National Association of Peer Supporters

News

What it Takes Book Cover

N.A.P.S. Members Author Guide to Peer Support

What it Takes: Wisdom from Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors is about the practice of peer support from its origins in self-help to its continuing evolution as a profession.

It provides some history, research, values, and guidelines of peer support brought together from conference presentations from real-world practitioners. Written by NAPS members for NAPS members and others, it aligns with foundational memes: “Nothing about us without us” and “Each one Teach one.”

Each chapter contains information from the front-line practitioners and peer support allies who are crafting the profession on a daily basis. The purpose of this edition is to provide one of the first guides to peer support work from a peer-led authoritative source.

The field has grown rapidly with a need to provide the basic information for those entering its ranks. The book is intended to provide the latest information on a philosophy and profession that is at the forefront of the transformation of behavioral health services from a medical model satisfied with symptom relief and stability to a recovery model determined to inform those with a diagnosis of mental illness that a quality life is possible and doable.

Get on Amazon

Article Urges Supervisors to Safeguard Peer Support Values at Work

Washington, DC (July 13, 2021) — The National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.) announces the publication of “National Practice Guidelines for Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors” in Psychiatric Services, a journal of the American Psychiatric Association.

The article reinforces the crucial role of supervisors in protecting the integrity of peer support services, particularly as a projected 1 million additional peer support specialists are needed to meet the increased demand for behavioral health services in the United States. The authors point to N.A.P.S. guidelines that were developed specifically to help peer supervisors integrate twelve core peer support values into their professional practices. The National Practice Guidelines for Peer Specialists and Supervisors offers not only new ideas but also concrete, practical guidance that supervisors can apply in their day-to-day work.

N.A.P.S. Board President Dana Foglesong said, “Rapid growth of the peer support workforce carries a risk that peer support values will be undermined in treatment settings that don’t have an ingrained recovery orientation. Supervisors play a critical role in helping peer support specialists uphold these values, and our hope is that the National Practice Guidelines for Peer Specialists and Supervisors will better equip supervisors to preserve the quality and values of peer support services.”

The article “National Practice Guidelines for Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors” can be found in Psychiatric Services at https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000901

To read the National Practice Guidelines for Peer Specialists and Supervisors, see https://www.peersupportworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/National-Practice-Guidelines-for-Peer-Specialists-and-Supervisors.pdf

###

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.

united states capitol, washington, building-6401252.jpg

Leading Mental Health Organizations Strongly Support New Bipartisan Peer Support Legislation Introduced in the Senate

CONTACT:
Jillian Hughes
[email protected]
571.319.9594

Leading Mental Health Organizations Strongly Support New Bipartisan Peer Support Legislation Introduced in the Senate 

Alexandria, VA (June 24, 2021) – Leading mental health organizations, including the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), Mental Health America (MHA), the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), the National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S) and the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW), strongly support new bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) to provide Medicare coverage of peer support services for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders who are being treated in primary care and receiving integrated behavioral health services. The bill clarifies that nothing in the Medicare statute prohibits peer support specialists from providing services billed as part of integrated behavioral health. It specifies that peer support specialists’ services may be billed under the collaborative care and other behavioral health integration codes in Medicare. This bill is companion legislation to H.R. 2767 in the House of Representatives introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) and Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE).

Peer support specialists are people with lived experience of a mental health or substance use disorder who have completed specialized training and are certified to deliver support services under appropriate state or national certification standards. This legislation provides the first comprehensive definition of peer support specialists in federal Medicare law. Peer support specialists assist individuals in achieving their recovery goals by furnishing emotional, informational, and other support services to individuals who have been diagnosed with a mental illness — including dementia — or a substance use disorder.

This legislation recognizes the unique role of peer support specialists as they complement therapists, case managers, and physicians as part of a coordinated team. Peer support promotes recovery by helping individuals better engage in services, manage physical and mental health conditions, build support systems, and, ultimately, live self-directed lives in their communities. Under this proposed legislation peer support specialists may be included as part of an integrated behavioral health team that includes a primary care doctor, a consulting psychiatrist, a care manager, and others.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recognizes peer support as an effective, evidence-based practice. According to SAMHSA, the proven benefits of peer support include reduced hospital admission rates, increased social support and social functioning, and decreased substance use and depression.[1] A 2018 analysis showed that providers with peer services had 2.9 fewer hospitalizations per year and saved an average of $2,138 per Medicaid-enrolled month in Medicaid expenditures.[2] As of January 2021, nearly all states allow Medicaid to be billed for peer support services.

