Certified Peer Support


Certified Peer Support serves individuals over 18 years old. To be eligible for participation in the program, individuals must be residents of Crawford, Venango, or Mercer County and have the presence of, or history of, a mental health concern. Certified Peer Specialists have lived mental health experience, are active in their own recovery, and have completed certification training curriculum approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Certified Peer Specialists are advocates who help eliminate stigma associated with mental health and are role models, providing hope and inspiration for the individuals they work with. Research has shown that peer support help can improve social functioning, increase empowerment and hope, and lead to higher levels of community engagement. Services are offered outside of regular school hours in the home and community and will vary with days and times to meet the needs of the individual.


For information about the Compass Program for youth between the ages of 14-18, click here.

Service Contact

Jess Ellis, Program Coordinator

 (814) 373-5080, jellis@chapsinc.org

 

Amanda Burke, Deputy Director

(814) 373-5066, aburke@chapsinc.org


Hours of Operation:

Monday through Friday,

8:00am - 4:30pm

 

Service Contact

Amanda Burke

(814) 373-5066, aburke@chapsinc.org


2023 - 2024 Annual Report


Mobile Psych Rehab

The Mobile Psychiatric Rehabilitation (MPR) Program offers flexible supports, skill building, and other assistance in a participant's home and/or community that are designed to meet each person's unique needs and reach their recovery goals.

  • Serving adults 18 years old and over with an eligible mental health diagnosis
  • One-on-one case worker
  • Provides connections to community resources and available benefits
  • Building natural support systems
  • Promotes self-advocacy and wellness management
  • Strengths-based approach to achieving individual recovery goals

Service Contact

Program Coordinator: Jess Ellis

(814) 373-5080, jellis@chapsinc.org



Med Delivery & Support

The CHIPP (Community Hospital Integration Project Program) Program provides services to individuals of Crawford County, 18 years old and beyond, who experience chronic and persistent mental illness. These individuals may have been discharged from the State Hospital or currently living in the community and are at high risk for re-hospitalization. The varying levels of support provided to participants is based on their individual level of need. Participants will be supported in the home and/or community during morning, evening and weekend hours. Program participants receive support identifying their strengths, resources, challenges and barriers in order to begin pursuing established goals for recovery. Participants will build skills in order to self-advocate for themselves, learn about their mental illness and medications, connect to community resources, and build natural support networks to help make the transition to community living successful. Through involvement in this program, it is hoped that individuals will gain the skills needed to achieve a level of recovery that will allow them to live independently, remain out of the hospital and achieve self-fulfillment. Referrals are received through CHAPS as well as Crawford County Human Services Base Service Unit.

CHAPS' Community Education and Outreach program (CEO) offers information, speakers, and connections to resources on mental illness, self-advocacy, and other pertinent mental health topics. Educational programs and resources are offered within CHAPS and in the community. An essential part of the CEO program includes NAMI support Groups and Education Programs. The following support and education programs are co-sponsored by NAMI and CHAPS:

  • NAMI Connections Peer Support

    NAMI Connections Peer Support focuses on peers advocating recovery through empowerment, it is: 


    Every Tuesday 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

    • A free self-help group
    • Open to anyone who identifies as a mental health consumer seeking support
    • Offered without required membership

  • NAMI Family Support Group

    Every Tuesday 5:00-6:00PM

    • Provide support and education to caregivers of an individual diagnosed with mental illness
    • Provide opportunity to find solidarity with others who have encountered similar experiences with illness and support services
    • Promote discussion and education about how to keep oneself mentally and physically healthy
    • Teach problem-solving skills to navigate the mental health system and resources to navigate recovery
    • Develop skills to leave you better equipped to deal with the complex situations caused by a mental illness

  • Hope Champions: S & P Support Group

    Every Wednesday 11:00- 12:00 p.m.


    • A free self-help group for people living with schizophrenia or a schizophrenia-related illness
    • Helps restore dignity and a sense of purpose for people working toward recovery
    • Offers fellowship, positive support and companionship in order to achieve good mental health
    • Helps improve our own attitudes about our lives and illnesses

  • Young Adult Peer Support

    Every Wednesday 3:00-4:00 p.m.


    • A support group designed for individuals with mental illness transitioning from youth to adulthood
    • Peer support for individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 years
    • Provides support, hope and encouragement for young adults beginning an independent life
    • Promotes mutual acceptance, understanding, self-discovery and self-advocacy with peers.

  • NAMI Schizophrenia and Psychosis Support Group

    Every Thursday 3:00-4:00PM


    • Provide support and education to individuals living with schizophrenia or a related mental illness
    • Provide opportunity to find solidarity with others who have encountered similar experiences with illness and support services
    • Promote discussion and education about how to keep oneself mentally and physically healthy
    • Teach problem-solving skills to navigate the mental health system and resources to navigate recovery
    • Develop skills to leave you better equipped to deal with the complex situations caused by a mental illness

Community Education and Outreach & Support Groups

Service Contact

Denise Passilla
(814) 790-0741 dpassilla@chapsinc.org

Warmline

Contact Information


Phone: (814) 724-5161
Toll-free: 1 (800) 951-2055


The Crawford County Warmline program is a non-emergency peer support telephone service. Warmline workers are trained to facilitate supportive conversations and to lend an ear when the caller needs someone to listen. The phone is answered seven days a week, from 5:00pm-8:00pm (excluding holidays). All calls are confidential. 

If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911, or for Mental Health emergencies, call the Crisis line at (814) 724-2732.