U.S. Health and Human Services recently published the National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
These standards, for substance use, mental health and family peer workers, were created to help accelerate the universal adoption, recognition and integration of the peer workforce across the entire healthcare system, according to a June 6 news release.
"Our peer workforce plays a critical role in the treatment and recovery journey for individuals with behavioral health issues," HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the release. "These new national standards will help advance President Biden's strategy to tackle the nation's behavioral health crisis."
A peer worker is someone who works to assist others based on their personal experience addressing a substance use or mental health condition, the release reported.
"We can improve health outcomes for people with behavioral health issues by better integrating the peer workforce into our health care system," Becerra added, according to the release. "Getting help from a person who has been successful in the recovery process can be lifechanging."
In his 2022 State of the Union address, Biden revealed his National Mental Health Strategy, part of his Unity Agenda, to address the nation's mental health issues, the release reported.
The National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification was developed in partnership with federal, state, Tribal, territorial and local partners, including peer specialists, according to the news release. Public input also was taken into consideration.
The news release cautioned the national model standards are not meant to replace any state certifications but, instead, it is intended to as guidelines for states, territories, Tribes and others to encourage quality, alignment and reciprocity among the frequently varying state peer support certifications.
In May, HHS granted $5.54 million to recovery community organizations to spend on mobilizing and connecting community-based resources to increase the prevalence and quality of long-term recovery support for those with substance use disorders and co-occurring substance use and mental health issues, the release said. The grants are intended to fund creation, improvement, growth and provision of recovery support services, in addition to recovery advocacy and instruction.
Peer workers are expected to manage and carry out grant-related activities that reflect needs and demographics of communities served, the release said.
