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A newsletter of the Washington State Health Care Authority Office of Recovery Support. |
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 HCA staff at the conference
The annual Co-Occurring Disorders (COD) and Treatment Conference took place in Yakima this year and was held both virtually and in-person (woo-hoo!). It was so great to see people in person after a long break of blurred backgrounds and “sorry, I was muted.”
The COD and Treatment Conference aims to bring together experts from Washington and across the nation to share information about innovative therapeutic techniques, skills, programs, practices and policies. Here’s what the conference organizers say about the purpose of the conference: “Our goal is to promote integration of services across the public mental health, substance use disorder, developmental disabilities, and medical systems; promote knowledge about co-occurring disorders and the value of integration, to support the development of a co-occurring capable system of care, and to advocate and partner with others to promote integrated treatment and recovery for all people. Finally, we strive to present each participant with current information that will bring value back to the agency and the patients they serve, and to provide a great opportunity to network with friends and colleagues”.
This year, a large group of peers from HCA participated and presented (and represented):
- Maureen Bailey, RSS supervisor, and Kimberly Castle shared information about the “Discharge Planners Toolkit for Reducing Homelessness”.
- Amanda Polley, peer program administrator, and Stephanie Lane from Peer WA, introduced the Crisis Awareness and Communication in Peer Support course, developed for peers working in crisis settings.
- Shelly Shor, OPS program manager, presented on Operationalizing Peer Support (OPS) Program.
- Darren Paschke and Dawn Miller discussed Community Inclusion and the Importance of Collaboration: You Can’t Provide Services If No One Shows Up!
- Meta Hogan, Brittany Meek, and Benjamin Vaagan offered information about the Homeless Outreach Stabilization & Transition (HOST) Program.
It is amazing how inspired and refreshed conferences can make you feel. It was also a great reminder that there are a lot of hard-working professionals who are doing incredible work and that there’s so much that we can learn from each other. We are looking forward to more conferences in the future and for more opportunities to network and meet.
 Left image: Heather Rychart-Maxwell, Maureen ‘Mo’ Bailey, Amanda Polley. Right image: Stephanie Lane, Amanda Polley
The behavioral health apprenticeship program is a registered statewide program to meet the urgent need for vital behavioral healthcare services.
The Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium (HCAC) training program for peer counselors enables clients to identify goals that promote resiliency and recovery, and develop activities and services to achieve personal recovery milestones.
The Peer Counselor Pathway consists of:
- A one-year "earn while you learn" program.
- Hybrid learning experience (virtual real-time classes & on the job training).
- An opportunity to stabilize & diversify the behavioral health workforce.
Email Ian Hundtofte for more information.
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Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) trainings from Valley Cities
Valley Cities will be offering Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) 1 and 2, as well as refresher seminars, for community partners at the beginning of 2023. If you are interested in agency trainings, please reach out the fantastic Lisa Brown.
What is WRAP?
Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is a simple and powerful process for creating the life and wellness you want. With WRAP, you can:
- Discover simple, safe, and effective tools to create and maintain wellness.
- Develop a daily plan to stay on track with your life and wellness goals.
- Identify what throws you off track and develop a plan to keep moving forward.
- Gain support and stay in control even in a crisis.
Crisis and Awareness in Peer Support 2023 (Second pilot & train-the-trainer)
This training is geared toward peers working in the crisis system. As part of the Governor’s proviso, a 40-hour curriculum and training, Crisis and Awareness in Peer Support (CACPS), was created by internal and external stakeholders.
If you’re interested in attending the next training, email Jenna Cook for additional information.
National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC) webinar
For decades, peer support has been part of the mental health system. That system—like others across the nation—was built on racism, and racism continues to impact peer support. Come learn how to begin addressing structural racism within the peer support workforce.
Peers Empower Peers (PEP) Conference
The PEP conference brings folks together to share their passion for recovery and to build lasting connections.
Peer Wellness Coaching Train-the-Trainer
Trainees who complete all 10 Wellness Coaching Training Program sessions will be eligible to attend the Peer Wellness Coaching Train-the-Trainer sessions to learn to create a Wellness Coaching training and support implementation of wellness coaching. You must be a current HCA-approved trainer.
- Friday, November 4 and Friday, November 11
- 9 to 11 a.m.
- Reach out to Amanda Polley with any questions!
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- Thursday, November 3
- 9 to 10 a.m.
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- Tuesday, November 15
- 9 to 10 a.m.
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Peer: A person with lived experience with behavioral health.
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Peer counselor: A person with lived experience, who provides peer support services.
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Certified Peer Counselor (CPC): A person with lived experience, who has completed a state approved training and has passed the state exam.
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Youth peer: A person who has lived experience as a youth with behavioral health recovery.
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Parent peer: A person who is a parent or guardian of a person with behavioral health challenges.
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Peer support services: Services provided to an individual by a peer counselor.
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Peer support: "A system of giving and receiving help founded on key principles of respect, shared responsibility, and mutual agreement of what is helpful" -Shery Mead
When most people on the team focus on symptom management, in one way or another, CPCs do not. Instead, they work to help people overcome the effects of poverty, trauma, and abuse and the effects of stigma and discrimination. They do so by sharing their life experience, with hope and skill building.
