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 that sounds exciting - I am still not sure how it's going to look like, but I can't wait to meet them and see how it is going for them!
@Kate what badge will they have so we know? Or is that a letter like PS after their name instead of M or L or T?
@soulsings good question. Peer specialists will have regular listener accounts to interact with the community just like other admins do. Their primary job will be to orient people to 7 Cups' services in various California counties. So more like marketing and outreach on the ground.
@OpsTops
Are they going to be volunteers?
@SouthernFlame they will be a part of 7 Cups staff
@Kate This is a really cool idea!!! So excited to see how it'll play out :)
Thats amazing ^^
So, how do i become i peer specialist? I'd love to be one! <3
@DaisyFluffinq There are specialized courses and trainings that you need to take and then a certification, much like a license. You can look for one in your city via google search for 'certified peer specialist training'.
@Kate
This is great news, Kate! Hopefully they'll be very helpful and really good addition to the team :D
You hoo
*Warm hugs to all peers*
Welcome to 7 cups. !!!!!!!!!!!
@Kate The idea behind this is really great. I really hope to see this flourishing just like all other roles
@Kate Cant wait!! I know awhile back we wanted to get out therapists more involved in the community, i've seen them more often in the forums but not the chatrooms/discussions, So i'd like to see Peer specialists around all aspects of 7 cups (If they have time)!!
I'm so grateful for 7 Cups, because it allows me to do what I love to do, and that is help. people 😊
Would like to know more about this roke