A Peer to Peer Training, Support, and Employment Program
for Consumers of Mental Health Services

                    Consumer Connections, established in 1997, is a program of the Mental Health
                    Association in New Jersey, which is designed to create a comprehensive system
                    of training, credentialing,  support and employment opportunities in order to facilitate
                    the use of peers in the deliver of mental health and human services.

                    Peer to Peer services are delivered by persons who have experienced mental
                    illness and use that experience to bring a unique perspective to helping other
                    with their own recovery from mental illness.

	Consumer Connections Peer to Peer Core Training - Provides consumers of mental health services with the basic communication and job skills training necessary to maximize their employability by mental health and human service providers in providing peer to peer services.
	Professional Credentialing - Provides graduates of the Peer to Peer Core training with the opportunity to earn professionally recognized certifications in Community Mental Health Associate, addictions, co-occurring disorders residential and peer to peer services.
	Support Network - Provides access to a system of individual and group peer supports to consumers employed within the mental health and human service system.
	Employment Opportunity Bank - Provides consumers of mental health services with the opportunity to match their interests, skills and experience with available employment and volunteer opportunities.

A program funded by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health Services
 and the Mental Health Association in New Jersey