Products and Resources Catalog

ABOUT THIS RESOURCE This 75-webinar features a facilitated panel conversation among individuals in recovery from mental health and substance use challenges. This is the second webinar of a 2-part series. The panelists will address questions related to the recovery process, the impact of trauma on recovery, posttraumatic growth, dealing with stigma and racial discrimination, harm reduction, and what they’d like behavioral health practitioners to consider in supporting recovery. They will also take questions from the audience. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Our facilitators always make reference to great resources during sessions.  Find their lists below.  Presentation slides  Value of Peers, 2017 SAMHSA publication SAMHSA toolkit Whole-Person Care for People Experiencing Homelessness and Opioid Use Disorder Highlights & Key Concepts Document   FACILITATOR Ken Kraybill  Ken Kraybill, MSW, Senior Trainer, has worked in healthcare, behavioral health, homelessness and housing for more than 35 years. He has 18 years of experience working as a behavioral health practitioner in homeless services. For the past two decades, Ken has been developing curricula and facilitating in-person and online training on topics including motivational interviewing, trauma-informed practice, trauma-informed supervision, outreach and engagement, case management, critical time intervention, and resiliency and renewal for care providers.     GUEST SPEAKERS Racquel Garcia, CEO, HardBeauty                   Steven Samra, MPA, Senior Associate, C4 Innovations             Joel “JC” Smith, CPRS, VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System                   Terms of use and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disclosure statement

  Northwest MHTTC, in partnership with Pathways RTC, is proud to release Volume 5, "Moving On," which is the final volume in the series of Pathways Comics. The series features James, a teen struggling with school. His youth peer support specialist, Taylor, and other caring individuals in his life, offer James the support he needs to get his GED and make a plan for his future. This Study Guide includes a description of the comic series, its goals, and discussion and reflection questions for Volume 5. These comics were developed by people with lived experience in the youth mental health system. This series explores strategies for engaging young people in services and the positive outcomes that can result from successful outreach. To start at the beginning of the story, visit Pathways RTC's website, or begin reading Volume 5 at the links below:     Issue 1 | Issue 2 | Issue 3 | Issue 4 Study Guide   Terms of use and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disclosure statement

Northwest MHTTC, in partnership with Pathways RTC, is proud to release Volume 5, "Moving On," which is the final volume in the series of Pathways Comics. The series features James, a teen struggling with school. His youth peer support specialist, Taylor, and other caring individuals in his life, offer James the support he needs to get his GED and make a plan for his future. Volume 5(4) is the final issue in the series. We see James celebrating the achievement of earning his GED surrounded by those who have been there for him on his journey. These comics were developed by people with lived experience in the youth mental health system. This series explores strategies for engaging young people in services and the positive outcomes that can result from successful outreach. To start at the beginning of the story, visit Pathways RTC's website, or follow along with the study guide for Volume 5.   Issue 1 | Issue 2 | Issue 3 | Issue 4 >> Click HERE for a full-sized image << Terms of use and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disclosure statement

Northwest MHTTC, in partnership with Pathways RTC, is proud to release Volume 5, "Moving On," which is the final volume in the series of Pathways Comics. The series features James, a teen struggling with school. His youth peer support specialist, Taylor, and other caring individuals in his life, offer James the support he needs to get his GED and make a plan for his future. Volume 5(3) shows James talking with his youth peer support specialist about his educational options. These comics were developed by people with lived experience in the youth mental health system. This series explores strategies for engaging young people in services and the positive outcomes that can result from successful outreach. To start at the beginning of the story, visit Pathways RTC's website, or follow along with the study guide for Volume 5.   Issue 1 | Issue 2 | Issue 3 | Issue 4 >> Click HERE for a full-sized image << Terms of use and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disclosure statement

