Peer Support Services

Peer Support is the building and nurturing of relationships between peers which assists individuals in their journey of recovery and wellness. Some characteristics of this relationship include mutual respect, trust, hope and education.

By sharing their experiences, peers bring hope to people in recovery and promote a sense of belonging within the community.

Peer support services are delivered by individuals who have common life experiences with the people they are serving. People with mental and/or substance use disorders have a unique capacity to help each other based on a shared affiliation and a deep understanding of this experience. In self-help and mutual support, people offer this support, strength, and hope to their peers, which allows for personal growth, wellness promotion, and recovery.

Lycoming-Clinton Behavioral HealthChoices is committed to increasing the availability of peer support within our counties.  These services help prevent relapse and promote sustained recovery from mental and/or substance use disorders.

Peer services recognize that social support includes informational, emotional, and intentional support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Certified Peer and Certified Recovery Supports:

1. What Are Peer Support Services?

Peer support services are available to individuals 18 years of age or older, who have a behavioral health disorder. Peer support services are provided by self-identified current or former recipients of behavioral health services who are trained and certified to offer support and assistance in helping others in their recovery and community-integration process. Peer support is intended to inspire hope in individuals that recovery is not only possible, but probable. Peer services are designed to promote empowerment, self-determination, understanding, coping skills, and resilience through mentoring and service coordination supports. Peer Specialists bring a unique set of qualifications to the job. Not only are they trained professionally in their field, but they are able to relate to the people they serve through their shared experiences and perspective. 

2. What is a Certified Peer Specialist?

A Certified Peer Specialist is an individual who meets the eligibility criteria for a peer specialist as outlined below and/or in the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) Peer Support Services bulletin and who has successfully completed a peer certification training program, as defined by the Department of Public Welfare (DPW).

3. What is a Certified Recovery Specialist? 

A Certified Recovery Specialist is an individual who meets the eligibility criteria for a recovery specialist as outlined below, and who has successfully completed a certified recovery specialist training program as defined by the PA Department of Human Services. 

4. What type of qualifications are required?

Certified Peer Specialist:

A High School Diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED);

Maintained at least 12 months of successful full or part-time paid or voluntary work experience or obtained at least 24 credit hours of post-secondary education within the last three years;

Completed and passed a certified peer specialist certification training curriculum and examination approved by DHS; and

Openly identify as a consumer/survivor/peer/person in recovery from mental illness.

Certified Recovery Specialist:

A High School Diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED);

Self-identify as an individual with a personal, lived, recovery experience for a minimum of 18 months;

Completed and passed a certified recovery specialist certification training curriculum and examination approved by DHS. 

5. What are the job responsibilities?

The job responsibilities of Certified Peer and Certified Recovery Specialists are many and varied. They include but are not limited to the following:

• Promote the principles of individual choice and self-determination

• Use person-centered language that focuses on the individual and not the diagnosis

• Respond appropriately to risk indicators to assure the persons welfare and safety

• Maintain confidentiality

• Document service provision as required by the employer

• Establish and maintain a “peer” relationship rather than one of provider and client

• Serve as a role model of a person in recovery

• Assure that consumers know their rights and responsibilities

• Serve as an active member of the persons recovery oriented team

• Help the person access the services and supports that will help them attain their individual recovery goals

• Promote knowledge of available services

• Promote utilization of community resources

6. What is the future for Certified Peer and Certified Recovery Support?

The use of Peer Specialist in the behavioral health field is a rapidly growing area. Across the state, peers are currently working in a wide variety of positions in drop-in centers, offices of consumer affairs, crisis stabilization units, hospitals, forensic services, case management, recovery support services and others. We are only beginning to tap into the possibilities available as we shift our focus to a recovery based model of health care.