Incorporating Peer Support Into Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services Part 2: Peer Specialists In Practice E290

Course Summary

Practice Level: Intermediate

Peer support services enhance traditional substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and services by connecting people who are experiencing problematic substance use to others who have lived experience with problematic substance use and recovery. Peer support services have experienced rapid growth and improve treatment outcomes; however, many providers are unfamiliar with and unknowledgeable about this effective intervention. 

This two-part course series is designed for social workers, psychologists, counselors, and marriage and family therapists in care continuums who work with those affected by SUDs. It examines the key aspects and functions of peer support services and educates providers about peer support workers’ services and skills.  This learning material, which uses Chapters 4, 5, and 7  from TIP 64 Incorporating Peer Support into Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services, examines how to successfully integrate peer support services into SUD treatment programs, describes the supervision of peer specialists including challenges and supervisor competencies, and provides information to clinician about peer support services for families with members involved in SUD treatment.

Course Format

This course contains downloadable online lessons (PDF) and a practice test.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the successful integration of peer support services (PSS) into substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs.
2. Explain the supervisor’s role and tasks in PSS.
3. Recognize challenges that supervisors of PSS workers may face.
4. Identify ways family peer specialists can support families affected by problematic substance use.

Course Syllabus

• Chapter 4: Why and How to Integrate the Peer Specialist Position Into Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs
• Chapter 5: Supervision of Peer Specialists
• Chapter 7: How Family Peer Specialists Can Help Families Affected by Problematic Substance Use

Authors

SAMHSA

SAMHSA – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SAMHSA leads public health efforts that advance the behavioral health of the nation and its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on communities in America.

William A. Cook, Ph.D

William A. Cook, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who worked for 15 years in private practice in Montana before leaving his practice to work full time as the Director of CE4Less. He earned his doctorate degree from Texas A&M University, and focused much of his psychology practice in the area of child and family counseling, as well as psychological testing.

Accreditation Approval Statements

CE4Less.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE4Less.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CE4Less.com, provider #1115, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/8/24-8/8/27.

Social workers completing this course receive 5 general continuing education credits.

CE4Less.com has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6991. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CE4Less.com is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Level Education Group, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0835.