Products and Resources Catalog

About this Resource: Have you ever wondered about the role of the Certified Peer Specialist in the new 988 Crisis System? This product, which accompanies a webinar that the Southeast MHTTC hosted along with the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network, explains the role of peers in answering calls, crisis coordination, support services teams, and respite centers.

ABOUT THIS EVENT This 90-minute webinar aims to equip professionals in the mental health and addiction field with the skills needed to effectively supervise and support peer support specialists and other lived-experience professionals in behavioral health settings. These individuals provide a valuable service by drawing on their own experiences with recovery to inspire others, model effective coping strategies, and support engagement in services. However, supervising them presents unique challenges due to the specific nature of their roles and the central role that their personal experiences play in their work with others. Through this webinar, you will gain insights into the complexities and unique challenges that may arise when supervising these professionals and how best to support them in the peer role. Learning Objectives: Develop a comprehensive supervision plan tailored to the unique needs of peer support specialists and other lived-experience professionals in behavioral health settings. Enhance communication and collaboration to create a supportive and inclusive work environment. Foster resilience and self-care practices to prevent burnout and promote well-being. Apply ethical considerations and boundaries in supervision. Understand the importance of ongoing professional development and support. RESOURCES Presentation slides SAMHSA Resources for the Supervision of Peer Workers SAMHSA Self Assessment Guide for Supervisors of Peer Workers FACILITATOR Heath Holt Hayes Heath Holt Hayes is a globally recognized award winner for his work spearheading public service messaging for the 988 Mental Health Lifeline and is nationally credited for innovations around the use of vending machines for opioid abatement initiatives. Heath is a professional speaker, media producer and business entrepreneur specializing in infrastructure and capacity development in the mental health and addiction space. Heath previously served as the Deputy Commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma and completed graduate degrees from the University of Oklahoma in Human Relations, Administrative Leadership, and Women’s and Gender Studies. Heath’s most important achievement is being the adoptive parent of three Choctaw American siblings.   Terms of use and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disclosure statement ​

This Family Workforce event featured the National Federation of Families and a panel of their New England affiliates. Gail Cormier, Project Director with the National Federation of Families, talked about National offerings including Family Peer Support certification, Family workforce education and technical assistance, and their transition to lifespan support as well as general offerings. Representatives from New England affiliates introduced their affiliates highlighting any unique offerings in their prospective states. This webinar was an excellent opportunity for providers who work with families to learn about the offerings of the National Federation of Families and local affiliates as well as anyone who might be interested.

As peer workers, we are committed to providing the best care possible, rooted in peer-centered values of choice, autonomy, and ethics. Join us for a 2-hour presentation and discussion on the ethics of peer support, with a special focus on the impact of perceived credibility on our work and support for peers.   Key Takeaways: A comprehensive understanding of perceived credibility and shared reality, and how those concepts impact the work of peer workers and the individuals they support. An understanding of the role of ethics in peer work. An understanding of how to discuss ethical concerns with peers, peer workers, and clinical coworkers.   Presenter: Rowan Willis-Powell (she/they) is an experienced systems transformation advocate with 10 years of experience using their living expertise to uplift the voices of youth peers, guide development of youth peer programs, educate the behavioral health community about supporting LGBTQIA individuals, and advocate for appropriate and equitable suicide prevention and intervention for youth. Rowan has 10 years of experience connecting and mentoring young adults with lived experience in behavioral health service settings to peer support career pathways and leadership opportunities on community, state, and national levels. Rowan has supported numerous organizations and groups with the process of developing or strengthening their youth serving programs and always strives to ensure that youth voice and youth engagement are at the focus of the work.

About this Resource: Mental Health Awareness Month is not just about community awareness, or being aware of the people around us. For those of us living in mental health recovery, being aware of ourselves—being able to hear, see, and interpret the signals our body and mind send us—is ​an important part of maintaining our recovery. Waiting for others to observe and comment on perceived changes in us can unnecessarily extend or even increase negative impacts of mental health concerns. In this on-demand recording, presenters discuss the benefits of having a self-care plan for daily living that is not crisis-focused, but a strengths-based approach that emphasizes nurturing wellness and strengthening resilience in manageable moments throughout the day.

