Question
What is a Peer Support Specialist, Family Peer Support Specialist, or Recovery Coach? What is the difference?
Answer
Iowa Peer Network is a peer-run organization that offers a platform for Peer Support Specialists, Family Peer Support Specialists, and Recovery Coaches across Iowa to network, connect, and engage with others in the supporter’s field. We offer opportunities to support and learn from each other. We do this by hosting meetings virtually, a message board to connect with other supporters across Iowa and the annual Peer Support Summit, a two-day Peer Support Summit held in May.
Iowa Peer Workforce Collaborative provides the initial training for Peer Support Specialists, Family Peer Support Specialists, and Recovery Peer Coaches to grow the workforce and organizations that employ peers. They also provide regular continuing education (such as ethics) to help Peer Support maintain their certification and resources for agencies and organizations across Iowa that have a peer workforce.
Both organizations get funding from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services in order to support the Peer Support workforce.