Certified Peer Specialists in the United States Behavioral Health System: An Emerging Workforce

Abstract

A unique discipline of persons who provide peer support and mutual-aid has grown exponentially over the past decade. Individuals with personal experience with mental illnesses from across the country are receiving specialized training and certification as Peer Specialists and an increasing number of states have approved the supports they provide for Medicaid reimbursement. This chapter will provide an historical overview and discuss this movement as a significant evolutionary step in the involvement of peers-as-staff in the traditional service system, programs, and workforce. A review of current knowledge about certified peer specialist (CPS) training programs will be offered along with research findings on the benefits associated with participating in such training on well-being, knowledge, and employment. Finally, national findings pertaining to CPS wages, hours worked per week, and number of persons they support, as well as job titles and work activities will be presented. Evidence of continuing implementation barriers are also discussed, suggesting that knowledge among non-peers about recovery and the value of peer support have not yet had as big of an effect as one might like. Emerging policy, program, and practice issues will be discussed, as well as future research topics of greatest priority.