Community Based Organization - Peer Service Organizations - Manual - V3 FINAL

Aug 30, 2026

Upload by Levi

Manual outlining strategies and required activities for Peer Service Organizations to strengthen Iowa’s peer support capacity within crisis services and to expand Peer Operated Respite programs. It describes Peer Service Organizations’ community-based roles, including advocacy, one-to-one support, group leadership, mentoring, and recovery education. It defines peer support bridging, peer operated respite homes, recovery peer coaching, and peer wellness or recovery community centers, and details compliance through peer support specialist roles, required linkages, workforce development, and sustainable funding approaches.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Peer Service Organizations

Strategies and alignment with Iowa Behavioral Health State Plan

Community-based peer support roles

Peer Support Bridging

Peer Operated Respite Homes

Recovery Peer Coaching Services

Peer Wellness Centers and Recovery Community Centers

Required Activities

Compliance and Peer Support Specialist roles

Peer Service Organizations The Iowa Behavioral Health Service System Statewide Plan includes enhancing Iowa’s peer support capacity for work in crisis services and to further develop the capacity for Peer Operated Respite programs. The strategies outlined in this manual are consistent with Iowa’s vision for a person-centered, prevention-focused behavioral health system. Activities outlined support broader goals in the Behavioral Health State Plan including: • Recovery Strategy 1: Create and support a comprehensive and integrated, statewide system of recovery related to the behavioral health needs of individuals, families and communities. • Recovery Strategy 2: Create and follow steps for success in building a comprehensive and integrated, statewide behavioral health recovery system. • Recovery Strategy 3: Help recovery providers increase their behavioral health knowledge and skills. • Crisis Strategy 1: Create and support a comprehensive and integrated, statewide behavioral health crisis system. • Crisis Strategy 3: Create and follow steps for success in building a comprehensive and integrated, statewide behavioral health crisis system. Peer Service Organizations (PSO) operate in the community and provide peer support services. Peer support workers engage in a wide range of activities: • Advocating for people in recovery. • One-to-one peer support • Sharing resources and building skills. • Building community and relationships. • Leading recovery groups. • Mentoring and setting goals. • Recovery education, advocacy and community outreach Peer support roles may also extend to the following: • Providing services and/or training. • Supervising other peer workers. • Developing resources. • Administering programs or services. • Educating the public and policymakers. Peer Support Bridging is a service provided to individuals in addition to the work of their treatment team to support their recovery and re-entry into the community from an inpatient or outpatient setting, such as community-based crisis services, hospitals, respite homes, or other institutions. Peer Support Bridging offers peer support to individuals in facilities prior and after discharge. Peer Support Bridging functions outside out of the individual’s treatment team and does not provide case management or crisis services. Peer Operated Respite Homes are home-like facilities run by and for individuals who have lived experience of mental health and/or substance use disorders. These programs are intended to serve as a short-term, residential resource for individuals who are experiencing an increase in symptoms, stressors or exacerbations, and who need support and supportive services to aid in their recovery and thereby avert crises and avoid hospitalization. Facilities are generally between four and six beds in private rooms, serving adults of both genders with mental health and/or substance use disorders free of charge. Entry is through self-referral, and the respites do not provide medication management or other formal medical services. Wellness and recovery-oriented activities are offered within the program, along with opportunities for guests to participate in the community. Recovery Peer Coaching Services include but are not limited to: resource brokering and system navigation, education and information, communication skills, recovery wellness plans, and multiple pathways of recovery. Peer Wellness Centers and Recovery Community Centers promote health equity, are trauma-informed, and focus on resilience, empowerment and personal autonomy by utilizing the services of individuals with lived experience and specific peer training. The peer-run centers are welcoming and have a low barrier to entry. Utilizing evidence-based services, this service is for individuals who are interested in a pathway outside or alongside traditional treatment for behavioral health disorder/s and for those looking for support in their recovery. Th

FAQs

What roles do Peer Service Organizations provide in the community?

Peer Service Organizations operate in the community and offer peer support through advocacy, one-to-one support, resource sharing, relationship building, recovery group leadership, mentoring, recovery education, and outreach.

How does Peer Support Bridging differ from treatment team services?

Peer Support Bridging supports individuals before and after discharge but functions outside the individual’s treatment team. It does not provide case management or crisis services.

What is the purpose of Peer Operated Respite Homes?

Peer Operated Respite Homes provide a short-term, home-like residential resource for individuals experiencing increased symptoms or stressors to support recovery, avert crises, and help avoid hospitalization. Entry is through self-referral and respites do not provide medication management or formal medical services.

Aug 30, 2026

Upload by Levi