The Veterans’ Health Administration has recognized the value of peer support specialists to serve Veterans with mental health and substance use conditions. For example, a 2012 White House Executive Order to improve mental health access for veterans included a directive to hire additional peer support specialists.[3]

The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated a pre-existing behavioral health workforce shortage that is particularly acute in rural areas and communities of color. This policy change represents an opportunity to develop a peer workforce that reflects the communities to be served and understands their unique mental health needs by expanding access to recovery services in primary care.

It is for these reasons that NASMHPD, MHA, DBSA, N.A.P.S and ABHW strongly support Sen. Cortez Masto’s and Sen. Cassidy’s measure to provide Medicare coverage for peer support services for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders in integrated behavioral health programs, and why we urge speedy passage of this key legislation.

 

[1] “Peers Supporting Recovery from Mental Health Conditions,” Substance and Mental Health Services Administration, 2017.
[2] Bouchery, E., Barna, M., Babalola, E., Friend, D., Brown, J., Blyler, C., Ireys, H., The Effectiveness of a Peer-Staffed Crisis Respite Program as an Alternative to Hospitalization, Psychiatric Services, August 2018
[3] Executive Order — Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families, August 31, 2012.
agriculture, wheat field, wheat

An Opportunity for Growth and Change

2020 has been full of challenges and for many of us, crisis. The coronavirus impacted each of us on a personal, family, and community level. This ongoing pandemic will continue to alter our lives.
In May, our country’s history and present reality of racism came front and center with the killing of George Floyd. For some the harsh reminder of racism has brought tremendous pain, while others an acknowledgement that we have more to learn about antiracism and how to act to fight against racism.

As the trade association for the peer support profession, N.A.P.S. understands that racism, along with other forms of discrimination, is structural and systemic. Systems employing peer support specialists can harbor discriminatory and stigmatizing policy and practices, and peer support specialists may also face additional societal stigma and discrimination based on class, ethnicity, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, etc. We also know that discrimination, racism, and other forms of oppression impact the people in various systems whom peer support specialists serve.

While N.A.P.S. has made efforts to engage a diverse group of individuals from marginalized social groups, our Board recognized during our October strategic planning session that we can do better. We agreed to take proactive steps to increase the participation of underrepresented individuals and social groups in the membership and leadership of N.A.P.S.

One of the core values of peer support from N.A.P.S. National Practice Guidelines is that peer supporters facilitate change. The N.A.P.S. Board of Directors is committed to growth and change through the development of intentional practices and policies that support an organizational culture of acceptance, safety, and welcoming for all individuals. We continue to learn through this process and look forward to sharing this with you as we learn and grow from it.

Crisis as an opportunity for growth and change is a foundational concept to the peer support profession. Turning trauma, crisis, and chaos into meaningful change requires thinking in a new way, seeing in a new way, and responding in a new way. We hope you will join us in this effort.

Take care of yourself and your community,

Dana Foglesong
President, N.A.P.S. Board of Directors

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
National Association of Peer Supporters

iNAPS Rebrands as the National Association of Peer Supporters

iNAPS has reorganizied and rebranded as the National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.). With this change N.A.P.S. has a new logo (see above) and is now officially the International Association of Peer Supporters, Inc doing business as the National Association of Peer Supporters, Inc.

To align more closely with the mission of N.A.P.S., we will prioritize the development of a professional association of peer support specialists by recruiting and uniting peer support workers as members of the professional association. N.A.P.S. will direct its focus to providing services to their members and promoting the interests of peer support specialists.

N.A.P.S. will continue conversations with peer support workers in other countries to explore the establishment of an international coalition and continue to welcome individuals from across the world as both members and volunteers. N.A.P.S. will also build strong partnerships with international organizations, participate in global gatherings and coalitions, and work to advance collaborative, peer support initiatives world-wide.

N.A.P.S. leadership is moving forward with a laser-focused approach to growing and supporting their membership, and addressing workforce development issues that impose barriers to the growth of the peer support profession. Over the coming months the N.A.P.S. board will evaluate their capacity to search for and hire an Executive Director.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Skip to content