State of Georgia: PEER SUPPORTS

1
State of Georgia PEER SUPPORTS
Building Systems So That Money Follows the
Person Exploring Self-Direction in Mental Health
Services for Children Adults Baltimore,
Maryland March 2003
Larry Fricks Wendy White Tiegreen Georgia
Department of Human Resources Division of Mental
Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive
Diseases
2
State of Georgia PEER SUPPORTS
Consumer-Driven Recovery
Peer Support Institute
Technology Support
Recovery Mediation
Training of Providers
Continuing education
Outcome Evaluation
Values
Development of Certified Peer Specialists
Creation and Approval of Peer Support Code
State MH Authority
State Medicaid Authority
Medicaid Rehabilitation Option
Consumer Recovery Values
3
State of Georgia Peer Supports

• Strengthening the Consumer Voice in Managed Care
  The Georgia Peer Specialist Program, Sabin and
  Daniels, Psychiatric Services, April 2003, Vol
  54, No.4

The primary responsibility of the certified peer
specialist is to provide direct services
designed to assist consumers in regaining
control over their own lives and control over
their recovery processes. Peer specialists are
expected to model competence and the possibility
of recovery and to assist consumers in
developing the perspective and skills that
facilitate recovery.
4
State of Georgia Peer Supports
Strengthening the Consumer Voice in Managed Care
The Georgia Peer Specialist Program, continued
The aim of peer support is to provide an
opportunity for consumers to direct their own
recovery and advocacy process and to teach and
support each other in the acquisition and
exercise of skills needed for management of
symptoms and for utilization of natural resources
within the community.
5
State of Georgia Peer Supports

• General Data
• Total Certified Peer Specialists-163
• Consumers served since inception 2,500
• Projected billing this year-5.5M

6
State of Georgia Peer Supports

• Preliminary Outcome Analysis
• Peer Supports comparison to historical Day
  Support
• Between consumers first assessment to most
  recent assessment (Likert Scale), nearly 5
  greater improvement for those served by Peer
  Supports
• Peer Supports is reimbursed by Medicaid at 80 of
  cost of Day Supports

7
State of Georgia Peer Supports
For More Information

• www.gacps.org