Review the Provision Standards for Peer Specialists #
The Provision Standards for Peer Specialists outlined in the Texas Administrative Code can work as a guideline for what type of duties you should be doing in order to count hours worked toward your certification. The standards list 3 categories:
- recovery and wellness support, which includes providing information on and support with planning for recovery;
- mentoring, which includes serving as a role model and providing assistance in finding needed community resources and services; and
- advocacy, which includes providing support in stressful or urgent situations, and helping to ensure that the recipient’s rights are respected.
These standards are general categories that Peer Specialists work should fall into. Depending on the organization a peer works at, their role can look very different. Here are some examples of job functions that fall into these categories:
- Support other peers in their recovery goals in groups or one-on-ones
- Connect peers to resources in the community
- Update and research new resources in the community
- Lead sessions on coping and wellness strategies
- Support peers in navigating community resources and their recovery/wellness plan
- Help peers set a goal/recovery/discharge plan
- Work with treatment team to support peer’s recovery plan
- Introduce peers to recovery pathways in their community
- Advocate for peers in their recovery/wellness plan