohort cycles, the Entry Course has graduated over 230 participants, the majority of whom are actively engaging in work, volunteer, and educational opportunities as a direct result of taking the course. This program is free of cost for the attendee, with books and materials included, and a modest stipend is provided upon completion of the course.

We are looking for individuals who:

• Are at least 18 years of age and a resident of San Francisco,
• Have successfully completed at least a High School education or GED,
• Are interested in helping people in a behavioral health setting, and
• Are able to attend 12 weeks of classes, which will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays (10AM-2PM).
• The Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate program is funded by the San Francisco Department of Public Health with Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63) funds. As such, the course is designed for individuals (or family members) with personal experience with behavioral health services.

Application and Course Timeline:

• Monday, July 16th: Application Release
• Wednesday, July 25th & Tuesday, July 31st: Informational Program Open Houses @ 835 Market
• Friday, August 3rd: Optional Application Help Workshop @ Peer Wellness Center, 1282 Market
• Tuesday, August 21st @ 5PM: Application Submission Deadline
• Week of September 3rd: Notification of Application Status
• Tuesday, September 18th, 2018: First Day of Instruction

Please feel free to contact Program Manager, Kristin Snell, at (415) 579-3021 x102 or certificate@ramsinc.org should you have any questions. Materials are available for download at: http://www.ramsinc.org/peer.php.

We look forward to receiving applications for the Fall 2018 class, and beginning another great cohort!

Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate -- Now Accepting Applications for Summer 2018 Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Advanced Course

RAMS is excited to announce that the Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Program is NOW accepting applications for its 8-week Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Advanced Course Summer 2018 Cohort, with classes set to begin on Tuesday, June 19th, 2018!

Funded by the San Francisco Department of Public Health with Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63) funds, the Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Program (part of the Division of Peer-Based Services at RAMS) offers training and education opportunities for individuals and family members of individuals that have accessed behavioral health services, who are providing--or are interested in providing--peer counseling, advocacy and support services in the community behavioral health field in San Francisco.

In addition to the flagship Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Course that has been offered in partnership with San Francisco State University Department of Counseling since 2010, RAMS has designed its Advanced Course to empower and educate individuals who are currently providing counseling, support services and/or advocacy in the community--or possess relevant training, volunteer and/or educational experience--who would like to obtain specialized training and professional development opportunities in a collaborative learning environment.

We are looking for individuals who:

• Are at least 18 years of age and a resident of San Francisco
• Have successfully completed at least a High School education or GED
• Are able to attend 8 weeks of classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays (3PM-6PM) from June 19th - August 9th, 2018 @ SFSU Downtown Campus, 835 Market St
• This program is funded by the San Francisco Department of Public Health with Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63) funds. As such, the course is targeted to individuals (or family members of individuals) that have experience with and/or have accessed behavioral health services.
• Individuals with current or past work experience, education, and/or training (including volunteer and advocacy work) in peer counseling and the behavioral health services field are highly encouraged to apply!

Application and Course Timeline:

Monday, April 23rd, 2018: Application Release
Friday, May 4th @ 10AM-12PM: Informational Program Open House
Tuesday, May 29th @ 5PM: Application Submission Deadline
Wednesday, June 6th: Notification of Application Status
Tuesday, June 19th, 2018: First Day of Instruction

Attached are the RAMS Summer 2018 Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Advanced Course Brochure, Application Form, and Informational Open House Flyer.

Please feel free to contact Program Manager, Kristin Snell, at (415) 579-3021 x102, or via email at kristinsnell@ramsinc.org should you have any questions or would like any additional information. Materials are also available for download at: http://www.ramsinc.org/peer.php.

 We look forward to receiving applications for the Summer 2018 class, and beginning another great cohort!

Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate -- Now Accepting Applications for Spring 2018 Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Course

RAMS, in collaboration with San Francisco State University (SFSU) Department of Counseling, is excited to announce that the Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Program is currently accepting applications for the RAMS/SFSU Spring 2018 Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Course!

Funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), the Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Course provides a 12-week intensive program that offers training and education for individuals, and family members of individuals, that have accessed behavioral health services & who are interested in (or are currently) providing peer counseling, advocacy and support services in the behavioral health field in San Francisco. Having already successfully completed 15 cohort cycles, the Entry Course has graduated 200+ participants, the majority of whom are actively engaging in work, volunteer, and educational opportunities as a direct result of taking the course. This program is free of cost for the attendee, with books and materials included, and a modest stipend is provided upon completion of the course.

