General Description
The Consumer Provider Association of New Jersey (CPANJ)—the first state-wide Affiliate of the National Association of Peer Specialists (NAPS)—is a national network of mental health and co-occurring service providers who have also been consumers/survivors of mental health and co-occurring services. We act as the organization which represents the needs of this specialized workforce that provides recovery oriented support for those who are seeking assistance.
Value to the community
Mental health systems everywhere are undergoing a major transformation. A prior emphasis on disease and symptom reduction is being replaced by a more holistic and strengths-based model which embraces self-determination, mutual responsibility, and the ongoing process of recovery. Peer specialists are living models of that journey towards wellness. We are transforming our own lives from being just consumers of health care to providers as well. In any recovery-based system which believes in the potential for every person to become fully integrated into the community, consumer providers are an essential component in delivering services and instilling hope.
Services
Education and Training:
CPANJ encourages its members to pursue formal education and training opportunities. We periodically sponsor classes to help applicants prepare for the CPRP examination, and we offer web-based training on issues important to the consumer-provider community.
Job Bank:
We also have a job bank, which is accessible through the “members only” section of this website, and which is updated regularly to reflect the most current openings in the peer provider field in and around NJ.