There are many different types of peer support in Michigan where peers are paid for providing peer services and support. These include peer run organizations like the Justice in Mental Health Organization (JIMHO), other Drop-in Centers, Power Branch, The Recovery Institute, Recovery Concepts of Michigan (RCM), Peer Choices and many other peer run organizations. Peer run organizations are sometimes called Peer Providers or Consumer-Operated Services. Some peer provider organizations are non-profit and some are for profit.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) just released the Consumer Operated Services Evidence-Based tool kit. It can be downloaded from the SAMHSA site if you are interested in learning more about peer-delivered services. There is also an older study by Jean Campbell on COSP available for download. There are a couple more studies in progress, but the results have not been released yet or the studies are still too young.

In Michigan one type of paid peer support is when peers go to a training sponsored by the Michigan Department of Community Health and becomes a Michigan Certified Peer Support Specialist. They can then provide services under the 1915b(3) Medicaid Specialty Services Waiver. This type of paid peer support is usually done through a community mental health service provider, but may also be done through a peer run organization or another non-profit provider.  When a Certified Peer Support Specialist provides services under the Medicaid Waiver they support, mentor and assist beneficiaries to achieve community inclusion, participation, independence, recovery, resiliency and/or productivity. There are over 900 Michigan Certified Peer Support Specialists as of August 2011.

Click here to view an excerpt from the Medicaid Provider Manual with updates on peer-delivered services.

In Michigan Certified Peer Support Specialists work on Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams, assist in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) groups, work in jail diversion programs, lead groups, and sometimes handle caseloads. Michigan Certified Peer Support Specialists also work in clubhouses, drop-ins, help people find housing, work in both supported employment and supported education, assist people in getting services, assist in or lead person-centered planning meetings, help people find ways to get into a more solid recovery, and do many other things not mentioned here.

Michigan Certified Peer Support Specialists are people who are willing to share their personal recovery stories. When a CPSS shares their story wonderful things can happen. People become inspired. Someone who has a mental illness/psychiatric diagnosis (like Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder or Depression) who has had some of the experiences common to other people with mental illness, who is positive and excited about their own recovery journey, and willing to share some of what worked for them, can provide a life changing experience for people who may not have had many positive experiences in relation to their illness.

To learn more about becoming a Michigan Certified Peer Support Specialist or about the Peer Support Specialist training, contact the Peer Liaison at your local community mental health service provider agency.