National Study of Peer-Run Organizations and Consumer-Operated Services
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This study is being conducted by Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. The overall goal of the study is to conduct a survey of peer-run organizations and consumer-operated service programs. The study will contribute to information on the role peer-run organizations are playing in the mental health system. The study will provide data for planning, reimbursement, and sustainability, and will be important for diffusing the peer-run model, and educating the government, the organizations, and advocates.
A peer-run organization is defined as one that:
1) is an independent non-profit and has a board of directors that is made up of at least half consumers/peers; or
2) one that may not be an independent non-profit, but has an advisory board that is at least half consumers/peers and is managed by consumers/peers; or
3) a local organization that is underneath the umbrella of a larger peer-run organization.
There are three objectives/aims of the study:
1. Describe peer-run organizations' operations and characteristics
2. Measure peer-run organizations' linkages with traditional mental health services
3. Understand the participation of peer-run organizations in health care reform
Participation by organizations in all states is necessary. All organizations in every state is needed to provide representative results that can impact policy and practice across the country. Buy-in from stakeholders early is important to the success of the project so that we can successfully recruit and include organizations in the study.
Results will be disseminated to peers and the government. The results will be shared with all organizations for which we have contact information, Statewide Consumer Networks, and national consumer organizations (such as the National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery). Results will also be shared with federal and state agencies that support mental health services.
How to get involved:
If your organization is recruited, participate and make your voice a part of this project.
This study is being conducted by Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. The overall goal of the study is to conduct a survey of peer-run organizations and consumer-operated service programs. The study will contribute to information on the role peer-run organizations are playing in the mental health system. The study will provide data for planning, reimbursement, and sustainability, and will be important for diffusing the peer-run model, and educating the government, the organizations, and advocates.
A peer-run organization is defined as one that:
1) is an independent non-profit and has a board of directors that is made up of at least half consumers/peers; or
2) one that may not be an independent non-profit, but has an advisory board that is at least half consumers/peers and is managed by consumers/peers; or
3) a local organization that is underneath the umbrella of a larger peer-run organization.
There are three objectives/aims of the study:
1. Describe peer-run organizations' operations and characteristics
2. Measure peer-run organizations' linkages with traditional mental health services
3. Understand the participation of peer-run organizations in health care reform
Participation by organizations in all states is necessary. All organizations in every state is needed to provide representative results that can impact policy and practice across the country. Buy-in from stakeholders early is important to the success of the project so that we can successfully recruit and include organizations in the study.
Results will be disseminated to peers and the government. The results will be shared with all organizations for which we have contact information, Statewide Consumer Networks, and national consumer organizations (such as the National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery). Results will also be shared with federal and state agencies that support mental health services.
How to get involved:
If your organization is recruited, participate and make your voice a part of this project.
Peer-Run Respites' Research and Evaluation Needs
Peer-run crisis respites are an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization that are staffed and operated by peers with lived experience of recovery. Peer-run crisis respites provide a homelike environment for people to overcome crisis or to prevent further exacerbation of crisis. There has been interest in implementing and studying peer-run respites nationwide, as well as internationally. Currently there are 12 peer-run respites in the U.S. An evidence-base is needed to continue dissemination of the model.
The aims of this study are:
1. Assess how peer-run respites are fitting into current services and policy environments
2. Gather perspectives of the executive directors of the programs on research and evaluation
3. Inform future research on effectiveness of peer-run respites
How is the study being conducted?
Eleven of the twelve respites are being surveyed. Respondents are asked about how they view their programs as fitting into the mental health service system continuum, and about past and future evaluations of their programs.
Implications for policy and research:
Peer-run respites are in the service continuum as both alternatives and adjuncts to traditional crisis services. As the model is disseminated, we must continue to monitor outcomes, effectiveness, and service coordination. Evaluation can help us design fidelity measurement and policies that support the model's sustainability and maturation.
The aims of this study are:
1. Assess how peer-run respites are fitting into current services and policy environments
2. Gather perspectives of the executive directors of the programs on research and evaluation
3. Inform future research on effectiveness of peer-run respites
How is the study being conducted?
Eleven of the twelve respites are being surveyed. Respondents are asked about how they view their programs as fitting into the mental health service system continuum, and about past and future evaluations of their programs.
Implications for policy and research:
Peer-run respites are in the service continuum as both alternatives and adjuncts to traditional crisis services. As the model is disseminated, we must continue to monitor outcomes, effectiveness, and service coordination. Evaluation can help us design fidelity measurement and policies that support the model's sustainability and maturation.
On Our Own of Maryland's Cultural Competence Evaluation
The PSRI is providing data analysis support to On Our Own of Maryland, Inc. On Our Own is the Statewide Consumer Network for the state of Maryland. They are conducting an evaluation of the cultural competence of their 26 wellness and recovery centers across the state. The results will be used for technical assistance to the centers and quality improvement.
Measuring the Costs of Programs that Promote Community Inclusion for People with Psychiatric Disabilities
One of the projects of the PSRI is assisting
Human Services Research Institute and the Temple University
Center for Community Inclusion in conducting a study to measure the costs of programs designed to promote community inclusion for
people with psychiatric disabilities. We are looking to document and understand
the resources needed to promote community inclusion. We are hoping to gain
more insight about how to help replicate effective programs, assist the field
in developing such programs, and determine more effective methods to evaluate
such programs. Many of the programs included in the study are those that are run or operated by peers.
Study methods:
This study consists of an online questionnaire, to be completed by program or executive directors. The questionnaire asks about operating and staffing costs. The types of programs that are eligible to participate are:
Implications for policy and research:
This project will contribute to the information on community inclusion programs for advocates, program developers, funders, and policy makers.
Participating organizations will receive:
If you would like to participate in the study, please use the Contact Us form.
Study methods:
This study consists of an online questionnaire, to be completed by program or executive directors. The questionnaire asks about operating and staffing costs. The types of programs that are eligible to participate are:
- Housing
- Employment
- Education
- Prisoner Reintegration
- Primary care/Wellness
- Peer Programs
- Supports positive relationships (parenting, siblings, dating, etc.)
- Targets environmental barriers or provides support
Implications for policy and research:
This project will contribute to the information on community inclusion programs for advocates, program developers, funders, and policy makers.
Participating organizations will receive:
- An update-able spreadsheet with your cost information
- Technical assistance in using the spreadsheet for writing grant and contract proposals
- Access to resources on cost information on the study participant web site
- A copy of the completed report
- Credit in the report if you wish
If you would like to participate in the study, please use the Contact Us form.
