Consultation on Peer Support Service in Colorado: Navigating the Peer Workforce comes with a lot of questions and concerns. I can help guide you through the process.
Nothing is permanent except for change.
Why work with me? My career in helping people recover from substance use disorder began in 1999 and this calling remains true to this day. Once I started looking for my own role models and letting go of the fear of asking for help, I began to become the person I wanted to be. Who do you need in your corner to become the best version of yourself as leader?
Let me help you on your journey of giving back to the recovery community! I am the CEO and Founder of an agency that provides a unique model for peer coaching called ke’nekt. I’ve invested in taking the deep dive into peer support services in Colorado since 2008, maintaining my CAS certification and currently sit on the Board of the Colorado Association of Addiction Professionals (CAAP) as a voice for peer service organizations. Additionally, I hold a role as Peer Advocate for Aurora Mental Health and Recovery.
Colleagues describe my leadership style as honest, ethical, and innovative. I am an Alumni of the Denver Leadership Forum and Outward Bound. I have been named Business Person of the Year in 2017 and have spoken on the TEDx stage on recovering out loud, empowering folks to understand the sameness of folks in recovery with folks who don’t struggle with substances. This experience highlights my most important achievement, which is letting go of my own shame so that I can join others and be a voice for those who are struggling with their own “monsters”.
A monster I want to help YOU with is understanding the complexities of a Peer Support Program, setting you up for success by getting your questions answered, together defeating the monster that is overwhelm. My goal is to help colleagues build an ethical Peer Support Program they can be proud of, which has a positive ripple effect on serving our communities while also creating leaders of integrity.
Check out my consultation services below and book a free 15-minute call to see about fit.
Consultation Services Offered
Effective Role Definition and Scope
- Help define clear roles, responsibilities, and boundaries for the peer workforce, which is essential to avoid role ambiguity and set up peers for success.
- Assist in drafting job descriptions that attract the right candidates while highlighting the value of lived experience and peer-specific competencies.
Streamlined Recruitment and Hiring Process
- Streamline hiring for peer positions, often involving different considerations such as valuing lived experience alongside formal qualifications. As a consultant, I can guide your team on inclusive hiring practices, candidate evaluation, and interview techniques tailored to peer roles.
- Provide insights on assessing candidates' readiness to use their experiences in a professional setting, which is essential for peer roles.
Tailored Training and Onboarding Team Members
- Support development or recommend training programs that address both professional skills (e.g., communication, boundaries) and self-care practices essential for peer professionals, who may encounter triggers related to their own experiences.
- Guide your organization in creating a supportive onboarding process, helping peers adjust to their new role while emphasizing professional development and resilience.
Organizational Culture and Team Integration
- Integrate a peer workforce with anticipated shifts in organizational culture and team dynamics, as traditional staff may need guidance on how to work alongside peers effectively.
- Facilitate team-building exercises, sensitivity training, and conversations around diversity and inclusion to foster a welcoming environment for the peer workforce and promote collaborative relationships across roles.
Team Retention and Well-being Tools
- Anticipate unique challenges peer professionals face, such as burnout or secondary trauma. As a consultant, I can help create support systems within your organization to promote peer retention and resilience.
- Assist in implementing regular check-ins, peer supervision, mentorship programs, and self-care resources tailored to the needs of a peer workforce.
Evaluation and Impact Measurement
- Ensure the success of the peer workforce by measuring their impact. As a consultant, I can guide you on developing metrics and evaluation tools to track the effectiveness of peer roles, satisfaction among peer staff, and the outcomes for those served.
- Help design feedback mechanisms, allowing for continuous improvement of the peer workforce program and demonstrating its value to stakeholders.
Risk Management and Ethical Considerations
- Advise on ethical concerns specific to peer roles, such as handling sensitive disclosures, maintaining boundaries, and ensuring confidentiality.
- Design policies to support the well-being of peer staff, reducing the risk of burnout and ensuring that peers are well-prepared to provide support without compromising their own health.
Business Sustainability and Growth Planning
- Support the creation of a sustainable peer workforce program, with clear career pathways, development opportunities, and succession planning for peers.
- Assist in aligning peer roles with funding opportunities, ensuring the long-term success of the peer workforce program.
Financial Resources and Insurance Billing
- Navigate insurance and funding parameters, including expectations for compliance, appropriate billing codes for services, documentation, ethical practice, and audit preparation.
- Design audit-proof tools to support ongoing compliance and ethics. Explore additional funding sources for sustainability.