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A newsletter of the Washington State Health Care Authority Office of Recovery Support. |
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Have you heard of the Washington Peer Jobs database? It's an online platform dedicated to connecting individuals in the behavioral health and substance use recovery fields with employment opportunities.
The database aims to enhance workforce development by promoting careers in peer support, ensuring that individuals with lived experience can contribute to recovery services and support others on their journey to wellness.
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Poetry is a great avenue for self-expression and community-building. Every month, we feature poetry written by peers in the community.
To be considered for publication in the newsletter, submit a hopeful, resilience-inspired poem to Marie Marchand, our peer support training coordinator, before the twentieth of the month.
The Homelessness Assistance Unit (HAU) of Washington State Commerce is recruiting members for a new lived experience advisory committee.
Membership
Commerce seeks to recruit a diverse membership representative of Washington’s communities. They believe in the importance of integrating lived experience into the decision-making for their many programs. There is no better voice to illuminate the needs of Washington’s homeless population than those who have experienced homelessness directly.
How to apply
Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 16. Please review the recruitment packet before applying.
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Peer employment database sharing session
Join HCA and Peer Washington in an information sharing session about the peer employment database. If you hire peers in your organization or you are a peer looking for employment, join us.
Peer Pathways Conference
We are pleased to announce that this year’s Peer Pathways Conference will be held in Yakima, WA on August 21 and 22. The theme is "Standing on the shoulders of giants: The past, the present and future of peer support."
Don't forget to nominate your favorite peers for the awards!
Operationalizing Peer Support (OPS) upcoming trainings
HCA’s Operationalizing Peer Support (OPS) program supports peer supervisors, administrators, and organizations agencies who want to begin offering or enhance their current peer programs.
The OPS program is holding a free, two or four-day training to support organizations with the implementation and operationalization of their peer programs.
Participants should attend all sessions to best implement their peer programs effectively.
Topics will include the history of peer support, the peer role in Washington, laws related to peer services, peer supervision, and more.
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Option 1: August 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 1 to 4 p.m.
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Option 2: September 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 1 to 4 p.m.
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Option 3: September 12 and 26 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a 30 minute lunch break
Crisis Awareness and Communication in Peer Support (CACPS)
Are you a certified peer working in a crisis setting? Join the crisis awareness and communication in peer support training! This training is 36 hours over the course of five days.
Beginning July 1, 2025, any entity that uses certified peer specialists as peer crisis responders, may only use certified peer specialists who have completed CACPS training.
Here is what you need to know:
- Attendees must be certified peer counselors.
- Peers working in crisis settings are given priority.
- Peers must complete the online prerequisite "Power of peer support in crisis services" training to attend this training and download a copy of the certificate to be offered as proof of completion to the hosting training organization.
- Peers must complete the post-traumatic growth survey (sent by the training organization) before the first day of training.
- Peers must attend the training in person.
- Peers must cover their own travel and hotel accommodations.
- Breakfast, refreshments, and lunch, will be provided during the training day.
Times, dates, and locations for CACPS trainings may shift and change in response to regional needs.
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This month's Peer Blend webinar will feature guest speaker Amabal Narvaez.
- Thursday, August 1
- 9 to 10 a.m.
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Need support with your organization's peer support program? Drop in to the Operationalizing Peer Support (OPS) office hours to get help.
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Current peer support supervisors can join to review the National Practice Guidelines for Peer Specialists and Peer Supervisors.
- August 19
- 11 a.m. to noon
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Live event captioning available
Communication Access Real-time Transcription (CART) services, or live closed captioning, are available for events, on demand. Scheduling CART services requires a three-week lead-time.
To request this accommodation, please submit a request as soon as possible to Amanda Polley.
If you make your request less than a week in advance of the event, our language access manager cannot guarantee that a CART writer will be available.
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We're happy to announce that Shelly Shor is now the Peer Support Services Supervisor at the Health Care Authority. Previously, Shelly served as the Peer Support Policy and Planning program manager and the Operationalizing Peer Support (OPS) program manager.
Outside her work with the state, Shelly has more than 15 years of experience working in the behavioral health field as a direct service provider and a clinical supervisor of peers and therapists.
Shelly is a licensed clinical social worker. She earned her PhD in clinical social work in 2010. She is also a certified peer counselor with lived experience as a family partner. Shelly is passionate about peer support, the supervision of peers, and the future of peer work in Washington’s behavioral health field and beyond. She is excited about her new position which allows her to keep working with a team of her peers.
When she’s not working, shelly enjoys spending time with her friends and family, her two cats (also family), traveling, living the soccer mom life and going to concerts.
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Summertime self-care
Our summertime self-care reminder? Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! The importance of water is no surprise, especially given that it makes up two-thirds of the human body.
When you run errands, bring a water bottle with you. Mix it up and infuse your water with cucumber, lime, and green apple.
It’s not just about water. You can choose to eat hydrating foods such as cucumbers, celery, watermelon, and grapes. These are also great snacks to take on hikes or picnics! Parts of Washington can get especially hot during the summer, so please stay hydrated as you enjoy your summer activities.
Peer support in the news
Washington Peer Network
The Washington Peer Network provides comprehensive and accessible training and support for peer counselors across our state.
Department of Health peer specialist licensing
Are you interested in knowing more about what the Department of Health (DOH) is doing to support the efforts of recent peer legislation (SSB5555) and moving forward with our Washington State Legislators and the future of licensing for peer services?
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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 Polley as much information as possible:
- Name of person/organization
- Their location
- Why are you highlighting them?
- Their picture (optional)
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