R523. Health and Human Services, Substance Use and Mental Health.
R523-6. Child/Family Peer Support Specialist Training and Certification.
R523-6-1. Purpose, Authority and Intent.
(1) This rule prescribes standards for certification of Peer Support Specialist Training programs; the qualifications required of instructors for providing Peer Support Training; and the requirements to become a Child/Family Peer Support Specialist.
(2) Statutory Authority. These standards are promulgated by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services through the Division of Integrated Healthcare (division) as authorized by Section 26B-5-102(2)(gg).
(3) Intent. The objective of the peer support specialist training is to establish training programs to certify individuals that have completed requisite training to work as substance use disorder and/or mental health peer support specialists.
R523-6-2. Definitions.
(1) "Approved Curriculum" means a curriculum which has been approved by the division in accordance with these rules.
(2) "Certification" means that the division verifies the individual has met the requirements outlined in this rule to be a peer support specialist and has completed the required training.
(3) Child/Family Peer Support Specialist is a "Family Resource Facilitator" (FRF) who is an individual who has successfully completed an approved Family Resource Facilitator Training Program and for ongoing certification has met the requirements outlined in paragraph R523-6-6.
(4) "Director" means the director of the Division of Integrated Healthcare.
(5) "Division" means the Division of Integrated Healthcare.
(6) "Peer Support Specialist Training Program" is an instructional series operated by an approved agency or organization which satisfies the standards established by the division and is herein referred to as a "Family Resource Facilitator Training Program".
(7) "Program Certificate" is a written authorization issued by the division to the training entity which indicates that the Program has been found to be in compliance with these division standards.
R523-6-3. Certification Requirements for PSS Training Programs.
(1) An application for Program Certification will require that the program provide, among other things:
(a) Qualifications of individuals who will be providing the training.
(b) A curriculum that outlines no less than forty (40) hours of face-to-face instruction covering the curriculum requirements outlined in paragraph R523-6-5 for Family Resource Facilitator Training.
(c) A plan to ensure that instructors continue to meet reported qualifications and adhere to the approved curriculum.
(d) An agreement to maintain records of the individual's attendance and completion of all program requirements for at least seven years.
(e) An agreement to comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.
(2) The division director has the authority to grant exceptions to any of the certification requirements.
R523-6-4. Division Oversight of Program.
(1) The division may enter and survey the physical facility, program operation, review curriculum and interview staff to determine compliance with this rule or any applicable contract to provide such services.
(2) The Family Resource Facilitator Training Program also agrees to allow representatives from the division and from the local authorities as authorized by the division to attend the classes held. Such visits may be announced or unannounced.
(3) The division will establish an application process to review and approve applicants for the Family Resource Facilitator Training Program. This process will:
(a) Develop and publish an application to be a Family Resource Facilitator Training Program.
(b) Solicit input from stakeholders, Family Resource Facilitators and other individuals on the review process.
(c) Establish further criteria for acceptance into the program as needed.
R523-6-5. Curriculum Requirements for Family Resource Facilitator Training Programs.
(1) This curriculum shall provide at least forty (40) hours of instruction for original certification and twenty (20) hours for any and all re-certifications. The curriculum shall include the following components as they relate to the FRF's lived experience as a parent or caregiver of a youth with complex mental health and/or substance use needs in order to promote family and youth resiliency and assist in the identified client's recovery:
(a) Systems of Care
(i) Providing family driven, youth guided, culturally competent and community based services
(A) History of the family involvement movement
(ii) Wraparound and Wraparound process including:
(A) Strength, Needs and Cultural Discovery
(B) Assist in identification of natural, formal and informal supports
(C) Prioritize needs/goals and develop a plan of care
(D) Crisis Prevention
(E) Implement action steps and celebrate successes
(F) Transition Planning
(b) Family Resource Facilitator (FRF) model for strengthening families and building communities.
(i) FRF Roles
(A) Resource Coordination
(B) Family Education and Support
(C) Family Advocacy
(D) Wraparound to Fidelity
(ii) Training and supervision expectations
(c) Ethics of Peer Support
(d) Professional relationships, boundaries and limits
(e) Multi-agency coordination
(f) Family advocacy (individual and system change)
(g) Stigma and Labeling
(h) Assisting Individuals in Accomplishing Recovery Goals
(i) Coach, Mentor, and Role Model recovery
(j) Stress Management Techniques
(k) Assist with reaching age appropriate educational and vocational goals; and
(l) Assist with physical health and wellness
(2) The curriculum must be strength based and include:
(a) Active listening and communication skills
(b) Basic motivational interviewing skills.
(3) The curriculum must include a strong emphasis on ethical behavior, dual relationships, scope of peer support and professional boundaries and should include case studies, role plays and experiential learning.
R523-6-6. Requirements to Become a Family Resource Facilitator.
(1) Be a parent of a child who has received services for a mental, emotional, behavioral or substance use disorder or an adult who has an on-going and personal relationship with a family member who is a child who is receiving or has received services for a mental, emotional, behavioral or substance use disorder.
(2) Be at least 18 years of age.
(3) Have attended and successfully completed a division-approved Child, Youth and Family Peer Support Specialist training program and have a valid certificate from that training.
(4) Pass the qualification exam with a score of 80% or above.
R523-6-7. Requirements to Remain Qualified as a Family Resource Facilitator.
(1) FRF's are encouraged to advance toward additional levels of demonstrated competency and specialization achieved through continued training, mentoring and evaluation during an approved practicum.
(2) Complete at least twenty (20) hours of approved continuing education per year including two (2) hours of ethics training and six (6) hours pertaining specifically to Family Resource Facilitation.
(3) Provide proof to the division of completing the required training on an annual basis.
KEY: peer support specialist, family resource facilitator, certification of programs, mental health and substance use disorder
Date of Last Change: November 9, 2025
Notice of Continuation: December 1, 2025
Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 26B-5-102(2)(gg)