May 2026
Peer Support Workers in CARE
In the realm of social service, a peer is an individual who self-identifies as having lived experience with the recovery process and lives with a mental health or substance use disorder (SUD). A peer support worker uses this lived experience as the foundation in supporting others who are navigating similar circumstances. Peer support workers can play a critical role at each point in the CARE process, as their lived experience and recovery-oriented approach make them uniquely suited to build trust, foster engagement, and ensure person-centered care.
The new peers toolkit provides practical guidance and examples regarding how counties are integrating peer support workers throughout the CARE Act process. Examples include the following:
- Outreach and Engagement: Peer support workers often serve as the first point of contact for individuals and families, as they can set the tone for future engagement, foster trust, support continuity and transitions, assist with transportation, and enhance engagement.
- Court Support: Many counties also report the importance of including peer support workers in the courtroom, where they can use their lived experience to reduce CARE participants’ anxiety and fears about the court process.
- Training and Education: Counties recognize that successful integration requires training for peer support workers and the broader system, including interactive video simulations, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) training, as well as motivational interviewing and basic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
- Partnerships with Other Organizations and Programs: Counties are also leveraging other programs and external networks to strengthen CARE implementation, such as AOT and FSP teams, existing mental health and SUD programs, and external peer-run organizations.
The accompanying Sample Peer Support Worker Recruitment Resources is designed to support counties in developing job descriptions, interview processes, and role expectations for peer support positions within county BH CARE teams.