We are looking for individuals who:

• Are at least 18 years of age and a resident of San Francisco,
• Have successfully completed at least a High School education or GED,
• Are interested in helping people in a behavioral health setting, and
• Are able to attend 12 weeks of classes, which will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays (10AM-2PM).
• The Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate program is funded by the San Francisco Department of Public Health with Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63) funds. As such, the course is designed for individuals (or family members) with personal experience with behavioral health services.

Application and Course Timeline:

·         Thursday, January 11, 2018 - Application Release 

·         Wednesday, January 24^th & Tuesday, January 30^th- Informational Open Houses

·         Tuesday, February 6^th, 10AM-2PM – Optional Application Help Workshop

·         Tuesday, February 20^th @ 5:00pm - Application Deadline 

·         Week of March 5^th - Notification of Application Status 

·         Tuesday, March 20^th – First Day of Class 

Please feel free to contact us at (415) 579-3021 x102 or certificate@ramsinc.org should you have any questions. Materials are available for download at: http://www.ramsinc.org/peer.php.

We look forward to receiving applications for the Spring 2018 class, and beginning another great cohort!

Remembering Christian Wilcox

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the recent passing of our wonderful colleague, Mr. Christian Wilcox, Peer Counselor at RAMS.

Mr. Wilcox passed away on May 26th, 2017, due to complications from multiple medical issues. He will be missed by many in his native San Francisco, both within the behavioral health community—where he worked for nearly a decade—and by the countless people he motivated and inspired on the street and throughout the city.

Photo credit: GoFundMe page for Christian Wilcox

Mr. Wilcox began working with RAMS in July 2015 as one of the inaugural staff members in the Division of Peer-Based Services. It became clear very quickly that his ability to build relationships with others, his natural way of creating an atmosphere of safety and comfort, and his patience and empathy towards some of the most marginalized individuals in the city were rare and valuable assets for clients and colleagues alike. As one of his colleagues wrote, Mr. Wilcox was “hard as nails on the outside but soft as butter on the inside—my favorite kind of person.”

Mr. Wilcox took great pride in his outreach to people who were homeless or struggling with substance use and mental health conditions, and was always willing to share his expertise and vision with the community. Mr. Wilcox’s passion for this work and his skill with clients will not be forgotten; it will live on in the Peer Counselors he trained and in the clients he helped.

We extend our sincere condolences to his wife and daughter, other family members, friends, co-workers, and others for whom Mr. Wilcox’s larger-than-life presence made a positive and lasting impact.

If you would like to donate to a memorial fund for Mr. Wilcox, please follow this link: https://www.gofundme.com/christianwilcox

RAMS Division of Peer-Based Services PEER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM -- Now Accepting Applications for the 2017-2018 Cohort!

RAMS Division of Peer-Based Services is very excited to announce the Peer Internship Cohort 2017-2018. The Peer Internship Program is designed for individuals with lived experience who are consumers of behavioral health services, former consumers, family members of a consumer, and/or peer providers working for a community agency providing behavioral health services.

The Internship Program offers collaborative learning in a peer-supported environment, in which Peer Interns work with other Peer Practitioners throughout the 9-month program. Peer Interns will attend formal trainings each month provided by RAMS for additional professional development. The Internship Program also provides weekly group supervision from a Peer Supervisor, as well as ongoing individual supervision from a site supervisor.

 

We are looking for individuals who:

 

In order to qualify for this internship, please note that you must meet the following requirements:

• At least 18 years of age,
• Resident of San Francisco,
• Have successfully completed at least a High School education or GED,
• Be able to work 20 hours/week in a behavioral health care setting, AND
• Commit to the nine months of the internship
   

This program is funded by MHSA and other sources through San Francisco Community Behavioral Health Services. As such, the Internship Program’s mission is to provide opportunities for individuals with lived experience with Community Behavioral Health System of Care, and/or their family members.

 

Application and Course Timeline:

• Wednesday, June 7th: Application Release
• Friday, July 14th @ 5PM: Application Submission Deadline
• Week of August 14th: Notification of Application Status
• Wednesday, August 23rd: Registration Forms Due
• Tuesday, September 5th: Internship Start Date

Materials are available for download at: http://www.ramsinc.org/peerbased.php. Please feel free to contact us at peerinternship@ramsinc.org should you have any questions or would like any additional information.

Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate -- Now Accepting Applications for Spring 2017 Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Course

RAMS, in collaboration with San Francisco State University (SFSU) Department of Counseling, is excited to announce that the Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Program is currently accepting applications for the Spring 2017 Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Course!

Funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), the Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Course provides a 12-week long training for consumers of behavioral health services or their family members who are interested in becoming peer counselors/peer specialists in the field of community behavioral health. Having already successfully completed 13 cohort cycles, this course has had over 175 graduates, the majority of whom are actively engaging in work, volunteer, and educational opportunities as a direct result of taking the course. This program is free of cost for the attendee, with books and materials included, and a modest stipend is provided upon completion of the course.

We are looking for individuals who:

• Are at least 18 years of age and a resident of San Francisco, 
• Have successfully completed at least a High School education or GED, and 
• Are able to attend 12 weeks of classes, which will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.). 
• This program is funded by MHSA through San Francisco Behavioral Health Services. As such, the course is targeted to individuals (or family members) with personal experience with behavioral health services.

Application and Course Timeline:

• Thursday, January 12th - Application Release 
• Wednesday, January 25th & Tuesday, January 31st - Optional Informational Open Houses (see Flyer Here for details)
• Wednesday, February 1st, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. – Optional Application Help Workshop
• Tuesday, February 21st @ 5:00 p.m. - Application Deadline 
• Week of March 1st - Notification of Application Status 
• Tuesday, March 22nd – First Day of Class 
• Thursday, June 8th - Graduation Ceremony

Please feel free to contact us at (415) 579-3021 x102 or certificate@ramsinc.org should you have any questions. Materials are also available for download at: http://www.ramsinc.org/peer.php.

We look forward to receiving applications for the Spring 2017 class, and beginning another great cohort!

Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate -- Now Accepting Applications for Fall 2016 Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Course

RAMS, in collaboration with San Francisco State University (SFSU) Department of Counseling, is excited to announce that the Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Program is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2016 Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Course!

Funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), the Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Course provides a 12-week long training for consumers of behavioral health services or their family members who are interested in becoming peer counselors/peer specialists in the field of community behavioral health. Having already successfully completed 12 cohort cycles, this course has had over 160 graduates, the majority of whom are actively engaging in work, volunteer, and educational opportunities as a direct result of taking the course. This program is free of cost for the attendee, with books and materials included, and a modest stipend is provided upon completion of the course.

We are looking for individuals who:

• Are at least 18 years of age and a resident of San Francisco,
• Have successfully completed at least a High School education or GED, and
• Are able to attend 12 weeks of classes, which will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays (10am-2pm).
• This program is funded by MHSA through San Francisco Behavioral Health Services.  As such, the course is targeted to individuals (or family members) with personal experience with behavioral health services.

Application and Course Timeline:

•          Wednesday, July 6th - Application Release 
•          Tuesday, July 19th & Thursday, July 21^st, 10am-12pm -                                                     Optional Informational Open Houses (see Flyer Here for details)
•          Wednesday, August 10th @ 5:00pm - Application Deadline 
•          Week of August 22nd - Notification of Application Status 
•          Tuesday, September 6th - Registration Forms Due for Accepted Applicants 
•          Tuesday, September 13th – First Day of Class 
•          Thursday, December 8th - Graduation Ceremony 

Please feel free to contact us at (415) 579-3021 x102 or certificate@ramsinc.org should you have any questions. Materials are also available for download at: http://www.ramsinc.org/peer.php.

We look forward to receiving applications for the Fall 2016 class, and beginning another great cohort!

To view the flyers below, right-click and select any option to "Open".

Peer Wellness Center Now Welcomes You

RAMS Division of Peer-Based Services is extremely pleased and proud to announce that our Peer Wellness Center is now open. We are located at 1282 Market Street (Market & 9th Streets), San Francisco, CA 94102. Hours and days of operation are Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

RAMS Peer Wellness Center is an early engagement Center for adults seeking peer-based counseling services and peer-led activity groups. The Center serves as a safe place for peer participants to gain empowerment skills within an environment that utilizes empathy and peer support to help promote and inspire recovery. This Center supports consumers of San Francisco Behavioral Health Services that may face mental health and/or substance abuse issues.

