Peer Support Workforce Shortages Anticipated: What You Can Do
By: Rita Cronise, Co-Director Peer Support Services Technical Assistance Center (PeerTAC)
In the Winter 2024 Issue of Behavioral Health News, there is a short article by PeerTAC based on the anticipated high number of openings for Peer Support Specialists/Advocates across the many programs that can now bill for services and the relatively few qualified applicants. What follows is an excerpt followed by a link to the full article.
“Imagine this: You are the manager in a behavioral health agency that has decided to hire peer support providers in your workforce. This position can give the agency a boost in revenue, additional help in needed areas with personnel shortages, and hope and practical help to service participants. You have posted the peer support provider positions on all major job search sites. Crickets. (No responses!)
You quickly find out there are no qualified peer providers available to hire. Why? Quite simply, there is more demand for peer support providers than supply (Cronise, 2024).”
The Behavioral Health News article gives ideas for helping to recruit people into the workforce and provides information for those interested in a career in peer support about where to get training and a credential (for youth or family peer advocates) or certification (for peer support specialists and recovery peer advocates) to be able to find employment supporting the population they want to work with.
For more, visit Behavioral Health News, Winter 2024 Issue. View the Full Article here. https://behavioralhealthnews.org/peer-support-workforce-shortages-anticipated-what-you-can-do/
Learn More About Certification/Credentialing of Peer Specialists/Advocates
- Academy of Peer Services
- NY Peer Specialist Certification Board
- Families Together in New York State
- Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of New York State (NYASAP)
- National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.) New York Peer Advancement Network
- PeerTAC
Reference:
Cronise, R. (2024). Peer Support Workforce Shortages Anticipated: What You Can Do. Behavioral Health News, Winter 2024 Issue.