Written by: Michelle Vance
The UNITE Youth Peer Summit was held virtually with 115 participants on April 29th and 30th, 2021. It was a lively event where we had a chance to grow our knowledge and network with those who are involved in Youth Peer Support work. This event was a partnership between The National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Child, Youth and Family Mental Health, The Pacific Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center, and Youth MOVE National.
On the first day of the UNITE Peer Summit, we were joined by people all over the US, as visually represented in our Menti graph below. The words in a larger font mean a higher number of attendees from that location.
Our first workshop of the day started with our staff facilitators talking about Trauma-Informed practice and principles. The group then split into two break-out rooms, one that spoke about embracing vulnerability and the second, a networking session on Community Mapping. We wrapped up the first day by talking about Ethics & Boundaries.
We had a lot of resources shared by staff and participants in the Discord chat channels during the workshops. Below is a screenshot from the Trauma Informed discord chat channel and links to resources that several people told us were impactful for them.
Video Shared by YMN-Lydia on How Brains are Built >>
Book Recommendation Shared by YMN-Matt titled Untamed >>
Day 2 Highlights:
The second day we covered information on Practicing Self-Care and Resource Mapping. During the conversation on Resource Mapping, the group responded to four questions regarding Youth Peer work. We hope that sharing this creative feedback process, others in the field can gain a better understanding of what is currently working in the field and what is needed.
1. What learning opportunities do you access to support your youth peer work?
- Motivational Interviewing
- Training
- Resource Mapping
- Webinars via MHTTC 211
- Young Professionals Learning Community for Region 9 MHTTC
- Self-care plans
- Exercising – for myself and with Youth
- Youth Training Institute
- Culturally Relevant Trainings (White Bison, Native Wellness, etc.)
- Youth eCPR
- WRAP training
- Restorative Youth Court Training
- Relias trainings
- Consulting with other specialists
- Opportunities from Youth MOVE National
- Reading Brene Brown, The Body Keeps the Score.
2. What tools do you use in your youth peer work?
- Goal Sheets
- Self-Directed Goals
- Self-Care Plans (Listing off triggers / helping)
- Time Management Talking & Healing Circles
- Safety-Risk Assessment
- Maintaining boundaries
- Taking care of physical needs! (ie; food, sleep, etc.)
- Cultural Activities
- Appreciative Inquiry
- Comfort Zones
- Workbook to facilitate the IDentity: A Storytelling Advocacy Project >>
3. What strategies do you use as a youth peer?
- Walking meetings/Taking a walk
- Supervision / Honesty
- Urgent vs. Important Time Management practices
- Opportunities from Youth MOVE National >>
- Forest App Tide – soft white noise >>
- Time Management
- Talking & Healing Circles
- I have a dog so I will go on walks!
- Safety-Risk Assessment maintaining boundaries taking care of physical needs! (ie; food, sleep, etc.)
- Taking lunch breaks
- Therapy
- Sign off when work hours are over!
- Regular sleep schedule
4. What resources are needed or missing?
- More Providers
- Historical Trauma Training
- Transportation help for youth
- Collaboration with other dept. & orgs (currently minimal)
- Updating information for current agencies and support services
- Housing
- Trauma Informed Care
- A way to easily connect with youth peers in other states p
- Programs within schools
The UNITE Youth Peer Summit was such a great chance to hear directly from those working on Peer Support and we appreciate the opportunity to convene such a unique and important workforce.
