Crisis mental health peer support services assist an individual in exercising control over their own life and recovery process through the practice of peer counselors sharing their own life experiences related to mental illness to build alliances that enhance the individual's ability to function.

(1) Peer support services are intended to augment and not supplant other necessary mental health services.

(2) In addition to meeting the general requirements for crisis services in WAC 246-341-0900, an agency certified to provide crisis peer support services must:

(a) Ensure services are provided by a person recognized by the authority as a peer counselor, as defined in WAC 246-341-0200, under the supervision of a mental health professional;

(b) Ensure services provided by a peer counselor are within the scope of the peer counselor's training and credential;

(c) Ensure that a peer counselor responding to a crisis is accompanied by a mental health professional;

(d) Ensure that any staff member who engages in home visits is provided by their employer with a wireless telephone, or comparable device, for the purpose of emergency communication; and

(e) Ensure peer counselors receive annual training that is relevant to their unique working environment.