North Carolina's Peer Support Specialist Program

An initiative of the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services

What is a Peer Support Specialist?

Peer Support Specialists are people living in recovery with mental illness and / or substance abuse and who provide support to others whom can benefit from their lived experiences. The North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist Program provides acknowledgment that the peer has met a set of requirements necessary to provide support to individuals with mental health or substance abuse issues.

Vision for Peer Support in North Carolina

To develop a qualified Peer Support Specialist workforce that has the support, access, credibility, competency, respect and the valued role within the mental health and substance abuse service delivery system to positively impact the lives of individuals experiencing mental health and addiction challenges.  This is accomplished through the NC Certified Peer Support Specialist Program.

As of 05/22/2013 there are 894 Certified Peer Support Specialists in North Carolina.

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Demographics Data - Click the Chart

Guiding Values for Peer Support in North Carolina 

• Individuals with lived experience have an essential role to play in the public mental health/substance abuse service system and are considered peer supporters.
• The roles that are created for peers within the service system should fully utilize the lived experience of the peer supporter, viewing it as a credential that the individual brings to the work that they do.  
• Lived experience is necessary and on-going skill development for peer supporters is essential.
• The recovery environment of the workplace is fundamental to the success of peer supporters and recovery for the individuals served.
• Peer supporters are highly valued members of an agency; therefore, are fully integrated members of the mental health/substance abuse service delivery system. 
• Equality and respect between peer supporters and traditional professionals must be reciprocal.
• Choice and self-determination are important components in everyone’s recovery, including individuals receiving and providing services. 
• Recovery is possible for every individual.

Who is eligible to apply for the NC Certified Peer Support Specialist Program?

Individuals may qualify to become Certified Peer Support Specialists in North Carolina by meeting the following application criteria: 

• Be a current or former consumer of mental health and/or substance abuse services.
• Have a minimum of 1 year demonstrated recovery time prior to date of application.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have attended (face to face in a classroom setting only) and successfully completed a Division of MH/DD/SAS approved 40 hour Peer Support Specialist training curriculum and have submitted a valid certificate from that training.
• Have completed an additional 20 hours of training and have valid certificates verifying attendance and participation.  These trainings should complement the type of service/program the individual will be working. (Training such as, but not limited to, Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP), Person Centered Thinking, Personal Assistance in Community Existence (PACE), Crisis Prevention, Veteran supports and interventions).
• Have submitted two (2) Personal Reference Forms completed by two (2) individuals, according to state requirements.