Peer Specialist Role

Phase 1: On Site (September-October) 

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Phase Overview

In this training phase, Peer Specialist will begin engagement with their assigned school site and develop key relationships within the school environment. They will focus on understanding their role within the specific school team and explore current school processes. Collaborating with their task supervisor and field instructor, they will identify learning objectives, complete necessary learning documents, and start supporting clients.

Phase Goals/Objections

  1. Begin engagement with assigned school site and develop school relationships

  2. Develop understanding of role in specific school team

  3. Explore current school processes

  4. Collaborate with task supervisor and field instructor to identify learning objectives and complete learning documents

  5. Begin supporting clients

Resources

School Engagement

Understand how Peer Specialists should efficiently obtain room keys and access essential items, expertly navigate the campus, and promptly set up their district email. Learn how to accurately add contact information to the safety alert system and seamlessly download Zoom for effective communication. Emphasize cultivating meaningful relationships with students, staff, and families while actively participating in school activities and events. Additionally, assist with strategic interventions and collaborate with the family navigator for timely and appropriate referrals.

  • • Obtain room/space keys/access items from school point person

    • Learn room/space and campus access/check-in process

    • Learn necessary navigation information including staff parking, restrooms, and mailboxes

    • Obtain district email and be added to school-wide email listserv

    • Add name and phone number to safety alert system

    • Download Zoom application on telephone for communication with students/family

    • Engage in personal introductions to build relationships with staff, students, and families

    • Engage with students and staff (during structured time, recess, lunch, and passing) to build relationships, develop trust, discover interests, and identify areas of concern

    • Connect with family navigator and school staff to learn about making referrals to outside agencies

    • Seek opportunities to assist with implementation of Tier 1 (school-wide), Tier 2 (group), and Tier 3 (individual) interventions, including school-wide initiatives, community events, workshops, groups, and individual counseling

    • Participate in school activities and events

Collaboration and Supervision

Gain insight into managing your role as a Peer Specialist by scheduling and maintaining regular meetings with your task supervisor and field instructor. Organize both individual and group supervision sessions, share your schedule with relevant staff, and promptly communicate any absences. Actively participate in essential meetings such as COST and PBIS, and consistently prepare for discussions with your supervisor to reflect on experiences and plan follow-up actions.

  • • Schedule regular meetings with task supervisor and field instructor

    • Schedule individual and group supervision with field instructor

    • Share schedule with task supervisor, field instructor, and other multidisciplinary staff

    • Communicate absences with supervisor

    • Attend COST meetings and other multidisciplinary meetings (e.g., PBIS, MTSS, IEP, 504, Student Success/Support Team [SST], School Attendance Review Board [SARB], School Attendance Review Team [SART] meetings)

    • Attend regular meetings with task supervisor and field instructor prepared to reflect on experiences, ask questions, and plan for follow-up meetings with supervisor(s)

Learning and Development

Understand the critical steps for seamlessly integrating as a Peer Specialist. This involves engaging with your field instructor to thoroughly review essential core competencies, pinpoint relevant and impactful learning activities, discuss your specific goals, and finalize the comprehensive learning agreement.

  • • Meet with field instructor to review core competencies, determine learning activities, discuss goals and complete learning agreement

    • Reflect on personal growth as a professional within the mental health field

    • Develop understanding of the differences between mental health specialist, school social worker, school psychologist, academic counselor and behavioral health specialist

    • Increase awareness and understanding of early learning and prevention services

    • Attend professional development trainings

    • Develop awareness of consents, release of information forms, and other related school/SCOE forms

    • Develop understanding and knowledge of Special Education and related supports for special groups; 504, homeless, migrant, ESL, LGBTQIA+, military families, foster youth

    • Understand basic knowledge of trauma and how adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress impact behaviors

    • Develop understanding of the purpose of the culminating project, and begin exploring ideas for the culminating project

    • Learn the components of various assessment tools

    • Explore various resources and materials in preparation for student encounters and interventions (including but not limited to consulting with task supervisor, field instructor, school staff, books, guides, and online resources)

    • Develop understanding of COST team, and how it is coordinated at assigned school site

    • Learn about the Universal Referral System at assigned school site and how student support referrals are received

    • Learn the crisis response procedures at assigned school site, including the school safety plan if available

    • Understand how to seek the support of others outside of supervisor meetings

    • Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and in oral, written, and electronic communication

    • Gain confidence in effective verbal communication with parents and/or legal guardians

Student Support and Intervention

Learn the essential steps Peer Specialists will learn to integrate into the school environment. They will begin by consulting with their task supervisor and field instructor to build a student caseload and schedule 1:1 counseling sessions with non-Medi-Cal clients. Additionally, they will learn how to effectively incorporate mental health and wellness services into the school setting using a Multi-Tiered System of Support approach.

Peer Specialists will also focus on mastering group workshop facilitation. By collaborating with their task supervisor, they will conduct a thorough needs assessment to identify potential workshop topics. They will then develop or refine the workshop curriculum, identify participants, and manage consent forms. This process will enhance their skills in delivering engaging and impactful group sessions.

Finally, they will concentrate on providing presentations and psychoeducation, registering students for SBMHW services, and accurately documenting services provided for both individual and group workshops. They will apply the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Core Competencies throughout their work and build confidence in supporting escalated individuals. Peer Specialists will also understand the importance of precise documentation for maintaining accurate records and ensuring continuity of care. Regular feedback sessions with supervisors will support their ongoing development and effectiveness in the school setting.

  • • Consult with task supervisor and field instructor to build student caseload

    • Schedule and facilitate 1:1 counseling sessions with non-Medi-Cal clients

    • Learn how to integrate mental health and wellness services into a school setting utilizing a Multi-Tiered System of Support approach

    • Work to effectively facilitate group workshops:

    ○ Learn how to effectively facilitate group workshops

    ○ Collaborate with task supervisor to conduct school site needs assessment to determine potential workshop topics

    ○ Identify, refine, or build workshop curriculum

    ○ Identify group members and disseminate consents for group workshops

    • Effectively provide presentations and/or psychoeducation

    • Learn how to register students for SBMHW services at assigned school site

    • Learn how to document services provided for individual and group workshops

    • Apply the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Core Competencies

    • Gain confidence in supporting escalated individuals