Connecticut recognizes peer support as a distinct behavioral health workforce serving people affected by mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and related behavioral health challenges.
The state substantially updated its peer credentialing system in 2026. Effective June 1, 2026, Connecticut launched the Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional (CPSRP) credential. The new credential integrates the state’s previous Recovery Support Specialist and Recovery Coach pathways under one statewide certification framework. Connecticut also recognizes a CPSRP-F pathway for people whose qualifying lived experience comes from supporting a family member with a behavioral health condition. (CT.gov)
The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or DMHAS, establishes the statewide peer training and credential standards. The Connecticut Certification Board (CCB) administers the CPSRP credential, application, examination, and renewal process. (CT.gov)
Connecticut Medicaid, known as HUSKY Health, covers peer-delivered services in several parts of the behavioral health system. Peer Support is an identified service under the Mental Health Waiver, and peer support specialists are included among qualified practitioners within Connecticut’s Medicaid substance use disorder benefit. Medicaid reimbursement depends on the benefit, provider organization, staff qualifications, supervision, documentation, service requirements, and applicable Medicaid rules. (CT.gov)
Peer professionals may work in community mental health programs, substance use disorder treatment programs, hospitals and emergency departments, recovery community organizations, peer-run programs, crisis services, supportive housing programs, supported employment, youth and family programs, Medicaid waiver programs, and other community settings.
Connecticut Peer Support Quick Facts
Category | Connecticut overview |
|---|---|
State Medicaid program | HUSKY Health / Connecticut Medicaid |
Primary peer credential | Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional (CPSRP) |
Family peer credential | Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional-Family (CPSRP-F) |
Credential effective | June 1, 2026 |
State authority | Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services |
Credential administrator | Connecticut Certification Board |
Initial training | 80-hour DMHAS-approved CPSRP curriculum |
Examination | Passing score required |
Experience | 300 hours of supervised employment |
Direct supervision | 25 hours included within the supervised employment requirement |
Volunteer experience | Up to 150 supervised volunteer hours may count |
Provisional credential | Optional one-year credential after training and exam while experience is completed |
Renewal | CPSRP credential is renewable; continuing education required |
Continuing education | 10 CE hours annually under current requirements |
Medicaid mental health peer benefit | Peer Support is covered within the Mental Health Waiver |
SUD peer participation | Peer support specialists are recognized as qualified practitioners in Medicaid SUD services |
Common peer billing code | H0038 appears within Connecticut Medicaid peer service structures |
Major state agencies | DMHAS, Department of Social Services, Department of Children and Families |
State recovery office | DMHAS Office of Recovery Community Affairs |
First peer respite | Gloria House in New Britain |
Last reviewed | August 2026 |
What Is Peer Support?
Peer support is assistance provided by a person whose relevant lived or living experience informs how they support another person pursuing recovery, health, wellness, or greater independence.
Connecticut defines a Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional as a person with firsthand lived or living experience with a behavioral health condition who identifies as being in recovery and/or as having improved their health and wellness. (CT.gov)
Connecticut also recognizes family lived experience. A CPSRP-F is a person whose firsthand lived or living experience comes from being a family member of someone with a behavioral health condition rather than from personally experiencing that behavioral health condition. Connecticut expressly states that family is not limited to relationships by blood, marriage, or adoption. (CT.gov)
Peer support emphasizes:
- Hope
- Recovery
- Self-determination
- Mutuality
- Empowerment
- Choice
- Advocacy
- Personal responsibility
- Wellness
- Strengths
- Community connection
- Natural supports
- Intentional use of lived experience
Peer professionals may work alongside clinicians, social workers, nurses, physicians, case managers, substance use counselors, rehabilitation professionals, and other members of behavioral health teams.
The peer role remains distinct because its foundation is lived experience rather than clinical authority.
Common Peer Support Activities
Depending on the setting and service, Connecticut peer professionals may:
- Build trusting relationships
- Share relevant lived experience
- Promote hope
- Help people identify recovery goals
- Support recovery planning
- Promote self-advocacy
- Connect participants with community resources
- Support treatment engagement
- Help people navigate behavioral health systems
- Facilitate groups
- Support community integration
- Help develop natural supports
- Support transitions between levels of care
- Provide recovery coaching
- Support wellness
- Assist with employment and education goals
- Support people following behavioral health crises
- Help people access treatment
- Provide recovery education
- Participate on multidisciplinary teams
- Document peer services when required
Peer professionals generally do not diagnose mental health or substance use disorders, prescribe medication, conduct psychotherapy, or represent themselves as licensed clinicians unless they independently hold an applicable professional license and are acting within that licensed role.
How Peer Support Is Organized in Connecticut
Connecticut’s peer workforce historically developed through multiple pathways.
Two of the most prominent were:
- Recovery Support Specialist training
- Recovery Coach training
Training was offered through organizations including Advocacy Unlimited, Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery, and Hartford HealthCare’s recovery training program. (CT.gov)
Connecticut has now moved toward a unified framework.
The new Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional credential integrates the Recovery Support Specialist and Recovery Coach workforce into one statewide credential. (CT.gov)
The major pathways are now:
- CPSRP for people with personal lived or living behavioral health experience
- CPSRP-F for people whose relevant lived experience comes through a family member
There is also an optional provisional credential for people who have completed training and passed the examination but are still completing their supervised work hours. (CT.gov)
Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional
What Is a CPSRP?
A Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional is Connecticut’s statewide professional peer credential for people using firsthand behavioral health lived experience to support others.
The credential applies across mental health and substance use recovery rather than maintaining completely separate statewide peer credentials for the two populations.
This is an important Connecticut-specific distinction.
The CPSRP credential is explicitly not a license, and Connecticut states that it does not authorize the credential holder to practice independently. (CT.gov)
Current CPSRP Requirements
Under the system launched June 1, 2026, applicants generally must:
- Live or work in Connecticut
- Attest to qualifying firsthand lived or living behavioral health experience
- Identify as being in recovery and/or as having improved their health and wellness
- Complete the 80-hour CPSRP training curriculum through a DMHAS-approved training organization
- Pass the CPSRP examination
- Complete 300 hours of supervised employment
- Receive 25 hours of direct supervision as part of the supervised experience requirement
- Complete the application through the Connecticut Certification Board
Connecticut permits 150 supervised volunteer hours in a Recovery Support Specialist or Recovery Coach role to count toward the experience requirement. (CT.gov)
Applicants should use the current DMHAS and CCB requirements because the credential is new and implementation details may continue to evolve.
CPSRP Training
Connecticut requires candidates to complete a new 80-hour CPSRP curriculum through a DMHAS-approved training organization. (CT.gov)
The curriculum is designed around:
- SAMHSA’s Twelve Core Competencies for Peer Workers
- Connecticut DMHAS Peer Ethics and Values
- Peer support practice
- Recovery coaching
- Intentional use of lived experience
- Ethics
- Boundaries
- Communication
- Advocacy
- Recovery
- Behavioral health
- Community support
As of August 2026, DMHAS identifies the following approved training organizations:
- New Life II
- Advocacy Unlimited
- Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery
DMHAS notes that approved training organizations are privately operated and establish their own schedules and fees. (CT.gov)
CPSRP Examination
A passing score on the certification examination is required for the regular CPSRP credential.
The examination is administered as part of the credentialing process overseen by the Connecticut Certification Board.
The credentialing process became available on June 1, 2026. (CT.gov)
Provisional CPSRP Credential
Connecticut offers an optional Provisional CPSRP credential.
The provisional pathway is particularly relevant to organizations hiring new peer workers.
An individual may obtain the provisional credential after:
- Completing the required 80-hour training
- Passing the certification examination
The provisional credential is valid for one year while the individual works toward completing the required supervised work experience. (CT.gov)
This creates a practical workforce pathway:
Training → Examination → Provisional Credential → Supervised Experience → Full CPSRP
Organizations employing provisional peers should track:
- Training completion
- Examination status
- Provisional credential date
- Supervised employment hours
- Volunteer hours, if applicable
- Direct supervision hours
- Full credential application deadline
CPSRP-F: Family Peer Support
Connecticut has incorporated family lived experience directly into its statewide credentialing system.
A CPSRP-F is a person whose relevant lived experience comes through supporting a family member with a behavioral health condition and who does not have the firsthand personal behavioral health lived experience used for the standard CPSRP pathway. (CT.gov)
Connecticut explicitly states that “family” is not restricted to blood, marriage, or adoption.
Family peers may:
- Help families navigate behavioral health systems
- Promote caregiver advocacy
- Support family voice and choice
- Help families understand services
- Share relevant family lived experience
- Support participation in planning
- Connect families with resources
- Support transitions
- Help caregivers communicate with behavioral health teams
- Promote family wellness
- Help caregivers develop natural supports
Family peer support should remain distinct from psychotherapy, clinical family therapy, case management, and legal representation.
CPSRP Renewal
Connecticut requires continuing education for CPSRP recertification.
Under the current framework, credential holders need 10 continuing education hours annually.
These currently include:
- 2 hours of approved CPSRP Ethics & Values training
- 4 hours related to peer support and coaching
- 4 elective behavioral health continuing education hours
The elective hours may address topics such as:
- Harm reduction
- Behavioral health
- Recovery
- Peer support
- Coaching
- Other approved professional-development subjects
The CPSRP credential is issued on a renewal cycle administered by the Connecticut Certification Board. (CT.gov)
Organizations should therefore track:
- Credential expiration
- Ethics training
- Peer/coaching continuing education
- Elective continuing education
- Renewal application
- Credential status
2026 Grandparenting Process
Because Connecticut transitioned from older Recovery Support Specialist and Recovery Coach pathways to CPSRP, the state created a temporary grandparenting process.
Individuals trained on or before May 31, 2026 may qualify to transition into CPSRP without completing the new 80-hour curriculum or taking the new examination if they satisfy the applicable requirements. (CT.gov)
Current grandparenting eligibility includes certain individuals who:
- Completed training through an approved legacy peer training organization, or
- Hold an active Certified Peer Recovery Specialist credential through the Connecticut Certification Board
The current grandparenting window remains open until October 1, 2026. (CT.gov)
This is time-sensitive and should be removed or rewritten once the transition period ends.
Recovery Support Specialists and Recovery Coaches
Connecticut historically maintained distinct workforce identities around Recovery Support Specialists and Recovery Coaches.
Recovery Support Specialists were strongly associated with mental health peer support, advocacy, recovery education, and community behavioral health.
Recovery Coaches became particularly prominent in the substance use recovery system.
Connecticut’s new CPSRP framework integrates both traditions into one professional credential. (CT.gov)
Organizations may continue to use job titles such as:
- Recovery Coach
- Recovery Support Specialist
- Peer Specialist
- Peer Recovery Specialist
However, job title and professional credential are different concepts.
For regulated or reimbursed services, organizations should verify which credential is actually required.
Is Peer Support Covered by Connecticut Medicaid?
Yes, peer support is covered within specific Connecticut Medicaid behavioral health programs.
However, Connecticut does not have one simple rule under which every CPSRP may independently bill HUSKY Health.
Coverage depends on the Medicaid benefit and provider structure.
Important peer-related Medicaid pathways include:
- Mental Health Waiver Peer Support
- Medicaid substance use disorder services
- Certain behavioral health treatment programs
- Other waiver and program-specific peer services
Mental Health Waiver Peer Support
Connecticut’s Mental Health Waiver includes Peer Support as a distinct rehabilitative and support service.
DMHAS describes Peer Support under the waiver as an alternative or step-down and follow-up to Community Support Program services, provided by a trained and certified peer specialist. (CT.gov)
Other Mental Health Waiver services include:
- Community Support Program
- Recovery Assistant
- Supported Employment
- Transitional Case Management
Peer Support and Recovery Assistant are not the same service.
A Recovery Assistant provides skill-building assistance in the home intended to help the participant become more independent with activities of daily living and maintain their home. (CT.gov)
Organizations should therefore avoid using these terms interchangeably.
Medicaid Substance Use Disorder Services
Peer support is also integrated into Connecticut’s Medicaid substance use disorder system.
Connecticut’s Medicaid State Plan identifies peer support specialists among qualified practitioners who may participate in applicable substance use disorder services. (CT.gov)
Depending on the ASAM level of care, treatment teams may include professionals such as:
- Licensed practitioners
- Certified alcohol and drug counselors
- Nurses
- Master’s-level unlicensed counselors
- Other qualified counselors
- Peer support specialists
- Technicians
- Interns
Supervision requirements apply based on practitioner type and service. (CT.gov)
Connecticut 1115 SUD Demonstration
Connecticut operates a Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration for substance use disorder treatment.
The demonstration was originally approved by CMS on April 14, 2022 and has supported the state’s implementation of a comprehensive Medicaid SUD benefit structure, including residential and inpatient levels of care. (CT.gov)
Peer support is incorporated into this broader treatment infrastructure.
For example, current Connecticut materials describing residential SUD treatment identify peer support among the services included within applicable residential treatment rates. (CT.gov)
This means organizations must determine whether a peer activity is:
- Separately billable
- Included within a bundled rate
- Included within an ASAM level-of-care payment
- Covered through another Medicaid service
- Grant funded
- Non-billable community support
Medicaid Peer Support Code
Connecticut Medicaid has used H0038, Self Help/Peer Service, per 15 minutes, within applicable peer service structures. (CTDSSMAP)
However, organizations should not treat H0038 as universal permission to bill every peer encounter.
Before using the code, confirm:
- Applicable Medicaid benefit
- Provider eligibility
- Current fee schedule
- Service definition
- Staff qualification
- Supervision
- Member eligibility
- Authorization
- Documentation
- Units
- Place of service
- Whether the service is bundled into another rate
Current Connecticut Medical Assistance Program guidance should always control.
Can an Individual Peer Bill HUSKY Health Directly?
Do not assume so.
The CPSRP credential itself does not authorize independent practice. DMHAS expressly states that CPSRP is not a license and does not authorize the holder to practice independently. (CT.gov)
Medicaid billing authority is a separate issue.
Organizations need to determine:
- What Medicaid benefit is being delivered?
- Who is the enrolled provider?
- Is the organization qualified for the service?
- Is the peer an eligible practitioner?
- Is CPSRP required?
- What supervision is required?
- Is the service included in another bundled payment?
- What procedure code applies?
- What documentation is required?
A peer credential should never be treated as equivalent to Medicaid provider enrollment.
Peer Support in Substance Use Recovery
Connecticut has a particularly strong recovery coaching infrastructure.
Recovery coaches may support people by:
- Engaging individuals following overdose
- Connecting people with treatment
- Supporting multiple pathways of recovery
- Helping people identify recovery goals
- Connecting people with mutual aid
- Supporting harm reduction
- Helping navigate treatment systems
- Connecting people with housing or employment resources
- Supporting transitions from treatment
- Building recovery capital
- Providing recovery education
- Helping people build community connections
The new CPSRP credential places recovery coaching within Connecticut’s broader professional peer framework.
Emergency Department Recovery Coaches
Connecticut has used Recovery Coaches in hospital emergency departments since 2017.
DMHAS partnered with the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery to develop an Emergency Department Recovery Coach initiative in which on-call recovery coaches engage people presenting with opioid overdose and other alcohol- or drug-related medical emergencies and connect them with treatment and recovery support. (CT.gov)
This model illustrates how peer support may operate at critical transition points between:
Emergency care → treatment → recovery supports → community
Mental Health Peer Support
Connecticut has an established mental health peer workforce in both state-operated and contracted services.
DMHAS programs describe peer workers providing:
- Peer support
- Recovery education
- Advocacy
- Community integration
- Wellness support
- Employment support
- Groups
- Recovery planning
- Community resource connection
For example, DMHAS-supported employment programs use peer staff to help individuals and treatment teams with employment planning while serving as recovery role models. (CT.gov)
Peer Support and Supported Employment
Peer professionals may support individuals pursuing meaningful employment.
DMHAS describes peer employment services as person-centered and oriented toward meaningful community integration rather than simply maintaining clinical stability. Peer staff may help individuals and treatment teams with employment planning while modeling recovery. (CT.gov)
Peer employment activities may include:
- Identifying employment goals
- Building confidence
- Addressing recovery-related barriers
- Navigating workplace challenges
- Connecting people with employment resources
- Supporting persistence
- Building natural workplace supports
Family Peer Support
Connecticut recognizes family peer roles in several parts of its behavioral health system.
The CPSRP-F credential now creates a statewide credential specifically recognizing qualifying family lived experience. (CT.gov)
Connecticut’s child behavioral health system also uses Peer Specialists to support parents and caregivers.
The Connecticut Behavioral Health Partnership uses Peer Specialists to help foster parents navigate behavioral health systems and support placement stability. DCF states that these Peer Specialists have personal or family behavioral health lived experience. (CT.gov)
Family peers may:
- Help caregivers navigate systems
- Advocate
- Support family voice
- Help families prepare for meetings
- Connect families with services
- Provide emotional support grounded in lived experience
- Help families understand behavioral health systems
- Support care planning
- Strengthen natural supports
Youth and Young Adult Peer Support
Connecticut has also used peer and youth advocacy models within youth and young adult behavioral health initiatives.
The exact credential required depends on:
- Program
- Age served
- Funding source
- Employer
- Medicaid service
- Contract
Organizations serving minors should develop specific policies addressing:
- Consent
- Confidentiality
- Family involvement
- Mandatory reporting
- Boundaries
- Social media
- Crisis response
- Communication
- Transition to adult services
Peer Support Scope of Practice in Connecticut
Connecticut peer professionals provide nonclinical, recovery-oriented support grounded in lived experience.
Activities Commonly Associated With Peer Support
Depending on the program, peers may:
- Engage participants
- Build supportive relationships
- Share lived experience
- Promote hope
- Support recovery goals
- Promote self-determination
- Facilitate recovery planning
- Support advocacy
- Connect people with resources
- Support treatment engagement
- Facilitate groups
- Support community integration
- Build recovery capital
- Support employment and education
- Help develop natural supports
- Navigate behavioral health systems
- Support transitions
- Document peer services
- Participate in multidisciplinary teams
Activities Generally Outside the Peer Role
Unless separately qualified and authorized through another professional role, peer workers generally should not:
- Diagnose mental health disorders
- Diagnose substance use disorders
- Provide psychotherapy
- Prescribe medications
- Practice medicine
- Represent themselves as licensed clinicians
- Conduct clinical assessments requiring licensure
- Make legal determinations
- Independently practice based solely on CPSRP certification
- Perform tasks outside their training and competence
Supervision of Connecticut Peer Professionals
Supervision is an explicit part of Connecticut’s new credentialing framework.
Full CPSRP certification requires 300 hours of supervised employment, including 25 hours of direct supervision. (CT.gov)
This makes supervision both a workforce-development and credentialing requirement.
Administrative Supervision
May focus on:
- Scheduling
- Caseload
- Attendance
- Program expectations
- Documentation completion
- Organizational policies
- Productivity
Peer Practice Supervision
May focus on:
- Intentional use of lived experience
- Peer ethics and values
- Boundaries
- Mutuality
- Recovery orientation
- Self-determination
- Advocacy
- Role fidelity
- Difficult peer relationships
- Professional growth
- Personal wellness
Clinical Consultation
Clinical professionals may provide consultation when participant needs involve:
- Diagnosis
- Medication
- Treatment decisions
- Acute clinical risk
- Medical concerns
- Other matters outside the peer role
Clinical consultation should support rather than replace peer-informed supervision.
Questions Organizations Should Answer
- Who supervises peer staff?
- Does the supervisor understand peer support?
- Who can verify supervised CPSRP hours?
- How are the 25 direct-supervision hours tracked?
- How often does supervision occur?
- Is supervision documented?
- How are ethics concerns addressed?
- Who handles clinical escalation?
- How does the organization prevent role drift?
- How are provisional CPSRP staff monitored?
- How does the organization track progress toward full certification?
Documentation for Connecticut Peer Support Services
Peer documentation should accurately demonstrate what occurred while preserving the recovery-oriented nature of the peer relationship.
Documentation requirements vary according to:
- Medicaid service
- Mental Health Waiver
- SUD level of care
- DMHAS contract
- DCF program
- Grant
- Provider organization
- Payer
Common Documentation Elements
A peer support note may include:
- Participant name or identifier
- Date
- Start and end time
- Duration or units
- Location
- Modality
- Peer service provided
- Participant-defined goal
- Recovery goal
- Peer intervention
- Relevant use of lived experience
- Resources discussed
- Participant response
- Progress or barriers
- Follow-up plan
- Peer worker name
- Credential
- Required signature or attestation
Peer Documentation Should Be
- Accurate
- Timely
- Recovery-oriented
- Strengths-based
- Person-centered
- Respectful
- Relevant
- Consistent with peer scope
- Consistent with the applicable service plan
- Limited to necessary information
- Compliant with payer requirements
Peer Documentation Should Avoid
- Unsupported diagnoses
- Stigmatizing language
- Clinical interpretation outside peer scope
- Identical copy-and-paste notes
- Services that did not occur
- Unnecessary trauma details
- Irrelevant sensitive information
- Personal opinions stated as facts
- Documentation created solely to trigger reimbursement
Documentation and Billing Are Not the Same Thing
A complete peer note does not automatically make the service reimbursable.
Payment may also depend on:
- HUSKY Health eligibility
- Provider enrollment
- Program eligibility
- Medicaid benefit
- Peer credential
- Supervision
- Treatment or recovery plan
- Medical necessity where applicable
- Service authorization
- Procedure code
- Units
- Place of service
- Bundled payment rules
- Timely filing
- Contract requirements
Confidentiality and Information Sharing
Connecticut peer programs may handle highly sensitive mental health and substance use information.
Applicable requirements may include:
- HIPAA
- 42 CFR Part 2
- Connecticut confidentiality law
- Medicaid requirements
- DMHAS requirements
- DCF requirements
- Requirements involving minors
- Organizational policies
- Consent and authorization requirements
Peer workers should receive role-specific training on:
- Information access
- Documentation
- Participant consent
- Care-team communication
- Substance use information
- Text messaging
- Mobile devices
- Telehealth
- Social media
- Emergencies
- Legal requests
- Professional boundaries
Where Peer Support Is Delivered in Connecticut
Community Mental Health Programs
Peer professionals work within DMHAS-operated and DMHAS-funded community mental health services.
Programs may incorporate:
- Peer support
- Recovery education
- Advocacy
- Employment support
- Groups
- Community integration
- Recovery planning
Substance Use Disorder Treatment
CPSRP professionals and recovery coaches may participate across Connecticut’s substance use treatment continuum.
Recovery Community Organizations
Recovery-focused organizations may provide:
- Recovery coaching
- Telephone recovery support
- Community activities
- Support groups
- Recovery planning
- Resource navigation
- Volunteer opportunities
- Recovery education
Hospitals and Emergency Departments
Connecticut has an established Emergency Department Recovery Coach model connecting individuals experiencing overdose or other substance-related emergencies to treatment and recovery support. (CT.gov)
Mental Health Waiver Programs
Peer Support is an identified Mental Health Waiver service provided by trained and certified peer specialists. (CT.gov)
Supported Employment
Peer staff may assist people in behavioral health recovery with employment planning and community integration. (CT.gov)
Youth and Family Programs
Peer Specialists may support parents, caregivers, foster families, youth, and young adults within Connecticut’s child behavioral health system. (CT.gov)
Crisis Services
Peers may participate in crisis prevention, crisis support, transition services, and peer respite.
Peer Respite
Connecticut now has a dedicated peer respite model.
Gloria House in New Britain is Connecticut’s first Peer Respite program. DMHAS describes it as a supportive environment for people experiencing behavioral health or substance use challenges, with support provided by trained peers with lived experience. (CT.gov)
Peer respite is distinct from:
- Inpatient hospitalization
- Emergency department care
- Traditional residential treatment
- Clinical crisis stabilization
Its model emphasizes voluntary peer connection and self-directed recovery.
Warmlines
Connecticut also uses peer-operated warmline services.
For example, DMHAS describes the Common Thread Warmline as a peer support service operated by individuals in recovery from mental illness who listen to callers and support their problem-solving efforts. (CT.gov)
Justice and Reentry Programs
Peers with relevant lived experience may support individuals navigating:
- Incarceration
- Reentry
- Probation
- Courts
- Substance use treatment
- Housing
- Employment
- Community reintegration
Collegiate Recovery Programs
Connecticut colleges and universities may use:
- Student peer mentors
- Recovery coaches
- Peer recovery leaders
- Collegiate recovery staff
These positions do not automatically constitute a Medicaid-covered service solely because they involve peer support.
Starting a Peer Support Program in Connecticut
Step 1: Define the Population
Determine whether the program serves:
- Adults with mental health conditions
- People with substance use disorders
- Families and caregivers
- Youth
- Young adults
- People leaving hospitals
- People following overdose
- People receiving Mental Health Waiver services
- Justice-involved populations
- College students
- A specific cultural or geographic community
Step 2: Determine the Peer Role
Determine whether staff will function as:
- CPSRP
- CPSRP-F
- Provisional CPSRP
- Recovery Coaches
- Peer Support Specialists
- Community peers
- Volunteers
Job title alone should not determine credential requirements.
Step 3: Determine the Funding Model
Potential funding sources include:
- HUSKY Health
- Mental Health Waiver
- Medicaid SUD services
- DMHAS contracts
- DCF contracts
- Federal block grants
- State Opioid Response funding
- Opioid settlement funding
- Hospital funding
- Philanthropy
- University contracts
- Private payment
Each funding source may create different requirements.
Step 4: Confirm Credential Requirements
Track:
- 80-hour CPSRP training
- Examination
- Provisional credential status
- 300 supervised employment hours
- 25 direct supervision hours
- Eligible volunteer hours
- Full certification
- Continuing education
- Renewal
- Ethics training
Step 5: Confirm Provider Eligibility
For Medicaid reimbursement, determine:
- Who is the enrolled provider?
- Which Medicaid benefit applies?
- Is the organization eligible?
- Is the service separately reimbursed or bundled?
- Is the Peer Specialist qualified?
- What supervision is required?
- What service definition applies?
- What code applies?
Step 6: Design the Workflow
Map:
- Referral
- Eligibility
- Intake
- Consent
- Assignment
- Matching
- Scheduling
- Service delivery
- Documentation
- Supervision
- Clinical escalation
- Follow-up
- Transition
- Discharge
- Outcomes
- Billing
Step 7: Establish Role Boundaries
Develop written policies addressing:
- Scope
- Intentional use of lived experience
- Confidentiality
- Crisis response
- Transportation
- Gifts
- Social media
- Dual relationships
- Communication outside business hours
- Home visits
- Participant contact after discharge
- Staff wellness
- Role drift
Step 8: Build Quality Measurement
Useful measures may include:
- Referral-to-contact time
- Engagement
- Retention
- Participant-defined goals
- Recovery capital
- Community connection
- Treatment engagement
- Successful transitions
- Housing
- Employment
- Education
- Satisfaction
- Peer workforce retention
- Supervision completion
- Credential completion
- Documentation timeliness
- Referral outcomes
Common Challenges for Connecticut Peer Programs
2026 Credential Transition
Connecticut is currently transitioning its peer workforce into the new CPSRP system.
Organizations need to distinguish among:
- Legacy trained peers
- Grandparented CPSRP professionals
- New CPSRP applicants
- Provisional CPSRP professionals
- Fully credentialed CPSRP professionals
The grandparenting period currently runs through October 1, 2026. (CT.gov)
Tracking Supervised Experience
The new credential requires:
- 300 supervised employment hours
- 25 direct supervision hours
Programs employing new peers should have a reliable system for documenting those hours. (CT.gov)
Multiple Medicaid Pathways
Peer services may appear in:
- Mental Health Waiver services
- SUD treatment
- Residential treatment
- Other Medicaid behavioral health structures
The billing rules are not necessarily identical.
Bundled Services
Some SUD treatment rates include peer support within a broader bundled service rather than creating a separate peer claim. (CT.gov)
Role Drift
Peer workers may gradually be assigned:
- Case management
- Transportation
- Administrative work
- Surveillance
- Clinical tasks
Programs should protect peer role fidelity.
Documentation Burden
Peer workers may spend excessive time navigating administrative systems when documentation workflows are poorly designed.
Fragmented Technology
Programs may rely on separate tools for:
- Referrals
- Scheduling
- Documentation
- Credential tracking
- Supervision
- Participant communication
- Recovery planning
- Medicaid billing
- Grant reporting
- Outcomes
- Continuing education
Frequently Asked Questions
Is peer support covered by Connecticut Medicaid?
Yes, within specific programs. Peer Support is an identified Mental Health Waiver service, and peer support specialists are recognized within portions of Connecticut’s Medicaid substance use disorder system. (CT.gov)
What is Connecticut’s current peer credential?
The Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional, or CPSRP.
The current credential became operational June 1, 2026. (CT.gov)
What happened to Recovery Support Specialist and Recovery Coach credentials?
Connecticut created CPSRP as an integrated credential bringing the Recovery Support Specialist and Recovery Coach workforce under one statewide framework. (CT.gov)
Who administers CPSRP?
The Connecticut Certification Board administers the credential.
DMHAS establishes and oversees the statewide standards. (CT.gov)
How much training is required?
Current applicants must complete an 80-hour DMHAS-approved CPSRP training curriculum. (CT.gov)
Is an exam required?
Yes.
Applicants must pass the CPSRP certification examination. (CT.gov)
How much experience is required?
Full CPSRP certification requires 300 hours of supervised employment, including 25 hours of direct supervision. (CT.gov)
Can volunteer hours count?
Yes.
Connecticut currently permits up to 150 supervised volunteer hours in a Recovery Support Specialist or Recovery Coach role to count toward the requirement. (CT.gov)
Is there a provisional credential?
Yes.
An optional one-year provisional CPSRP is available after completion of training and a passing exam while the individual completes supervised experience. (CT.gov)
Does Connecticut recognize family peers?
Yes.
The CPSRP-F pathway recognizes people whose relevant lived experience comes through a family member with a behavioral health condition. (CT.gov)
Does “family” only mean relatives?
No.
DMHAS expressly states that family for CPSRP-F purposes is not limited to relationships by blood, marriage, or adoption. (CT.gov)
Is CPSRP a professional license?
No.
DMHAS expressly states that CPSRP is not a license and does not authorize independent practice. (CT.gov)
Can a CPSRP independently bill Medicaid?
Do not assume so.
Peer credentialing and Medicaid provider enrollment are separate. Reimbursement depends on the applicable Medicaid benefit and eligible provider structure.
Does Connecticut have peer support in its Mental Health Waiver?
Yes.
DMHAS identifies Peer Support as a Mental Health Waiver service delivered by a trained and certified peer specialist. (CT.gov)
Does Connecticut use peer support in substance use treatment?
Yes.
Peer support specialists are recognized among qualified practitioners within Medicaid SUD services, and Connecticut has a longstanding recovery coaching workforce. (CT.gov)
Can peers work in emergency departments?
Yes.
Connecticut has operated an Emergency Department Recovery Coach program connecting people experiencing overdose and other substance-related emergencies with treatment and recovery resources. (CT.gov)
Does Connecticut have peer respite?
Yes.
Gloria House in New Britain is Connecticut’s first Peer Respite program. (CT.gov)
Do peers need continuing education?
Yes.
The current CPSRP framework requires 10 CE hours annually for recertification eligibility. (CT.gov)
Can peer workers write progress notes?
Yes, when required by the provider, Medicaid benefit, contract, or program.
Documentation should remain within the peer role and comply with the applicable service requirements.
Are peer workers clinicians?
No.
The CPSRP credential itself is nonclinical and does not create independent clinical practice authority. (CT.gov)
Official and State-Recognized Connecticut Peer Support Resources
Certification and Training
Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional (CPSRP) Credential Official DMHAS resource for Connecticut’s current CPSRP and CPSRP-F credentials, including requirements, training, examination, supervised experience, provisional certification, renewal, and the 2026 grandparenting transition. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/newsworthy/news-items/certified-peer-support-and-recovery-professional-credential
DMHAS Office of Recovery Community Affairs State office responsible for peer education, training, credentialing, recovery-system engagement, peer initiatives, and communication with Connecticut’s recovery community. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/divisions/divisions/recovery-community-affairs
Connecticut Certification Board Credentialing organization administering the CPSRP application, examination, certification, and renewal process under Connecticut’s new statewide peer framework. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://ctcertboard.org/
DMHAS Office of Workforce Development Official state training hub containing current DMHAS behavioral health workforce courses, training catalogs, professional development, and links to peer and recovery training organizations. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/divisions/office-of-workforce-development/office-of-workforce-development
Advocacy Unlimited Connecticut peer-run organization and current DMHAS-approved CPSRP training organization with a longstanding role in Recovery Support Specialist training, advocacy, peer education, and recovery leadership. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.advocacyunlimited.org/
Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery Statewide recovery community organization and current DMHAS-approved CPSRP training organization with a longstanding role in recovery coach training, recovery community development, telephone recovery support, and peer recovery services. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://ccar.us/
New Life II Peer Support and Education DMHAS-approved CPSRP training organization providing peer support, recovery education, and behavioral health workforce training. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://newlife2.org/
Medicaid and Reimbursement
Connecticut HUSKY Health Behavioral Health Services Official Connecticut Medicaid resource for behavioral health coverage available to HUSKY Health members. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://portal.ct.gov/HUSKY/Services/Behavioral-Health
Connecticut Medical Assistance Program Provider Portal Primary provider portal for HUSKY Health and Connecticut Medical Assistance Program manuals, bulletins, fee schedules, enrollment information, claims guidance, and provider publications. (CTDSSMAP) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.ctdssmap.com/
Connecticut Medical Assistance Program Publications Official provider publication repository containing manuals, provider bulletins, enrollment materials, forms, claims guidance, and Medicaid program updates. (CTDSSMAP) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.ctdssmap.com/ctportal/Information/Publications
Connecticut Mental Health Waiver Services Official DMHAS resource describing Medicaid Mental Health Waiver services, including Peer Support provided by trained and certified peer specialists, Recovery Assistant services, Community Support Program, Supported Employment, and Transitional Case Management. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/programs-and-services/mental-health-waiver/waiver-services
Connecticut Medicaid Waiver Applications Official DSS repository for Connecticut’s Medicaid waiver applications, amendments, public notices, and related program documentation. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://portal.ct.gov/dss/health-and-home-care/medicaid-waiver-applications/medicaid-waiver-applications
Connecticut Substance Use Disorder Demonstration Official DSS resource for Connecticut’s Section 1115 SUD Medicaid demonstration, including provider materials, certification, ASAM implementation, residential and ambulatory services, and demonstration updates. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://portal.ct.gov/dss/health-and-home-care/substance-use-disorder-demonstration-project
Connecticut Medicaid State Plan Official state resource for Medicaid State Plan materials governing coverage and reimbursement of Connecticut Medicaid services, including applicable behavioral health and substance use services. Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://portal.ct.gov/dss/health-and-home-care/medicaid-state-plan-amendments
State Agencies
Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Primary state behavioral health authority responsible for adult mental health and addiction services, peer workforce policy, recovery-oriented systems, peer credentialing standards, and numerous state-operated and funded behavioral health programs. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas
Connecticut Department of Social Services State agency administering HUSKY Health and Connecticut Medicaid and responsible for Medicaid coverage, provider reimbursement, waivers, and the SUD demonstration. Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://portal.ct.gov/dss
Connecticut Department of Children and Families State agency responsible for children’s behavioral health, child welfare, foster care, and family services, including programs using Peer Specialists to support children and caregivers. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://portal.ct.gov/dcf
DMHAS Office of Recovery Community Affairs State recovery office serving as a liaison among people in recovery, families, allies, peer organizations, and Connecticut’s behavioral health system while coordinating peer education, credentialing, and recovery initiatives. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/divisions/divisions/recovery-community-affairs
Community and Peer Recovery Resources
Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery Statewide recovery community organization providing recovery coaching, telephone recovery support, recovery community centers, training, volunteer opportunities, and other peer-led recovery services. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://ccar.us/
Advocacy Unlimited Statewide peer-run organization promoting recovery, advocacy, human rights, peer leadership, education, and community support for people with behavioral health lived experience. DMHAS identifies Advocacy Unlimited as a statewide peer-run organization. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.advocacyunlimited.org/
DMHAS Peer and Family Recovery Resources State recovery resource connecting people with Connecticut peer and family organizations, peer respite, recovery support programs, warm lines, recovery groups, and other community resources. DMHAS identifies organizations including Advocacy Unlimited, CCAR, NAMI Connecticut, New Life II, Pathfinders, RIPPLE, and TriCircle within this recovery network. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/divisions/divisions/recovery-community-affairs
Gloria House Peer Respite Connecticut’s first peer respite program, located in New Britain, providing a voluntary and supportive environment where trained peers with lived experience help people experiencing behavioral health or substance use challenges pursue self-directed recovery. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/programs-and-services/finding-services/crisis-services
DMHAS Emergency Department Recovery Coach Services State initiative developed with CCAR that connects people presenting to emergency departments with opioid overdose or other substance-related emergencies to recovery coaches, treatment, and community recovery support. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/initiatives/dmhas-initiatives/emergency-department-recovery-coach-services
DMHAS Advocacy and Support Resources Official state directory of peer-run advocacy, recovery, legal-rights, crisis, and community resources, including Advocacy Unlimited and Connecticut’s peer respite and recovery support options. (CT.gov) Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/programs-and-services/advocacy/advocacy–support
Technology for Connecticut Peer Support Programs
Technology designed for Connecticut peer programs should reflect the state’s new credentialing system and its multiple Medicaid behavioral health pathways.
Programs may need technology supporting:
- CPSRP credential tracking
- CPSRP-F credential tracking
- Provisional CPSRP status
- 80-hour training completion
- Examination status
- 300 supervised work hours
- 25 direct supervision hours
- Volunteer-hour tracking
- Grandparenting status during the 2026 transition
- Continuing education
- Ethics training
- Credential renewal
- Peer-specific documentation
- Participant-defined goals
- Recovery-oriented language
- Recovery Coach workflows
- Mental health peer workflows
- Family peer workflows
- Supervision
- Referrals
- Caseload management
- Scheduling
- Groups
- Participant communication
- Recovery planning
- Mental Health Waiver documentation
- SUD program documentation
- H0038 workflows where applicable
- Bundled-service tracking
- Medicaid eligibility
- Grant reporting
- Outcomes
- Role-based permissions
- Sensitive substance use information
- Mobile and community-based services
- Emergency department referrals
- Peer respite workflows
- Supported employment
Connecticut’s 2026 credential transition creates a particularly strong need for credential-management tools.
A program employing ten new peer workers could simultaneously have staff who are:
- In training
- Awaiting the examination
- Provisionally credentialed
- Accumulating supervised hours
- Accumulating direct-supervision hours
- Fully CPSRP certified
- Grandparented under the transition pathway
- Approaching continuing-education or renewal deadlines
A generic clinical record may document encounters without adequately tracking this workforce infrastructure or capturing the relationships, recovery goals, community connections, and participant-defined progress that distinguish peer support.
Technology should strengthen peer practice rather than force peer services into a purely clinical model.
About Peerakeet
Peerakeet builds infrastructure for organizations delivering peer support and recovery services.
The platform supports peer-specific documentation, program workflows, supervision, participant engagement, scheduling, reporting, credential management, and day-to-day operations.
Peerakeet does not determine whether a service is billable and does not replace guidance from Connecticut Medicaid, DMHAS, DSS, DCF, the Connecticut Certification Board, attorneys, compliance professionals, or other applicable authorities.
Editorial Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general educational purposes. It is not legal, billing, credentialing, clinical, or regulatory advice.
Connecticut’s peer support requirements may vary by Medicaid benefit, provider type, credential, program, contract, population, and funding source. The CPSRP system is also newly implemented as of June 1, 2026, and requirements or administrative processes may continue to evolve.
Organizations and peer professionals should verify current requirements with DMHAS, the Connecticut Certification Board, the Department of Social Services, HUSKY Health, applicable Medicaid provider guidance, contracts, and qualified professional advisors.
Last reviewed: August 2026.