Peer support is extremely flexible. Under Washington State law, peers have the flexibility to meet people’s needs while also meeting Medicaid standards.
Peer services can include:
- Identifying strengths and setting goals- led by the person receiving the support
- Recovery and wellness planning and ongoing recovery management
- Promoting hope through sharing of lived experience
- Connection to community resources and supports
- Education on self-advocacy skills
- Teaching daily living skills
- Health system navigation
- Facilitating recovery groups
Please reach out to Shelly Shor or Amanda Polley for more information and technical assistance!
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The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB)
The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) serves the 43 tribes of ID, OR, and WA. One of their projects includes a contract with HCA focused on expanding access to technical assistance and CPC training for Washington Tribes.
Contact Dolores Jimerson or Trelace Sigo with questions or for more information on the program. (You may know Trelace, who is a CPC and trainer!) NPAIHB invites anyone who is interested to check out the Peer Recovery ECHO Program.
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Congratulations to the recipients of the Lifetime Advocacy Award!
Our staff would like to highlight Laura Van Tosh, who was honored for the Lifetime of Advocacy award from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. Learn more about Laura in the "Peer highlight" section below.
"…amazing advocates who have played key roles in advancing the rights of people with psychiatric disabilities over many years, each one of them embodies the spirit of these awards. Each of them has dedicated their lives to advancing equality, autonomy and the dignity for people with psychiatric disabilities, has advocated effectively and relentlessly over many decades." -Jennifer Mathis, Former Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy, Bazelon Center
Watch the Lifetime Advocacy Awards, beginning at 25:50.
Thank you, Laura, for your unfettered dedication to health equity, self-advocacy, and the peer movement in Washington State. We are honored by your service to this very important cause.
Laura Van Tosh is the convener of Washington Legislative and Policy Advocates (WLPA), a nonpartisan all-volunteer educational venture focused on health and wellbeing. WLAP's goal is to engage people in policy development and advocacy at the state, county and city levels.
WLPA are active members of statewide coalitions focused on housing, civil rights, human services, and police accountability. Previously, Laura has held policy positions at the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, the state of Maryland, University of Maryland, and the state of Oregon. Laura has worked inside three state psychiatric hospitals, having been a patient in one of them and where she was a member of executive management.
Laura has written extensively about peer run programs and has directed several peer run services including the National Mental Health Consumers’ Self Help Clearinghouse. Laura is a proud member of ADAPT, Disability EmpowHer Network, and the Washington Cross Disability Action Network. Laura lives in the thriving Central District in Seattle and is active in local politics, serving as a precinct committee organizer.
Fun fact: Laura Van Tosh received an award from Redbook Magazine in 2001 and met Paul McCartney at the ceremony in New York City.
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- Peers trained in Washington: 6,228
- Peers certified in Washington: 6,042
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ORP Steering Committee updates
Steering Committee applications are still being accepted! We are particularly interested in hearing from our communities on the eastern side of the state, as well as those who identify as LGBTQ+, Hispanic, and our Veterans and Tribal communities.
The steering committee is open to anyone who self identifies with having lived experience with behavioral health, no “title” needed to apply, no “professional” experience, you do not need to have “official” leadership experience. Leaders are woven within all aspects of our shared communities, your experience as someone who self identifies as having lived experience and your passion for creating systems that represent, honor, and uplift our communities are all that is needed.
Join us in building a better, stronger, truly representative, culturally honoring and sustainable behavioral health system that works for ALL! View the application.
ORP re-imagine and elevation kick off October 25
Office of Recovery Partnerships (ORP) will be starting a phased re-imagining and elevation of the ORP project late October. ORP will be working closely with HCA’s Performance and Planning Division to assist with the multiple phases of the project timeline. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities for community involvement. Be assured that your voices and choices WILL be heard, respected and honored.
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The benefits of self-care are better physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being. Research suggests self-care promotes positive health outcomes such as fostering resilience, living longer, and becoming better equipped to manage stress. |
How are you addressing your own wellness during the holiday season? Our staff shared a few tips and hints to help you remember that your wellness is paramount:
- "Stay hydrated! It seems silly but it is so easy to forget when life gets busy. It’s never a bad idea to take a breather and have a drink of water." –Gillian H.
- "Truthfully, I leave the work to others as much as I can and try to keep my normal routine." –Kira S
- "I try to take time to step back from the hustle and slow down, drink warm things, and spend time noticing and sharing things I’m grateful for." –Liz V.
- "Being very intentional with entertainment i.e. shows, movies, music, social media. A healthy diet (for me) is not limited to food, it’s all things that I take in." –Amanda P.
What are some of the things you do for self-care, especially during the holiday season?
Do you know a CPC or peer-run organization who you think deserves a little extra kudos? We want to highlight them in an upcoming newsletter!
Please email Amanda as much information as possible:
- Name of person/organization
- Their location
- Why are you highlighting them?
- Their picture (optional)
Would you like to have more of an impact on what you see in the Peer-to-Peer newsletter? Share your feedback - your voice is important!
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