As an advancing field of professional service, substance abuse prevention is expanding through levels of certification and through concurrent initiatives with behavioral health. As the certification process advances in states, jurisdictions and tribes, there is little to no training specifically for supervising prevention staff.
To support a successful peer program, effective supervision is essential. Equipping supervisors with knowledge of the day to day functions, including practice boundaries specific to the peer role, will increase job satisfaction and retention, reduce communication breakdowns, and lead to better outcomes for the individuals served.
The critical role of clinical supervision in both staff development and retention are well-documented. The disconnect between the need for clinical supervision and the consistent provision thereof in the field, however, is often attributable to common barriers experienced among service providers.
