Bill > PR26-0123

This resolution approves final rules for the Department of Human Services' Peer Case Management Institute (PCMI), which aims to train individuals with lived experience of homelessness to become certified peer case managers. The resolution establishes comprehensive guidelines for the PCMI, including eligibility criteria for applicants (who must be District residents aged 18 or older with personal experience of homelessness), a rigorous application and selection process, and detailed training requirements. Participants must complete 120 hours of classroom training focusing on core competencies such as understanding case management roles, trauma-informed approaches, and professional development, followed by an 80-hour field practicum in a homeless services setting. The program's goals are to leverage the expertise of individuals who have experienced homelessness, create employment pathways for these individuals, and develop a new pipeline of quality case managers to serve District residents experiencing or exiting homelessness. The certification is not a guarantee of employment but provides participants with valuable skills and a credential that Department-funded Continuum of Care agencies may consider during hiring. The resolution includes provisions for participant evaluation, potential dismissal from the program, and the process for receiving the Peer Case Manager Certification.