Stories From The Road

The "Pillars of Peer Supports" Revisited

According to the Peer Summmit Report (copy of full report link below) "The intent of the Summit was to bring together those states that currently provide formal training and certification for peer providers working in mental health systems to examine the multiple levels of state support necessary for a strong and vital peer workforce able to engage in states’ efforts at system transformation, including recent innovations in Whole Health."

"The Pillars of Peer Support" were intended to be a resource for states around the US to use as they expand their peer service programs. These "pillars" they developed were standards for states served as "channel markers" to help them navigate their programs in depth and scope. Some of the key pillars I have listed as followed as Iquote and summarize:

 

A state's Peer Specialist Certification Program is strengthened when:

1. There are clear job and service descriptions for Peer Specialists

2.There are job-related competencies to inform that job description

3. There is skills-based recovery and a whole training program in place

4. There is a competency-based testing process to measure mastery of skills

5. There is employment-related certification that is recognized at the state level

6.There is ongoing continuing education that exposes Peer Specialists to the most 

recent research and innovation

7. There are professional advancement opportunities to move beyond part-time 

and entry-level positions

8. There are expanded employment opportunities that allow Peer Specialists to be 

employed in a variety of positions

9. There is a strong consumer movement that also provides state-level support and training

10. There are unifying symbols and celebrations to give a sense of shared identity

11. There are ongoing mechanisms for networking and information exchange for 

Peer Specialists to stay connected to each other

12. There is media and technology access that connects Peer Specialist with basic 

and innovative information technology methods

13. There is a program support team that oversees and assists with state training 

and testing certification, continuing education etc...

14. There is a research and evaluation component to measure a program's effectiveness

15. There are opportunities for peer workforce development that help identify and prepare 

Peer Specialist candidates in training and the certification process

16. There is a comprehensive stakeholders training program that communicates the 

role and responsibilties of Peer Specialists and concepts of recovery and whole health 

to non-peer staff

17. There is competency based training for Peer Support Supervisors...

There are several others that can be seen in the full report linked below. This report should 

I think be revisited many times to "keep our fingers on the pulse" of how we are doing 

with Peer Services throughout our training to gauge our thinking and planning.

(Note: The Pillars of Peer Support Services Summit was supported by SAMHSA, CMHS, The 

National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors and other national groups 

involved in setting standards for Peer Services.)

Copy of "The Pillars of Peer Support" Full Report

Avoiding Peer Drift: Maintaining Your Role as a Peer Specialist

This concept of "Peer Drift" has been shared in the VA Peer Support Toolkit. Peer 
Drift occurs when the peer support providers do not feel comfortable in their 
recovery-oriented role, and they begin to shift to a more medical treatment role.

How to detect whether you may be drifting away from your true sense of peer 
support:

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Peer Identity                                                                           Peer Drift

Comfort using recovery story as tool                                      Uncomfortable in sharing recovery story

Peer support as a opportunity of mutual learning                 Peer support as opportunity to instruct

 Focus on strengths, opportunities & skills                             Focus on barriers, symptoms & diagnoses

 Find your voice, make decisions, take risks                           Defer decisions, avoid challenge & stress

Self-confidence, security and pride                                         Self-doubt, insecurity and shame

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We all can get off course as Peer Specialists. But we need to keep in check whether we are daily developing a Wellness or Illness mindset. We must seek daily to move from Patienthood to Personhood. To fully embrace wellness and ourselves as ambassadors of that wellness.

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Copy of the VA Peer Specialist's Toolkit

 

 

 

Peer Creativity: Aurora Studio & Gallery, Asheville

 

 

Aurora Studio & Gallery is a nonprofit, founded in the spring of 2012 located in Asheville, North Carolina. The studio collaborates with local artists and healing arts instructors in order to offer a community art space for artists affected by mental health needs, addiction and/or homelessness.  Workshops are offered weekly for up to twelve artists in recovery and run for eight weeks.  The current studio is located in downtown Asheville and has been donated by local businesswoman, Susan Durrence.

 

 

The studio provides artists with the space and art supplies to explore their personal creativity, which they could not otherwise obtain or afford. The integrative structure and community support provided by Aurora Studio & Gallery enables artists to heal, grow and thrive.

 

 

Are you the creative type?  Do you like participating in small group settings?  Aurora Studio & Gallery is looking for a few dedicated volunteers to help with classes and special events this fall.  This has been a perfect opportunity for Peer Support Specialists who want to get involved in community organizing.
 

Aurora Studio & Gallery is a small grassroots nonprofit that has been facilitating art classes for artists in recovery for a little over a year.  The studio is open to up to 12 participating artists who are actively working on their recovery whether it be from mental health issues, addiction or homelessness.  We offer classes to participants for a small donation, or more frequently a small commission if the program helps sells their artwork.

