The Consumers as Providers (CAP)
Training Program
About CAP CAP
Enrichment Workshops
Purpose of CAP CAP Replication
CAP Internship Application Process
Current Classes Classes for Next Semester
Partnering Agencies and Colleges Research Distance Learning
Replication Sites Awards
CAP Brochure
Downloads
About CAP
The Consumers as Providers Training Program teaches consumers of mental
health services the skills and knowledge on the provision of mental
health services in order to work in the mental health or human service field
as a consumer provider such as a Certified Peer Specialist.
CAP
is a Kansas Certified Peer Specialist Training Program that consists
of 18 weeks classroom instruction and Educational Support
Group followed by 104 hours (7
weeks) of internship activities. The CAP Training partners with mental
health agencies across the state of Kansas,
Kansas universities and
community colleges and social service and mental health agencies. Students do not receive college credit for the
course and are not guaranteed a job upon completion of the course,
however; research conducted with the program demonstrates that over half
of the students who complete the course find employment and a third of
graduates continue their education following the class.
Becoming a Certified Peer Support Specialist
CAP Enrichment Workshops were launched in the fall 2007 as a way to provide continual training for past CAP Graduates in preparing for the Kansas Certified Peer Specialist Exam and in updating new material. The CAP Enrichment Workshop is highly recommended for those CAP Graduates who are considering employment as a Certified Peer Specialist in Kansas or who are interested in taking the Kansas Certified Peer Specialist Exam. At this time, no workshops are scheduled for the remainder of the 2008 year.
“The CAP Enrichment Workshop refreshed my memory on Strengths and also gave me an idea of what my new position (as a Certified Peer Specialist) will be.”
The most informative part of the workshop was:
“helping to define what a Certified Peer Specialists does more thoroughly”
“learning about the specifics of becoming a Certified Peer Specialist and the effects they can have on a consumer”
~ CAP Enrichment Workshop participants
Employment Opportunities: Increase the skills and knowledge of people with a psychiatric disability in order to facilitate meaningful employment.
Education: Encourage individual with a psychiatric disability to pursue post-secondary education.
Recovery: Build a base of knowledge about mental health services in order to enhance consumer's personal journey of recovery
Successful replication of the Consumers as Providers Training Program has occurred in Arizona, Iowa and Wisconsin. In response to these successful replications, the KU CAP team is dedicated to replication efforts in the state of Kansas. Such replication includes an involvement and partnership with Mental Health Centers, post secondary educational sites and Consumer Run Organizations. It is the goal of CAP Replication for Community Mental Health Centers in Kansas to adopt the role of coordinating and implementing the CAP Training intra-agency with technical assistance and consultation from the KU CAP Team.
"This group has developed very supportive and tight knit relationships with one another well beyond the classroom and have worked extremely hard......They have intimated that they want to talk about how this class has (right out of the CAP curriculum) helped them recover, reclaim and transform their lives. " CAP Replication Site Trainer
CAP Replication sites and contacts:
Four County Mental Health Center
Eric Valle: CAP Agency Coordinator
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Independence, Kansas
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Coffeyville, Kansas
Pawnee Mental Health Center (Manhattan, KS)
Mike Shields: CAP Agency Coordinator
Valeo Behavioral Health Care (Topeka, KS)
Dennis Tenpenny: CAP Agency Coordinator
An extensive Replication Sub-Contract has been developed that establishes guidelines and expectation for all parties involved in the CAP Replication Pilot Project. Such guidelines include:
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Preference for hiring consumers as CAP Trainers
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A commitment to the normalization aspect of the CAP Training
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Classes being taught on a post-secondary setting
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Addressing participants as "students" versus "consumers"
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Preserving internship placements at community human service agencies and mental health centers
With the onset of the CAP Replication Project, the KU CAP Team has developed a CAP Trainers Manual and a CAP Educational Support Group Facilitator's Manual. Both manuals will be a tool for the CAP Trainer and CAP Educational Support Group Facilitator to use in order to successfully teach the class and facilitate the ESG. The CAP Trainer's Manual includes goals, agendas, needed supplies and valuable teaching tips for each class session. The ESG Facilitator's manual guides the ESG Facilitator with helpful hints and exercises when facilitating the ESG.
Interested mental health centers need to contact Anna Collins, CAP Program Coordinator, at aspeck@ku.edu or toll free at 1-877-458-6804 or (785) 864-3748. CAP Replication Brochure
“One of the strengths of the CAP program is that it is conducted like any other college class. It really gives that normal feel of being in a class, even though it is a special situation.”
“I noticed I have an increase in self-discipline because of the homework and intensity of the class.”
