A Program of : MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION IN NEW JERSEY

Certified Community Mental Heath Associate (CMHA)

Certified by the Certification Board of New Jersey
Presented by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey

What is a Certified Community Mental Health Associate (CMHA) is an
individual who has received a certification that qualifies him/her to work as an entry level
case manager/peer counselor.  A CMHA does not provide the individual with a private
practice credential.

Is the CMHA a wellness & recovery focused certification?
           All course work for the CMHA focuses around the concept that recovery from
           serious difficulties, including mental illness and addictions, is possible. 
           Candidates will learn about the dimensions of wellness, and how to assist clients
           in identifying what can be improved in their lives, and how to help them make
           conscious choices that will help them feel good and move toward recovery.

Who qualifies to be a CMHA?
Certification Requirements
          Individuals interested in becoming a Certified Community Mental Health
          Associate must have a high school diploma or G.E.D.  In order to receive their
          CMHA, qualified candidates will complete a total 90 hours of course work; 72
          hours of course work in general case management, and 18 hours in a specialty
          area.  All course work, as well as 2000 hours of documented experience in the
          field of human services, must be completed within a 5 year time frame.

         “Grandparenting” Requirements
          Individuals interested in being grandparented into the CMHA certification must
          meet the following requirements:

·         Have completed MHANJ’s Consumer Connections course work, or have received a BA/BS degree in a related social services/mental health field.

·         Have completed a minimum of 2000 hours of work in the field of mental health or co-occurring disorders.

All individuals interested in being “grandparented” in must complete the request before12/31/2007.

What is a specialty area?
          In addition to the 90 hour Core Training, which results in the Mental Health
          Specialty, candidates may receive specialized training leading to other
          certifications in Co-Occurring Disorders and Residential Services.  Other
          specializations will be added in the future.  All coursework required for the
          Chemical Dependency Associate [CDA] credential offered by the Certification
          Board is available to consumers through Consumer Connections.

Can I get more than one specialty?
          Yes.  Once a candidate has completed the Mental Health Specialty, he/she may
          complete coursework toward other specialty areas as well.

What course work is required?
A candidate for Community Mental Health Associate Certification will complete the following 90 hours of course work.

CM 101 Assessment: 6 hours

CM 201 Basic Helping Skills: 12 hours
CM 202 Crisis Intervention and Trauma: 6 hours

CM 301 Basic Principles of Case Management: 6 hours

CM 302 Health and Human Services- NJ Systems: 3 hours
CM 303 Basic Treatment Planning: 12 hours

CM 501 Ethics and Legal Issues: 6 hours
CM 502 Advocacy: 3 hours
CM 503 How to Utilize Supervision and Professional Development: 6 hours
CM 504 SSA and Entitlement Programs: 6 hours
CM 505 Cultural Competency: 6 hours

In addition, 18 hours of course work will be completed in the candidate’s area of specialty.

What is an area of specialty? 
In addition to the 72 hours of course work in basic case management, a candidate must choose to specialize in Community Mental Health Associate for one or more particular populations.  For each specialty chosen, an additional 18 hours of coursework, directly related to the specialty focus, must be completed.  One specialty is currently available.

Mental Health Specialty
CM 401 Psycho-Education: 12 hours
CM 402 Medication Education: 6 hours

Additional specialties are in the process of being developed and include: Addiction, Co-occurring disorders, residential and children, and peer to peer services.

Can I get more than one specialty?
Once a candidate has completed the 72 hours of core courses for the Community Mental Health Associate Certification, she/he may complete the course work for as many specialty areas as she/he chooses.  Therefore, it is possible to have a Community Mental Health Associate Certification in several different areas of specialty.

How do I find out more?

Contact Ray Cortese, MHANJ Workplace Development Coordinator at 800-367-8850 or e-mail at rcortese@mhanj.org