Peer Workforce Development

Peer Training and Internships

Peer Specialist work can be especially rewarding and meaningful, and there is a large and growing demand for Peer Specialists. As the only peer- run agency on Long Island, HALI is committed to building peer workforce capacity in our region, supported by funding from the Wellness Collaborative of NY to coordinate the Long Island Regional Peer Network.

Initiatives include:

• Training: Required training for NY Peer Specialists can be found free online at the Academy of Peer Services (APS): https://www.academyofpeerservices.org/ . For support with the APS process, HALI provides the APS Learning Collaborative – contact support@hali88.org for group times and access.
• Certification: NY Peer Specialist certification is administered by the NY Peer Specialist Certification Board: http://nypeerspecialist.org.
• Internships: Increase your skills before applying for a Peer Specialist job. HALI offers paid internship placements at Long Island peer employers. Interns receive a small stipend, ongoing training and support, and co-supervision. To fill out an application, contact support@hali88.org.
• Professional Association: HALI partners with the Long Island Peer Specialist Community of Practice, a independent professional association providing information, job opportunities, support, and advocacy for working Peer Specialists on Long Island.
  Membership is free.

Opportunities for Peer Employers

As the evidence base for peer services grows, we see an increased demand for peer professionals, particularly with the shift to managed care, and changed regulatory requirements in staffing models for crisis services, integrated care, and psychiatric rehabilitation. Yet recruitment, training, supervision, and retention of peers remain a challenge for many providers with a traditionally clinical model. HALI is committed to supporting the successful employment of peers in our region.

Contact us to participate in the Peer Specialist Internship Program. Free to the host site, HALI will match a paid peer intern to the program of your choice. We provide ongoing skills training, reflective practice, and co-supervision to interns, and ongoing technical assistance to host sites.

Contact support@hali88.org for more information or a Host Site application.