Dauten Scholarship Fund
DBSA is excited to share a new scholarship opportunity that provides peers with the chance to become a certified peer specialist—at no cost to the recipient.
Through the Dauten Scholarship Fund, established by our generous donor Nick Savasta in honor of Kent and Liz Dauten, DBSA is removing financial barriers for individuals looking to turn their lived experience into a meaningful role in peer support.
What is a Peer Specialist?
Peer Specialists are individuals with both lived experience and a recovery story, who support others in their recovery journeys. DBSA is a national leader in providing a robust, credible course to equip peers with the skills they need to make a lasting impact in their communities.
About the DBSA Peer Specialist Course
A four-week online program designed in alignment with SAMHSA and Veterans Health Administration guidelines.
Includes one week of independent learning, four days of interactive workshops led by DBSA expert trainers, final exam, and certificate.
Apply for the Scholarship
If you or someone you know would benefit from this opportunity, visit our scholarship application page to learn more and apply:
Support the Scholarship Fund
We invite you to help expand this initiative by contributing to the Dauten Scholarship Fund. With every $1,600 raised, we can train another peer for free, empowering them to use their experiences to support others.
Contact our Individual Giving Project Manager, Jessica Chervinko jchervinko@dbsallaince.org if you want to help DBSA move toward SAMSHA’s goal of 1 million peer specialists in the behavioral health workforce.
Thank you for your support in helping DBSA make our peer specialist course accessible to more individuals. Please share this opportunity with your chapter and support group members.