Supporting the Peer Workforce: Evaluating the Impact of the Recovery Support Specialist Institute (RSSI) on Employment and Well-Being

Background Recovery Support Specialists (RSS), also commonly called Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), or Peer Recovery Support Specialists (PRSS) are integral to understanding the shifting behavioral health landscape. Although training programs exist, there is still a knowledge gap in how participants are impacted post program completion and long-term. Methods From April 2020 to May 2024, 199 participants from 17 distinct cohorts took part in the Recovery Support Specialist Institute (RSSI), a certified peer support training program affiliated with a large public university. All participants completed a pre-and post-program evaluation immediately before and after the course. In December 2023, an outcomes survey was sent to these same program graduates to better understand their experiences after completing the program. Participants were asked about their employment status, the type of work they are doing, and their quality of life before and after training. Results The average retention rate for the RSSI was 85%. From the 199 graduates, N = 33 (17%) responded to the outcomes survey. Of those who responded to the survey, reported employment increased from 8% pre-program training to 81% post-program completion. Among those employed, most worked in a behavioral health role. Respondents were also asked to rate their overall quality of life. Prior to training, 36% rated it as good or excellent, compared to 87% after. Conclusion Findings suggest that peer training through RSSI is associated with significant gains in both employment and self-perceived well-being. These results underscore the potential of structured peer-led programs to foster recovery and workforce integration.