This Resource section contains links to helpful resources for administrators and employers of peer support workers.
Toolkits
New York City Peer and Community Health Workforce Consortium Toolkit
Supporting Peers and Community Health Workers in Their Roles
Philadelphia DBHIDS,
Peer Support Toolkit
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Guidelines for the Practice and Training of Peer Support
Multimedia / Webinars and Videos
(Listed chronologically by broadcast date; most recent on top)
SAMHSA Webinar: Making the Case for the Value of Peers
(Broadcast on March 23, 2017)
(Presentation Handout)
SAMHSA Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale – Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS) Recorded Webinar: The Effectiveness of Peer Support Services: Highlights from the Research (link is external)
This webinar shared highlights of research on the effectiveness of peer recovery support services for mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Presenters described the results of two recent systematic reviews—rigorous and structured approaches to assessing the extent and quality of existing research—on the effectiveness of peer-delivered recovery support services for mental health conditions and substance use disorders, respectively. They discussed the state of the research on peer recovery service, the limitations and challenges of the current body of research, and recommendations for future research.
Original Air Date: August 18, 2016
SAMHSA BRSS TACS Recorded Webinar: Measuring and Communicating the Impact of Peer Recovery Support Services (link is external)
This session focused on approaches to measuring and communicating the impact of peer recovery support services on individuals, peer workers, service systems, and communities. Presenters shared tips and tools for measuring and communicating the impact of peer recovery support services. They explored strategies for data collection and analysis within agencies and across populations and using data to make the case for sustaining services. This session was part of the BRSS TACS 2016 Policy Academy: Building and Enhancing Sustainable Recovery-Oriented Systems and Services.
Original Air Date: March 21, 2016
SAMHSA BRSS TACS Recorded Webinar: Integrating Peers in the Workforce: Supervision and Organizational Culture (link is external)
How can organizations effectively include peers in the delivery of behavioral health services, especially within direct care settings? The presenters addressed developing effective supervision, training supervisors, and creating and nurturing an organizational culture that respects and effectively employs peers in a variety of roles. The session discussed the importance of establishing clear policies, encouraging respect, changing organizational culture, and providing peer supervisory support that promotes the health and wellness of the organization and individuals. This session was part of the BRSS TACS 2016 Policy Academy: Building and Enhancing Sustainable Recovery-Oriented Systems and Services.
Original Air Date: March 17, 2016
SAMHSA BRSS TACS Recorded Webinar: Implementing Innovative Approaches to Crisis Services: Peer-led Crisis Respite and Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs (link is external)
This session focused on the implementation of two successful approaches to recovery-oriented crisis prevention and response services. Parachute NYC combines peer-led crisis respite centers with crisis teams offering peer support and Needs Adapted Treatment to support people experiencing mental health crises. Project Lazarus is a community based opioid overdose prevention model serving a range of populations including military and tribal groups. It has been instrumental in reducing prescription medication overdoses and emergency department visits for substance use, and enhancing substance use treatment services. Representatives from both initiatives shared key lessons learned to successfully implement innovative crisis prevention and response services, including the role of peer support services. This session was part of the BRSS TACS 2016 Policy Academy: Building and Enhancing Sustainable Recovery-Oriented Systems and Services.
Original Air Date: March 16, 2016
SAMHSA BRSS TACS Recorded Webinar: Accessing and Maintaining Sustainable Funding for Recovery Support Services (link is external)
This session provided an overview of a range of funding mechanisms and sustainability strategies for peer-led recovery supports, including Medicaid, Managed Care, insurance, and grant funds. Presenters explored how these funding sources can be used to create and sustain programs and services. This session was part of the BRSS TACS 2016 Policy Academy: Building and Enhancing Sustainable Recovery-Oriented Systems and Services.
Original Air Date: March 15, 2016
SAMHSA BRSS TACS Recorded Webinar: Encouraging the Participation of People in Recovery in Policy, Systems, and Services (link is external)
This session provided historical context and rationale for involving people in recovery with planning and implementation at all levels of policy, systems, and services. It focused on specific strategies to establish and maintain the meaningful involvement of people in recovery and addressed practical considerations related to discrimination, confidentiality, and transforming attitudes, values, and organizational culture. This session was part of the BRSS TACS 2016 Policy Academy: Building and Enhancing Sustainable Recovery-Oriented Systems and Services.
Original Air Date: March 11, 2016.
Newsletters
(Listed chronologically by date; most recent on top)
Words of Wellness Newsletter
Do you have a resource related to the value of hiring and employing peer support workers, or other topics related to the peer workforce to share? Send email to academy.virtual.community@gmail.com.