The Missing Link: Peer Services

Debbie Plotnick

Director of State Policy

Mental Health America

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MHASP’s Johnathan Evans (an award-winning outreach advocate) and an ACCESS-West Philly

colleague talk to a homeless man.

Peer-to-peer services treat recipients as equals:

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Friends Connection MontCo and Trail Guides staff at MHASP’s picnic/staff recognition event on 8/28/07

MHASP’s Friends Connection participated in the prestigious COSP study funded by CMHS, and has helped build the evidence base for peer-to-peer services.

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Chester County Certified Peer Specialists on graduation day, Nov. 14, 2008, with MHASP facilitators Crystal Edwards (front left) and Christopher Mooney (rear, second from right)

MHASP’s Institute for Recovery and Community Integration trains and certifies

CPS.

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Tim Connors (left), a CRIF recovery coach, with a CRIF participant

The Consumer Recovery Investment Funds Self-Directed Care (CRIF SDC) program puts consumers in the driver’s seat.

With an advisor’s assistance, participants create and control a budget and can hire and manage support staff and purchase goods and services that they need and want.

Peer Services in the Public and Private Sector

• Peer Bridgers;– Back to the community– Staying in the

community

• Crisis Services– In ER’s– Warmlines– Crisis Respite

• Navigators– For ACA Expansion– For services– Hospital Discharge– For Community

Inclusion

• Family Peer – Specialists/Coaches

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