Peer Specialist Survey

National Association of Peer Specialists
2011 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. It is based on a similar survey conducted in 2008. 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.

Feel free to duplicate this survey and ask other peer specialists to complete it!

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 or ___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—or—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: NAPS, 755 Alta Dale, Ada, MI 49301.

Deadline is July 1, 2011.