Growing the Peer Workforce 

CORS subrecipients are expected to establish pathways for peer workforce expansion, and they are embracing this challenge. For example, Serenity House helped start the peer support program for Kankakee County’s mental health and drug courts. “The judges, probations officers, and clients with whom our coaches work are so appreciative,” recounts the CORS team. “We helped celebrate the first graduation from Mental Health Court in on July 2, 2025.”  

Since the start of CORS, the Boone County Health Department has also developed a support program, under the direction of their newly hired peer support navigator. Referred to as the Peer Support Team (PST), it includes two people who received services to address their needs and wanted to give back. The PST initiated and carries out the aforementioned recovery skills session groups at a local church and played a key role in honoring International Overdose Awareness Day, hosting daily activities for the community during the preceding week.