Northwest MHTTC, in partnership with Pathways RTC, is proud to release Volume 5, "Moving On," which is the final volume in the series of Pathways Comics. The series features James, a teen struggling with school. His youth peer support specialist, Taylor, and other caring individuals in his life, offer James the support he needs to get his GED and make a plan for his future. Volume 5(2) shows James receiving a letter that causes him stress and motivates him to reach out to his youth peer support specialist for help. These comics were developed by people with lived experience in the youth mental health system. This series explores strategies for engaging young people in services and the positive outcomes that can result from successful outreach. To start at the beginning of the story, visit Pathways RTC's website, or follow along with the study guide for Volume 5.   Issue 1 | Issue 2 | Issue 3 | Issue 4 >> Click HERE for a full-sized image << Terms of use and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disclosure statement

  Northwest MHTTC, in partnership with Pathways RTC, is proud to release Volume 5, "Moving On," which is the final volume in the series of Pathways Comics. The series features James, a teen struggling with school. His youth peer support specialist, Taylor, and other caring individuals in his life, offer James the support he needs to get his GED and make a plan for his future. Volume 5(1) follows James as he struggles to find motivation to work on job applications before deciding to meet his youth peer support specialist at the drop-in center. These comics were developed by people with lived experience in the youth mental health system. This series explores strategies for engaging young people in services and the positive outcomes that can result from successful outreach. To start at the beginning of the story, visit Pathways RTC's website, or follow along with the study guide for Volume 5.   Issue 1 | Issue 2 | Issue 3 | Issue 4 >> Click HERE for a full-sized image << Terms of use and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disclosure statement

ABOUT THIS RESOURCE This recorded webinar aims to increase understanding of common oral health problems faced by individuals with mental health and substance abuse challenges. Many may face stigma or shame related to their oral health. Peer support specialists play an integral role in supporting those they serve related to their oral health and recovery. Excerpts from the Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon’s Peer Oral Health Training are utilized in this webinar. Hosted by the Northwest MHTTC in partnership with the Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Presentation slides Give Back a Smile Cosmetic Dentistry Grants  The Mouth-Body Connection Book 32 Reasons You Need to Know More About the Mouth-Body Connection infographic from The Smile Generation American Dental Association 2000 Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health "Study to Explore How to Improve Oral Health for Those With Mental Illness," Dentistry Today, 12 August 2020. University of Utah Health. (2019, May 20). The healing power of a smile: A link between oral care and substance abuse recovery. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 13, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190520081926.htm American Dental Association and Health Policy Institute, "Oral Health and Well-Being in the United States." This fact sheet summarizes select data on self-reported oral health status, attitudes and dental care utilization among United States adults as of 2015.   FACILITATOR   Janie Gullickson, MPA: HA Janie Gullickson is a person in long-term recovery and for her that means she has not used alcohol or other drugs in over 11 years. Janie is in recovery from both addiction and mental health challenges as well as homelessness, incarceration, and criminal justice involvement. She navigated all types of systems and institutions that can accompany such life experiences, from frequent hospitalizations to prison. Janie was released from Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in September of 2006. Janie first began her work as a Peer Support Specialist/Recovery Mentor for Yamhill County HHS in McMinnville, Oregon in 2011. Janie joined the peer-run organization Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO) as a project assistant in 2014. In May of 2017 Janie became MHAAO’s Executive Director. She also earned her Master of Public Administration: Health Administration (MPA: HA) degree from Portland State University in June of 2017. Janie is passionate about social justice issues with a focus on mental health and addiction recovery, peer programs and services and advocacy in these realms.   PANELISTS Reina Bower Reina Bower is the Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon Evolve Peer Services Director.     Kevin Fitts Kevin Fitts is the Executive Director of the Oregon Mental Health Consumers Association.

