Glossary

The spectrum encompassing mental health and substance use disorders occurring either independently or simultaneously and the services that support prevention, treatment and recovery.

An individual with experience raising a child with behavioral health challenges trained and certified to use their experience navigating services in support of other parents.

An individual with experience in the mental health and substance use services system trained and certified to provide support to adults struggling to find a path to recovery.

A list of principles that guide peer professionals in their professional roles and relationships to deliver services that are respectful, safe, and effective; see Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist Code of Ethics, P-00972A (PDF).

A licensed or qualified behavioral health professional defined in Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 72.03(4) who provides supervision of peer recovery support services within state certified programs.

An integrated system of care that includes a comprehensive array of behavioral health services spanning all levels of intensity of care including prevention, early intervention, overdose prevention, treatment, psychosocial rehabilitation services, continuing care, and recovery services.

Knowledge, skills, and values that underscore effective peer recovery support services; see Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist Core Competencies, P-00972B (PDF).

A model of supervision where a peer professional is supervised by both a competent mental health professional and a peer supervisor, either individually or in groups, to guide and support delivery of peer recovery support services.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services; also Wisconsin DHS.

A practice, program, or service shown by systematic research to result (when properly implemented) in more desirable outcomes for individuals and populations compared to practice- or services-as-usual.

A phased process of exploring, preparing, taking action, and ultimately sustaining the integration of an innovative practice, program, or service into routine organizational operations.

Completing initial tasks such as forming a leadership team and considering relevant information to make an informed decision about moving forward with implementing an evidence-based service.

Completing tasks related to readiness, planning, and getting key policies, procedures, and infrastructure into place to support the selected evidence-based service.

Completing tasks related to directly supporting, monitoring, and improving delivery of the selected evidence-based service.

A group of individuals within an organization selected for particular expertise and perspectives who meet regularly to engage, coordinate, and complete implementation phase-based tasks.

Past or present experience with mental health or substance use challenges that forms the basis of peer professional expertise in the delivery of peer recovery support services.

Defining principle of peer support in which relationships are based on shared experience, mutual respect, and reciprocal learning.

A group of professionals from different disciplines working collaboratively to support service participants.

Relationships and resources within an individual’s personal network, such as family, friends, and community groups.

A staff role that does not involve diagnosis, clinical assessment, or treatment of mental health, substance use or any other medical disorders.

Core communication skills originally described in the practice of motivational interviewing adapted for use by peer professionals: ask Open questions, Affirm specific strengths, careful listening with Reflection, and Summarizing, plus Informing with ask-share-ask.

The resources, staffing, infrastructure, and readiness an organization has to successfully implement and sustain a new service.

A person with lived experience of recovery from mental health or substance use challenges.

A person with lived experience who provides peer recovery support services in a paid or volunteer role.

A peer professional who practices in the recovery field and who provides support and assistance to individuals who are in treatment or recovery from mental illness, a substance use disorder, or both.

A peer professional who can co-supervise peer recovery coaches with a competent mental health professional after meeting training and experience requirements; see Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 72.

Non-clinical services designed to meet the needs of individuals in or seeking recovery. These services are provided by peer recovery coaches and are designed to engage, educate, support, and assist individuals engaged in the recovery process.

Programs, organizations, or supports owned, operated, and controlled by people with lived experience in mental health or substance use disorder recovery. They offer non-clinical, strengths-based, and peer-driven support, focusing on empowerment and self-direction.

Supervision of the peer professional provided by a peer professional with lived experience.

Places individuals at the center of their own care, honoring their choices, needs, and strengths.

Maintains the integrity of individuals as whole human beings by removing language that equates people to a specific condition and emphasizes the individual before their disability, condition, or diagnosis. This fosters dignity and reduces stigma.

A non-linear process of change through which an individual improves their health and wellness, lives a self-directed life, and strives to reach their full potential.

An approach to services that emphasizes hope, self-direction, strengths, and the ability of individuals to pursue meaningful lives in recovery.

A coordinated network of community-based, person-centered services and supports that builds on the strengths and resiliencies of individuals, families, and communities to recover and improve health, wellness, and quality of life.

Ten principles aimed at improving health, wellness, and quality of life identified; see SAMHSA’s Guiding Principles of Recovery (PDF).

Occurs when there is a clear understanding and communication by the supervisor and team about the peer professional’s responsibilities, boundaries, and scope of practice.

Also known as peer drift, can occur when a peer professional performs tasks outside the scope of practice due to unclear expectations, lack of clarity, or role confusion.

The process of introducing and incorporating a new staff role into existing team structures, workflows, and organizational practices.

Stress experienced by a peer professional when role expectations are unclear, conflicting, or difficult to maintain. This often results from experiencing lack of role clarity, role drift, or both.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is the federal agency that advances the public behavioral health treatment system.

Refers to the defined, permitted activities, procedures, and actions a peer professional is trained and qualified to perform; see Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist Scope of Practice, P-00972 (PDF).

An individual actively engaged in a program receiving peer recovery support services.

Identified goals, objectives, and resources agreed upon by the service participant and the service provider to be used in facilitation of the service participant’s recovery.

Any paid, volunteer, or contracted personnel employed by the organization.

Involves a process of developing staff’s understanding, appeal, openness, and acceptability of an innovation such as peer recovery support services.

An approach that emphasizes an individual’s strengths, resources, and resilience.

A professional practice that guides and supports delivery of routine services by assigned staff, assures quality and ethical work, and promotes staff development.

Assisting individuals in understanding, accessing, and coordinating services and supports across health, social service, and community systems.

A collaborative, multidisciplinary method where individuals with diverse expertise unite to achieve a common goal, emphasizing shared responsibility, open communication, and collective decision-making.

An approach to services that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and prioritizes physical and emotional safety, trust, empowerment, and choice.

The planned provision of services that are responsive to a service participant’s individual needs to assist them through the process of mental health recovery, substance use recovery, or both.

Wisconsin Administrative Code chapter that defines, regulates, and certifies peer recovery support services and overdose treatment providers in Wisconsin; see Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 72; also referred to as DHS 72.

An evidence-informed model of services comprising pillars of the workforce, fundamental processes, core skill sets, and essential values applicable to all types of peer professionals operating in Wisconsin.