Utilizing Peer Supports in the Community Robert riley ii, cadc

The push for recovery and the use of peer support services has accelerated across the United States with individual states providing training and credentialing by state agencies. The increase in peer specialists working in the mental health system suggests that the value of the peer specialist role is becoming more established.

Definition of Peer Support: The process of giving and receiving nonprofessional, nonclinical assistance from individuals with similar conditions or circumstances to achieve long-term recovery from psychiatric, alcohol, and/or other drug related problems. Definition of Peer Support:

Areas of Training Motivational Interviewing skills for client engagement Increased knowledge in specific topics Different models of recovery Background on the State Mental Health System Working with different cultural groups Understanding different types of mental health and trauma experiences/ Mental Health First Aid Understanding scope of engagement

Continuum of Care An integrated system of care that guides patients over time through a array of health services and levels of care. A typical continuum of care spans the following categories: Due to the chronic nature of many mental illnesses and substance use disorders, a client may go back and forth between levels of care. Peer Services may be value-added at all points.

Peer Support In Action SUPPORT BENEFIT Self Directed Recovery Accessing recovery oriented social activities Providing recovery community resources Probation/Parole navigation Access to Health Care Employment Opportunities Independence Engagement in recovery community Problem solving skills Education Self Esteem Social Inclusion Respect

More of Peer Support in Action Practical Support Benefit Facilitate and support Client and teams with emerging needs Accompany and support Client to appointments; medical, dental psychiatrist, probation, court Goal setting Encourage medication compliance Support self-care Budgeting Facilitate and support Client and teams with emerging needs Accompany and support Client to appointments; medical, dental psychiatrist, probation, court Goal setting Encourage medication compliance Support self-care Budgeting

Referral Process Example

WE DO RECOVER !!! Social Interaction Recovery Activities Accountability Relationship Building Learning to interact where recovery is the norm Mutual Support Network

People at the agency don't know what to do with the peer specialist role. They want to embrace the individual (the peer specialist) but don't know how to utilize what he/she has to offer. The clinician doesn't know when to ask the peer specialist to step in to help a client Feeling in conflict with others on a treatment team Lack of understanding of the peer role among peers, supervisors and other colleagues is a common challenge initially within organizations and must be discussed routinely with all team members.

Barriers to feeling supported as Peer Support Specialist Lack of understanding of the peer role among peers, supervisors and other colleagues Feeling in conflict with others on a treatment team Having job duties in misalignment with the ethics and values of the peer role Not being able to apply everything learned in the training Dealing with stigma Self care/boundaries Working with people in crisis or in early stages of recovery System issues Barriers to feeling supported as Peer Support Specialist

Potential Peer Roles: Outreach and engagement Empathetic support Instilling hope Enhancing motivation Client advocacy Potential Peer Roles:

What is Peer Support for Parents and Other Caregivers? Parent  peer support, also commonly called family peer support  or family support  services, offers hope, guidance, advocacy, and camaraderie for parents and caregivers of children and youth receiving services from mental health, substance use, and related service systems. Parent  support  providers deliver peer support  through face to face support   groups, phone calls, or individual meetings. They bring expertise based on their own experience parenting children or youth with social, emotional, behavioral, or substance use challenges, as well as specialized training, to support  other parents and caregivers. Working within a  peer support  framework that  recognizes the power of mutuality and experiential understanding, parent  support  providers deliver education, experience and peer support   (SAMSHA 2017,Obrochta et  al., 2011).

What is Peer Support for Parents and Other Caregivers ? cont. Parents trying to identify and access appropriate services for their child may find child serving systems (e.g., mental health, education, juvenile justice, child welfare, substance use treatment) complicated and overwhelming. Parent  peer support  can help these parents navigate systems more effectively, learn from the experiences of other families, feel less alone, and gain hope, ideas, and information. This support  can help parents meet   their children’s needs more efficiently, and with greater confidence and hope. (Kutash et   al., 2011, Hoagwood et  al., 2009).

What Do Parent Support Providers Do? Parent support providers  offer:   emotional connection of people who have “been there”;   informational and educational support  on systems and strategies;   support  for parents as they develop positive approaches and methods for addressing their family’s day-­‐to-­‐day needs, including their own needs for self-­‐care; concrete support, such as help arranging child care or transportation; and living proof of resilience and recovery. What Do Parent Support Providers  Do?

What do Parent support providers do? Cont. information and referral; individualized supports to help parents understand their children’s needs and access natural supports; support  groups; parent  training and education to increase knowledge and skills; system navigation to assist  a family in finding or accessing resources; intensive family support  during periods of crisis; specialized supports for families experiencing challenges with systems such as child welfare, juvenile courts, or schools What do Parent support providers do? Cont.