National Association of Peer Supporters Endorses the PEER Support Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Association of Peer Supporters Endorses the PEER Support Act

WASHINGTON (September 6, 2023)–The National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.), the leading organization representing peer support specialists across the nation, proudly endorses the Providing Empathetic and Effective Recovery (PEER) Support Act, cosponsored by Senator Tim Kaine and Senator Mike Braun. This landmark legislation aims to address barriers faced by peer support specialists, ensuring the provision of quality care to individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges.

The PEER Support Act encompasses vital provisions that will elevate the role of peer support specialists, improve their professional recognition, and enhance their ability to serve individuals in need. N.A.P.S. recognizes the significance of these measures and firmly believes that they will positively impact the peer support specialist profession and the communities they serve.

One of the key aspects of the PEER Support Act is its directive to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to revise the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. This revision will create a distinct classification for peer support specialists, ensuring accurate data reporting on the peer support profession. Since 2018, N.A.P.S. has led the effort for peer support specialists to have their own SOC including reaching a consensus definition for peer support specialists from the peer support workforce and gaining national partner support. Accurate representation of the peer support specialist workforce is critically needed to comprehensively collect employment and age data to assess the impact of peer support specialists and advocate for the resources and recognition they deserve.

Additionally, the bill seeks to codify the Office of Recovery within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This formal recognition will strengthen SAMHSA’s commitment to promoting recovery-oriented services, leverage the expertise of lived experience leadership, and further enhance the integration of peer support within healthcare treatment systems.

The PEER Support Act also highlights the importance of addressing potential hiring barriers faced by peer support specialists. By instructing the Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Department of Justice, to research states’ criminal background screening processes, the bill aims to identify any hindrances to the certification or practice of peer support specialists. Evidence-based recommendations will then be provided to overcome these barriers, ensuring equitable opportunities for peer support specialists to serve their communities.

N.A.P.S. applauds Senator Kaine for his unwavering commitment to advancing the field of peer support and championing the PEER Support Act. His dedication to improving the lives of individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges is commendable, and his leadership in introducing this critical legislation is a testament to his advocacy for equitable and effective recovery services.

As the leading organization representing peer support specialists nationwide, N.A.P.S. is proud to endorse the PEER Support Act and will actively support its passage. We urge Congress to unite in supporting this legislation, recognizing its potential to transform the lives of individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use conditions.

About the National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.):
The National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.) is a leading professional organization dedicated to promoting the value of peer support specialists and advancing the field. N.A.P.S. provides resources, education, and advocacy to support the professional development and recognition of peer support specialists, with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for individuals experiencing trauma, distress, and mental health and substance use challenges.
 
Media Contact:
KC Carpenter
[email protected]

###

National Association of Peer Supporters is the professional association for the peer support workforce in the United States. A nonprofit membership association founded in 2004, N.A.P.S. aims to grow the peer support profession by promoting the inclusion of peer specialists in health care and community systems.