ABOUT THIS RESOURCE Individuals often believe that their pain is unchangeable and that leads to poor self-efficacy and conflict in treatment. New understanding about pain is beginning to shift pain care itself. Evidence indicates that patient and clinician knowledge of pain science can move those receiving services toward self-care and supports a more positive conversation about opioid tapers as well. This presentation will explore the use of Oregon State tools and resources for clinician and patient pain education to develop a biopsychosocial-oriented pain care treatment plan. The Oregon Pain Guidance toolkit has videos, written material and shared decision making tools that allow clients and patients to pace their own learning and care plan based on their readiness to change.   The tools can be used in self-study, or guided by anyone on the care team and can create a consistent message that decreases the burden on each team member.    Come learn a bit more about pain science and use of  state tools to easily share the information with your clients or peers. These tools are  based on principles of trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing and strive to be more inclusive of diversity. Hosted by the Northwest MHTTC in partnership with the Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Presentation slides Clinician module for Oregon Pain Management Commission Patient pain toolkit   FACILITATORS Nora Stern, PT, MS PT Nora Stern is a pain educator and physical therapist with 30+ years of experience in complex pain. Nora is director of Know About Pain Consultation and Educational Products and is chair of the Oregon State Pain Management Commission. With Know About Pain, Nora provides consultation and develops pain education content for inpatient and outpatient care, with a current emphasis on the acute care arena. With OPMC, she was a primary author of the popular “Changing the Conversation about Pain” module, and authored portions of the new pain toolkit for Oregon Pain Guidance. During 25 years of work at Providence Health and Services, she developed pain education innovation for the primary care continuum in her role as pain educator for Providence Oregon, and guided the Persistent Pain team within Providence Oregon Rehab Services as the Pain Program lead. Nora was an initial developer of the Providence Comprehensive Pain Services clinic, using cost-effective group treatment to serve Medicaid and Medicare, as well as conventional fee-for-service care. Nora is committed to improving clinical understanding of pain across disciplines and to helping the public to rethink pain. Michelle Marikos Michelle Marikos is a Certified Peer Support Specialist that has lived with chronic pain since 2003; she attended the Mayo Clinic’s Pain Rehabilitation Clinic (PRC) in 2012. Though the PRC program she was able to taper off of high dose opioids and benzodiazepines. Michelle then became an Oregon Pain Guidance (OPG) Steering Committee member in the Fall of 2012, worked on the Southern Oregon Pain Conference planning team 2014-2017, and became a Certified Peer Support Specialist (PSS) in May, 2013. She started and ran a Chronic Pain Support Group that was hosted at the YMCA and at Jackson County Health and Human Services, including working as a PSS at Pain Resiliency Program from 2013-2014. Additionally, Michelle is certified and worked as a Living Well educator. She has served as an Oregon Pain Guidance media campaign advisor and participant in a media campaign that won an EMMY. Michelle has also participated in Jackson Care Connects (JCC) Performance Improvement Project (PIP) call center support video, advised on the Stay Safe Oregon Campaign, participated in HealtInsight’s Medicare and chronic pain video series, and met with and worked with various public officials, including Greg Walden, U.S. Representative for Oregon, and Ron Wyden, U.S. Senator for Oregon.

