Why Peer Services?
“Peers often share a common culture, language and
deep understanding of the problems that people in their
communities experience. For those reasons, peers can
promote recovery, foster resilience and build on strengths to
support community integration and help others lead more
fulfilling lives. Peer services and support can complement
and enhance other health services. Peer specialists have
been demonstrated to improve quality of life, promote
wellness, increase retention, enhance treatment adherence,
and improve coping skills. Peers are an essential part of an
effective and efficient service system.” – Arthur Evans, PH.
Did You Know?
- You do not need to be enrolled in clinical services to receive Peer support. Our Peer services are available to anyone seeking guidance, encouragement, and connection on their recovery journey.
- Our Peer Advocates are Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPAs) who bring both personal experience with substance use and professional training to provide non-clinical support services tailored to each patient’s treatment or recovery plan. CRPAs also assist individuals in developing recovery plans, building effective coping strategies, and strengthening life skills essential for long-term recovery.
- We provide comprehensive care for individuals of all ages, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood, with no age limitations or restrictions. Our services are tailored to meet each person’s unique needs.
- Peers can meet with individuals in a variety of settings, including community-based, clinic-based, school-based, and home-based environments. This flexibility ensures that support is accessible and tailored to each person's unique needs and circumstances.
Better For Families (BFF) Court Improvement Project
BFF is a Judicial approach to child
welfare cases involving SUD. Families participating in BFF attend bi-weekly court.
Home Community Based Services (HCBS)
CRPA’s provide clinic and community-based peer
recovery services, including Engagement services to connect individuals into treatment.
CORE Services
CRPAs provide Community Oriented Recovery and Empowerment (CORE)
services, including Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Peer Empowerment Services, Family Support
and Training programming to individuals who would benefit from the service and not otherwise
qualify due to insurance barriers.
Adult Peer Supports
CRPA’s provide Peer Services that mirrors the CORE services.
Family Time Supervised Visitation Program
An intensive therapeutic visitation program with
parent support and wraparound services. Farnham co-locates a fulltime CRPA at Catholic
Charities to provide peer empowerment & engagement services with families. The CRPA
provides recovery support, facilitates connection to treatment and helps parents to navigate other
supports in the family’s life. The goal is prompt and safe family reunification.
Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Teams (START)
START seeks to prevent out-of-home
placements, promote child safety and well-being, increase permanency for children, encourage
parental SUD recovery, and improve family stability and self-sufficiency. The (START) project
has collaborative dyads each involving a DSS caseworker with a Farnham CRPA to support families
with young children impacted by SUD to remain intact and receive appropriate SUD treatment.
Street Outreach
The goal of this initiative is to provide street-level Outreach and Engagement
Services (OES) in the community to populations who typically have difficulty accessing harm
reduction, substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and recovery support services. These
individuals may, or may not, be aware of, or interested in SUD treatment services but have been
identified as engaging in substance use and/or have SUD.
Harm Reduction Kit
Harm reduction kits are designed to meet emergency basic needs while ensuring safety, health,
and comfort in different weather conditions. The contents of the kits will vary based on available
supplies, the time of year, and the current needs of the community. Some key items that may be
included in the kit are:
- Alcohol swabs or sterile wipes
- Deterra Bag
- Handwarmers
- Xylene test strips
- Whistle
- Toothbrush
- Chapstick
- Deodorant
- Soap
- Feminine products
- Pregnancy test
- Condoms
- Naloxone (Narcan) for opioid overdose reversal
- Fentanyl test strips for detecting contamination in substances
- Information on safe usage practices, local support services, and emergency contacts
- Bandages or gauze for injury care
- Flashlights
- Warm socks (winter) or sunscreen (summer)
- First-aid items for minor injuries
The goal of these kits is to reduce harm, prevent infections, and offer immediate assistance in
case of an overdose while connecting individuals to local support resources.
Connect with a Peer Today!