D10 - From Policy to Practice: How County Governments Can Bolster the Mental Health Peer Workforce

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MDT

Location: Bluebird 2C

Peer specialists are an essential part of the behavioral health workforce. With their combination of lived and professional experience, peers are uniquely positioned to build trust, reduce stigma, and support recovery. This workshop explores the significance of peer specialists, barriers, and efforts in Allegheny County to enhance training opportunities. Participants will leave with practical tools and a deeper understanding of how to create more equitable and sustainable opportunities for peer specialists within their own systems.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the significance of peer specialists in the behavioral health workforce.
Identify barriers peer specialists encounter within the behavioral health field.
Explore Allegheny County’s model of supporting peer specialists through building a recovery community and providing training opportunities.

Disclosure(s):

Angela Elliston, CPS: No financial relationships to disclose

Leah Bailey, MPH: No financial relationships to disclose

Breakout Presenter(s)

Angela Elliston, CPS

Recovery Specialist
Allegheny County Office of Behavioral Health
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Slides
Leah Bailey, MPH

Project Specialist
Allegheny County Office of Behavioral Health
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Slides Handouts