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Home / Peer Support Specialists for Families, Youth, and Young Adults

Peer Support Specialists for Families, Youth, and Young Adults

Peer support specialists support parents, caregivers, youth, and young adults, who each have their own specific needs. 


Peer Support for Families and Caregivers

Family peer support specialists—also sometimes referred to as parent support professionals, navigators, mentors, family partners, parent partners, or parent support specialists—can help navigate systems of care, provide empathy and social support, connect people with resources, and support wellness. They bring expertise based on their own lived experience and offer hope when it comes to sustaining recovery.

Family peer support specialists provide the following benefits:

  • Increased sense of collaboration, self-efficacy, and recognition of the importance of self-care
  • Decreased internalized blame and family isolation
  • Improved family functioning
  • Increased knowledge and parenting skills

Learn more about peer support for families:

Family, Parent and Caregiver Support in Behavioral Health Infographic (English); Apoyo de pares para padres o encargados de niños y jóvenes con problemas de comportamiento (Spanish)

National Federation of Families 

United Advocates for Children and Families

National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Children, Youth, and Family Mental Health


Youth and Young Adult Peer Support

Mental health conditions can lead to a disruption in education and employment, and youth peer support specialists can help youth navigate these and other systems. Youth peer support specialists support youth and young adults by collaborating across youth and adult systems. They act as a bridge to ensure a smooth transition to adult services. 

Youth and young adult peer support specialists demonstrate that recovery is possible. They can engage youth in treatment, foster connection, and provide support, offering developmentally appropriate educational information, skills, and community resources. 

Research demonstrates that youth peer support is associated with: 

  • Increases in annual outpatient visits 
  • Increased use of outpatient mental health services 
  • Improved trust and engagement among transition-age youth

Learn more about peer support specialists working to support youth in recovery: 

Peers Supporting Youth and Young Adult Recovery Infographic

Youth MOVE National Peer Center

Young People in Recovery

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These resources are not intended to take the place of emergency care or professional care by a clinical provider such as a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant. If you or someone you know is experiencing an immediate crisis, please seek help by contacting Crisis Text Line (text COURAGE to 741741), the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (dial 1-800-273-8255).

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The CARE TA Center is not a government agency. The opinions, links, and resources on this website do not reflect the views or endorsement of the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).