Peer Support: State Credentials, Continuing Education, and Recruiting/Retention Strategies with Amy Spagnolo and Rita Cronise

In this webinar, Rutgers faculty members Amy Spagnolo and Rita Cronise talk about peer support services both in behavioral health and peer-run organizations, funding sources, and how funding has determined the differences in peer certification in each of the 50 states.

In addition to certification, they describe using requirements for continuing education as rungs on a academic career ladder either toward a first career or in career advancement. Two fully online programs were highlighted in the program: (1) an Undergraduate Certificate in Peer Support that provides support for local placement in a work related practicum that is supported by supervision and course faculty, and (2) a Masters in Health Care Management with a focus on Behavioral Health that is an ideal program for those seeking to become qualified as supervisors of peer support specialists. Finally, strategies for recruitment and retention of peer support specialists were discussed.