New Peer Specialist Role
Hi All -
We have an exciting announcement to share with you! As you know, 7 Cups has started a partnership with the state of California. You can read more about it here.
As part of this partnership, we have the opportunity to bring a new type of service provider to our team call a Peer Specialist. Broadly, a Peer Specialist is someone who has lived experience with a mental health condition, trauma or substance abuse. This lived experience combined with specialized training and certification gives Peers a unique angle to support individuals living with persistent behavioral health issues.
On 7 Cups, Peer Specialists are individuals who will be working with individuals in California, helping them gain access to 7 Cups services. Peers may choose to volunteer as listeners but their full time jobs will be to promote 7 cups out in the community through provider offices, consumer groups, social service agencies and health fairs/libraries and in other public spaces. They are engaged in marketing and supporting access to the site to meet the goals of the county in communicating the service to residents. The ultimate goal is to give the individuals they work with better mental health outcomes so they can lead their best lives.
We are very excited to welcome this new type of care provider to our community! You may see Peer Specialists around the community in the upcoming weeks. As part of their role, its important for them to have an understanding of our community. So say hello and give them a warm welcome. The first group will be starting at the end of August!
Lastly, we ask for your patience and feedback as we integrate and understand the role Peers will play in our community. Similar to when the Therapists joined the site, it may take some time to get into a groove and build out expectations around how we will all work together.
We are excited to have Peer Specialists join our community. We will be able to learn a lot from them and through their work continue to support underserved individuals who really need us!!
@Laura @Power @Heather225
@Kate Whoot, whoot, California represent! Thanks for the awesome update; I look forward to meeting the peer specialists.
That is so exciting ! I have taken the Peer Support Specialist trainig in my state and this will be a wonderful opportunity for both the PSS as well as the peer. I have several personal friends with PSS services and it is truly enriching their lives and providing the connection that we all need to have our best life. I love this continuation of serving our fellow travelers of life!
@Kdlove That's so amazing to hear!!
Awesome Kate!
@Kate
nice
Exciting news! :D
@Kate this is awesome
Woot woot! Can't wait to see them join. :)
@Kate
Sounds really awesome!!😊😊😊!!
@Kate
but our beautiful PS acronym for Peer Support :O
Should we call Peer Specialists PSps?? :P
@MonBon at least itll never match the confusion of the TS acronym xD am I talking about Teen Star, Teen Support, or Thinking Space? 
@PhoenixAsh
>:O:<
@Kate
I'd love to work with you to create something similar in Australia. We have so many agencies that primarily work with the peer support model. It would be great to expand the knowledge and use of 7 Cups ins Australia.
@ShareenBirgesBASSCounGDYMH great idea!
@JoshMain
Thanks! I have them every now and again lol
@ShareenBirgesBASSCounGDYMH
I have worked for the past 2 years as a peer support worker in Australia and am interested to see how 7 cups integrates peer specialists into the site (and also to see how peer specialists support people to utilise 7 cups as a service).
@StandForFreedom
I think that's a great place to start. Knowing what we are promoting would really help!
Glad to see there is a way forward!
