The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), published National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification (PDF | 840) for substance use, mental health, and family peer workers. These national standards were created to integrate the peer workforce across the spectrum of the healthcare system. They will help strengthen President Biden’s proposed plan to improve the nation's mental health crisis, outlined in his 2022 State of the Union Address. When a person in crisis receives help from someone who has had a successful recovery, it considerably impacts their recovery.

SAMHSA collaborated with federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local partners, including peer specialists, and requested and incorporated public comments to develop the national model standards. Although these standards are not a substitute for state certifications, they help promote peer support, inclusion, and acceleration in the behavioral health care field. With these new model standards, states, territories, tribes, and others can help enhance the quality and align the standards and support of peer specialists across all areas.