Abstract
As more systems of care deploy peer-based recovery support (P-BRS) programs, challenges to the effective use of P-BRS have
emerged. These include external challenges, embedded in the organization and culture of traditionally organized services,
and individual challenges, associated with the nonprofessional status of individual peer support staff members. The Living
Centers, recovery resource centers providing P-BRS, have developed methods for addressing these challenges. These include
organizing the P-BRS as stand-alone programs, having peer support staff and clients organize the P-BRS, emphasizing organizational
values and culture as the basis for staff training, and implementing measures designed to encourage accountability among peer
support staff. In the future, research into the types of barriers to P-BRS that may exist in traditionally organized behavioral
health services and the types and content of training that contribute to the provision of P-BRS will facilitate the use of
these services.
emerged. These include external challenges, embedded in the organization and culture of traditionally organized services,
and individual challenges, associated with the nonprofessional status of individual peer support staff members. The Living
Centers, recovery resource centers providing P-BRS, have developed methods for addressing these challenges. These include
organizing the P-BRS as stand-alone programs, having peer support staff and clients organize the P-BRS, emphasizing organizational
values and culture as the basis for staff training, and implementing measures designed to encourage accountability among peer
support staff. In the future, research into the types of barriers to P-BRS that may exist in traditionally organized behavioral
health services and the types and content of training that contribute to the provision of P-BRS will facilitate the use of
these services.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s11414-012-9286-y
- Authors
- Anthony J. Alberta, Colorado River Behavioral Health System, LLC, 1444 S. 4th Avenue, Yuma, AZ 85364, USA
- Richard R. Ploski, Colorado River Behavioral Health System, LLC, 1444 S. 4th Avenue, Yuma, AZ 85364, USA
- Scott L. Carlson, Sonoran Research Group, LLC, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Journal The Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research
- Online ISSN 1556-3308
- Print ISSN 1094-3412