EVENT DESCRIPTION: Professional peer providers, direct service providers with lived experience of addiction recovery, are uniquely positioned to address unmet service needs. Because of their lived experience and informal approach, peers can quickly build rapport with people in or seeking recovery and connect them with local resources. This session will focus on the value of peer providers in substance use services. Dr. Emily Pasman, a recovery support services researcher, will review the benefits of peer engagement, various peer-delivered service models, and characteristics of successful peer recovery support services. Attendees will also hear from Rob Kanous, a state-certified peer recovery coach, about practical methods for incorporating peers in existing health and social service settings. Time for questions and answers will be provided.

PRESENTERS:

• Dr. Emily Pasman, University of Mchigan
• Rob Kanous, CPRC, CEI-CMH