Peer Mentor Training: The focus of this area is to demonstrate that peer mentors with an intellectual and other developmental disability (I/DD) can positively impact the lives of other individuals with I/DD and their families.

Coordinated by Community Bridges – Consulting Group this initiative is a joint venture of Optum and the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities. The purpose of the Peer Mentoring Training for People with IDD: Third Cohort is to implement the piloted peer mentoring training program for individuals who live independently with the use of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).   

This initiative supports NCCDD's Goal 3 of the Council’s Five-Year Plan: Increase advocacy for individuals with I/DD.

Why is NCCDD funding this initiative?

Aspects of this initiative are mandated in the Developmental Disabilities and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) for Councils on Developmental Disabilities, and part of the NCCDD Five-Year State Plan.

• Medicaid benefits covering peer support services for individuals with mental illness and/or addiction disorders are well established, and peer mentors have shown positive outcomes.
• Peer support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are not well established.
• This initiative aims to demonstrate that peer mentors with an I/DD can positively impact the lives of other individuals with I/DD and their families.

What are the major goals and objectives?

• Further develop the peer mentor training curriculum to increase peer mentor programs for individuals with I/DD.
• Train 10 – 15 additional NC Peer Mentors with IDD.
• Promote the ID Peer Mentor job position for the NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
• Further Promote the Community Health Worker job position as developed by Alliance Health Care Management.
• Develop additional job description(s) for peer mentor with IDD.
• This investment by the NCCDD is for up to six-months: February 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024.

What has taken place since the start of the program? (Activities)

• Coordinated by Community Bridges Consulting Group, this initiative has been a joint venture of Optum, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), and the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities and now includes the NC Division of Vocational Rehabiliation Services (NCDVRS). The purpose of the Peer Mentoring Training for People with IDD: Third Cohort is to implement the peer mentoring training program for individuals who live independently with the use of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). Cohort members will learn key concepts to support peers with I/DD. All classes incorporate learning activities to be done as a group and individually, as well as knowledge checks. Participants will complete a pre-training and post-training evaluation to provide feedback which will be incorporated to improve the overall curriculum.

  Initiative activities include:

• • Recruiting and selecting peer mentor trainees.
  • Assessing and assisting with accommodation needs for peer mentors.
  • Implementing Peer Mentor Training for 10 - 15 participants.
  • Developing local connections and providing guidance to advance the initiative.
  • Developing/finalizing a job description in concert with project partners, including NC DVRS.

What long-term changes are expected as a result of this initiative?

• Implement the piloted curriculum to train 10 – 15 Peer Mentors with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including individuals recommended by NC DVRS.
• Conduct evaluation of Peer Mentor Training for People with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities curriculum.
• Build and manage relationships with and among partners and other key stakeholders and serve as a resource for content, ideas, and thought partnership.
• Create infrastructure for networked connectivity, acting as a liaison to build deep, sustainable partnerships, prioritizing transformational change.
• Analyze a diversity of data points to inform next steps and long-term goals.
• Identify and respond to conflicts and misalignment, if any, between stakeholders.
• Lead monthly stakeholder calls and other activities that deepen connections and relationships to and among stakeholders.
• Gainful employment for graduates of the Peer Mentor training for people with IDD.

Who can I contact for questions?

Coordinator Kelly Friedlander, Principal Consultant, Community Bridges Consulting Group, [email protected]

NCCDD: Melissa Swartz, Systems Change Manager, [email protected]

Additional Resources

Peer Mentor Training website address: www.iddpeermentor.com

Click here to download a one pager of this initiative.

Dec. 2020 i2i Conference Presentation: click here to download pdf of ppt. slides; Watch the youtube recording of the presentation here: https://youtu.be/0NAaxv9bKzo

Watch some of the pilot training cohort talking about the program here: https://youtu.be/zAgMgdPoRMo and https://youtu.be/tlJU_JaHSlI