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Organizational Culture

This section of the OSA asks you to identify how well prepared your organization is for the inclusion of PS/As. You will rate your organization’s current culture and attitudes toward PS/As.

For each competency, rate your organization’s level of competency according to the 3 point scale below the examples.

1 Competency 7: Our organization supports wellness activities beneficial to PS/As while encouraging all staff to develop individual and interdisciplinary team wellness plans.

Examples: Which of the following examples is most like your organization right now?

  • Needs Improvement (1) - PS/As are discouraged from sharing their personal experiences with recovery, wellness planning or self-care with other staff.
  • Adequate (2) - PS/As are encouraged to share their personal experiences 
with recovery, wellness planning and self-care with other staff.
  • Exemplary (3) - In addition to Adequate (above) - PS/As are encouraged to share with the whole organization and the community.
2 Competency 8: Our organization has at least one committed leader with the authority and responsibility to lead the inclusion of Peer Support Services.

Examples: Which of the following examples is most like your organization right now?

  • Needs Improvement (1) - PS/As are not supported or made to feel welcome by organizational leadership.
  • Adequate (2) - PS/As are supported and made to feel welcome by organizational leadership.
  • Exemplary (3) - PS/As have a dedicated “champion” who oversees the training of staff about peer support roles and the orientation of peer staff to the organization.
3 Competency 9: Our organization regularly seeks input from people receiving services and family members on changes that would improve the organization’s service delivery, particularly in areas of accessible, equitable, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, person-centered care.

Examples: Which of the following examples is most like your organization right now?

  • Needs Improvement (1) - PS/As, people receiving services, and family members are not asked for feedback on service delivery.
  • Adequate (2) - PS/As, people receiving services, and family members are asked for feedback on service delivery through standard methods such as satisfaction surveys.
  • Exemplary (3) - In addition to Adequate (above) - PS/As organize people receiving services and family members to advocate for improved access and culturally responsive, trauma informed services.
4 Competency 10: Our organization allocates role-specific resources needed for the professional growth, development, and successful retention of peer support staff.

Examples: Which of the following examples is most like your organization right now?

  • Needs Improvement (1) - PS/As do not have access to professional development comparable to other staff.
  • Adequate (2) - PS/As have access to professional development comparable to other staff.
  • Exemplary (3) - In addition to Adequate (above) - PS/As receive professional development benefits specific to peer support practice such as time off, travel, and registration costs to attend peer conferences, peer learning communities, or other peer-specific training opportunities.
5 Competency 11: Our organization offers opportunities for advancement within the peer support practice field so that PS/As do not need to exit the field to become eligible for promotion.

Examples: Which of the following examples is most like your organization right now?

  • Needs Improvement (1) - PS/As do not have an identified career ladder within the Peer Support Specialty.
  • Adequate (2) - PS/As have an identified career ladder and can advance within the Peer Support Specialty.
  • Exemplary (3) - In addition to Adequate (above) - PS/As can be promoted to leadership positions that carry an equivalent level of compensation and responsibility as other comparable positions.
6 Competency 12: Our organization has a plan to address and eliminate stigma, internal bias, and discrimination, which includes privilege, racism, and ableism in every facet of the organization.

Examples: Which of the following examples is most like your organization right now?

  • Needs Improvement (1) - PS/As are not involved in developing the plan to address stigma, internal bias, and discrimination.
  • Adequate (2) - PS/As are sought out and actively involved in developing the plan to address stigma, internal bias, and discrimination.
  • Exemplary (3) - In addition to Adequate (above) - PS/As are a part of putting the plan into action, which may include sharing lived experiences of stigma, biases, discrimination, privilege, racism and ableism to increase awareness by all staff in the organization.
7 Competency 13: Our organization has policies and procedures to ensure reasonable workloads and work hours for all staff, including PS/As.

Examples: Which of the following examples is most like your organization right now?

  • Needs Improvement (1) - PS/As are not educated on the policies and procedures that govern their work hours and workloads.
  • Adequate (2) - PS/As are educated on the policies and procedures that govern their work hours and workloads.
  • Exemplary (3) - In addition to Adequate (above) - PS/As can recommend changes to policies and procedures that account for the intensity of the work and emotional burden of the peer role.