Abbe Duke from OnTrackNY discusses the role of Peer Specialists on Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) teams. This training offered an overview of the OnTrackNY approach to the role of Peer Specialist, examples and lessons learned from implementation in New York State (NYS), and ample time for Q&A and dialogue. For more information, visit OnTrackNY.org to read Peer Specialist manuals, view Peer Specialist intro modules, and review many tools for the role.   Abbe Duke (she, her, hers) is a long time NYS Peer Specialist and the Recovery Specialist & Trainer supervisor at the OnTrackNY initiative at the Center for Practice Innovations. OnTrackNY is an innovative model of coordinated specialty care, which has thoughtfully integrated the role of Peer Specialist throughout its development. Abbe brings her decade of experience working as a Peer Specialist in a variety of settings throughout NYS, as well as her training and technical assistance work for the NYS Office of Mental Health and for OnTrackNY. Abbe is particularly proud of the development of the recent OnTrackNY Peer Specialist manual and the introductory training modules for OnTrackNY Peer Specialists- all of which can be found at OnTrackNY.org.   This webinar was co-hosted by the Massachusetts Psychosis Network for Early Treatment (MAPNET, www.mapnet.online)

The Person-Centered Recovery Planning (PCRP) Consultation Corner is a 6-month learning series featuring a monthly webinar on the “FAQs” of PCRP; offering practical tools and resources to support quality PCRP at the level of both individual service delivery and organizational systems change; and providing follow-up “office hours” through smaller-group technical assistance for webinar participants who wish to take a “deeper dive” on a given topic. The topic of webinar session 3 was "Peer Specialist Roles in PCRP-Aligning with Peer Ethics & Values." We know that in person-centered recovery planning (PCRP), the person receiving services makes decisions and takes ownership of their plan for recovery. This can be a new and uncomfortable role for people initially, for a variety of reasons. Peer supporters join with individuals to discover and advocate for what they want and need. This does not mean that the peer provider will always agree with people’s choices — however, it’s ALWAYS their ethical responsibility to support individuals in their unique recovery journey as that individual defines it. This 90-min webinar highlighted the mutually beneficial relationship between PCRP and peer support, as well as how staff at clinical provider organizations can intentionally enhance this connection. Participants were invited to explore tensions that arise when peer professionals work to maintain their never-directive, non-clinical stance while immersed in an environment that is heavily defined by clinical professionals, processes and services.   At the end of the session, participants were able to: Describe a “must do” and a “must not do” related to the role of peer support in PCRP, Name one way that professional peer support ethics supports a person-centered approach, and Identify two resources to support and promote peer provider role clarity in PCRP.   Presenters: Janis Tondora, Amy Pierce, and Amanda Bowman Janis Tondora, Psy.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine.  Her work involves supporting the implementation of person-centered practices that help people with behavioral health concerns and other disabilities to get more control over decisions about their services so they can live a good life as they define it. She has provided training and consultation to over 25 states seeking to implement Person-Centered Recovery Planning and has shared her work with the field in dozens of publications, including her 2014 book, Partnering for Recovery in Mental Health: A Practical Guide to Person-Centered Planning. Janis’ consultation and publications have been widely used by both public and private service systems to advance the implementation of recovery-oriented practices in the U.S. and abroad. She is a life-long resident of Connecticut where she lives with her husband and beloved labradoodles after recently becoming an empty-nester with two children in college.   Amy Pierce (she/her) is an international trainer and consultant has been working in the Peer Movement in the State of Texas for over two decades. She currently serves as Recovery Institute Associate Director at Via Hope by serving as a subject matter expert on the implementation of peer services and other recovery-oriented practices. She has extensive experience in the peer support sector, having started the first peer support program in the state hospitals in Texas, working as a peer support worker in a community mental health agency, and working as the Program Coordinator for a transitional peer residential housing project.   This series is co-sponsored by the New England and South Southwest MHTTCs.  

About this Resource: Georgia has had a reputation for being a standard bearer of peer support for many years, and that reputation has been on display over the past 36 months with the launch of the new national 988 and 988lifeline.org. In this series, '988 in Every State', presenters explore the emerging needs and implementation of peer support services in areas where the traditional medical model remains dominant.

About this Resource: Georgia has had a reputation for being a standard bearer of peer support for many years, and that reputation has been on display over the past 36 months with the launch of the new national 988 and 988lifeline.org. In  Part 2 of our '988 in Every State' series, presenters explore the range of peer recovery-oriented responses and/or responders associated with local, statewide and national crisis response teams, warmlines and recovery centers. Learn more about our '988 In Every State' series or access recordings from previous sessions here.

