Maximizing Utilization of Peer Specialists in Community Mental Health: The Next Step in Implementation

The successful implementation of peer support services in community mental health centers requires the maximum utilization of peer specialists in order to meet the needs of the consumer, the agency and the peer specialist so that they receive the full benefits of their employment. This study identifies factors that positively and negatively impact the referral to and utilization of peer support services by traditional providers and strategies for achieving optimal utilization.