The COVID-19 global pandemic has impacted all of us. Join us to learn how community-based, peer-run organization Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon successfully modified our services to continue to serve our communities during this critical time. We’ll discuss changes made to our peer certification training in addition to program pivots within our diverse peer support offerings, including at hospitals, shelters, jails, and more.  Finally, we will consider ways in which MHAAO created new supports for our staff members and peer workforce at large.  Resources Presentation Slides Facilitators Adrienne Scavera is the Training and Outreach Department Director for Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO), one of Oregon's oldest and largest peer-run organizations. In her role as a department director, Adrienne works to support the peer workforce from initial entry and training to systems-level advocacy. Currently, Adrienne serves on several committees and boards, including the Oregon Health Authority’s Training Evaluation and Metrics Program Scoring Committee and the state Traditional Health Worker Commission. In her work, Adrienne prioritizes the experience of individuals as the experts on their own lives. Over the years, she has worked in research, direct service, program development, management, training, and with non-profits, educational institutions, and peer-run organizations. She enjoys writing about herself in third person, well-organized spaces, and friendly animals.   Terry Leckron Myers has been a longtime criminal justice reform champion and Partnership for Safety & Justice board member since 2006. She has led key initiatives navigating all systems to improve the social health of all members in the community we serve, including criminal justice reform. Terry’s ability to develop trusting relationships as a liaison for internal and external teams to develop and improve systems with community partners has been demonstrated throughout her work. Recognized as a leader in bringing nonprofit and community partners together to streamline services and understanding of all partnering healthcare systems, Terry’s work includes Mentor Program Director at Bridges to Change, empowering people by strengthening individuals and families affected by addiction, mental health, poverty, and homelessness. Terry also worked as lead organizer for the Recovery Association Project where she supported people in recovery to make social changes. As Director of Central City Concern Portland Metro Worksource, she created pathways to employment and community integration for formerly incarcerated people. Currently, Terry serves as EVOLVE Program Director with Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon. In both her professional and volunteer careers, she’s driven by the belief that all people deserve to live their lives with dignity and grace.     Reina Bower is a person in long term recovery and what that means for her is that she has not used any mind altering substances for over 10 years (4-1-2010).  Her lived experience includes being incarcerated in state prison and county jails and losing her children to DHS due to being unable to care for them. While at Coffee Creek Women's Correctional Institution, Reina began to feel hope for a different way of life and started attending church, self-help recovery groups, and successfully completed a 6-month parenting class - one of the first of her many accomplishments in recovery. After taking a peer support training, Reina began working with others that had walked that same path she had and used her lived experience to positively benefit others. With her strong experience in peer support and recovery, Reina joined MHAAO as a manager and currently serves as EVOLVE Program Director. Reina is an example that people can and DO recover! Reina is pictured here with the judge who last sent her to prison, whom she credits with saving her life. Want more information? Visit the Northwest MHTTC's Resource Library and Websites by Topic  and sign up for our monthly newsletter for regular updates about events, trainings, and resources available to the Northwest region.

Original Broadcast Date: 1/25/21 Peer Specialists bring distinct value in the engagement of people during and after suicide crisis in numerous ways, such as inspiring a sense of hope for recovery, personal understanding of barriers and solutions to mental health system navigation, and contributing to anti-stigma efforts with lived experience of mental health recovery. With a diverse panel of Peer Specialists (youth and adult) working across the crisis continuum of care from the Pacific Northwest and Southwest and New England regions of the United States, audiences will learn about the roles of Peer Specialists in promoting wellness and recovery within mobile crisis units, peer respite programs, creating self-help tools like Apps and documentary film, supporting our colleagues within the Peer workforce, and working on warm and hot lines for both youth, adults, and older populations. This recorded panel is Part 1 of a 3-webinar series about Peer Specialists’ Roles in Behavioral Health Crisis including Suicide.

