Project Grant H79SM086368

THE MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE PEER NETWORK -MASPN- FORMERLY KNOWN AS MUCH - PROJECT ABSTRACT THE TRANSFORMATION CENTER DBA KIVA CENTERS HAS ESTABLISHED THE MA STATEWIDE PEER NETWORK, A LARGE NETWORK OF PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE OF MENTAL HEALTH, TRAUMA, AND/OR SUBSTANCE USE RECOVERY, ALONGSIDE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO MEET THE GOALS OF THE FEDERAL FUNDING INITIATIVE FOR A STATEWIDE CONSUMER NETWORK PROGRAM THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE ADMINISTRATION, (SAMHSA). THE NETWORK IS COMPRISED OF SEVERAL GROUPS DEDICATED TO BUILDING AND STRENGTHENING THE PEER SUPPORT WORKFORCE AND COMMUNITY RELATED TO INCREASING AWARENESS AND TRAINING OF MENTAL HEALTH, TRAUMA, AND/OR SUBSTANCE USE RECOVERY IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS - ESPECIALLY IN UNDERSERVED AND UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES AND GROUPS. THE NETWORK HAS EVOLVED THROUGH THE EXPANSION AND DIVERSIFICATION OF ALL LIVED-EXPERIENCE PROFESSIONALS, INCLUDING ACTIVISTS AND PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE, CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALISTS, YOUNG ADULT PEER MENTORS, PEER RECOVERY COACHES, COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, OLDER ADULT PEER SPECIALISTS, AND FAMILY PARTNERS. THE GOALS OF THE MA STATEWIDE PEER NETWORK ARE TO: - BUILD CAPACITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE STATEWIDE PEER NETWORK TO CULTIVATE THE MISSION AS A PEER-RUN ORGANIZATION AND ENSURE EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION BY PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE - ENHANCE THE VOICES OF PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE, EMPOWER, AND ENABLE PARTICIPATION IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH POLICY, PLANNING, AND IMPLEMENTATION ACROSS THE STATE - INCREASE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND LEADERSHIP IN WORKFORCE AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO AND AVAILABILITY OF EVIDENCE-BASED AND PROMISING PRACTICES THAT ARE HOLISTIC, PEER-DRIVEN, AND TRAUMA-INFORMED - ENGAGE PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCES (INCLUDING THOSE FROM UNDERSERVED AND UNDERREPRESENTED POPULATIONS) VIA TRAINING, AWARENESS, OUTREACH, AND SUPPORT; - EMPHASIZE AND BUILD LEADERSHIP WITHIN PEER-RUN ORGANIZATIONS AND IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE AND THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION WITH ALLIED STAKEHOLDERS - ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF UNDERSERVED AND UNDER-REPRESENTED COMMUNITIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO BE INCLUSIVE OF PEOPLE FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS. OUTREACH AND ACCESSIBILITY TO INDIVIDUALS WHO IDENTIFY AS PART OF THE BIPOC AND LGBTQIA COMMUNITIES, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, INVOLVEMENT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS, AND ALL MARGINALIZED INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMONWEALTH. INTENSIVE OUTREACH TO RURAL COMMUNITIES WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO PROGRAMMING AND TRANSPORTATION.