Organizations with peer support programs
HCA’s Operationalizing Peer Support (OPS) program supports agencies and organizations who want to begin offering or already offer peer support services. OPS offers expert guidance on the effective implementation, enhancement, and operationalization of peer support services within systems of care.
Stay informed on the OPS program.
Eligibility requirements
- Supervisors of peer support workers
- Behavioral health administrators
- Leaders implementing peer support services
- Human Resources or compliance staff supporting peer support workforce development
What support does the Operationalizing Peer Support (OPS) program offer?
The OPS program provides support to agencies, organizations, or individual providers who are current administrators or supervisors of peer support specialists. Our goal is to give leaders the knowledge, tools, and practices they need to create sustainable, high-quality peer support programs. OPS provides a space for you to bring questions, challenges, and ideas related to peer support supervision.
The services that OPS offers include the following:
- OPS technical assistance: Free technical assistance to provide one-on-one guidance. Our program manager helps you set up or enhance your peer support program.
- OPS training: This training delivers evidence-based knowledge and practical tools that are essential for peer support supervision and administration. Through the OPS training, you will:
- Learn how to align your program with state laws, ethical standards, and leading practices.
- Gain insight into creating a recovery-oriented organizational culture.
- Engage in open dialogue with other supervisors and administrators by sharing collective wisdom in a supportive and judgment-free environment.
- Monthly webinars: Webinars explore topics relevant to organizations that provide peer support services in both Medicaid-reimbursed and non-Medicaid settings.
- Weekly office hours: Office hours are casual, drop-in meetings that provide real-time connections and problem-solving support.
Sign up for OPS updates to receive information on these services or contact the OPS program for individual support.
- OPS training
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This virtual training consists of evidence-based knowledge and leading practices that are essential for peer support supervision and administration. It also provides opportunities for an open dialogue, in a trauma-informed environment. Use the registration link to sign up.
Monthly training schedule Dates Time October 8, 13, 15, and 22 (session full) 9 a.m. to noon November 3, 5, 10, and 17 (session full) 1 to 4 p.m. December 8, 10, 15, and 17 9 a.m. to noon January 5, 12, 19, and 26 (2027) 1 to 4 p.m. - Monthly webinars
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OPS offers an engaging and interactive monthly webinar series that combines the best of a book club with professional development. Each month, current administrators and supervisors of peer specialists will read one module from the new 80-hour Certified Peer Specialist training before our live session.
* Preregistration for the webinars is required. All webinars are from 11 a.m. to noon on the scheduled dates.
Webinar schedule Dates Title Materials October 28, 2026 Module 7: Behavioral Health Recovery September 30, 2026 Review of all previous modules Modules 1 through 6.3 below August 26, 2026 Module 6.3: Generational recovery - peer support and older adults Resource shared in webinar
July 22, 2026 Module 6.2: Generational recovery - family peer support June 25, 2026 Module 6.1: Generational recovery - youth voice and choice May 27, 2026 Module 5: Creating cross-cultural partnerships January 28, 2026 Module 4: Ethics and boundaries in peer support December 17, 2025 Module 3: Peer partnerships and strength-based communication November 19, 2025 Module 2: Trauma informed care in peer support October 22, 2025 Module 1: The certified peer specialist role September 24, 2025 Introduction to the series Slides from webinar - Weekly office hours
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Office hours are drop-in meetings for providers who supervise peer specialists or administer peer support services.
On the third Monday of each month, Ted Dale from the Department of Health will be joining office hours.
OPS office hours information Dates Time How to join Every Monday 1 to 2 p.m. Microsoft teams meeting link - Resources for operating a peer support program
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Billing
Toolkits
- City of Philadelphia peer support toolkit
- Southern Plains Tribal health board peer support toolkit
- VHA Peer support toolkit
- Dimensions: Peer support program toolkit
- Integration peer support in crisis care settings toolkit
- Peer support integration guidelines for Vermont's enhanced mobile crisis services
Ethics
- National practice guidelines for peer specialists and supervisors
- CPSS/CPSST code of ethics and professional conduct
Documentation
- Individual service record content (WAC 246-341-0640)
- HCA documentation training
- Documentation done right part 4: Additional Resources for Peer Support Delivery Services (you will need to create a free account to access)
Supervision of peers
- Supervision of peer specialists handbook
- Supervision of peer support specialists (PeerTAC)
- Peer support specialists supervisor job description
- SAMHSA supervisor of peer workers self-assessment
- Intentional peer support co-reflection guide
Peer workforce resources
- Medicaid (Title XIX) State Plan
- Department of Health Behavioral health agency (BHA)
- Department of Health CPSS/CPSST
- HCA Peer support website
Laws related to peer support services in Washington
- Certified Peer Specialists and Certified Peer Specialist Trainees (WAC 246-929)
- Certified Peer Specialists (Chapter 18.420 RCW)
- Counselors (Chapter 18.19 RCW)
- Peer Support Services (Chapter 70.385 RCW)
- Businesses and professions (Title 18 RCW)
- Agency affiliated counselor practicing as peer counselor - No automatic denial of applicant with past conviction for certain offenses - Conditions (RCW 18.19.095)
- Reports - Duty to notify (RCW 26.44.030)
- Telemedicine training for health care professionals (RCW 43.70.495)
- Certified peer specialists - Course of instruction - Duties (RCW 71.24.920)
- Certified peer specialists - Supervision caseload reduction (RCW 71.24.922)
Certified peer counselor WAC sections
- Chapter 182-115 WAC
- 182-115-0100 - Certified peer counselor
- 182-115-0300 - Peer specialist supervisor training
Certified peer specialist WAC sections
- Chapter 182-116 WAC
- 182-116-0100 - Certified peer support specialist and certified peer support specialist trainee - general
- 182-116-0200 - Certified peer support specialist and certified peer support specialist trainee - application, training, examination, and authority approval
- OPS program training recordings
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The OPS program offers additional bonus training materials to enhance to learning experience beyond the virtual OPS training. The following training link supplements the material covered in the 12-hour virtual OPS training:
- DOH Certified peer support specialists in Washington
- DOH Behavioral health agency licensing and certification
- Tribal health billing guide
- When a CPSS/CPSST also needs a registered AAC credential
- Peer providers: billing and encountering Medicaid services
View a list of all OPS recordings on our OPS YouTube playlist.