Youth & Young Adult Peer Services Learning Series
Part 1: Trauma Informed Youth Peer Support: An Essential Tool for Supporting Youth
July 12th at 3pm PDT
This workshop will walk participants through the foundations of trauma-informed care, including its principles and philosophy, why trauma-informed care is important, and strategies for incorporating trauma-informed practices throughout youth peer support services. It is critical for peer providers to understand trauma and its impact on many of the youth and young adults they will be working with. This workshop will provide concrete examples of what trauma-informed practice looks like in action and how to apply this philosophy within peer relationships.
Register Here
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Exploring Ethics and Boundaries in Youth Peer Services: Maintaining Professional and Caring Relationships with Youth Adults Receiving Peer Support
July 26th at 3pm PDT
Ethics and boundaries are critical to any profession, and are especially important in helping professions. There are specific ethical dilemmas related to supporting youth and young adults with mental health and/or substance use challenges. This workshop will describe ethics and boundaries in the context of youth peer support, identify the ethical responsibilities of a peer provider, and discuss strategies to make skilled judgments related to privacy and confidentiality, boundaries of dual relationships, informed consent, mandated reporting, and more. Attendees will come away with a clear understanding of the ethics, guidelines, and boundaries that are essential in youth peer support work.
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Filling Your Cup: Self Care with and for Youth Peers
August 2nd at 3pm PDT
This workshop will focus on the importance of actionable strategies for managing self-care while serving as a youth peer provider. Centered in a holistic definition of self-care that meets each of SAMHSA’s eight dimensions of wellness, the workshop will help each peer understand the value and impact of self-care in their peer role. This topic is of importance to the peer workforce because a strong practice of self-care can counteract experiences of burnout and overwhelm in peer positions. Actionable strategies will be shared, including self-reflection tools and self-care resources.
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About the Presenter:
Kristin Thorp, MPP has ten years of experience in advocacy and youth leadership and program development with a special focus on the mental health and criminal justice systems. She currently serves as a Youth Program Director with Youth Move National, where she is a national technical assistance provider on the development, implementation, and sustainability of quality youth programming. She also supports organizations develop meaningful and mutual partnerships with youth, young adults, and system leaders to advance best practices for youth engagement. Kristin is an advisor on the System of Care Children’s Mental Health Initiative and supports the implementation of national evaluation efforts by conducting qualitative and quantitative research, utilizing data to determine and define technical assistance needs for grantee communities. Kristin has utilized her own lived experience, passion, and expertise in the field of positive youth development to bridge multiple perspectives to promote trauma-informed approaches to recovery.
