The Utah study of self-reported CPSS skills, satisfaction, and finances has shown remarkable similarity to the original Michigan study upon which it was based, despite the states' disparate locations and demographic differences. Peer roles shared the four most frequent professional responsibilities, suggesting role consistency across regions. Our review of wages suggests that peers in Utah earn more, but without improving financial fragility. Not more than 11% of either Utah or Michigan peers earned over $20 an hour, which is less than the average wage reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (17) for CHW healthcare para-professionals. Yet despite low wages for peers, 87% of peers in Utah reported job stability. Combined with the other indicators of job satisfaction, the reported workforce expectations and experiences align with findings in the literature of 57% career stability in the peer workforce (15). It is interesting to note that the reported job satisfaction persists despite low wages and financial fragility.
A notable similarity between the two states was 70–80% employer support for continuing education for peers, but support dropped off for professional advancement past entry-level. Yet peer services must move beyond frontline workers (33, 34). The Utah survey found that in-patient hospital and VA-employed peers had more average years of work experience, suggesting some worksite factors influence career stability. Overall, more peers are employed in out-patient settings, and in Utah 26% work in residential facilities. These are worksites with the lowest reported average wages.
It has been suggested that implementation of peer services must move beyond front-line workers ((33, 34). Credentialing an advanced standing for peers could provide advancement that would align with more advanced job roles or supervisory responsibilities of in-patient or institutional work settings. A notable similarity between the two states was 70–80% employer support for continuing education, however, employer support waned for professional advancement past entry level. Formal certification programs credentialed by state licensing could increase employer support for professional advancement opportunities that train peers for high-demand work settings, offering an additional argument to support wage growth for the peer workforce.
Peer advancement is connected to career laddering -- defined as the process in which individuals can move "up" or "over" to positions of higher responsibility, esteem, and corresponding pay (35). Historically and as indicated in survey responses, integration of peer support has been in entry-level positions. This can be intentional at times, to maintain certain classifications that allow for continued disability benefits for some peer workers, such as Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (33). This practice and thought processes however limits peer support roles to part-time, low-paying positions, and doesn't account for federal financial incentives for full-time benefit-protected work. The entry-level limitation has the potential to perpetuate stigma related to peer support employment and decreases the sustainability of these roles. Professional stigma toward the CPSS’s health history has been cited as an ongoing concern for full integration of peers into interprofessional health teams (15). Creating opportunities for individuals to progress throughout their career, earn more, and receive continuing education and credentials through career laddering addresses these problems of low wages, workplace stigma, and career sustainability (36).
Currently, there is variation across states in peer certification and standards, likely due, in part, to the CMS 2007 rule, p.3; "peer support providers must complete training and certification as defined by the State" (37). It has been suggested that career advancement requires better-defined peer roles and competencies (35). Consensus in defining and professionalizing peer services is reflected in recent publication of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) core competencies (38) and the National Association of Peer Supporters (NAPS)(39) national practice guidelines. This definition of roles, combined with supervision on specific peer competencies, will create potential for increasing managerial-level peer support positions, as advanced peers supervise new peers with clearly defined job roles (33).
The survey found that there is insufficient training to explain the roles of peers to non-peer professionals (U-34% and M-42% agree/strongly agree). Perhaps due to this lack of training, roughly 40% of peers in the Utah survey were not satisfied with the support they received from other professionals in the workplace. The lived experience aspect of peer support requires self-disclosure and may be a contributing factor to reports that 2/3 of peer workers report professional stigma in the workplace (15). Yet satisfaction with support from direct supervisors was high (U-87% agree/strongly agree). This suggests a training opportunity to reduce stigma or to provide a pathway to incorporating peers in integrated team-based care. Literature on stigma reduction states that increased contact with excluded and stigmatized groups can impact biases, but only when those in the stigmatized group are placed as equals (40). Researchers have proposed solutions to reduce this workplace bias (1, 40). One main solution proposed is providing training and education for non-peer staff on discrimination legislation, expectations for peer staff and non-peer staff, respect, and ethics (1). Our results suggest that these trainings are desired by peer workers. An actionable step that can be taken from these findings was implemented following the Michigan survey CPSS and CPRC (20) where state trainers developed and implemented a curriculum entitled ‘Supporting the Partnership Between Administrators, Supervisors and Peer Workers’ to reduce stigma through knowledge sharing and integration.
There are notable limitations to the study. First, the time delay (2017 Michigan vs. 2021 Utah) might impact financial comparisons, though inflation in the intervening period is estimated at less than 10% (41). In addition to standard temporal and cultural effects, the period included societal changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, there were differences in response rates, 35% in Michigan compared to Utah's 23% rate. Though both surveys yielded adequate sample sizes for analysis, both are subject to self-selection bias. Relatedly, the surveys could only be sent to those maintaining a current CPSS certification with the state. As such, there may be an over-representation of individuals that are 1) enjoying the work more, 2) have better working conditions, or 3) are physically, emotionally, and mentally capable of working as a CPSS. Lastly, our relatively homogenous sample did not include sufficient numbers of black, indigenous, and people of color to study that particular group specifically. The experiences and perspectives of this group of individuals are important to study in future research.
Recent meta-analytic review of the benefits of peer services indicates moderate support for increased treatment access to peer support as seen in reductions in time spent in hospital as a small but important benefit when peers are a part of a treatment approach (2). Review studies indicate peer support may have less measurable impact on some outcomes like psychiatric symptoms, but other outcomes such as empowerment, hope, and recovery levels show greater gains (14, 42). Peer support is expanding with integration into innovative programs that utilize lived experience background (25). Unlike other behavioral health workers, peers rely on their own stories that are directly applicable to clients. Our results show that both Utah and Michigan peers are confident in this core competency and utilize this skill often. Peers can also model recovery and instill hope that recovery is possible (25).
In conclusion, peer support is an evidence-based practice demonstrating a solid growth of the workforce across the nation. As a respected Medicaid reimbursable provider and vital member of the healthcare workforce, the peer specialist workforce can continue to grow with support from practitioners, program directors, and policy makers. Though we present arguments for an advanced credential, even the basic credentialling should be recognized through adequate compensation, career advancement, and workplace appreciation and inclusion. Practical administrative steps include stigma-reducing workplace policies and trainings, career laddering reflecting increased responsibility, sustainable wage and benefit packages consistent with career laddering, and a growing consensus and reinforcement around defined roles and competencies of peer support.