Please note: In order to be certified by the state of North Carolina, you are also required to complete an additional 20-hrs of training in a related field. Learn more now.  

​​​Let NC-H.O.P.E. prepare you to become

a certified peer support specialist! 

​

• Do you want to help people? 
  
• Would you like a rewarding career? 
  
• Can you inspire others with your life experiences? 
• Do you need PSS training to apply for NCCPSS Certification?

​Elliot Palmer, NCCPSS 
Elliot is a dedicated professional in the field of peer support with the knowledge and skills necessary for supporting individuals who are struggling with substance use disorders and other mental health diagnoses. He is certified in peer support by the State of North Carolina and serves as a peer support training facilitator. Elliot is the founder and lead facilitator of A.N.S.W.E.R. (A New Start While Empowering Recovery) which provides W.R.A.P. (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) training. To date, he has trained hundreds of individuals in peer support and W.R.A.P. plan development, aiding in the promotion of wellness and education. His previous experience in office management highlights his leadership and expertise with interpersonal communication and organization, both required skills in peer support work. He has a commitment to helping others in their recovery efforts and has spent many years doing so, increasing his ability to assist individuals with acknowledging their strengths, identifying community resources, and implementing learned strategies to support health and wellness. He is also trained in housing assistance and other services necessary for assisting peers, in addition to being a motivational speaker, an entrepreneur, and a consultant. Elliot’s experience demonstrates his passion for service and capacity to deliver high-quality education that will prepare individuals for work as a peer support specialist. 

​​​Issac Blount, NCCPSS

Isaac A Blount Ill, is a Trained Entrepreneurial Mindset Facilitator, WRAP Facilitator, NC Certified Peer Support Specialist and an Entrepreneur. He is also a Husband and a father of three. He holds a Degree in Social Work from Shaw University and currently runs a Non-profit organization named Redirection CDC. He is Formerly justice-involved and has a passion to add value to others. Isaac was incarcerated in Federal Prison in 1997 for selling drugs leaving his wife at home to raise two young boys. While in prison he suffered from depression and separating anxiety because he had left his family behind and could not provide for them. Once released from prison he had to find employment to support his young family, while his wife supported her husband while dealing with him coming back to re-enter into the community with a label on his back called FELON. He eventually found work and went back to school to get his North Carolina Real Estate Brokers license, North Carolina Insurance License, as well as his degree in Social Work and is now currently working on his Master's Degree in Education. Isaac's life experience, as well as training experience, expresses his passion for service and aptitude to deliver high-quality education that will prepare individuals for work as a peer support specialist.

Latanya DuBois, NCCPSS

Latanya DuBois grew up in the Bronx NY, surrounded by graffiti, drugs and poverty. Her parents struggled with drug addiction and Latanya was left to take care of their mental health and emotional needs all on her own. Overwhelmed with frustration, she coped by fighting, skipping school, falling into abusive relationships and became more and more shut down. Feeling suicidal, angry, unworthy, and completely alone, Latanya tried to cope with counseling sessions, going to church, and leaning on friends. Feeling hopeless she, eventually, ran away from home at the age of 16. Right before her 18th birthday, she gave birth to her son who was soon diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This was the turning point in her life, as she was determined to change the course of their lives for the better. Becoming his advocate launched her public speaking career. Now he is thriving and intelligent young man, aspiring to become a music producer.

​Latanya went back to school to get her bachelor's and Master's degrees and is now in the midst of her doctoral years. She started to work at a nonprofit agency in 1996 to give back. During this time, she used her story and her ability to understand others' pain to help them move towards success and positivity in their life. All of this had a huge impact on her own recovery towards inner peace. When she took on the role of group facilitator in 1999, she became more and more in touch with her gifts and talents. She eventually went moved on, working with several non-profits and took on multiple leadership roles. In 2008, she founded Eagle Eye Management, LLC., a full-service consulting and personal development training and coaching firm. She is also the founder of the Embrace Your Experience (E.Y.E.) Project which is a program that support individuals as they explore and overcome the barriers created when we do not allow ourselves to be all that we are so we can do all that we are called to do.

Latanya is a profound advocate for people living with disabilities, overcoming addiction and health disparities and women who have been battered or otherwise abused. It is her hope ·and intention to support those who want to live their highest calling in life and she is dedicated to using her many skills and talents to help them achieve their dreams.

Gertrude Teressa Rice, NCCPSS

​​I am a native of Cleveland Ohio. I was raised mostly by her grandparents, who strongly believed that you should follow the steps; finishing high school, attend college, get married and have a family. Well my life was not that way at all. My life order was much different. This caused me to develop anxiety. Once I got married and was unable to get pregnant, over time my anxiety and depression symptoms increased.

I went through a period of depression after a miscarriage which was most severe immediately after the pregnancy. I experienced feelings of sadness, emptiness or hopeless, being irritable, frustrated, loss of interest and enjoyment. These were some of the symptoms that plagued my day. I visited specialist and doctors as I continued to experience miscarriages. I visited my primary care doctor who gave me a word of advice; he said I was a strong person and he did not prescribe me any medication. I continued to struggle daily. I came to the realization that I may not be able to have a child. As time passed, I change my focus started exercising.

I started listening to others and reading others' stories about depression and attending a support group. During this time, I found out about foster care. My husband and I decided that we would look into foster care. After taking classes we fostered 3 little boys who were brothers. This helped me channel my focus off myself and think of others. This was the best feeling. It not only helped me through my depression, but it gave me a since of being needed and opportunity to give love to children who brought us so much joy.

