national agrability project peer support douglas b. carmon national agrability project manager 2007...

National AgrAbility Project

Peer Support

Douglas B. CarmonNational AgrAbility Project Manager

2007 National AgrAbility Training WorkshopNovember 15, 2006

Jackson, MS

DEFINITION

• PEER n. – A person who has equal

standing with another, such as in age, gender, disability and life experiences.

• A peer is someone who may or may not be like us in obvious ways, but is someone with whom we share a basic humanity, uniqueness, or experience

DEFINITION

• All people share universal human experiences

• By virtue of this shared humanity, we are all peers

DEFINITION

DEFINITION

• SUPPORT –verb1. to undergo or endure, esp. with patience or

submission; tolerate2. to sustain (a person, the mind, spirits,

courage, etc.) under trial or affliction: They supported him throughout his ordeal

3. to maintain (a person, family, establishment, institution, etc.) by supplying with things necessary to existence; provide for: to support a family

–noun4. a person or thing that gives aid or assistance

• System of giving and receiving help founded on key principles of respect, shared responsibility, and mutual agreement of what is considered to be helpful

• Provided by people with disabilities to people with disabilities

PEER SUPPORT

• Has been recognized as an invaluable and effective adjunct to professional health services

• Peer support work is based on a recognition that peers could understand feelings and personal issues concerning disabilities better than non-disabled professionals, certain areas of service were pinpointed as pertinent to peer involvement; these areas included information and referral, skills training, emotional support, self-exploration, problem identification, goal setting, action planning, and goal attainment monitoring. (NIHR 1984)

PEER SUPPORT

• Mutual respect • Optimistic outlook • Empowerment of the client

– Understanding that the client has the solutions to his/her own problems and does not need your advice or direction

• Genuineness– being oneself– authenticity

CHARACTERISTICS

• Acceptance of differences– does not mean agreement, but

acceptance based on respect

• Empathy– allowing oneself to feel with

another person

• Intention to be of service to another

CHARACTERISTICS

• Designed to bring answers and support to people with newly acquired disabilities, as well as people who have had disabilities for some time

PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM

• Besio and Mahler (1993) cite a number of benefits of utilizing consumers/survivors as service providers, including empathy and understanding, tolerance of unusual behaviors, ease of relating to service recipients, knowledge of available resources, positive role modeling and a strong sense of responsibility for clients. They also emphasize that peer support provides a level of care not available by professionals.

PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM

• An individual who has adjusted well to their disability, and wants to assist others in similar situations to do the same.

PEER VOLUNTEER

• Meet with participants with similar disabilities and share information about adaptive equipment, family and marital issues, transportation, employment and education

• Sharing experiences & information– Emotionally– Physically– Psychologically

PEER VOLUNTEER

• Increases feeling of self-worth and accomplishment—contributing to help another & the community

• “Inspiring” others often inspires the peer volunteer

• Improves interpersonal and communication skills

PEER VOLUNTEER BENEFITS

• Provides opportunity to achieve a greater level of independence and self-sufficiency through role modeling and encouragement

• Participant is often encouraged to take sensible risks– Peer Volunteers can often

accomplish this better than professionals

PEER RECIPIENT BENEFITS

• Peers can often motivate people to do things previously thought as impossible

• Development of better coping skills– Community– Red tape– Attitudes– Modifications– Adaptations


• Often receive emotional support and new techniques for managing problems

• Learn self-advocacy skills• Have a role model to follow

to enhance self-worth, a sense of identification by reduction of isolation and separation


• The benefits to the clients is clearly identified by whom state that through developing and drawing on social support, clients can gain knowledge and skills to assist their integration into the community. Clients can more easily relate and communicate with someone with whom they can identify, and they can gain a sense of hope and inspiration through interactions with peer support workers. (Besio and Mahler 1993)

PEER BENEFITS

Why

• Identified need• Other peer support programs• National initiative

How

• SRAP workgroup• Compilation of resources

– CO AANNPST– SRAP workgroup– Public & private organizations– PPT, handouts, role playing

How

• Workshop program1. Welcome & Intro

2. AgrAbility Overview and PS Training Goals

3. Peer Support, Supporters, and Supported

4. Coping with Disability

5. Effective PS Volunteer Methods

6. Volunteer Standards of Conduct

7. Pulling it All Together

• PPT, handouts, Peer Helper’s Pocketbook, & role playing

How

Pilot tested with KS AgrAbility

Next Steps

• Resource release • Assist SRAPS in launching their own

peer support program • Quarterly PS teleconferences• Establish the National Peer Support

Network (NoPerSoNalone)

• Help where help will be accepted

• Enable self directed solutions

• Referrals• Do no harm

– Be safe to self and others

BOTTOM LINE

National AgrAbility Project

Promoting Independence in Agriculture

AANNPST11.1506 (Rev. 11.0306b)

Colorado AgrAbility Project—Peer Support Train-the-Trainer

TrainingJackson, MS

By Robert J. Fetsch, Extension Specialist

& Director, Colorado AgrAbility Project,

Human Development & Family Studies

Colorado State University


History—AgrAbility Neighbor-to-Neighbor Peer

Support Train the Trainer Training

•1998-2002—We visited with AgrAbility Staff: Bill Field, Paul Jones, Paul Leverenz, Mary Yearns, Dan Robbins, Cheryl Skjolaas, and others.


