What steps do we take to build a sustainable peer support program?

Everyone recognizes the value and importance of training. Peer and crisis support services are provided to people during difficult times. In order to reduce risk and ensure effectiveness, volunteers providing these services require skills. To acquire and develop these skills, one must attend training.

But, training is just one step in the process of building a peer support program and/or crisis response team.

We have created a seven step process by which peer support programs and crisis support teams can build and grow. After a decade of field-testing and peer review, this seven step process has emerged as the foundational standard for peer and crisis support practice.

Step 1. Develop and approve policy

Step 2. Design and implement protocols

Step 3. Create and implement standards for recruiting quality peers

Step 4. Complete basic peer support and/or crisis response training

Step 5. Design and deliver orientation and mechanism for ongoing supervision

Step 6. Utilize a system that collects statistics and report outcomes

Step 7. Engage in ongoing, in-service development

Three words: liability, liability, liability.  These seven steps ensure a set of standards are followed so that risk is reduced and “reward” is the result.  Other than liability, there are other factors too, such as:

✓  Building buy-in with leadership

✓  Attract quality, principled team members

✓  Ensure skill-based, response-ready training

✓  Track standards for measuring effectiveness

✓  Engage in supervision and continued development for all involved