National Peer Support Network
Overview
The National Peer Support Collaborative Learning Network is a joint initiative by Peers for Progress and the National Council of La Raza (NCLR). The Network will focus on developing and sharing evidence of benefits of peer support programs, best practices, effective evaluation methods, models of organizing peer support within health systems as well as effective models of advocacy.
The Network is supported through the Together on Diabetes Initiative of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation.
Open to individuals and organizations interested in learning more about and/or collaborating around peer support, the Network will build on Peers for Progress’s domestic network of demonstration sites and peer support organizations, NCLR’s affiliate network of 300 community-based organizations, and grantees of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation’s Together on Diabetes. Beyond these, it will also reach out to other organizations interested in peer support programs in health, health care, and public health. Non-profit organizations, healthcare organizations, local health departments, clinical providers and similar organizations are welcome to join.
The Network will hold regularly scheduled webinars, co-hosted by Peers for Progress and NCLR, to present on topics of interest and engage with network members. Topics will be jointly decided by webinar participants and network members.
Network members will also have the opportunity to collaborate in work groups addressing issues of shared interest, such as addressing depression and emotional distress in peer support programs, or opportunities for support of programs through the Affordable Care Act. Work group products may potentially look like the PfP Issue Brief on Peer Support and the Affordable Care Act.
Work Groups and Webinars
Use the tabs below to learn about NPSCLN work groups and webinars.
[1] Recruitment, Training, Management, Retention and Backup for Peer Supporters
Including protocols for dealing with stressful situations
Co-conveners:
Manuela McDonough, National Council of La Raza
Diana Urlaub, Peers for Progress [interim]
[2] Quality Improvement
Including evaluation for QI, program monitoring, process evaluation
Co-conveners:
Dane Emmerling, UNC-Chapel Hill
Rebecca Novick, La Clinica del Pueblo
[3] Ongoing Support
Including varied media and formats
Co-conveners:
Martha Funnell, University of Michigan Medical School
Shelagh Mulvaney, Vanderbilt University
[4] Psychosocial, Mental Health, and other Special Topics for Peer Support Interventions
Multiple chronic conditions, cultural factors, special populations such as veterans or rural populations
Co-conveners:
Joan Thompson, La Clinica de le Raza, Inc.
Ed Fisher, Peers for Progress [interim]
[5] Organizational & System Factors
Models for managing peer supporters, reporting relationships, linking programs with clinical teams, patient care plan as a tool for coordinating with other services
Co-conveners:
Maggy Coufal, Peers for Progress [interim]
Diana Urlaub, Peers for Progress [interim]
[6] Sustainability
Building a business case for local adoption or national policy, economic analysis of peer support programs, opportunities through Affordable Care Act and healthcare reform, advocacy
Co-conveners:
Juana Ballesteros, Alivio Medical Center
Tracy Sbrocco, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Interactive Webinar:
Diabetes, Depression, Multi-Morbidity and Health in the 21st Century
Thursday, December 13, 2012
3:00 – 4:30 pm EST
This webinar also included an overview of the Network’s objectives and plans for 2013.
Featuring Edwin Fisher, Ph.D.
Global Director, Peers for Progress
Professor, Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC-Chapel Hill
Webinar Meeting
Discussion of Work Groups and Products for 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
3:00 – 4:30 pm EST
During this meeting, participants discussed and finalized Work Groups, topics, and products.
Interactive Webinar:
Peer Support in U.S. Health Reform: Opportunities under the Affordable Care Act
Thursday, March 28, 2013
3:00 – 4:30 pm EST
Featuring Maggie Morgan and Amy Katzen
Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation
Harvard Law School
This interactive webinar provided an overview of:
- Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the U.S., and
- Opportunities it offers for the work of peer supporters (community health workers, promotores de salud, health coaches, etc.) and others engaged in the treatment or prevention of chronic conditions such as diabetes.
Ms. Morgan and Ms. Katzen are part of a team working with the Together on Diabetes Initiative to develop strategic law and policy reform initiatives aimed at strengthening state-based efforts to improve access to diabetes treatment and prevention services.