Peer support

Peer support in Washington State

Peer support is an approved Medicaid service that pairs individuals in recovery with trained specialists who share their life experiences.

Licensed behavioral health agencies must have peer specialists who have met the state requirements through training and work experience. And, they must be credentialed by the Department of Health to provide this Medicaid reimbursable service. 

What do certified peer specialists do?

Certified peer specialists (CPSs) work with adults and youth and the parents of children receiving mental health or substance use disorder services. They draw upon their experiences to help peers find hope and support their recovery. The peer's own life experience uniquely equips them to provide support, encouragement, and resources to persons with mental health and/or substance use challenges.

Peer specialists work in various settings such as community clinics, peer run organizations, hospitals, crisis teams and more. CPSs may:

• Promote leadership and advocacy.
• Support individuals to express their dreams, strengths, and assets that encourage self-direction and choice.
• Assist in navigating the service system including assisting with engagement and bridging during transitions in care.
• Facilitate recovery groups.
• Share their own recovery stories that are relevant and helpful in overcoming the obstacles individuals and families are facing.

Are there employment opportunities?

HCA provides entry level training for certified peer specialists, but training is not a guarantee of employment. You must have the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by employers for specific jobs. Positions also require lived experience, sometimes in specific areas such as working with veterans, people experiencing being unhoused or families.

The Washington Peer Jobs database (launched June 2024) is an online platform dedicated to connecting individuals in behavioral health and substance use recovery fields with employment opportunities. The database provides:

• A centralized resource for peer support roles.
• Offers listings for job seekers and recruitment tools for employers.
• Aims to enhance workforce development by promoting careers in peer support, ensuring that individuals with lived experience can contribute to recovery services and support others on their journey to wellness.

Although opportunities for employment are increasing, they can be limited depending on your region. There is a distribution list for information about available positions, but positions are more often advertised locally and on internet job search sites. Employment opportunities are expected to continue to increase.

Sign up for the peer support distribution list to receive employment opportunity emails.

What are the requirements to become certified?

You must self-identify as a person with lived experience with mental health or substance use services with at least one year of living in recovery, or be a parent or legal guardian of a child (under the age of 18) with lived experience with mental health or substance use services. Applicants must  demonstrate reading and writing comprehension.

Download frequently asked questions (FAQs) about peer specialists.

Learn more about becoming a certified peer specialists and where to receive training on the peer specialists page.

How can my organization receive support with our peer support program?

HCA has an Operationalizing Peer Support (OPS) program that offers assistance to organizations with existing peer programs or those who are interested in offering peer support. Learn more about OPS, including resources and training on the organizations with peer support programs page.