Peer-delivered service workers with lived experience of mental health challenges, and those in substance use recovery, have a lot in common. However, many members of the peer workforce report a lack of understanding about those similarities in history and practice across mental health and addiction specialties. In this webinar, we will review the history and practice of mental health and addiction peer workers respectively, focusing on the commonalities that bring us together. United, we are stronger!   Presenters Adrienne Scavera is the Training and Outreach Department Director for Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO), one of Oregon's oldest and largest peer-run organizations. In her role as a department director, Adrienne works to support the peer workforce from initial entry and training to systems-level advocacy. Currently, Adrienne serves on several committees and boards, including the Oregon Health Authority’s Training Evaluation and Metrics Program Scoring Committee and the state Traditional Health Worker Commission. In her work, Adrienne prioritizes the experience of individuals as the experts on their own lives. Over the years, she has worked in research, direct service, program development, management, training, and with non-profits, educational institutions, and peer-run organizations. She enjoys writing about herself in third person, well-organized spaces, and friendly animals. Janie Gullickson is a person in long-term recovery and for her that means she has not used alcohol or other drugs in over 12 years. Janie is in recovery from both addiction and mental health challenges as well as homelessness, incarceration, and criminal justice involvement. She navigated all types of systems and institutions that can accompany such life experiences, from frequent hospitalizations to prison. Janie was released from Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in September of 2006. Janie first began her work as a Peer Support Specialist/Recovery Mentor for Yamhill County HHS in McMinnville, Oregon in 2011. Janie joined the peer-run organization Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO) as a project assistant in 2014. In May of 2017 Janie became MHAAO’s Executive Director. She also earned her Master of Public Administration: Health Administration (MPA: HA) degree from Portland State University in June of 2017. Janie is passionate about social justice issues with a focus on mental health and addiction recovery, peer programs and services and advocacy in these realms. Want more information? Visit the Northwest MHTTC's Resource Library and Websites by Topic  and sign up for our monthly newsletter for regular updates about events, trainings, and resources available to the Northwest region.

COVID-19 has changed the way mental health professionals and youth peers serve their populations, and in doing such many providers may be struggling themselves. In this webinar, we will cover how your organization structure can support youth peer staff, supervision strategies for supporting youth peers, and offer recommendations on how youth peer support specialists can support their youth while maintaining boundaries. The webinar is hosted by Maria Hermsen-Kritz and Caitlin Baird, two experienced youth peer support specialists and supervisors.   Resources Slides available for download here Self-Care Bingo Card Youth AOD Toolbox Self-Care Plan Example  Making A Self-Care Plan Supportive Practices for Mental Health Professionals During Pandemic-related Social Distancing Covid-19: Considerations for a Trauma-informed Response For Work Settings Trauma-informed Care and the Stress of Covid-19   Trainers: Caitlin Baird Caitlin Baird is a Project Manager and Trainer with Pathways RTC at Portland State University. Caitlin has experience working directly with transition-aged youth and young adults as a peer support specialist and as a supervisor for peer support specialists in wraparound and other mental health settings.       Maria Hermsen-Kritz Maria Hermsen-Kritz is a Research Assistant with Pathways RTC at Portland State University. She has experience providing peer support for transition-aged youth,supervising youth peer support specialists,and managing a youth drop-in center program.      

  Peer delivered services are increasingly being recognized for their value, and becoming more readily available.  In peer support, we believe recovery is possible for all and work to support others to achieve their self-directed recovery. This webinar provides a broad overview of the history, research, misconceptions, implementation, supervision and benefits of peer delivered services. Slides available for download here References for this presentation Speakers Adrienne Scavera is the training and outreach director for Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO), one of Oregon's oldest and largest peer-run organizations. In her role as a department director, Adrienne works to support the peer workforce from initial entry and training to systems-level advocacy. Currently, Adrienne serves on several committees and boards, including the Oregon Health Authority’s Training Evaluation and Metrics Program Scoring Committee and the state Traditional Health Worker Commission. In her work, Adrienne prioritizes the experience of individuals as the experts on their own lives. Over the years, she has worked in research, direct service, program development, management, training, and with non-profits, educational institutions, and peer-run organizations. She enjoys writing about herself in third person, well-organized spaces, and friendly animals.   Janie Gullickson is a person in long-term recovery and for her that means she has not used alcohol or other drugs in over 11 years. Janie is in recovery from both addiction and mental health challenges as well as homelessness, incarceration, and criminal justice involvement. She navigated all types of systems and institutions that can accompany such life experiences, from frequent hospitalizations to prison. Janie was released from Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in September of 2006. Janie first began her work as a Peer Support Specialist/Recovery Mentor for Yamhill County HHS in McMinnville, Oregon in 2011. Janie joined the peer-run organization Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO) as a project assistant in 2014. In May of 2017 Janie became MHAAO’s Executive Director. She also earned her Master of Public Administration: Health Administration (MPA: HA) degree from Portland State University in June of 2017. Janie is passionate about social justice issues with a focus on mental health and addiction recovery, peer programs and services and advocacy in these realms.  

