Peers for Progress Newsletter Archive - August 28 2013 Newsletter Copy

Peers for Progress e-News

August 28, 2013

Workforce and Capacity
From our experience working with healthcare and community organizations to develop and implement peer support programs, Peers for Progress has faced many challenges related to workforce development and capacity building. This month, our spotlight focuses on emerging issues in peer workforce and capacity building. You can also visit the PfP blog for more discussions on this topic.

Spotlight

Peer Workforce & Capacity Building: Common Needs for a Fragmented Workforce

As the peer workforce in the United States grows in size and complexity, pressure is mounting to address the training and career advancement needs of peer supporters. In addition, healthcare providers and community organizations frequently need technical assistance to build the necessary organizational capacity to manage and sustain peer support programs. In this issue spotlight, we’ll explore some emerging issues in peer workforce and capacity building. [Read More]

Who Can Deliver Ongoing Diabetes Self-Management Support?

In “How Limited Workforce Capacity Hinders Providers’ Buy-In In China,” PfP Program Development Center senior program manager Maggy Coufal reflects on her experiences with program development in the Chinese healthcare system. [Read More]

In “Sustainability of Promotores Programs: Workforce Development,” Melissa Mayer discusses how fostering individual career and personal development for promotores can contribute to program sustainability and long-term community impact. [Read More]

Program Resources

Community Health Workers in the Midwest: Understanding and Developing the Workforce

This Wilder Research report was funded by the American Cancer Society to increase understanding of and document the work of the CHW workforce in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The report includes an assessment of CHW needs and a return on investment study. [Read More]

Paving a Path to Advance the Community Health Worker Workforce in New York State

This New York State Community Health Worker Initiative report, supported by NYSHealth, outlines recommendations for advancing the role of CHWs in the health care workforce. [Read More]

Building a Foundation for Recovery: A Community Education Guide on Establishing Medicaid-Funded Peer Support Services and a Trained Peer Workforce

This SAMHSA publication is a resource kit for implementing federally funded peer support services to drive recovery and system transformation. [Read More]

Strengthening Our Foundations: The Role and Workforce Development Requirements of Service-Users in the Mental Health Workforce
This publication identifies, scopes, and describes the workforce needs, and the gaps and issues unique to service users working in the mental health workforce. [Read More]

Research Briefs

Does Gender Influence Participation? Predictors of Participation in a Community Health Worker Diabetes Management Intervention with African American and Latino Adults

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of gender on participation in a community-based, culturally tailored diabetes lifestyle intervention, led by trained CHWs and conducted with African Americans and Latinos with type 2 diabetes. Among Latinos, men were less likely than women to complete the study, attend group classes, and complete CHW home visits. There were no gender differences in participation seen among African Americans. [Full Abstract]

The Role of Social Geography on Lady Health Workers' Mobility and Effectiveness in Pakistan

Past research has documented the influence of gendered norms and extended family (biradari) relationships on rural women's mobility patterns. This study explores whether and how these socio-cultural factors also impact LHWs' home-visit rates. In response to normative proscriptions, LHWs adopted strategies to reduce the amount of home visiting undertaken and to avoid visits to non-biradari homes. The findings suggest that LHW performance is constrained by both gender and biradari/caste-based hierarchies. [Full Abstract]

What Do We Know About One-to-One Peer Support for Adults With a Burn Injury? A Scoping Review

The purpose of this study was to conduct a broad examination of the central themes and concepts associated with one-to-one peer support for adult patients with a burn injury. Nine key themes pertaining to program design and structure, and 10 key themes relating to the impact of peer support for patients or peers were identified and discussed. One-to-one peer support for adults with burns trauma has the potential to be a unique support option with earnest attributes. [Full Abstract]

Integrated Care: Wellness-Oriented Peer Approaches: A Key Ingredient for Integrated Care

People with lived experience of mental illness have become leaders of an influential movement to help the mental health system embrace the notion of whole health and wellness in the areas of advocacy, policy, and care delivery. Wellness-oriented peer approaches delivered by peer-support whole-health specialists and wellness coaches can play an important role in integrated care models. This column examines the wellness definitions and peer models and some specific benefits and tensions between the peer-oriented wellness approach and the medical model. [Full Abstract]

Funding Opportunities

American Diabetes Association and Lilly Clinical Research Award: Diabetes Care in Older Adults

Application due: September 16, 2013
Funds: Up to three awards will be funded, each of which will receive a maximum of $200,000 per year for a total of $550,000 over a term of three years.

The ADA and Lilly Clinical Research Award: Diabetes Care in Older Adults provides grant support for clinical and translation studies focused on improving the evidence base and understanding of the goals, barriers, and effects of treatments and interventions (beneficial and adverse) in the older adult population with diabetes. [Read More]

Behavioral and Social Science Research on Understanding and Reducing Health Disparities (R01)

Deadline: October 5, 2013 (Standard Dates)
Funds: Not limited

The purpose of this FOA is to encourage behavioral and social science research on the causes and solutions to health and disabilities disparities in the U. S. population. Emphasis is placed on research in and among three broad areas of action: 1) public policy, 2) health care, and 3) disease/disability prevention. Applications that utilize an interdisciplinary approach, investigate multiple levels of analysis, incorporate a life-course perspective, and/or employ innovative methods such as systems science or community-based participatory research are particularly encouraged. [Read More]

Health Promotion Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Males (R01)

Deadline: October 5, 2013 (Standard Dates)
Funds: Not limited

This initiative seeks applications from applicants that propose to stimulate and expand research in the health of minority men. Specifically, this initiative encourages applications focusing on the development and testing of culturally and linguistically appropriate health-promoting interventions designed to reduce health disparities among racially and ethnically diverse males and their subpopulations age 21 and older. [Read More]

NIMHD Social, Behavioral, Health Services, and Policy Research on Minority Health and Health Disparities (R01)

Deadline: November 19, 2013
Funds: $250,000 per year

Investigators who conduct original and innovative social, behavioral, clinical, health services or policy research directed toward eliminating health disparities are invited to apply to this FOA. Projects that examine understudied health conditions; examine the effectiveness of interventions, services, or policies for multiple health disparity populations; and/or directly measure the impact of project activities on levels of health disparities are particularly encouraged. [Read More]