1. www.tucollaborative.org A National Webinar December 9, 2015 / 1 – 3 PM (EST) Helping People Connect to the Religious Congregations or Spiritual Groups of Their Choice: The Role of Peer Specialists

2. The contents of this presentation were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number #90RT5021- 02-00). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this presentation do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. www.tucollaborative.org From the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion Of Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities

3. Purposes To talk about the importance of congregational connections To review the roles that peer specialists can play in forging these long-term connections To recommend actions that listeners can take to promote these connections www.tucollaborative.org

4. Presenters Richard C. Baron, MA – Senior Staff / The Temple Collaborative on Community Inclusion David Measel – Director / The Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition / Lancaster, PA Ann Helmke / Director of Spiritual Services / Haven for Hope / San Antonio, TX Your Questions – Write Us Now with Your Questions and Concerns

5. The Importance of Religion Individuals with mental health conditions, like other Americans, connect to mainstream religious congregations and spiritual groups to strengthen both: their faith and their fellowship; And both goals speak to their interest in community inclusion.

6. The Role of the Peer Specialist in Promoting Congregational Connections A rapidly growing element of the workforce With documented effectiveness In a perfect position to promote connections - without disclosure: exploring options, offering support, managing concerns - with disclosure: contacting congregations, marshalling support, promoting independence

7. Barriers to a Focus on Connecting People to Religious / Spiritual Groups In our national focus group discussions across the country, peer specialists reported that they had been discouraged in playing these roles because of program concerns about: - unhealthy religious ideation - church/state conflicts - tension over competing religious tenets - peer specialists’ own concerns

8. On the other hand... Unhealthy religious ideation, when it rarely occurs, should be a separate clinical concern Church / state conflicts can be resolved by a focus on the recovery goals of the individual Helping individuals connect to congregations do not involve competing religious discussions Peer specialists can either work to resolve their own issues, or refer for help in this arena

9. Recommendations Talk with your supervisor ahead of time Talk with service recipients about their needs Talk with local congregations about their roles Organize multiple sources of support Explore the range of ways to connect Support congregational educational programs

10. Recommendation One Talk with your supervisor - explore the implications and limits of this emerging area of your work with your agency - seek guidance, resources and supports from your supervisor and peer colleagues - make sure your agency is aware, comfortable, and supportive

11. Recommendation Two Talk with the people you support - are they interested in a religious or spiritual connection to a mainstream group? - which religious or spiritual group would they be interested in connecting to? - what is the nature of the interactions they would most enjoy? - how would they like to address the issue of ‘disclosure’ in moving forward?

12. Recommendation Three Discuss their roles with local congregations - be clear that your initial goals are focused on creating a welcoming congregational atmosphere, rather than on MH education - be clear that you are talking about an approach that focuses on one person at-a- time rather than group activities

13. Recommendation Four Organize multiple sources of support - your role as a peer specialist - drawing on family and friend resources - looking to the congregation and individual congregants for their support

14. Recommendation Five Explore the range of ways to connect - attending services and study groups - participating in social/recreational activities - joining trips and exchanges - volunteering with congregational charities

15. Recommendation Six Support congregational education programs. Presentations on mental health themes. Consultations and referrals for congregants. Responding to tensions

16. Other Perspectives. David Measel, CPS, CPSS Contracted Administrator Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition davepapsc@gmail.com. The Rev. Ann Helmke Director of Spiritual Services Haven For Hope / San Antonio, TX ann.helmke@havenforhope.org

17. What Can You Be Doing Consider your role / talk with service recipients Recommend broader discussions of the issues Help to develop peer specialist training programs – modules for basic training or advanced training formats Explore the needs of supervisors Develop Support groups

18. How We Can Help Two documents: Helping People Connect: The Role of Peer Specialists Helping People Connect: The Role of Peer Specialists Developing Welcoming Congregations Or contact Richard Baron / Temple Collaborative 215.204.9664 / rcbaron@temple.edu / tucollaborative@temple.edurcbaron@temple.edu

19. Thanks for your participation today.