Who are Peer Support Specialists?
A Peer Support Specialist (PSS) is an individual who is personally living well in recovery from a serious mental illness. A Peer Support Specialist uses their recovery story to instill hope. They provide support to adult peers and assist them in reaching and maintaining their personal recovery goals. In addition, a PSS can serve as an advocate, provide information, help access community resources, and model competency in recovery and wellness. Peer Support Specialists promote skills for improving mental and physical wellbeing and increasing resiliency. They promote self-determination and support peers in maintaining relationships and increasing a higher level of control and satisfaction over their lives.
Where do Peer Support Specialists work?
Peer Support Specialists are employed in mental health facilities, social service agencies, peer run recovery centers, peer run respites, integrated health homes, hospitals, prisons, with law enforcement agencies and other healthcare organizations. Peer Support Specialists may also serve on a variety of advisory boards and committees at local, state, and national levels.
Peer Support Specialist Trainings
To be eligible for this training, you must:
- be at least 18 years old,
- have a GED or high school diploma,
- have or had a serious mental illness, and
- be living well in recovery.
Peer Support Specialist (PSS) Training July 2025
Applications: Applications for PSS July 2025 training will open on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at noon/12:00 p.m. At that time, a link to apply will be posted here.
In-Person Training: Monday, July 21 - Friday, July 25, 2025, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Coralville
Training Details
Content
- History of the Peer Support Movement
- Challenging Stigma
- Five Stages of Recovery
- Role of the Peer Support Specialist
- Strengths & Resilience
- Trauma-Informed Approach Principles
- Ethics & Boundaries
- Wellness & Self-Care
- Advocacy (individual and system)
- Engagement Skills (active listening, effective use of personal recovery story, navigation of resources, cultural humility)
- Motivation & Self-Management Skills (problem-solving, goal setting, shared decision-making, action planning for prevention and recovery)
Grounded in adult learning theory, this training:
- Covers competencies for Peer Support Specialists set by Mental Health America, SAMHSA, and the Iowa Peer Support Specialist Scope of Practice
- Meets quality training standards
- Prepares participants for certification by the Iowa Board of Certification
Training
You must commit to attending the entire training. In-Person Training consists of one week of all day training Monday - Friday.
Lodging Information
You must arrange and pay for your own lodging (if applicable). If you are currently employed as a Peer Support Specialist, check with your employer about covering these expenses.
Cost
This training is FREE, however, trainees must pay for their own lodging, food and travel costs. If you are currently employed as a Peer Support Specialist, check with your employer about covering these expenses.
Meals
You must make arrangements for your own food. You will have an hour during in-person training for lunch. There are many food options near the training sites. Most training locations do not allow outside food to be brought into the venue.
Accommodations
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this training, please contact us at 319-467-4288 or 319-467-4296 or email us at lauren-vorwald@uiowa.edu.
Peer Support Specialist FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What level of education do I need to take the training?
You must have a high school diploma or GED.
What skills do I need to be a Peer Support Specialist?
The training will provide you with in-depth knowledge and skills. However, in general the PSS role involves the ability to:
- Model effective coping and self-help techniques.
- Work with individuals from diverse socio economic and cultural backgrounds.
- Attend workplace meetings and complete agency requirements.
- Assist people with finding community and natural supports and teaching them how to utilize these services.
- Advocate for someone’s needs and accompany them to meetings as needed.
- Work as a member of an interdisciplinary team focusing on each persons need for recovery.
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Adhere to confidentiality and understand protected health information.
- Maintain records and provide accurate documentation.
- Use computers ( i.e. Basic computer skills-email, web searches, word processing).
- Ability to maintain a part-time or full-time work schedule.
- Willing to share your own personal story of living with and recovery from a mental illness.
Are there age limits to take the training?
You must be 18 years of age to take Peer Support Specialist training.
How do I apply?
When applications are open there will be a link above to click and apply for Peer Support Specialist Training.
- Applications will be screened when the application process closes.
- At this time, Peer Support Specialist training is being prioritized for individuals currently employed as a PSS. Those with a pending employment opportunity will also be considered.
- Training acceptance notifications will be sent via email. Applicants can expect to receive a notification around 4 weeks before the start of training.
For questions, please email us at lauren-vorwald@uiowa.edu.
Pathways To Become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
Peer Support Specialist Training
In-person training: 40 hours
+
Ethics training: 6 hours
= 46 hours of training approved by IBC
Peer Recovery Coach Training
Recovery Coach Academy: 30 hours
+
Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaches:16 hours
= 46 hours of training approved by IBC
Iowa Board of Certification Requirements
Application
+
Hours
+
Supervision hours
+
Exam
Peer Recovery Specialist
Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) Requirements
Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) certification is administered by the Iowa Board of Certification (IBC). For detailed information, please refer to the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) Handbook and PRS Application at https://iowabc.org/prs/. If you have questions about certification, contact the IBC office at 515-965-5509 or email info@iowabc.org.