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This toolkit offers a comprehensive guide for integrating Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS) in HIV treatment and prevention settings. It provides evidence-based resources and practical tools for organizations to support people living with HIV and substance use challenges. By focusing on the intersection of HIV and substance use challenges, the toolkit emphasizes the unique role peers can play in enhancing care outcomes. It includes best practices for hiring, training, and supervising peer staff, as well as strategies for creating supportive and culturally competent organizational environments.

This toolkit provides a comprehensive collection of resources to help organizations assess and enhance their readiness for integrating peer recovery support services (PRSS). It is designed to guide organizational leaders and stakeholders through understanding the necessary commitment, culture, and infrastructure required to implement successful peer support programs. The toolkit offers evidence-based strategies, practical tools, and best practices for integrating or expanding peer support services, addressing diverse populations, and navigating challenges. Each section is accessible individually, allowing organizations to tailor their use of the toolkit to meet their specific needs and interests.

We are thrilled to bring you a special podcast series called "Amplifying Diverse Voices.” In these episodes, Wardell Royal III of our Health Equity team hosts discussions with featured guests from various backgrounds within the recovery movement. Our aim is to engage in dynamic conversations about their personal journeys and highlight the incredible work they are doing in their communities. Stay tuned as we amplify diverse voices and continue our mission to provide hope, support, and valuable insights for all those affected by substance use challenges.

This toolkit by the Association of Recovery Schools is an essential guide for communities seeking to establish a high school focused on supporting students in recovery from substance use and co-occurring disorders. This comprehensive resource offers step-by-step guidance on strategic planning, school organization, recovery practices, and educational frameworks tailored to the unique needs of these students. With a focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and academic excellence, this toolkit equips schools with the tools needed to foster a supportive environment for both students and their families.

This report presents an overview of the number of certified substance use and mental health peer support specialists across the U.S. Data was collected from state-approved certifying entities and state behavioral health agencies between August 2023 to July 2024. The report details the types of certifications available (substance use, mental health, or integrated) and provides per capita figures for peer support specialists in each state, district, and territory. This analysis helps illustrate the distribution and availability of peer support specialists nationwide.

For questions or to provide updated information, please contact us at info@peerrecoverynow.org.

Note: Updates made August 28, 2024

Sustainability: A Resource for Recovery Community Organizations was developed by a group of dedicated current and former RCO leaders who wanted to equip other leaders with the invaluable tools and resources they themselves wished they had during their organization's formative years.

This comprehensive resource is specifically designed for RCOs that have already secured their nonprofit status and are eager to strengthen their foundation, expand their programs and services, or move their organization into the next exciting phase of development. At this time, the resource is available exclusively in a digital format to ensure that the content and linked resources remain current and relevant as the field evolves.

Link to the guide - Sustainability: A Resource for Recovery Community Organizations

Demonstrating the value of peer recovery support services is important on multiple levels – for the program itself as well as for the larger peer support field. Although it is important to show the value of peer recovery support services, it can be challenging and resource-intensive to measure in a meaningful way. In partnership with OMNI Institute, we've published the Measuring Peer Recovery Outcomes Toolkit to help guide your program or organization through a values-driven process, resulting in an evaluation plan highlighting the most important aspects of peer recovery support. Information, worksheets, and resources are provided for each phase of the process, which includes identifying program values and related outcomes, choosing evaluation tools, plan implementation, and sustainability strategies.

Check out this video overviewing the toolkit!

Check out this webinar introducing the toolkit!

In this first episode of the year for us, we’ve brought Tim Saubers back to host a conversation around the intersection of harm reduction and peer support: moving beyond abstinence-based models. In December of last year, Tim hosted a similar conversation for his communities of practice series. In this episode, Tim talks with Jose Martinez of the National Harm Reduction Coalition, and Arc Telos Saint Amour and Shayn McDonald both of Youth MOVE National, to get their perspectives on the subject.

In late 2022, Tim Saubers, who leads our workforce development team, hosted a 6-month Skill Development Series for Peer Recovery Support Specialists. The series was so well attended and in demand, that we also offered it in early 2023. In this podcast series, Tim sits down to have a conversation with each facilitator to have a deeper discussion with them about their presentation and what it means for the field.

In this first episode of the series, I talk with Tim about his presentation on ethics within the provision of peer recovery support services. In addition to leading our workforce development team, Tim is a person with lived experience with both mental health and substance use challenges who got his start as a Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist in 2016, and has worked in direct support and supervisory roles. Tim has no formal education beyond his high school diploma and Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist Certification. He believes strongly in the value of his lived experiences and learned skills, and advocates for greater recognition and compensation of those without higher education across the field of behavioral health.

This document was developed by our workforce development team in order to provide a brief overview of the role of a peer specialist. It is intended to serve as an introduction and summary to the role of a peer specialist for those who may be new and/or unfamiliar with the role.

This month, we are bringing you another conversation with one of our organizational stakeholders. In this episode, we talk with Donald Gunther of Mary Hall Freedom Village.

This month, we are bringing you another conversation with one of our organizational stakeholders. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Mo of Straight Up Care.