The Peer Wellness Center offers activities, facilitated by Peer Counselors, that include but are not limited to: Peer-to Peer Support Groups, Healthy Living Workshops, Creative Arts Expression, Skills Building Classes, Community Social Events and On-Site Recreational Activities.

We welcome consumers, clinicians, and community partners to call, email or visit us during our Walk-In times to learn more about the Center. Below is a flyer that you can freely share as well as a referral form to assist us with establishing eligibility for services. Please note that the referral form is optional and assists us with the process of accepting participants into the program and developing an individual wellness plan. Individuals are welcome to enroll on their own. Click HERE to download the referral form.

We are excited about this new program and we are very much looking forward to the promotion of wellness and recovery services within our Peer Community!

The Center is open to consumers of Behavioral Health Services (SFDPH).

Peer Wellness Center Open House and in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month

Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate -- Now Accepting Applications for Spring 2016 Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Course

RAMS, in collaboration with San Francisco State University (SFSU) Department of Counseling, is excited to announce that the Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Program is currently accepting applications for the Spring 2016 Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Course!

Funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), the Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Course provides a 12-week long training for consumers of behavioral health services or their family members who are interested in becoming peer counselors/peer specialists in the field of community behavioral health. Having already successfully completed 11 cohort cycles, this course has had 150 graduates, the majority of whom are actively engaging in work, volunteer, and educational opportunities as a direct result of taking the course. This program is free of cost for the attendee, with books and materials included, and a modest stipend is provided upon completion of the course.

We are looking for individuals who:
• are at least 18 years old residents of San Francisco
• have completed at least a high school level education or GED
• are current or past consumers of behavioral health services and/or family members of consumers
• are interested in helping others in the community behavioral health setting

Application and course timeline is as follows:
• Thursday, January 14th - Application Release (click HERE for the application)
• Wednesday, January 27th & Monday, February 1st 10am-12pm - Optional Informational Open Houses (see FLYER HERE for details)
• Friday, February 19th @ 5:00pm - Application Deadline 
• Week of March 1st - Notification of Application Status
• Friday, March 11th - Registration Forms Due for Accepted Applicants
• Tuesday, March 22nd – First Day of Class
• Thursday, June 9th - Graduation Ceremony

Please feel free to contact us at (415) 579-3021 x102 or certificate@ramsinc.org should you have any questions. Materials are also available for download at: http://www.ramsinc.org/peer.php.

We look forward to receiving applications for the Spring 2016 class, and beginning another great cohort!

To view the flyers below, right-click and select any option to "Open".

Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate ADVANCED COURSE -- Now Accepting Applications for the Winter 2015-2016 Cohort

RAMS is excited to announce that the Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Program is now accepting applications for its NEW 8-week Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Advanced Course, with classes set to begin on Tuesday, January 26th, 2016!

Funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), the Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Program (part of the Division of Peer-Based Services at RAMS) provides training for consumers of behavioral health services or their family members who are interested in becoming peer counselors/peer specialists in the field of community behavioral health. In addition to the Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Entry Level Course that is currently offered, RAMS has designed its Advanced Course to support and educate individuals who are providing, or have recently provided peer-based services to clients in the community (or possess relevant training, volunteer and/or educational experience), and would like to obtain more specialized peer counseling training and professional development opportunities.

We are looking for individuals who: 

• Are at least 18 years of age and a resident of San Francisco, 
• Have successfully completed at least a High School education or GED, and 
• Are able to attend 8 weeks of classes, which will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays (3PM-6PM). 
• This program is funded by MHSA through San Francisco Behavioral Health Services. As such, the course is targeted to individuals with personal experience with the Community Behavioral Health System of Care and family members. 
• Individuals with current or past work experience, education, and/or training (including volunteer and advocacy work) in the peer counseling field are highly encouraged to apply 

 Application and Course Timeline: 

• Friday, November 13th: Application Release 
• Thursday, November 19th & Tuesday, December 1st: Optional Program Open Houses 
• Wednesday, December 16th @ 5PM: Application Submission Deadline 
• Week of January 4th, 2016: Notification of Application Status 
• Friday, January 15th, 2016: Registration Forms Due for Accepted Applicants 
• Tuesday, January 26th, 2016: First Day of Class 
• Thursday, March 17th, 2016: Last Day of Class & Graduation 

Materials are available for download at: http://www.ramsinc.org/peer.php.