CAP classes meet once a week for 18 weeks on a post secondary college setting. Students learn through lectures, role playing, guest speakers and group exercises. Reading assignments are taken from the book The Strengths Model: Case Management with People Suffering from Severe and Persistent Mental Illness by Charles A Rapp. To see a sample of the required reading, click here. All learning materials are provided to students free of charge.
Click here to download the CAP Syllabus
Click here for the CAP Training Outline
CAP classes cover the following topics:
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Mental Health Services
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Ethics and Confidentiality
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Legal Obligations
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Helping Skills
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Engagement
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Documentation
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Strengths Model
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Stages in Recovery
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Strength Assessment
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Goal Development
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Crisis Intervention
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Cultural Competence
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Group Supervision
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Career Building
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Wellness Recovery Action Plans
“The internship was a first-hand experience. I learned the knowledge of an attendant care worker.”
“The internship was beneficial to me, I changed and people started to treat me differently.”
After completion of classroom instruction, students participate in 104 hours of internship activities for 7 weeks. Students choose from an array of internship opportunities offered by partnering human service agencies. Each student is assigned a mentor who provides field instruction and guidance throughout the internship. Students also participate in group supervision with their classmates to help provide support throughout the internship. The following is a letter from a partnering internship placement regarding their experience with hosting a CAP intern: Letter from Rainbow Mental Health Agency
Click here to download the Internship Schedule
Below are previous internship placements:
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ARC of Sedgwick County
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Area Agency on Aging-Franklin County
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Breakthrough Club
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CLAS LTD.
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COF Training Services
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COMCARE-Twin Lakes and Homeless Program
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Edwardsville Manor
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Elizabeth Layton Center (formerly Miami County Mental Health)
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Four County Mental Health
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Franklin County Mental Health
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Freedom House
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Franklin County Area Agency on Aging
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Franklin County Mental Health
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Independence SRS Office
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Independence Inc.
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Johnson County Mental Health
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Project Independence
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Kansas SRS: Kansas City Office
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Kansas SRS: Overland Park Office
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Kansas SRS: Wichita Office
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Kansas SRS: Coffeyville Office (Voc. Rehab.)
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Kansas SRS: Manhattan Office (Voc. Rehab.)
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Kansas SRS: Independence Office
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KETCH
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Labette County Mental Health
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Manhattan Regional AIDS Prevention
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Mental Health Association of the Heartland
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Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas
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Miami County Mental Health
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My Father's House
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Osawatomie State Hospital
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Pawnee Mental Health Center
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Rainbow Mental Health Facility
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Sheltered Living
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S.I.D.E. Inc.
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SKIL Resource Center
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St. Joseph Village
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Sunshine Connection
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TARC
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The Guidance Center
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Topeka Rescue Mission
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Topeka Working Healthy Program
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Topeka AIDS Prevention
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Valeo Behavioral Health Center
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Via Christi-Good Shepherd
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Wyandot Center
Interested applicants can submit an application to the program. Students are required to be residents of Kansas, have a high school diploma or GED, an SPMI diagnosis, and have the basic academic skills to succeed in the class. Upon receiving applications a member of the CAP staff will contact applicants to set up an interview.
Classes are in currently in session for the 2008 semester. The following sites will be implementing the CAP Training this fall semester:
Wichita, Kansas
Breakthrough: Stacy Nichols (CAP Agency Coordinator) stacy.nichols@btcwichita.com
COMCARE: Brian Grier (CAP Agency Coordinator) bgrier@sedgwick.gov
Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas: Carol Manning (CAP Agency Coordinator) carol@mhasck.com
Topeka, Kansas
Dennis Tenpenny (CAP Agency Coordinator) dennist@valeotopeka.org
Independence, Kansas
Eric Valle (CAP Agency Coordinator) evalle@fourcounty.com
Manhattan, Kansas
Nicole Fischer (CAP Trainer) nicole.fischer@pawnee.org
At this current time, classes for the Spring 2009 semester are being planned for the Kansas City are in partnership with Johnson County Mental Health. If you are interested in "hosting" a CAP Training Program at a Kansas Community Mental Health Center or if you are interested in participating in the CAP Training Program please contact Anna Collins, KU CAP Program Coordinator at aspeck@ku.edu or at (785) 864-3748 or at 1-877-458-6804.
Partnering Agencies and Colleges
Is your agency interested in offering the Consumers as Providers Training Program? Kansas Community Mental Health Centers are encouraged to read the CAP Invitation letter and submit the interest form. Click here to download the letter and form.