About this Resource: This product accompanies the Southeast MHTTC’s 4-Part Series on Forensic Peer Mentoring, ‘Ready for Re-entry’. It provides an overview of forensic peer mentoring services, describes the role of a forensic peer mentor, and reviews components of the forensic peer mentor training. 

About this Resource: Georgia has had a reputation for being a standard bearer of peer support for many years, and that reputation has been on display over the past 36 months with the launch of the new national 988 and 988lifeline.org. In this series, '988 in Every State', presenters will do a deep dive into what 988 is—its purpose, history, goals, and mechanics, taking micro and macro views of the system by speaking with front line Certified Peer Specialists answering calls and administrators behind the scenes who helped envision and build out Georgia’s response. Throughout the 988 buildup and rollout, Georgia—who already had connected statewide crisis, resource, and warmline telephone support — provided guidance and insight to other states and national leaders. Join staff from the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network as they share their insight and experience throughout this three-part series.

These documents provide information about Peer Specialists in crisis settings, including general competencies for Peer Specialists in crisis work, Peer Run Warmlines, Peer Navigation, Crisis Respite programs, Mobile Crisis Units, and Crisis Stabilization Units. Subject Matter Experts were consulted on this project and are referenced within each document in quotes as well as recognized as contributors. The content provided in these documents is not exhaustive. Contributors provided expertise; their contribution does not imply endorsement nor does it imply opposition to the document.

The Healing & Power in Peer Support training provides an overview of Healing-Centered Engagement and its principles as ways to deepen and advance the practice of peer support. Participants will explore concepts like holding space, radical acceptance, meaning-making, and power dynamics through deep reflection, experiential activities, and facilitated discussion. This curriculum is helpful for new peer supporters or any peer supporters who are looking to refresh and deepen their skills. This curriculum should be facilitated by experienced peer specialists who are looking to support the peer support workforce in their community. Healing & Power in Peer Support is the prerequisite training for the Virtual Facilitation through a Healing-Centered Lens training, another curriculum created by the South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center. Learning Objectives At the end of this training, participants will be able to: Integrate the principles of Healing-Centered Engagement in peer support practice; Practice radical acceptance in relation to self and others; Employ Healing-Centered techniques when facilitating difficult conversations in peer support groups; and Analyze power dynamics within interpersonal and group relationships to promote autonomy and self-determination. This curriculum package includes: a Facilitator Manual, participant handouts, and a training slide deck. For questions about the Healing & Power in Peer Support curriculum or how to implement this training in your community, please contact the South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center at [email protected].

Recording of the event Eating Disorders for the Non-Specialist: Core Competencies , originally held on February 22, 2024. View Slides

About this Resource: In the final session of our 'Ready for Re-entry' series, panelists discuss the practical application of the Forensic Peer Mentor service delivery model.

About this Resource: In the on-demand recording of Part 3 of our Ready for Re-entry series, panelists discuss the Forensic Peer Mentor Training itself, focusing on the Ready for Reentry training created by the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network (GMHCN). Panelists describe the opportunities and challenges faced while developing and growing this new model of peer support.

View the slides: Implementing Peer Support Specialists in a First Episode Psychosis Program Author: Marla Smith, MS, LMHP, LMHC Marla Smith has been an integral part of the Mid-America Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) since November 2020. Her primary role involves coordinating behavioral health training, particularly focusing on individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses. As a licensed Mental Health Counselor in both Nebraska and Iowa, Marla brings extensive experience, having worked directly with clients of all ages for nearly 20 years. Her approach emphasizes the importance of connection, meeting individuals where they are, and using respectful, trauma-informed communication to support positive change. Marla holds a Master's degree in Youth and Family Services from Bellevue University. Outside of work, she cherishes family time and indulges in crafting as a favorite pastime.  Learn more about this Learning Community: First Episode Psychosis Learning Community

About this Resource:  In this on-demand recording, panelists from part 2 of our Ready for Re-entry series discuss how trusting relationships of community partners are essential for the program. Common community partners typically include officials within the department of corrections, community supervision, district attorney office and local law enforcement.    Click here to learn more about our 4-part 'Ready for Re-entry' series! 

Our Center has a special focus on supporting youth and young adults (YYA) of transition age. The transition to adulthood is an important time in young people’s lives—a time for new independence, new challenges, and new opportunities for growth. It’s also a crucial time to support young people who are living with mental health challenges, who are involved in youth-serving systems, or who are at increased chance of developing mental health needs.  When we amplify YYA voice, choice, and leadership, we create space for them to thrive.  The Pacific Southwest MHTTC team spent summer months (of 2023) rounding up the last of our events and completing a special compilation of products to conclude our (fifth) project year, which ended on September 29, 2023. Check out our center's Summer 2023 edition for highlights of learnings, glimmers of hope from the YYA series, and so much more.

