It is important that organizations that are not fully familiar with peer support and wish to introduce it into their services, orient their staff to maximize opportunities for success. Part of the process is to examine the culture of the organization. Is it oriented to a recovery or a medical approach? The introduction of peer support into a deeply entrenched medical model culture is problematic and requires important advance work with staff and policies. In order to achieve this goal it is necessary for senior leadership to communicate their commitment to the existing staff and it is important to solicit the perspective of people in recovery, family members, and staff early in the process. This presentation will provide a step-by-step guide to introducing peer support into provider service arrays as well as links to resources that will contribute to a successful transition.
Funding for this initiative was made possible by grant no. 1H79TI083022 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
