The Roles of Peer Specialists in Promoting Competitive Employment

The roles that peer specialists can play in promoting competitive employment with the people they serve are delineated in this ‘Policy Guidance’ from the Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (P/OMHSAS) to county mental health offices and community-based programs. Because Pennsylvania’s peer specialist programs are Medicaid-funded, the Policy Guidance focuses on what types of employment-related services are and are not reimbursable under existing Medicaid guidelines, as well as approaches to documentation that can ensure the delivery of appropriate services and supports in the vocational arena. The Policy Guidance can serve as a useful tool in other Medicaid-funded state settings.