 

 
Volunteers are needed to help with our Thursday classes which run from 12 - 4pm.  While there are some tasks involved; setting up tables, helping to clean up, etc., the neat part is most volunteers get to create art, along with our participants.  Local artists help teach our classes. Our fall session starts Sept. 25th and runs through Nov. 13th.  While this is a volunteer position - we are hoping to get funding for this supportive role in the future.
 

Volunteers are also needed for other areas, i.e., special events, grant writing and administrative help.

 

President, Lori Greenberg, M.Ed, is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist

 

 

President, Lori Greenberg, M.Ed, is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, who has been working in the field of human services for over thirty years. Her interest in people started at the age of 14, when she began spending her Saturdays with children with developmental disabilities. Her passion has evolved into supporting people of varying need, including: families and youth at risk; people with HIV/AIDS; persons affected by mental illness, addiction, homelessness and concerns around the environment. While living in Vermont she was an avid volunteer/supporter of the local monthly Gallery Walk, the annual Women's Film Festival, the HEALS Expressive Arts Loss Support Program, the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont and Brattleboro Community Radio. Greenberg founded Aurora Studio & Gallery in May of 2012.

 

Contact Lori Greenberg at: [email protected]

 

Visit their website: Aurora Studio and Gallery

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions for Peer Support Supervisors to Ask Themselves?

Think about these questions that have come out of Peer Supervision within the VA as a compass for the quality of supervision you are offering your Peer Specialists in the field. 

How would your Peer Specialists respond to these statements?....

•My supervisor understands my role as a peer support service provider?

•My supervisor understands my role as my supervisor?

•My supervisor does a good job of supervising me?

•I am able to meet/consult with my supervisor as often as needed?

•My supervisor advocates for me when needed?

•I trust my supervisor?

•I believe my supervisor has trust in me?

•I observe appropriate boundaries with my co-workers?

•I behave ethically in the workplace?

•I am treated the same way as any other team member?

•I believe that my supervisor received needed information and training before beginning his role?

•It is important for my supervisor to monitor my mental health as well as my work performance?

•I wish my supervisor would do more of the following:

–Advocate along with me

–Offer a wider variety of tasks

–Respect my abilities

–Observe more in the field

–Provide us with more training

–Have more time to talk

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I think it is healthy for Peer Support Supervisors to have a "healthy look" and be willing to ask their staff as peers to offer feedback. The quality of supervision would increase. The levels of communication, trust, respect and loyalty of one's team would increase as well.

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Copy of the Full Report

From "A 2010 Report on Peer Support Supervision in VA Mental Health Services and the (DBSA)"

6th Annual One Community In Recovery Conference

 

 

 

 

6th Annual
NC “One Community in Recovery” Conference
November 12 – 14, 2014
Village Inn and Conference Center, Clemmons, NC

Their 6th year! Sure to be an inspiring and informative event, this conference is designed to foster the continuing growth of the North Carolina Recovery Movement, to teach participants how to get recovery programming up and running in their own communities, to showcase some of the most progressive recovery practices and to bring the community of providers and individuals in recovery together as students and partners. This conference is also designed to educate and motivate participants to apply principles of recovery in their personal and professional lives.    Thur. Nov. 13th from 9:00 AM to Fri Nov. 14th at 3:00 PM   Register for Event | View Event Brochure       Related Materials: Recovery Champion Award Nomination.pdf Scholarship Application.pdf Scholarship_Sponsor_Registration_Form.pdf Sponsorship Opportunities.pdf Target Audience: This conference will be beneficial to those caring for people with mental health, substance abuse, and/or developmental disabilities, including administrators, educators, family members, individuals with lived experience, licensed professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, peer support specialists, policy makers, psychologists, service providers, social workers, substance abuse counselors, and other health and human service professionals interested in recovery. Sessions: Wednesday Pre-Conference. Please click here for registration fee and indicate below which sessions you will attend.  Wednesday November 12 from 11:30 AM to 4:45 PM Wednesday Pre-Conference Session A: More than Medicine: Recovery-Focused Psychiatry for the New World of Mental Health Care  Wednesday November 12 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Wednesday Pre-Conference Session B: Resilience and Youth Recovery  Wednesday November 12 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Wednesday Pre-Conference Session C: Responsive Crisis Response: The Role of Peers in Minimizing Hospitalizations  Wednesday November 12 from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM Wednesday Pre-Conference Session D: The Effective Use of Assertive Engagement and Harm Reduction Within ACT  Wednesday November 12 from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM Thursday and Friday  Thursday November 13 from 9:00 AM to Friday November 14 at 3:00 PM Thursday Only  Thursday November 13 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Friday Only  Friday November 14 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Objectives: Discuss the values, principles, adn philosohy of the Recovery Movement. Identify ways to implement Recovery principles into practice. Discuss and potentially implement cutting edge Recovery practices.