This webinar focuses on important points to consider when hiring or contracting with youth peer support specialists. This includes the pros and cons of partnering with an outside agency, conducting internal hires, considering full or part-time positions, recommended policies and procedures, etc. The webinar is hosted by Maria Hermsen-Kritz and Caitlin Baird, two experienced youth peer support specialists and supervisors.   Resources Slides available for download here Assessment of Youth / Young Adult Voice at the Agency Level (Y-VAL)   Trainers: Caitlin Baird Caitlin Baird is a Project Manager and Trainer with Pathways RTC at Portland State University. Caitlin has experience working directly with transition-aged youth and young adults as a peer support specialist and as a supervisor for peer support specialists in wraparound and other mental health settings.       Maria Hermsen-Kritz Maria Hermsen-Kritz is a Research Assistant with Pathways RTC at Portland State University. She has experience providing peer support for transition-aged youth,supervising youth peer support specialists,and managing a youth drop-in center program.      

Prepared by Maria Hermsen-Kritz, Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures  Peer support is fast emerging as a promising and widely endorsed addition to the array of mental health services available to young people experiencing serious mental health conditions. This practice brief offers strategies for supporting youth peer support specialists and addressing common challenges they face. This brief was prepared in collaboration with the Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures, Portland State University and supported by grant SM 08171 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

More agencies are seeing the benefits of the youth peer support specialist role, and are working hard to integrate this role within their mental health services. One challenge that many agencies have is mitigating the high level of burnout for youth peer support specialists while growing the workforce within their organization and/or community. In this webinar, two experienced youth peer support specialists (and youth peer support specialist supervisors) discuss concrete strategies for retaining and growing the youth peer support workforce. Resources Slides available for download here.   Trainers Caitlin Baird Caitlin Baird is a Project Manager and Trainer with Pathways RTC at Portland State University. Caitlin has experience working directly with transition-aged youth and young adults as a peer support specialist and as a supervisor for peer support specialists in wraparound and other mental health settings.       Maria Hermsen-Kritz Maria Hermsen-Kritz is a Research Assistant with Pathways RTC at Portland State University. She has experience providing peer support for transition-aged youth,supervising youth peer support specialists,and managing a youth drop-in center program.          

Youth peer support is an increasingly popular intervention for youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions. However, many agencies face difficulty when it comes to hiring this new role. This webinar addresses appropriate qualifications for youth peer support specialists, drafting a job description, addressing barriers related to confidentiality, and out-of-the-box recruitment methods. This webinar will also briefly touch on retention once you start growing your youth peer workforce. Trainers: Caitlin Baird Caitlin Baird is a Project Manager and Trainer with Pathways RTC at Portland State University. Caitlin has experience working directly with transition aged youth and young adults as a peer support specialist and as a supervisor for peer support specialists in wraparound and other mental health settings.        Maria Hermsen-Kritz Maria Hermsen is a Research Assistant with Pathways RTC at Portland State University. She has experience providing peer support for transition age youth, supervising youth peer support specialists,and managing a youth drop-in center program.  

Youth peer support is a growing field in many mental health and child-serving systems, yet many agencies are new to supervising and supporting these roles. This line of work can often be taxing for its young employees, and self-care is just as important to supervision as job performance. This webinar presents specific strategies supervisors can use to promote self-care among their youth peer staff while ensuring accountability to their job duties.  

Youth peer support is an emerging and innovative role within mental health that is seen as valuable for young adults who are system involved. While many agencies want to employ or do employ youth peer support specialists, there are many questions and challenges regarding how to best support this role. In this webinar we will clarify the responsibilities and boundaries of the youth peer support role and offer tips on how to support this role and these employees within your agency.