Good morning,
Peer Support Specialists in the US aren’t officially tracked, making it hard to recognize their crucial work. This needs to change.
The Special Occupational Class (SOC) system, vital for workforce data and policy decisions, lacks a specific category for Peer Support Specialists. Instead, Peer Support Specialists are lumped together with Community Health Workers. This oversight affects recognition and resources for the entire peer support profession.
The U.S. Office of Management and Budget is inviting public comments for the 2028 SOC updates. These updates only occur every 10 years, meaning our next opportunity would not be until 2034. Accurate data could lead to better policies, funding, and training programs.
Share your experiences and advocate for change. Use the information below to write a letter requesting the creation of a new SOC for Peer Support Specialists. Your voice can help ensure Peer Support Specialists receive the recognition and support they deserve.
The deadline to submit a comment is today, August 12, 2024. Thank you for your dedication to peer supporters and those they serve.
See below for more information, including what to include in the letter to the Office of Management and Budget.
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What is a SOC?
The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system classifies all jobs in the U.S. that are done for pay or profit. It provides a standard way to collect and compare job-related data across different government agencies.
Why is Occupation Data Important?
Occupation data gives us important information about jobs, including how many people are employed in each job, pay rates, benefits, required skills, and demographic information.
Why Should You Care?
Currently, Peer Support Specialists (PSS) do not have their own SOC classification. This means we don’t have specific data about our occupation. Instead, our data is included with community health workers (CHWs), even though our work is different. Because of this, important policies and practices related to occupations often overlook Peer Support Specialists.
What Can You Do to Help?
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is asking for public comments on updates to the SOC system that will take effect in 2028. You can help by submitting a comment to request a new job classification for Peer Support Specialists. Your input is crucial because these updates only happen every 10 years.
How to Post a Comment:
- Go to https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/BLS-2024-0001-0001
- Start your comment with: BLS-2024-0001 – Standard Occupation Classification (SOC)—Updates for 2028 – Request to consider the addition of a new detailed occupation for Peer Support Specialists.”
- Share your credentials and experience related to peer support.
- Support your comment with data, facts, or personal experiences.
- Discuss the challenges faced by the peer support profession and how having specific data would help, such as improving pay and benefits.
- Mention the benefits of distinguishing Peer Support Specialists from Community Health Workers.
- You can choose to use this document for attach files. This document will also help you learn about this issue: SOC_2028_Peer_Support_Specialist
By following these steps, you can help ensure that Peer Support Specialists get the recognition and support they deserve.