Peer Specialists

Benefits of Hiring a Peer Specialist

Consumers long have recognized the impact of peer support--the kind that happens on the front porch steps of a neighbor's house or in the evening when you call a friend who "knows." Consumers wanted that same powerful support to be available in accessible, meaningful ways that broaden the continuum of care offered by traditional models.” 

Certified Peer Specialists (CPS’s) help consumers with the following:

• Skills building
• Recovery and/or life goal setting
• Problem solving
• Establishing self-help groups
• Building and utilizing self-help recovery tools (such as the WRAP)
• Self advocacy

Consumers who are credentialed through the state’s CPS program must:

• Meet the minimum employment & education standards set by the program
• Successfully complete the training course
• Take an oral & written examination