1. Peers In the Workplace: Realizing the Potential Ronald Bassman, Ph.D. Celia Brown Darby Penney, MLS

2. Peers in the Workforce Benefits Benefits Meaningful job opportunities for peersMeaningful job opportunities for peers Peers bring experiential knowledge of service system; healing and recoveryPeers bring experiential knowledge of service system; healing and recovery

3. Peers in the Workforce More benefits: Model recovery- oriented approach to interacting with service usersModel recovery- oriented approach to interacting with service users Teach non-peer staff how the system disempowers peopleTeach non-peer staff how the system disempowers people

4. Peers in the Workforce Peers in the workforce are NOT: Junior case managersJunior case managers Medication enforcersMedication enforcers The “conscience” of an agencyThe “conscience” of an agency

5. Peers in the Workforce Caveats: Administration must understand the roleAdministration must understand the role Don’t ask peers to do things that violate their values and principlesDon’t ask peers to do things that violate their values and principles Peers must be free to express their views without fear of retaliationPeers must be free to express their views without fear of retaliation

6. Peers in the Workforce Peers can join the workforce as… Peer specialists in mainstream programsPeer specialists in mainstream programs Advocates or peer support staff in independent, peer-run agenciesAdvocates or peer support staff in independent, peer-run agencies

7. Comparison: Peer Specialist & Other Jobs Vocational Placements Peer Advocates Peer Support Program staff Case Managers, Therapy Aids, etc. Peer Specialists Current service users Current/former service users trained in advocacy & negotiation skills Current/former service users trained in self- help and peer support Service system jobs NOT requiring first- hand experience as service user Service system jobs requiring first-hand experience as service user Transitional, low- wage jobs. Usually menial work, not direct service Represent the expressed interests of service users Provide, teach & model peer support, self-help, empowerment Professional/ paraprofessional clinical jobs Focus on self- help, peer support within a mainstream agency Workers employed and supervised through a voc rehab program Employed by independent peer-run programs - NOT gov’t employees Employed by gov’t or contract agency Adapted from New York State Peer Specialist Training Materials

8. Peer Specialist Qualifications Knowledge/experience: Knowledge/experience: Self-help techniques, group processes, facilitationSelf-help techniques, group processes, facilitation Consumer/survivor/ex-patient movement goalsConsumer/survivor/ex-patient movement goals Mental health/human services systemsMental health/human services systems Rights of service usersRights of service users Adapted from New York State Peer Specialist Training Materials

9. Able to engage and empathize based on common experiences Able to engage and empathize based on common experiences Patient, encouraging, supportive Patient, encouraging, supportive Able to teach skills Able to teach skills Advocate/negotiate Advocate/negotiate Peer Specialist Qualifications

10. Experience as a service user Experience as a service user Two years’ active participation in self-help or advocacy Two years’ active participation in self-help or advocacy Interpersonal skills Interpersonal skills

11. Peer Specialist Job Duties Developing Personal Growth Skills Building trust, sharing common experiences Building trust, sharing common experiences Help users: Help users: explore their support needs explore their support needs identify specific, individual strategies for coping, healing, growth identify specific, individual strategies for coping, healing, growth Adapted from New York State Peer Specialist Training Materials

12. Peer Specialist Job Duties Teaching, modeling peer support skills Adapted from New York State Peer Specialist Training Materials Convene, facilitate self-help groups Teach self-help techniques and group process skills Help establish peer support networks, enhance natural supports

13. Peer Specialist Job Duties Teaching advocacy skills Negotiating bureaucraciesNegotiating bureaucracies Applying for benefitsApplying for benefits Identify, exercise rightsIdentify, exercise rights Advocate within systemsAdvocate within systems Educate providers on peer perspectivesEducate providers on peer perspectives Adapted from New York State Peer Specialist Training Materials

14. Peers in the Workforce Opening new doors: Empowerment, healing and growth for service users AND for the system Empowerment, healing and growth for service users AND for the system