From Well-being to Well-doing: Findings from the Certified Peer Specialist Career Outcomes Study

Laysha Ostrow, PhD, will discuss the Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Career Outcomes Study which involved nearly 600 CPS in four states from 2020-2022. In data analyses, we compared the experiences of CPS individuals who work in peer support to those who work in other industries to understand the challenges and advantages of post-certification peer support work. This presentation highlights important findings related to workplace burnout, the relationship between wages and financial wellbeing, and how CPS are filling gaps in the service system in rural and other provider shortage areas. Overall, the findings point to areas where peer support jobs can improve, but also strengths that the CPS are bringing to the behavioral health workforce.

The presentation will conclude with a summary of next steps for study analyses, lessons learned from the project, and suggestions for future research and policy change that will support the growth and sustainability of the peer workforce. Additional information about this study, including publications, is available on the study website.

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