Adaptability of Peer Specialists
For more information on Peer Specialist service activities and settings, please visit the links below.
Who are Peer Specialists?
A Peer Specialist refers to someone who shares the experience of living with the psychiatric disorder and or addiction. Peer support is the “process of giving and receiving encouragement and assisting to achieve long-term recovery” Peer specialist are able to offer emotional support, share gained knowledge, teach skills, provide assistance, and connect with people to share resources, opportunities, and support (Mead, 2003; Solomon, 2004). In behavioral health, peers offer their unique lived experience with mental health conditions to provide support focused on advocacy, education, mentoring, and motivation.
Peers go by names and can work in many different settings. Combined with lived experience, certification, and training, a Peer Specialist’s ability to engage and connect are why Peers are dynamic and among the growing group that continue to transform lives and systems.
Peer Specialist Training & Certification
Peer Specialist Certification Requirements Summary
- As of February 1, 2021, Recover Wyoming will oversee the certification process for Peer Specialists in Wyoming through the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) for Peer Recovery.
- All Peer Specialists will now be required to become certified by the IC&RC. For more information regarding training or certification, please contact Recover Wyoming at (307) 421-7261. To access the certification application and additional information about the change in certification, please access the links below.
Peer Specialist Certification Application & Information
- Wyoming Certified Peer Specialist Initial Certification Application
- IC&RC Certification Information Flyer
- Wyoming Certified Peer Specialist Code of Ethical Conduct
- IC&RC Recover Wyoming Violations of Ethics
Exam Study Materials
Exam Study Materials
IC&RC has developed practice exams to assist candidates with their exam preparation. Practice exams are available for $39.00 each. For more information on registration please visit, “Practice Exam” linked below.
Resources
Learn More…
- Peers Supporting Recovery from Mental Health Conditions (SAMHSA)
- Peers Supporting Recovery from Substance Use Disorders
- Peer Support: Then and Now (with Beth Filson)
Articles
- PSS Assessing Evidence (literature review)
- PSS Literature Review
- Peer Roles compared to Community Health Workers
- Ideas for PSS Services (list developed by Wyoming of “tasks” and services)
All Things Employment
- Peer-Specialist-Employer-Readiness
- Peer Support Toolkit
- Critical Skills for Activating Self-Management (with Sue Bergeson)
- Practicing Recovery Leadership (with Pat Deegan)
Medicaid Billing of Peer Specialist Services
Information on Medicaid Billing of Peer Specialist Services
- Wyoming Medicaid Bulletin
- CMS Guidance on Medicaid Billing
- CMS Clarifying Guidance (May 2013, Family Support and Other)