In 2015, I started working in the field of Peer Support. I worked as a Peer Support Specialist, group facilitator and a W.R.A.P Facilitator. I have an extensive work experience in the mental health field, working with adults and children with mental health and substance use diagnosis. attended Cleveland Community College where I received an Associates Arts and Associates of Science degree in Early childhood and Psychology, and Gardner Webb University earning my degree in Human Services. Having worked as a Qualified Mental Health Professional, Adult/Child Protective Worker, Foster Care Parent and a foster Care Placement worker, I have gained a wealth of knowledge of community resources and helping community agencies. I have a passion for seeing individuals growing into their best life. She is the owner of Focused Care Inc. (Where HEALING, TEACHING & DISCOVERY COME TOGETHER) which provides Therapy and Peer Support Services. My heart's desire is to see my peers discover their best life.

​Marleyah Michael, NCCPSS

​Marleyah Michael is a compassionate and driven individual with a heart for helping others. Born and raised in eastern North Carolina, Marleyah grew up in an environment where people rarely ventured outside of their routines. However, at a young age, Marleyah experienced sexual abuse, which continued for many years, leaving her feeling detached from reality and struggling with addiction to alcohol, unprescribed medication usage, and suicidal thoughts.

Despite the challenges she faced, Marleyah never gave up hope. She turned to writing, reading, nature, and helping others as a way to cope and eventually found solace in her faith. She also discovered a love for photography and video editing, published a book, and became the Executive Director of a nonprofit.

Marleyah's desire to help others led her to become a Certified Peer Support Specialist. She found her true calling in this field and discovered a passion for working with individuals who were struggling with addiction and mental health issues. Her journey to sobriety gave her a unique perspective, and she was able to use her experiences to connect with her clients and meet them where they were.

Marleyah's ultimate goal is to help spread the movement of Peer Support and make it more accessible to those who need it the most. She believes that everyone deserves a chance to heal and recover, and she is committed to being a part of that process.

Bryon Bellamy, NCCPSS

Hi, I'm Bryon Bellamy. I was born in Ancon, Republic of Panama and grew up being part of a wonderful military family. We settled in NC and I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. My story began in college where I experienced depression, isolation, self-sabotage, and PTSD. In college, I became well known for being the life of the party, ignoring my inner voice saying I needed to slow down and pay attention to who was in my circle. One night during one of my parties, I received a call from a friend I called brother. He told me he would be driving that night and would call me back because he needed to stay up while driving. I found out then next morning he passed and blamed myself. Prior to him passing, I started to realize how people were using me and only wanted me around for their benefit. During this party even though I was laughing and engaging I felt alone. For some time, afterwards, I started to abuse alcohol and isolate myself. It wasn't until one-night walking with some friends that I realized I needed some real help. They helped me realize I wasn't well and needed support. I decided to go home to spend time with my family and while there I started receiving therapy.
I learned about peer support from a friend and was immediately interested. I realized that was what my friends did for me and I wanted to be able to do it for others. Since becoming certified I have been able to work with peers in the community. It has been amazing to be able to use my real-life experiences from college, at UNC-CH, and post college to help peers navigate their own personal recoveries. As I work with peers I have been able to experience the positive impact that peer to peer relationships are able to make. While advocating for peers, who are on their mental health and substance abuse recovery journey, it has been a joy to see many hold firm to the new standards and skills they have developed. It helps me to maintain my recovery. I also spend time with the youth in the community as an ACT/SAT prep teacher and use the knowledge that I've gained in the CPSS field to impact this younger generation beyond their academic goals. My goal is to share my experiences and enable peers to become equipped to use their story to help others succeed on their journey to recovery.

Earl Owens, III, NCCPSS
​From a very young age, I was exposed to the justice system and learned early on that my actions would have consequences. However, I also discovered that these consequences could be acceptable to me. This understanding led me to explore an alternative society, one that involved gang members and criminals, ultimately resulting in over 42 years of incarceration and engagement in activities that far exceeded typical outcomes. In 2001, I began to shift my mindset. I realized that my intelligence, which I once viewed as a flaw, was a strength. It became the foundation for developing a new plan for my life. After decades spent in a cycle of incarceration, I was introduced to peer support and recognized that I had been advocating for change my entire life. Over the past eight years, I have actively participated in various initiatives that have led to positive outcomes, leveraging my lived experience to contribute meaningfully to the fields of peer support, advocacy, and reentry. As a returning citizen, I see myself as a beacon of hope and a leader within my community. I stand before my peers and ask for their support in this mission to create a better future for ourselves and those around us.

If I were to highlight a passion I would have to say “Reentry”, because of my experience and the ability to articulate for those that cannot. However, my work has spanned across the map of gender, ethnicity, social dynamics, sexual orientation, and many others. I have worked with people from every walk of life and dealt with multiple mental disorders and addictions. I am actively involved in the community. I have spent the past 2 years helping to educate the community on the dangers of Gang Activity, Criminal Behaviors, and Mental Health, I have worked closely with Alternative to Violence and Locked Out Love to demonstrate inroads to recovery and success. I am also on the board for The Mecklenburg Council of Elders, I work with 100 Black Men, Time Out Youth, Invisible Hearts, CUC, Roof Above, Salvation Army, Youth Advocacy Program, and Mecklenburg County Reentry Services.

Meet the Facilitators​

​NC HOPE is looking for new facilitators! For more information or to apply click here.