Our Center has a special focus on supporting youth and young adults (YYA) of transition age. The transition to adulthood is an important time in young people’s lives—a time for new independence, new challenges, and new opportunities for growth. It’s also a crucial time to support young people who are living with mental health challenges, who are involved in youth-serving systems, or who are at increased chance of developing mental health needs.  When we amplify YYA voice, choice, and leadership, we create space for them to thrive. Each quarter, the Pacific Southwest MHTTC draws together our recent and upcoming events and other important field resources to share with our partners in this work. This Spring 2023 Edition honored Mental Health Awareness in May and highlighted timely and relevant developments from our Center and the field.

Our Center has a special focus on supporting youth and young adults (YYA) of transition age. The transition to adulthood is an important time in young people’s lives—a time for new independence, new challenges, and new opportunities for growth. It’s also a crucial time to support young people who are living with mental health challenges, who are involved in youth-serving systems, or who are at increased chance of developing mental health needs. When we amplify YYA voice, choice, and leadership, we create space for them to thrive. Our YYA Team Leads, Oriana Ides and Evelyn Clark, guide us in this work and develop each issue of Youth & Young Adults Now. This Winter 2023 issue features highlights of the Aging Out or Growing Together? Flipping the Youth Services Paradigm to Better Support Young Adulthood program, led by our Technical Assistance Specialist, Oriana Ides and details of the Creating Safe Spaces for Peer Support Providers and Incorporating Anti-racist Practices in Peer Support Delivery program, led by Evelyn Clark, Technical Assistance Specialist and JEDI consultant. Check out this special Winter 2022 issue for emerging resources from our center, our partners and the field, our spotlights to uplift a YYA peer-support specialist and organization, and more.   

The Youth and Young Adult Peer Support training is a three-day training (19.5 hours of classroom time) for peer supporters on the topics of youth voice and issues specific to youth navigating mental health or substance use challenges. The Youth and Young Adult Peer Support training is available for anyone who works, or is interested in working, as a peer specialist. This training provides participants with a foundation for youth experience with mental health and substance use challenges, the unique issues for youth navigating recovery and youth-serving systems, and best practices and tools for peer specialists looking to support youth. The training will also encourage participants to consider how to use their own lived experience when supporting youth through structured reflection, group discussion, and interactive activities.     The Youth and Young Adult Peer Support training is appropriate for anyone working or volunteering (or interested in working or volunteering) as a peer specialist. The only prerequisite to attendance is that participants must have previous formal training in peer support practice (e.g., their state’s Peer Specialist certification training, Intentional Peer Support, etc.).     Learning Objectives: At the end of this training, it is envisioned that participants will be able to: Define the term “youth” Identify and practice effective ways of meeting youth and young people “where they are” Build authentic connections with young people based on lived experience, regardless of differences in age or other experiences Identify stigmatizing language used to describe young people and effectively reframe such language through the lens of peer values Understand how resistance or other actions may be forms of self-advocacy, communication, or responses to trauma Identify common responses to trauma that young people experience Support young people in exploring different ways to heal from trauma Utilize foundational knowledge of power and privilege to support youth experiencing oppression Assist young people in learning to advocate for themselves within the settings that young people must navigate Set and hold boundaries with persons served and coworkers Identify challenges and ethical boundaries for supporting family members of a young person     A special thanks to Via Hope, the organization where initial development of the Youth and Young Adult Peer Support training took place.     For more information on this training, including training opportunities through the South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center or how to bring this training to your community, please email [email protected].

About this Resource: The Southeast MHTTC Newsletter highlights upcoming events and recently released products as well as shares information on available resources from SAMHSA and the MHTTC network.  The November 2023 issue promotes Native American Heritage Month. This issue also highlights our upcoming events and recently developed products, celebrates efforts being done by Region IV states, and provides resources available through the MHTTC Network and SAMHSA to connect individuals to needed treatment and support. 

About this Resource:  In this on-demand recording, panelists from Part 1 of our 'Ready for Re-entry' series discuss the Forensic Peer Mentor role, including the responsibilities, qualifications and organizational framework needed to build and support a Forensic Peer Mentor Program.   Click here to learn more about our 4-part 'Ready for Re-entry' series!