Peer Workforce Development Initiative

Pathways Vermont is a leader in the state’s peer workforce movement and is working to greatly improve consistency, infrastructure, communication, and resource sharing among the peer-workforce community. We are dedicated to ensuring that all Vermonters are in a position to lead meaningful lives in their community.

Pathways Vermont was awarded a grant for a Peer Workforce Development Initiative (PWDI) by the Department of Mental Health (DMH) in 2020. The Peer Workforce Development Initiative grant was developed by DMH to help the state build and maintain an infrastructure for a statewide mental health peer workforce. Goals of the initiative include creating a steering committee, evaluating statewide peer workforce needs, facilitating awareness and participation by providing resources and information to peer support workers, and ensuring the availability of peer support worker training.

“This is a great opportunity to help shift the paradigm around mental health services utilizing the collective voices of Vermonters with shared experiences. We are excited about the possibilities for transformative change by providing empowering connections throughout the statewide peer network.”
– Pathways Vermont Executive Director, Hilary Melton

Upcoming Trainings

The mission of the PWDI includes facilitating various statewide peer support work trainings. Pathways Vermont is working to continuously provide peer workers with innovative and evolving opportunities to learn, grow, and share experiences. Our regular trainings and discussions include, but are not limited to:

Intentional Peer Support
Mad Movement Histories
Harm Reduction Approach to Psychiatric Drugs
Harm Reduction
Conversations About Suicide
Fat Liberation and Health at Every Size
Conversations About Oppression and Privilege

View all scheduled trainings here.

PWDI Resources

In 2025, the Pathways Vermont Training Institute established the VT Peer Certification Training Center to design, deliver, and maintain the training program for Certification of Adult Mental Health Peer Support Providers in Vermont. Follow this link to learn more.

Steering Committee Members

The PWDI Steering Committee is composed of statewide leaders in Vermont’s peer workforce. The committee convenes regularly to oversee peer workforce development and training in Vermont.