Why We Need Peer Support Specialist Professional Organizations
Peer Support Specialist is a new growing profession. Some of the signs of this growth include:
1) The steady increase in the number of jobs;
2) The expansion in the range of work done by Peer Support Specialists;
3) New state and federal rules governing the profession;
4) The growing number of educational opportunities specific to Peer Support Specialists;
5) The growth in local and national professional organizations specific to Peer Support Specialists.
If we look at virtually every other profession, as it developed there was at least one national organization that developed with it. Physicians have the American Medical Association. Social Workers have the National Association of Social Workers. These organizations help unify the practice of the profession and coordinate the voice of its members. Professional organizations are invaluable to the maturation of a profession. They help develop the role and advocate for members within the field in which they work.
At the national level for Peer Support Specialists, the primary organization currently serving this role is the National Association of Peer Supporters (NAPS). N.A.P.S was started in 2004 by a group of peer specialists in Michigan and has evolved and developed over the years. One of first things NAPS did was to create practice guidelines for the profession (NAPS, 2013). These types of shared guidelines are essential for any profession. They help further define the role and ensure quality and safety. They allow other people and other professions to know what to expect from Peer Support Specialists. They build trust, as clients and the public gain a sense that Peer Support Specialists are organized and predictable in what they are going to provide.
More recently, in response to complaints by members, NAPS convened a task force to develop guidelines on the supervision of Peer Support Specialists, resulting in a document that is designed to guide supervisors to support Peer Support Specialists in their efforts to work within their specialty. They have also been involved in advocating for national legislation supporting the expansion of the profession.
NAPS is still quite small relative to a selection of other professional organizations involved in mental healthcare. The number of members is not available but is likely below 2,000. Other organizations like the AMA or NASW are large (120,000+ members for NASW and 270,000+ for the AMA). They require individual membership dues that are from $200 to $500 per year, with the result that these organizations have millions of dollars to support their profession. Imagine what NAPS could do for the profession of Peer Support Specialists if they had 10% of those resources! NASW and AMA are an example of what NAPS could become if we support it. These organizations serve their members by:
1. Creating opportunities for members to meet, share information about their work, network, organize, and guide the organization.
2. Advocating for the interest of the profession and the members with other key entities including the national and local government, organizations that fund healthcare, organizations the represent other healthcare providers.
3. Creating, managing and updating the standards for the profession.
4. Addressing practice and ethical problems among the small number of members who act in ways that can give the profession a bad reputation.
5. Addressing immediate problems and threats to the profession.
6. Providing resources to members including educational resources and connections to other members.
What is likely to happen in the next 10 years in terms of professional organizations for Peer Support Specialists?
· Expansion of a national peer organization. This is most likely to be NAPS. It is very likely to grow in the number of members and the involvement of those members. It will be more involved in establishing the profession and in pushing the healthcare system to fully embrace Peer Support Specialists in every setting.
· Expansion of state-wide peer organizations. There are local issues that need to be addressed for the profession, and so local organizations for Peer Support Specialists will grow and/or be established to fill that role. Peer Support Specialists who have skills in organization and advocacy will hopefully get involved in these organizations to support the profession at the state and regional level.
· Expansion of rules and guidelines about Peer Support Specialists at the national, state and local level. As annoying as rules can be, they are necessary to ensure that the healthcare field and the public can trust Peer Support Specialists and know what they will provide. The current practice guidelines are likely to grow and be further refined. This will likely reflect new problems that arise as well as new roles and areas of work that Peer Support Specialists move into.
· Further development of licensure and credentialling processes. The current credentialling process for Peer Support Specialists is changing and improving. This will continue, as the field will want to ensure that there is a minimum level of quality in any Peer Support Specialist who has obtained certification.
· Development of lobbying efforts. NAPS is already involved in national lobbying to push legislators to support the expansion of the profession. This will continue. Other organizations such as NAMI and other professional organizations will likely help with this, as the expansion of Peer Support Specialists supports their vision for the future of mental health care.
How Can You Be Part of This:
Become a Member of NAPS: The decision to join NAPS is a key step. It involves paying dues – which can feel like a loss at the moment – what will you get for that fee? Fees are a classic example of short-term loss for long-term gain. If we all support NAPS, their budget grows and their resources for building the profession grow. Think of your involvement in NAPS and local organizations as part of your work – you are making an investment in the future of peer support and Peer Support Specialists. Don’t just pay your membership and forget it. Follow what NAPS is doing – read the news on their website. Look for ways to be involved in their efforts.
Attend the Annual Meeting: The most tangible (and enjoyable) way to be involved is by attending the annual NAPS meeting. The more people who attend, the more value it has. I have noticed that people who have not been to prior professional meetings are less motivated to attend. Some feel anxiety about what attendance might be like and so don’t go. I would encourage you to consider going. Try it at least once. You will meet a lot of new people. Most will be like you. Most will be very interested in peer support and talking with you and others about what you are doing in this area. You will find out new information about your work and the field that will help you be a better Peer Support Specialist. If you feel anxious about going, consider asking a colleague or friend to go with you. Conferences can be more fun when you share them with a colleague.
Engage in Committee Work: Consider volunteering for a committee either at NAPS, a local professional organization or even in your own organization. Committee work is part of the way things get done in healthcare. Committees can be exciting or boring, but you will meet other people and make a contribution to your field. Simply by being present, you are making a statement about the importance of Peer Supports Specialists.
Build New Local Groups: Most states have limited local organizations supporting Peer Support Specialists, and some states have no organizations. Consider helping to build local Peer Support Specialist organizations whether they are at the state or smaller level. Some of the most important conversations about the profession happen at these local groups, and they hopefully feed their input into the national group. A great example of an active and well established local Peer Support Specialist organization is the New York state organization, found at New York Peer Advancement Network (NY-PAN) - National Association of Peer Supporters (peersupportworks.org). Look at what they are doing and consider if you could be part of building that for your local area.
Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in promoting membership in NAPS or any other professional group. I have been a member of NAPS since 2023.
KEY WORDS: Peer Support Specialist, Professional Development, Peer Support Jobs