COLORADO MENTAL WELLNESS NETWORK

Education - Peer Support Professional Training: CMWN is the first-ever peer-run behavioral health organization to offer Peer Support training in Colorado. We are Colorado's premier provider of PSP training, which equips individuals living in recovery with the tools to support others in moving toward wellness. This non-clinical approach is uniquely effective as it reduces the power differential between parties and allows the PSP and participant to work toward the participant's goals through a lens of shared experience. CMWN's virtual PSP trainings, held 11 times per year, follow a robust 72-hour curriculum originally developed with the support of the National Association of Peer Supporters (NAPS). Trainings are delivered by individuals from diverse backgrounds, and this diversity-across race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and lived experiences-ensures that our trainings are culturally responsive and resonate with a wide range of participants. Since 2012, CMWN has delivered PSP trainings to 672 individuals. Peer Support Supervisor Training: In addition to training PSPs directly, CMWN delivers virtual training three times per year for PS Supervisors, which we developed in collaboration with the Community & Behavioral Health Division of the Department of Public Health & Environment. PS Supervisors may or may not be PSPs themselves and may or may not share personal lived experiences with mental health, substance use, trauma, and/or co-occurring conditions. Due to the uniqueness of the PSP role, CMWN has found PS Supervisors often lack clear understanding about their roles and responsibilities. CMWN's PS Supervisor training increases their understanding and effectiveness, in turn increasing programmatic success. To date, CMWN has delivered PS Supervisor trainings to 155 individuals. Quarterly Peer Support Networking Events: In addition to initial trainings, CMWN offers virtual Quarterly Peer Networking Events (QPNEs) to enhance connectivity and continuing education among the Peer Support Workforce. The events begin with training on a relevant topic determined by the workforce community and then transition to opportunities for networking, helping individuals connect and learn from other's successes and challenges to promote self-care and reduce burnout. As an added benefit, participation in QPNEs can be used as Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for the Colorado Peer and Family Specialist (COPA) credential, further supporting professional development. Since launching in 2018, CMWN has served over 735 Peer Support Workforce Members through QPNEs. PSP Support Groups: PSP Support Groups are quarterly facilitated, virtual learning sessions that provide a space for meaningful discussion and professional development. These groups are more than casual meet-ups; they serve as a critical platform for PSPs to explore and address the challenges inherent in their roles. Participants engage in conversations about key topics such as navigating the balance of equally shared power in peer support relationships, confronting and managing issues related to role drift, and effectively implementing "strengths-focused" approaches in their work. By sharing their experiences, PSPs can support each other in overcoming common obstacles, reinforcing the ethical standards of peer support, and enhancing the quality of care they provide. In 2024-the first year of this initiative-we served 69 individuals. Colorado Association of Peer Support Professionals: We launched the Colorado Association of Peer Support Professionals (the Association) in May 2024 as part of our ongoing leadership in the peer support movement, which we have been advancing and at the forefront of since 2011. Over the past two years, we facilitated listening sessions to hear directly from Colorado's Peer Support Workforce about their needs and priorities. This critical input guided the development and launch of the Association. Now established as the hub for Colorado's Peer Support Workforce, the Association includes PSPs, Recovery Coaches, Peer Navigators, and Recovery Community Organizations across the state. It provides members with ongoing opportunities to connect, network, and access professional development. The Association's website serves as a clearinghouse for PSPs, allowing members to access research, publications, and best practices. The Association already has 268 individuals on its mailing list, with 78 signed up as members.

Peer Pathways to Wellness: Peer Pathways to Wellness (PPTW) is CMWN's trailblazing direct peer support service program! It provides drop-in peer support in nontraditional settings like shelters and community centers without onsite clinicians. Our success in delivering this support stems from our comprehensive PSP training and supervision. Through PPTW, PSPs offer peer support with fidelity to the role, maintaining clear boundaries and recognizing when a situation requires a higher level of intervention. PSPs deliver dynamic, hands-on support, using their shared experience to connect empathetically with individuals with high mental health and/or substance use needs and little access to resources. They provide empathetic listening, tailored resource connections, mentoring, and the empowerment needed to foster personal growth and recovery. Our PSPs are deeply committed to listening and meeting people where they are as they assist them in accessing essential services such as food benefits, Medicaid, ID assistance, and detox and transitional housing recovery programs. Since its launch in 2019, we have supported over 18,314 people through this initiative. Pieces of Wellness Workshops: Pieces of Wellness (PoW) is a dynamic wellness workshop designed by CMWN to provide participants with practical tools and strategies for supporting their mental and emotional well-being. Created as a flexible alternative to traditional wellness programs, it empowers individuals to explore and develop personalized wellness practices. Offered online for accessibility and in-person at partner locations, the workshop is an intentional space for learning, growth, and peer support, ensuring participants leave with actionable wellness tools. We have supported over 611 people with this impactful wellness workshop.