National Association of Counties

County Examples & Solutions

Peer-to-Peer Programs

Jul. 17, 2017
Tags: Health
  • Document

    Peer-to-Peer Programs

    San Francisco City and County, Calif.

    The City and County of San Francisco Behavioral Health Services (BHS) programs has peer specialists integrated into the service delivery model. Strengths-based and culturally congruent Peer-to-Peer Programs help peer specialists to be a part of a larger infrastructure to better utilize resources, increase access to advancement opportunities, increase education opportunities and find strength within a larger support system. A peer is defined as an individual with personal lived experience who is a consumer of behavioral health services, a former consumer or a family member of a consumer. Peer-to-Peer Programs encourage peers to utilize their lived experience, when appropriate and at the discretion of the peer, in peer-to-peer settings to benefit the wellness and recovery of the client(s) being served. Peers conduct outreach, one-on-one peer counseling, group peer counseling and/or system navigation to users of residential, community, outpatient or hospital settings within the Department of Public Health (SFDPH). These individuals may receive supportive training through a BHS peer certification training program, have demonstrated proficient skills in providing the above listed services, or have an interest in utilizing their lived experience in a position working with consumers of behavioral health. The outcomes that each program measures and works towards are the following:

    •  Increase consumer awareness about mental health resources, substance abuse services, primary care programs and vocational services in the community.
    •  Increase access and linkage to resources and services for consumers.
    •  Increase the social connectedness of consumers with others in their community.
    •  Increase the quality of life of consumers.
    •  Increase the help-seeking behaviors of consumers.
    •  Increase peer wellness, resiliency and recovery.
    •  Increase peer job satisfaction.
    •  Increase the number of peers advancing to a leadership role or finding a higher level employment opportunity.

    Contact: 
    Ms. Teresa Yu 
    MHSA Program Manager

    San Francisco City and County, Calif.
    2017-07-17
    County Examples & Solutions
    2017-07-31

San Francisco City and County, Calif.

The City and County of San Francisco Behavioral Health Services (BHS) programs has peer specialists integrated into the service delivery model. Strengths-based and culturally congruent Peer-to-Peer Programs help peer specialists to be a part of a larger infrastructure to better utilize resources, increase access to advancement opportunities, increase education opportunities and find strength within a larger support system. A peer is defined as an individual with personal lived experience who is a consumer of behavioral health services, a former consumer or a family member of a consumer. Peer-to-Peer Programs encourage peers to utilize their lived experience, when appropriate and at the discretion of the peer, in peer-to-peer settings to benefit the wellness and recovery of the client(s) being served. Peers conduct outreach, one-on-one peer counseling, group peer counseling and/or system navigation to users of residential, community, outpatient or hospital settings within the Department of Public Health (SFDPH). These individuals may receive supportive training through a BHS peer certification training program, have demonstrated proficient skills in providing the above listed services, or have an interest in utilizing their lived experience in a position working with consumers of behavioral health. The outcomes that each program measures and works towards are the following:

  •  Increase consumer awareness about mental health resources, substance abuse services, primary care programs and vocational services in the community.
  •  Increase access and linkage to resources and services for consumers.
  •  Increase the social connectedness of consumers with others in their community.
  •  Increase the quality of life of consumers.
  •  Increase the help-seeking behaviors of consumers.
  •  Increase peer wellness, resiliency and recovery.
  •  Increase peer job satisfaction.
  •  Increase the number of peers advancing to a leadership role or finding a higher level employment opportunity.

Contact: 
Ms. Teresa Yu 
MHSA Program Manager

About 100 Brilliant Ideas at Work

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Under the leadership of NACo Immediate Past President Bryan Desloge, NACo embarked on an initiative to identify and share 100 examples of visionary county leadership that results in improving residents’ quality of life. Through this initiative, NACo worked with county leaders and partners to share best practices that bolster our nation’s ability to thrive county by county.

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