Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) refers to the ability to provide structured support based on shared experience to individuals facing behavioral health or recovery challenges. It includes using lived experience to foster trust, encourage self advocacy, and help people navigate services and recovery goals. In work settings, it is applied to offer emotional support, promote engagement in care, and reinforce practical steps toward stability and community connection.

The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a software that helps agencies and organizations working with homeless populations to collect, track, and analyze data about homeless individuals and families. This system is designed to improve the coordination and delivery of services to the homeless population by providing accurate and timely information to service providers and policymakers. A specialized skill in HMIS involves proficiency in using and managing the software, as well as an understanding of federal reporting requirements and data privacy regulations.

Peer Support refers to the process of individuals providing assistance, encouragement, and understanding to one another based on shared experiences or challenges. This skill involves active listening, empathy, and the ability to share personal insights to foster a supportive environment. Peer Support is utilized in various settings, such as mental health, education, and community programs, to enhance resilience, promote well-being, and facilitate personal growth among participants.

Self-advocacy is the act of speaking up for oneself and one's interests. It is used as a name for civil rights movements and mutual aid networks for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The term arose in the broader civil rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s, and is part of the disability rights movement. Today, there are self-advocacy organizations across the world.

Supportive housing is a type of specialized housing that provides affordable, stable, and long-term housing for vulnerable populations, along with supportive services such as health care, mental health counseling, and life skills training. It involves a combination of housing and services tailored to the unique needs of individuals who may have experienced homelessness, addiction, or mental health issues, and aims to promote stability, independence, and improved overall health and well-being. Providing supportive housing requires a specialized set of skills, including knowledge of housing law, social work, and case management, as well as expertise in navigating complex systems and advocating for the needs of clients.