PeerTAC Peer Support Services Technical Assistance Center

Self-Assessment Overall

The purpose of the OSA is to help you to identify both strengths and opportunities for improvement. It gives you a chance to reflect on what the research says are the most critical areas for organizational change for a sustainable peer support services program.

Now that you have completed one or more of the sections of the OSA, you should have a list of organizational strengths and opportunities for improvement. In those areas where your organization is strong, you can be an example to others of how to create an environment where peer support services can thrive. If you have been thoughtful in the development of peer support services, they will benefit not only the people receiving support services but other employees that are exposed to greater hope about recovery and many pathways to wellness.

If your organization is just getting started or at an early stage of including PS/As and Peer Support Services, don’t be discouraged. It takes planning, commitment, time and collaboration to establish effective peer support services. Every organization is at a different stage and each one has unique challenges. In the long run, most organizations that have included peer support services have been glad that they did.

Developing an Action Plan

Review the statements with low ratings and describe action steps you might take to create conditions that better support the inclusion or expansion of peer support services in your organization. In other words, what can you do to increase knowledge and improve the effectiveness of that aspect of the Peer Support Services? Who would need to be involved? What action steps need to be taken? How will you know the action steps have been accomplished?

This organizational self-assessment is just the first step. Share your findings with others in your organization to consider ways in which you can create Peer Support Services that work for the PS/As and other members of the interdisciplinary team, supervisors, the organization as a whole, and, most importantly, the people receiving services and their families.

This self-assessment can give you actionable activities for starting or improving Peer Support Services. If you are completing this as part of a group, you will be able to compare perspectives and discuss important considerations in the inclusion of Peer Support Services. If you are completing this alone, you will have valuable information you can bring to your organization about its strengths and opportunities for improvement in the inclusion of Peer Support Services.

As you develop an Action Plan, we would love to hear what you’re learning and doing. Be sure to share your exemplary practices so others can learn from your example!

To share your experiences with the OSA and your Action Planning process, send email to info@peertac.org or use the Ask PeerTAC feature in the upper corner of our website: https://peertac.org/

References:

• Children’s Behavioral Health Knowledge Center, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (2021). Young Adult Peer Mentoring Organizational Self-Assessment Capacity Building Toolkit.https://static1.squarespace.com/static/545cdfcce4b0a64725b9f65a/t/604f76bdda2fa72f9c06aa42/1615820477818/CBHKC+YAPM+Toolkit+%28002%29.pdf
• National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.) (2019). National Practice Guidelines for Peer Specialists and Supervisors. https://www.peersupportworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/National-Practice-Guidelines-for-Peer-Specialists-and-Supervisors-1.pdf
• National Council on Behavioral Health (2020). CCBHC Self-Assessment Guide. https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/110620_CCBHC_Self-Assessment_Guide.pdf
• Philadelphia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities Services and Achara Consulting Inc. (2017). Peer Support Toolkit. Philadelphia, PA: DBHIDS. https://dbhids.org/wp-content/uploads/1970/01/PCCI_Peer-Support-Toolkit.pdf
• Warshaw, C., Tinnon, E.& Cave, C. (2018). Tools for Transformation: Becoming Accessible, Culturally Responsive, and Trauma-Informed Organizations — An Organizational Reflection Toolkit. National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma and Mental Health (NCDVTMH). http://www.nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org/publications-products/tools-for-transformation-becoming-accessible-culturally-responsive-and-trauma-informed-organizations-an-organizational-reflection-toolkit/
• Yak (n.d.) Youth ACT Team Self-Monitoring Tool. McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research at NYU. https://mcsilver.nyu.edu/technical-assistance/

Additional Resources for the Inclusion of Peer Specialists:

• Cronise, R., Edwards, J.P., Enders, G., & Forbes, J. (2023). What it Takes: Wisdom from Peer Specialists/Advocates and Supervisors. National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.). [Book] Available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/What-Takes-Support-Specialists-Supervisors/dp/B0BRM1VBSM#:~:text=Book%20overview,presentations%20from%20real%2Dworld%20practitioners
• Foglesong, D., Knowles, K., Cronise, R., Wolf, J. Edwards, J.P., (2021, 13 July).  National Practice Guidelines for Peer Specialists and Supervisors, Psychiatric Services. https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.202000901
• Morris, C., Banning, L., Mumby, S. & Morris, C. (2015). DIMENSIONS: Peer Support Program Toolkit. University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Behavioral Health and Wellness Program. https://www.bhwellness.org/toolkits/Peer-Support-Program-Toolkit.pdf
• National Practice Guidelines for Peer Specialists and Supervisors – https://www.peersupportworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/National-Practice-Guidelines-for-Peer-Specialists-and-Supervisors-1.pdf
• Supporting Peer Specialists and Community Health Workers in their Roles – Organizational Readiness Toolkit: https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/providers/resources/supporting-peers-and-community-health-workers-in-their-roles.page