People in recovery from psychiatric disabilities, researchers and others from around the country gathered in Philadelphia in mid- July to create a new national trade association -- newly named the Peer Specialist Alliance of America (PSAA) -- that will promote the emerging profession of certified peer specialist.
The participants -- representing a "who's who" of national and regional mental health advocacy, service and research organizations -- met to establish the organization (originally called the National Alliance of Peer Specialists) in response to the growing influence of the new profession of peer specialist -- that is, people in recovery from psychiatric disabilities who are employed to help their peers work toward their own recovery, often in places where credentialing requirements have traditionally excluded consumers from staff positions.
"Peer specialists offer hope because they are walking, talking examples of recovery," said Joseph A. Rogers, president and CEO of the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania (MHASP), which organized the meeting and which is fostering the peer specialist initiative throughout Pennsylvania. MHASP's Institute for Recovery and Community Integration teaches aspiring peer specialists the skills for providing peer support -- such as how to help others with problem solving and goal setting -- as well as serving as a model for recovery.
Job Openings
Employment opportunities for certified peer specialists and related administrative postions.
The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR), Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases (MHDDAD) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Certified Peer Specialist Project Director to provide management of the Certified Peer Specialist Project. Link: DHR's website for the full job description
Bellevue Hospital in New York City is seeking peer counselors for internships on inpatient psychiatric units at Bellevue Hospital in New York City under the supervision (in part) of peer counselors on the units. The aim would be for the interns to assume paid part-time positions as peer counselors with an eventual goal of paid full-time work. If you are interested, please contact Christopher Fallows, a peer counselor at Bellevue.