History—AgrAbility Neighbor-to-Neighbor Peer

Support Train the Trainer Training

•2000-2003—We found in the research literature 10 stages from denial to joy of life.


We found in the research literature10 stages from denial to joy of life.

•Denial & Shock

•Mourning & Withdrawal

•Anger & Blame

•Bargaining

•Depression


We found in the research literature10 stages from denial to joy of life.

•Reassessment & Reaffirmation

•Coping & Mobilization

•Dialogue

•Self-Acceptance & Self-Esteem

•Joy of Life


History—

•10 stages–It’s not a linear process.–It’s a dynamic process.–Family members too.–Let’s be vigilant and refer.


History—•2000-2003—We asked questions:

–How long is realistic to expect farmers/ranchers to take off from work to learn about peer support?–What are the core skills that peer support advocates need to learn to provide effective peer support?


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What Are the Core Skills?

1. Connect well.2. Listen actively.3. Problem-solve.4. Spot signs of high stress, anger,

depression, and suicidal thinking.5. Make effective referrals to appropriate

professionals.


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3 Keys to Effective AANNPST Training:

1) Screen Well!

2) Teach Well!

3) Assess Well!

2003 U. S. Suicides - by State

Deaths Per

100,000 Population

Suicide rates per 100,000 population by state and US

Source: Retrieved October 24, 2006 from http://webapp.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/mortrate.html

0

5

10

15

20

25

WY

CO

US

NM

UT

Suicide rates per 100,000 population by state and US

Source: Retrieved October 24, 2006 from http://webapp.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/mortrate.html

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

NE

MS

US

OK

KS

National Institute of Mental HealthCurrent Suicide Rates in U. S.


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We use practical handouts and resources.

We provide science-based information.We are conducting an evidence-based program effectiveness study of what

works in peer support programs with farmers and ranchers with disabilities.


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How do we teach? 3 ways.

• Lecture/cognitive learning.

• Role play/experiential learning in dyads/triads.

• Self learning on one’s own.


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From previous research,what do we now know?

• That high-dosage training programs work well and are effective with non-farm/ranch groups.


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From previous research,what do we not know?

• Whether a 1-2 day peer support trainings are effective with groups of farmers/ranchers with disabilities and caregivers.

• CO and OK are poised to find out!

• Won’t you join us?


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How many workshops since inception?

• 7/15/2004 AgrAbility Neighbor-to-Neighbor Peer Support Program Training, Denver, CO—7 CO farmers & ranchers with disabilities and caregivers.


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• 5/10-11/2005 AgrAbility Neighbor-to-Neighbor Peer Support Program Train-the-Trainer Training at the request of Doug Carmon and Cheryl Skjolaas, Kansas City, KS—19 AgrAbility staff participants from CA, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, NE, OK, PA, and SD.


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• 4/18-19/2006 AgrAbility Peer Advocate Training at the request of Carla Wilhite and Linda Jaco, Stillwater, OK—7-9 OK farmers and ranchers.


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What feedback did we get from participants?


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What are some challenges and

successes of running this program?


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What are our future plans, e.g. helping

other SRAP’s launch their program?


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Thank you very much!

Kansas AgrAbility ExperienceKansas AgrAbility Experience

Jackson, MSKerri Ebert

Promoting Success in Agriculture for People with Disabilities and their Families

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When and why did we decide to start a Peer Support Program?

When 2003 discussed by Advisory

Committee

2005 Hosted multi-state training in Kansas City

Included in plan of work for new grant application submitted in 2005

Why Need articulated, but

reservations about “getting in over my head”

Add dimension to services offered by AgrAbility Project

Fill a perceived need

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Initial Peer Support Training

• July 2006– Two, half days – afternoon through noon – including group

dinner

• 12 invited farmers – 8 RSVPs – 4 showed• 2 part-time participants• 3 AT Ag Specialists participated

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Feedback

• Farmers were enthusiastic• Desire to give back to the Project and to serve fellow

farmers• “I had help and I want to give something back.”• “I would like to help someone if I can, within my

boundaries.”• “I want to be able to tell and show people that

anything is possible. Where there’s a will there’s a way.”

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ResourcesInitial training partner = National AgrAbility Project

– We agreed to pilot test training materials– We were challenged to find in-state experts for presenters

Presenters– Charlie Griffin, Kansas Rural Family Helpline

• Assistant Professor of Family Studies and Human Services• Background in rural mental health, chemical dependency

counseling, stress management, crisis intervention, and biofeedback training; formerly private practice marriage and family therapist

• An established KAP partner in outreach to rural Kansans

– NAP & KAP Staff

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Challenges / OpportunitiesChallenges Identifying peer supporters

Encouraging farmers to access our trained peer supporters

Continuing education and support for trained peer supporters

Opportunities Promote greater awareness of

Project

Add depth to services offered by Project

Meet a need in the agricultural community

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Unintended Outcomes

Our AT Ag Specialists gained a greater understanding of the Project and the possibilities of Project participation

Helped our AT Ag Specialists expand their network of resources

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Future• Next training in Fall 2007

• Explore training for children with a parent who has a disability

• Continue to develop in-state network and cooperate with surrounding states and NAP

• Incorporate Colorado survey tool to help populate that database

national agrability project peer support douglas b. carmon national agrability project manager 2007...

Documents

emotional support

peer involvement

similar disabilities

peer volunteermeet

experiencedefinitionall

timepeer support programbesio

service providers

service recipients