Quick Tips In How to Develop Natural Supports In the Community

1. KNOW THE INDIVIDUAL-find out their interests, likes and dislikes; get info from existing natural supports
2. ENCOURAGE FREQUENT COMMUNICATIONS-determine communication abilities; network to identify interests
3. PERSISTENCE, PERSISTENCE-this is a slow, tedious, ongoing process; continue to network, attend, identify
4. FOCUS ON A SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOOD-learn the neighborhood; spend time getting to know those in it
5. DEVELOP ALLIES IN THAT GROUP OF PEOPLE-identify those willing to go to bat; those who open doors
6. ADVOCATE-specifically ask that group, club, community to include the person
7. STUDY THE CUES-monitor how much & how long to assist; watch relationships take root; gradually fade
8. BE A REGULAR PERSON-don't be professional; don't hog the mike; gently nudge them on stage
9. FIND OTHER GROUPS-continually seek to do all the above in other settings in the community

Stick with it. Remember, you are trying to begin the process of recovery. You are seeking to assist them to move forward towards wellness. There will come a day when they leave us behind. Assuming full ownership and responsibility in their recovery...self-directed. A glorious day that will be.

(Summarized from the Dept of Developmental Services & Supports Section in Sacramento, CA in their publication "Natural Supports: They're All Around You" )

Link To Article

 

 

 

Being a Team Player

In an interdisciplinary team, the Peer Specialist is equal in status but different in function. They infuse hope into the cup of tea. They infect their environment with wellness and recovery. The Peer Specialist shares their role without compromising their role. They can bring innovation within the institution. They can maintain freedom within a framework. They can navigate the system without becoming one with the system. They can translate experiences for the clinical team and also be a valuable member of the clinical team.

It is our job and our joy to communicate and clarify our role to the members of the team without alienating the members of the team. We are to nudge not nag. We gently invite others towards wellness instead of pushing and shoving others towards wellness. Before we shoot the arrow of truth, we must dip it in honey. Let us earn the right to be heard. Seeking first to understand more than to be understood. In that way, Peer Specialists will be an equal voice with greater credibility within the teams that we work with and serve.

David Abernethy, CPSS in Asheville

A Typical Day.

"It feels good to help someone else, it just does. That’s why we become a PSS. If one doesn’t like that, one shouldn’t become a PSS. For myself, I love it; I just have a knack for it. You will feel tired if you are busy. I see all sorts of people and most are needing what we’ve got to give: HOPE. HOPE is what we do as PSS.  A typical day for me includes what we call O.G. or “Orientation Group” where we do an intake on folks needing help in our community. I help with the paperwork and a clinician does triage and “funnels” the client toward appropriate services, Med. Management, Group or individual therapy, etc. Then I’ve usually got some REC (Recovery Education) plans. A few days after triage, the client will come to me and I will look at the CCA (clinical assessment) and the client and I will do the plan. I will guide the individual toward group therapy or individual therapy. I personally teach Dual Recovery, WMR (Wellness Management and Recovery) class, Depressionand Anxiety class and Grief Relief classes. I also do one-on-one sessions with clients. I find these (group and individual sessions) the most rewarding of all. People are actually getting better."

What are Peer Support Best Practices (as you see it)?

"As fully understanding the company you are working for, its mission, quirks, employee/supervisor nuances, expectations, much of it is very subtle and you WILL make mistakes initially and less as you go “down the road” with it. Developing a rhythm is helpful and lots of deep breaths and stepping back are required. The clients are usually “a breeze” at least for me and I know that this sound flippant, but they are really the best part of the job and I look forward to speaking to each one. Maybe it’s just me…

Some advice to a new PSS?

"First, foremost and most importantly, a Peer Support Specialist MUST be stable enough to be consistent in performance. This cannot be over-emphasized. As I experienced in my training and you did in yours, some are plainly and certainly NOT ready for this. We are professionals and must act professionally and there is also an art or practice (as in “law practice” or “medical practice”) involved. People’s lives are on the line, some are unstable and a few are even unsafe to themselves and others. Some clients are expert manipulators .These, fortunately, are rare. Most clients are good people enduring hardships of various kinds. But, all in all, I love my job and look forward to going to work. I hope that you will as well."

Re-Blog: Help Fellow Veterans Become Peer Specialists

 

(Re-posted from the VA Blog from May 7, 2013 at VANtage Point---Link to Article)

VA has always recognized the value and importance of Veterans being able to see recovery taking place and have a fellow Veteran help them navigate the VA system. As VA peer specialists, or peer support apprentices, you have the opportunity to share experience and knowledge with fellow Veterans as they make the transition into civilian life. The transition can sometimes be difficult with health challenges, mental health issues, employment concerns and more. However, peer specialists and peer support apprentices can help Veterans navigate their way into civilian life more successfully by offering the right tools, resources, and necessary support.

 

 

Peer specialists are actively engaged in his/her own recovery and can provide peer support services to others engaged in similar mental health treatment. Peer support apprentices meet all the requirements of a peer specialist but are not yet certified.

As a VA peer specialist or peer support apprentice, you could help fellow Veterans build fuller, richer lives. Find out if you are eligible for either position at the Peer Support Applicants FAQs page and click here to apply for positions today.