Please feel free to contact Program Coordinator, Kristin Snell, at (415) 579-3021 x102, or via email at kristinsnell@ramsinc.org should you have any questions or would like any additional information.

Introducing: The RAMS Peer Internship Program

RAMS Division of Peer-Based Services is very excited to announce the inaugural Peer Internship 2015-2016. The Peer Internship Program is with the “Division of Peer- Based Services” for individuals with lived experience who are a consumer of behavioral health services, a former consumer, a family member of a consumer, and/or currently a peer provider working for a community agency providing behavioral health services.

The Internship Program offers a collaborative learning – peer supported environment, in which Peer Interns work with other Peer Practitioners throughout the 9-month program. Peer Interns will receive weekly supervision and also attend at least two formal trainings per month provided by RAMS for additional professional development. The Internship Program also provides weekly group supervision from a Peer Supervisor, as well as ongoing individual supervision from a site supervisor.

The Peer Internship Program is a 9-month, 20 hours/week, paid ($12.25/hour) under RAMS “Division of Peer-Based Services”.

Please check it out and share with those interested in your network. For questions, please feel free to contact us at 415-579-3021 (ask for Miguel Leyva at Ext. 107) or email us at peerinternship@ramsinc.org.

• APPLICATION DUE DATE: October 2, 2015 by 5:00pm 
• Notification of Application Status: Week of October 19th 
• Registration Forms Due Date: October 28, 2015 
• Internship Start Date: November 2, 2015 

Click HERE to download the application.

Thank you for your interest in the Peer Internship Program!

To view the flyer below, right-click and select any option to "Open".  Click HERE to download the flyer. 

 

New Director of RAMS Division of Peer-Based Services

It is with great pleasure that we announce the new appointment of Hasian T. Sinaga, as the Director for the newly established RAMS Division of Peer-Based Services, effective July 16, 2015.

With over 20 years of community services, Ms. Hasian Sinaga has significant experience in leadership roles of vocational and peer employment programs.  She has been serving as the RAMS Director of Vocational Services since 2010.  During her tenure, the RAMS Hire-Ability Vocational Services program has achieved great accomplishments such as outstanding reaccreditation surveys, commendable external program reviews, and the successful expansion & implementation of program services. To highlight, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) – the most valued recognition worldwide for high quality rehabilitation services and agency operations – noted that RAMS and Hire-Ability achieved the maximum 3-year accreditation during its most recent reaccreditation visit in 2014.  The CARF surveyors also made no recommendations which only three percent of CARF surveys achieve.  In addition, Ms. Sinaga led the program in RAMS’ successful transition of multiple, substantial vocational services contracts which has enhanced the agency’s continuum of vocational and peer services.  She is a strong advocate for consumer training & peer employment and consumer empowerment as well as promoter of the wellness & recovery principles.  Prior to RAMS, Ms. Sinaga has held positions as Director of Employment Services at Toolworks as well as worked at Kainos Home & Training Center and Family Housing & Adult Resources.  She is also an alumnus of Leadership San Francisco, an affiliate of the SF Chamber of Commerce, which aims to strengthen the leadership, communications, and collaborative skills of its participants.

Ms. Sinaga clearly demonstrates effective leadership skills, expertise in cultural competent vocational and peer employment programming, and a highly collaborative approach resulting in many strong partnerships with our consumer community, community agencies, and funders.  Please join me in welcoming and congratulating Ms. Hasian Sinaga to her new appointment at RAMS.  You may contact our Division of Peer-Based Services at (415) 579-3021.

Division Director Hasian Sinaga (center), pictured with Division of Peer Based Services management staff:                 Clinical Manager Richard Zevin, LCSW (left) and Operations Manager Nicole Ng (right)

About the RAMS Division of Peer-Based Services:
At the forefront of the peer provider profession, RAMS offers peer counseling, outreach, and education & training throughout San Francisco. Under the RAMS Division of Peer-Based Services, there are four components: (1) Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate, (2) Peer Counseling & Outreach Services, (3) Peer Internship Program, and (4) Wellness/Drop-In Center. RAMS programs uphold principles of wellness and recovery with an approach that is strengths-based and promotes a sense of empowerment, self-direction, and hope.