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A newsletter of the Washington State Health Care Authority Office of Recovery Support. |
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The role of a peer support worker complements but does not duplicate or replace the roles of therapists, case managers, and other members of a treatment team. Peer support workers bring their own personal knowledge of what it is like to live and thrive with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. They support people’s progress towards recovery and self-determined lives by sharing vital experiential information and real examples of the power of recovery. The sense of mutuality created through thoughtful sharing of experience is influential in modeling recovery and offering hope (Davidson, Bellamy, Guy, & Miller, 2012).
View an infographic to learn more about peer support, what peer support workers do, and the difference peer support workers make.
The evidence is clear: peer support helps people. Peer support, the “process of giving and receiving encouragement and assistance to achieve long-term recovery,” is not a new concept in health care. Across conditions, peers “offer emotional support, share knowledge, teach skills, provide practical assistance, and connect people with resources, opportunities, communities of support, and other people” (Mead, 2003; Solomon, 2004).
In behavioral health, peers offer their unique lived experience with mental health conditions to provide support focused on advocacy, education, mentoring, and motivation.
Learn more about the benefits of peer support by reading recent research and reports.
Email peer-related employment to Amanda Polley.
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Continued education offered by HCA
Are you interested in continuing your peer education but need something flexible to work within your schedule? Our peer team offers a variety of training:
Principles of Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is coming summer of 2023.
Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) Growth, Pride, and Renewal training
NPAIHB is offering a free, 16-hour virtual and on-demand course that is completed over 8-months.
Healthcare service providers who would like to increase their personal coping abilities and resiliency and create, improve and deepen meaningful relationships are welcome. Register, view the class schedule, and review class materials and resources on the NPAIHB training flyer.
Crisis awareness and communication in peer support
Peer Olympia is holding a five day training on crisis awareness and communication in peer support.
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Who? All Trueblood program peers and other interested CPCs who want to learn more about crisis intervention and de-escalation from a peer perspective are invited to attend.
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When? 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. February 6 through 10
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Where? Peer Olympia, 522 Franklin St, Olympia
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How do I sign up? Email Amanda Polley before Monday, January 9. Seats are limited.
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- Thursday, January 5
- 9 to 10 a.m.
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- Tuesday, January 17
- 9 to 10 a.m.
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Five organizations in King County have been identified as the awardees of the Expand Peer Support for Behavioral Health Services programs. All of these organizations are community-based and are either peer-run or offer peer-driven programming.
Each of these organizations are doing wonderful and amazing things in our community and we can’t wait to see more. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these wonderful resources by your peer colleagues in the state:
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Meet this month's highlighted peer, Joshua Smith! Joshua is a youth leader, a certified peer counselor and a peer support services program specialist at Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) in Lacey.
View his Facebook profile to see his other affiliations and experiences.
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"Joshua stands out in a large field of other leaders. I believe his efforts to engage and include peers is stellar. Simply put - Joshua is a role model!" - Laura Van Tosh.
If you haven’t had an opportunity to meet Josh or hear him speak about the movement forward with peer services in Juvenile Rehabilitation (JVR), you’re missing out! But don’t worry – he appeared in our October’s Peer Blend webinar and you can watch the recording to learn more.
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Every year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Washington State require a statewide count of all people staying in temporary housing programs (the "sheltered count") and places not meant for human habitation (the "unsheltered count").
The Department of Commerce provides survey forms for counties and agencies to use for their counts. Counties can also opt to use their own forms as long as they comply with state guidelines. Peers who are outreach workers help conduct the count.
The point in time count assesses housing needs for individuals living without a permanent home, and turns that info over to HUD, which in turn brings in funding to areas.
Washington State’s annual point in time count will be on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
The health and mood-boosting benefits of pets
Most pet owners are aware of the immediate joys that come with sharing their lives with companion animals. However, many of us remain unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that can also accompany the pleasure of snuggling up to a furry friend.
It’s only recently that studies have begun to scientifically explore the benefits of the human-animal bond. Read more about how pets can benefit our health and mood.
Advice from our pets
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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!
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)
View all previous editions of the Peer-to-Peer newsletters on our peer support webpage.
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