PEER SPECIALIST Consumer Workgroup Proposal

Introduction SAMHSA Grant Consumer Workgroup Agenda for today’s meeting Discuss peer specialist roles at the Brattleboro Retreat Goals Approval for 2 peer specialist positions at the Brattleboro Retreat

What is a Peer Specialist? Someone defined as a peer who currently or formerly received mental health services and self identifies as a person living in recovery with a mental illness

Why a Peer Specialist? Growing increasingly common in acute care settings – Brattleboro Retreat has always been on the cutting edge of new and innovative treatment modalities Playing vital roles in helping to transform hospital to more recovery-oriented environments Benefits to Patient Benefits to Staff Consumer Movement

Recovery Model ( 2004) 10 Fundamental Components of Recovery Self-Direction Individualized and person centered Empowerment Holistic Non-linear Strength-based Peer support Respect Responsibility Hope

Job Description/Qualifications Job Description A Peer Specialist is a person with a mental illness experience who helps others diagnosed with mental illnesses. The role of the Peer Specialist is to promote wellness and to support people in achieving their chosen goals. The Peer Specialist provides support to patients during the admission process, attending treatment team meetings, helping patients identify their strengths, assisting patients to avert crises and de-briefing patients following a restraint or crisis event and providing emotional support, modeling recovery and giving people hope that recovery is possible. Job Qualifications - a personal experience as a recipient of mental health services. Past hospitalizations helpful. History of recovery and willingness to disclose -An understanding of and commitment to the SAMHSA recovery principles -Basic knowledge and understanding of mental health and community resources -Demonstrated ability to support patients and model self-advocacy -Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities -Good written and verbal communication shills -WRAP trained recommended -Bachelors degree and/or 5 yrs. experience working with recipients of mental health services -An ability to establish trusting relationships with peers, including excellent interpersonal skills

Job Description (cont.) Job Responsibilities -Individual contact with patients at admission or as close to admission as possible and prior to discharge -Conducts individual debriefings with patients after incidents -Collaborates with unit staff and supervisors to ensure a participatory process for patients and their treatment Understands and is able to communicate unit rules to patients in a manner that is supportive and respectful to patients and hospital policies -Assist patients in developing and review hospital after care crisis/safety plans - Adheres to all policies and procedures of the Brattleboro Retreat - Reinforces patient safety plan or therapeutic intervention survey -Articulates and interprets to staff how person with mental illness may be experiencing treatment - Promotes a culture of recovery through ongoing trainings for staff and a weekly groups for patients - Participate in treatment team meetings -Work with patients at risk for crises - Address minor complaints -Help develop hospital policies

Data Review POC’s- Reviewed POC data from June 2009 – May Question #5 “Were you involved as much as you wanted in decisions about your treatment overall scored the lowest (ranging from satisfaction) of all questions on the POC. Seclusion and Restraint Data for Adolescent and Children’s inpatient units- Of 177 S&R’s 71 happened on day shift, 104 on 2 nd shift and 2 on 3 rd shift. Admission rates per day- T3 from Jan – Nov 2010 saw an average of 39 admissions per month or 1.2 admissions per day. Osgood 1 had an average of 17 admissions per month or 0.6 admission rate per day Time of day/ Day of S&R during hospitalization – most happened in middle and towards the end of hospitalization (slightly more than 50%). We had made the assumption that most S&R’s happened early in a patients admission

Conclusion/Next Steps Evidence and data supports peer specialists in inpatient settings. Creates increased patient satisfaction, improves overall hope and recovery and would reduce seclusion and restraint rates even further. Continue to further develop consumer advisory council Consumer workgroup is committed to working closely and supporting the Retreat with the development, implementation and monitoring of these positions

Questions?