CAP would not be possible without the partnership of mental health agencies, Universities and community colleges throughout Kansas. They provide the coordination and support that makes CAP possible. Click here to read a partnering agency letter on their experience with the CAP Training Program. The following agencies and educational institutions have partnered with the CAP program:
Mental Health Agencies
Center for Counseling
Elizabeth Layton Center (formerly Miami County Mental Health Center)
Four County Mental Health
Franklin County Mental Health
High Plains Mental Health Center
Johnson County Mental Health
Labette County Mental Health
Pawnee Mental Health Center (Manhattan and Concordia Offices)
The Guidance Center
Valeo Behavioral Health Care
Wyandot Center
Educational Institutions
University of Kansas Edwards Campus
Kansas State University
Fort Hays State University
Wichita State University
Ottawa University
Johnson County Community College
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Independence Community College
Barton County Community College
Cloud County Community College
Coffeyville Community College
Bethel Community College
KU Public Management Center
“The biggest impact for the CAP course, for me was an increase in self-esteem and self-confidence. CAP brought me out of my shell. I didn’t realize the extent to which I had been isolated.”
“I have self confidence that I can go back to school and know that I have what it takes. I realized that I enjoyed writing and being challenged by questions.”
“I’ve learned that instead of taking the back seat as a follower, I’ve learned through CAP to be a leader. I never knew I possessed leadership until I went through CAP. I feel more
empowered!”
-CAP Graduates
The CAP training program has designed and implemented research activities to study the effects of the CAP program on graduates. Research conducted on self-esteem, hope and recovery of graduates has shown the graduates have a higher level of hope and self-esteem at the end of the class than they do at the beginning.
Research has also been conducted on the educational and vocational pursuits of graduates. Though this research is not complete, initial results have shown that graduates double their educational and vocational involvement after the CAP class. Approximately 55% of graduates were employed even 2 years after completion of the course. Educational involvement also increases as 35% of graduates go on to pursue post-secondary education.
A Two Year Longitudinal Study of the Kansas Consumers as Providers Training Program. Rapp, C., McDiarmid, D., Marty, D., Ratzlaff, S., Collins, A. & Sadaaki, F. in Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, Summer 2008
The Kansas Consumers as Provider Program: Measuring the Effects of a Supported Education Program. Sarah Ratzlaff, Diane McDiarmid, Douglas Marty, Charles Rapp in Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, Winter, 2006
Design and Initial Results from a Supported Education Initiative: The Kansas Consumer as Provider Program. Diane McDiarmid, Charles Rapp & Sarah Ratzlaff in Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal Summer, 2005
CAP is being offered to sites in rural Kansas via distance learning techniques.
Distance learning is made possible by utilizing the Polycom system which transfers images and audio to classrooms throughout Kansas. Students attend classes on campus while the instructor teaches from the KU Edwards Campus or Kansas Department of Education. Curricula and classroom elements remain the same and students view videos, have group discussions, take quizzes, listen to lecture and have interactive feedback through the Polycom service.
Out of Kansas Replication Sites
Three states have begun replication efforts of the Kansas Consumer Provider Program:
Iowa—Polk County
Arizona—Pina-Gila Behavioral Health
Madison, Wisconsin: NAMI
Des Moines Iowa Register Newspaper Article
Thomas M. Wernert Award—2004
The Thomas M. Wernert Award is given by the Technical Assistance Collaborative and the David and Lura Lovell Foundation, in collaboration with the National Association of County Behavioral Health Directors. This national award supports and honors programs that demonstrate innovation and creativity while ensuring community and consumer participation. Click here to read a letter from Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius.
Eli Lilly Reintegration Award—1st Place
2007 & 2003
The CAP Training has been a 1st place award recipient for Eli Lilly Reintegration Award in 2003 (Education) and 2007 (Employment). This award recognizes outstanding contributions of health care professionals and advocates that help those with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder reintegrate into society. Click here to read a letter from Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Eli Lilly Reintegration 2007 Awards Announcement
Unity Award—2002 Kansas Conference on Recovery
The Unity Award is presented at the Kansas Recovery Conference.The award is given to a group or individuals who have shown exemplary efforts in their willingness to unite consumers and non-consumers, enhancing recovery in a cooperative manner.
In an attempt to spread interest in the Consumers as Providers Training Program and to decrease stigma CAP staff has worked diligently to get the training program featured in various newspaper publications. The following are newspaper articles that have featured the Consumers as Providers Training Program.
Eli Lilly and Company 2008 Reintegration Awards
UPenn Collaborative on Community Integration
Kansas City Star May 16, 2003 page 2
Journal Herald Article June 5, 2003
Taylor Newspaper Family December 18, 2002
Miami County Republic June 3, 2002
The Manhattan Mercury October 15, 2001
Psychiatric News December 7, 2001 page 2
The University Daily Kansan November 28, 2000
Kansas City Star December 15, 2000
Lawrence-Journal World August 21, 2000 page 2
Contact Us: © 2003 The University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare