Peer Specialist Survey

National Association of Peer Specialists

2008 Peer Specialist

Compensation/Satisfaction Survey

This survey is designed to obtain information about how peer specialists are compensated and how satisfied they are with their jobs. For the purposes of this survey, a “peer specialist” is broadly defined as a person with personal experience with a mental illness (current and/or past) who helps others with a mental illness. A peer specialist may or may not be paid for his/her services. Please complete only one survey. All information will be confidential and will be tabulated and reported without reference to any identifying characteristics.

I have been a peer specialist for ______________ years.

I work an average of ____________ hours per week.

I work for:

___ A government agency ___ A non-profit organization

___ A for-profit organization ___ Other _______________________

I work in the state of: ___________________

I am paid:

___ Hourly at the rate of $__________ per hour

___ Salary at the rate of $__________ per year

___ I am a volunteer

The tasks I perform include (check all that apply):

____ one-on-one counseling ____ facilitating support groups

____ teaching ____ transportation assistance

____ housing assistance ____ vocational assistance

____ advocating for clients ____ medication monitoring

____ other _______________________________________________________

I work on a treatment team (circle one) Yes No

I have a caseload (circle one) Yes No

I see an average of _____________ clients per week.

I am satisfied with my work (circle one) Always Mostly Somewhat Not at all

The greatest reward from my work is (check one):

___ The money ___ Helping others ___ Having something to do

___ Helping my own recovery ___ Other ________________________________________

I am working part-time and have the option of working full-time (circle one only if part-time):

Yes No Not Applicable

My biggest barrier to working full-time is (check one—if you work full-time, skip this question):

___ Mental health reasons ___ Physical health reasons

___ Lack of health benefits ___ Low wages

___ Administrators/managers ___ Potential loss of SSI/SSDI benefits

___ Demand for services ___ Funding (no $ available)

___ Other _____________________________

I have conflicts with the mental health professionals I work with (circle one):

Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never

I feel respected in the workplace by mental health professionals (circle one):

Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never

I have specific training for my work as a peer specialist (circle one): Yes No

I could use additional training for my work (circle one): Yes No

If “Yes”, I would like to learn more about:________________________________

I expect to remain a peer specialist (check all that apply):

___ Forever ___ Until something else comes along

___ For at least the next 3 years ___ Only for the next year or so

___ Other __________________________________________

Other comments:

Thank you for completing this survey. Please send to: National Association of Peer Specialists (NAPS), 755 Alta Dale, Ada, MI 49301. Deadline is December 31, 2008.