USA - Hawai takes a powerful step forward for peer support

USA - Hawai takes a powerful step forward for peer support Earlier this week, the Office of Wellness and Resilience released a statewide Peer Support Framework, setting out a clear roadmap to strengthen peer support services across health, justice, education, and human service systems 🧠 Here are 6 key takeaways that stand out, and should inspire others globally 1️⃣ Defined peer roles, from adult and youth specialists to family and parent partners 2️⃣ Career pathways, a three-tier structure with fair compensation and progression 3️⃣ Comprehensive training, 40–60 hours of core education aligned with federal standards 4️⃣ Trauma-informed supervision, centered on reflection, growth, and wellness 5️⃣ Expanded state employment, integrating peers into multiple departments 6️⃣ Sustainable funding, including Medicaid billing and long-term resource planning The framework honors the lived experience of those who’ve walked challenging paths, ensuring peer support is recognized, respected, and sustainably built into systems of care As Hawaiʻi’s Governor Josh Green, M.D. said, “Peer support offers a powerful approach to healing, recovery, and systems navigation that cannot be replicated through clinical services alone.” This kind of leadership shows how experience work can evolve from personal passion to structural change. A promising model for every region aiming to make care more humane, trauma-informed, and culturally grounded