Certified Peer Support in the Field of Homelessness: Stories Behind the Work.
Community Ment Health J
; 2024 Jul 02.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38956000
ABSTRACT
Certified peer support specialists (CPSS) are used as a paraprofessional workforce to engage hard-to-reach populations, including people experiencing homelessness. Thematic analysis was used to explore with CPSS (N = 7) what contributed to their effectiveness when working with this population. Participants were recruited at a HUD lead organization in the southeastern United States. Open-ended semi-structured questions were used in online, synchronous interviews. Themes related to three areas, experience, competence, and the organization, contributed to participants being effective. Specifically, interviewees observed that their lived experiences and abilities to speak a common language with clients contributed to their effectiveness. They identified how personal qualities and unique skillsets suited them for the work. Participants also valued the training they received; certification helped them to develop competencies and to balance vulnerability, empathy, and connection. Finally, participants attributed their effectiveness to clarity about their roles within the organization, supervision, attention to self-care, and co-worker support. Findings from this study may have implications for the value of lived and learned knowledge coexisting in organizations serving those who experience homelessness.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Community Ment Health J
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Estados Unidos