Peer-to-Peer Programs

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

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.