National, State, and Provincial Peer Associations, Organizations, and Networks
Peer Resources Network - Provides Internet and print resources, including a monthly Peer Bulletin and Compass: A Magazine for Peer Assistance, Mentorship and Coaching, as well as training, and networking for all levels and all types of peer work including peer education, peer support, and peer mediation for industry settings, schools, colleges, and universities. Administers the National Peer Trainer Certification system. Maintains the world's largest database of peer programs and provides no-cost, expert peer program consultation to Network members. Located at 1052 Davie Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8S 4E3, Tel: (250) 595-3503; Fax: (250) 595-3504; e-mail: info@peer.ca.
National Association of Peer Program Professionals (NAPPP) - The National Association of Peer Program Professionals (NAPPP) was established after the dissolution of The National Association of Peer Programs, originally founded in 1984 as the National Peer Helpers Association. NAPPP's mission is to help adults establish, train supervise, maintain and evaluate peer programs. Using the NAPPP Standards and Ethics as a guiding principle, NAPPP helps adults through networking, leadership training, certification and programmatic problem solving. Contact: NAPPP, PO Box 28564, Gladstone, MO 64188; Toll-free phone/fax: (888) 691-1088; e-mail: nappp@peerprogramprofessionals.org
The California Peer Support Association - A professional and educational organization dedicated to the advancement, promotion, and enhancement of peer support and peer support programs for law enforcement, fire and allied emergency service personnel. Their primary goals are: to create a network of peer supporters in law enforcement, fire and allied emergency service professions; to increase and strengthen the number of peer support programs throughout California; to provide a basis for the development and maintenance of state-wide standards and procedures; and to create awareness and support for peer support programs. Peer Supporters or Peer Support Team Members are trained to act primarily as a listening ear, and they can also assess whether officers/firefighters personnel need immediate or professional attention and refer them to other sources of help. The Peer Supporters also act as marketing agents for the program, provide immediate assistance to troubled employees, and bring instant credibility to critical incident debriefings. Contact: Bonnie Spitzer, California Peer Support Association, PO Box 1104, Apple Valley, California 92307; Tel: (909) 747-7211.
Higher Education Peer Assistance Resource Group - This group provides support for peer assistance programs and issues in post-secondary settings. With the rapid expansion of peer assistance in higher education a variety of models have been developed including first year experience classes, academic tutorial support, mentoring, academic advisement, health and wellness support, and much more. In addition to links, a survey, details about peer training courses, articles, and a featured program, there is also a discussion list available to examine issues and network with others.
InterNational Association of Peer Supporters (formerly the National Association of Peer Specialists) is a private, non-profit organization founded in 2004 to help people in recovery from psychiatric disabilities around the USA. They provide a quarterly newsletter, access to recovery information, and an annual conference for peer specialists. They provide training for peer specialists, and the cost for annual membership is $25.00. Peer specialist training materials, both student and instructor versions, are available through www.RecoverResources.com. Additional contact information: 755 Alta Dale SE, Ada, MI 49301; email Steve Harrington at steveh@naops.org
Depression and Bipolar Support Association is a leading provider of peer specialist training and certification. The training is based on a recovery philosophy. For additional information contact Lisa Goodale, DBSA, 730 N. Franklin St. Suite 501, Chicago, Illinois 60654; Tel: (800) 826-3632.
Florida Peer Network, Inc. is an independent organization of and for people who are recovering from psychiatric disabilities and co-occurring disorders. Their mission is to promote recovery, quality of life, advocacy, education, mutual support, peer-directed services, and participation in mental health policy design for consumers in the state of Florida. Contact: Florida Peer Network, Inc., 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 2505, Tampa, Florida 33512; Tel: (877) 352-7337.
National Coalition of Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Organizations is dedicated to providing a voice for consumer/survivors in the development and implementation of health care, mental health, and social policies at the state and national levels, and empowering people to recover and lead a full life in the community. Contact: 1300 L Street, Suite 1000, Washington, D.C. 20005; Tel: (978) 590-2014; email: info@ncmhcso.org
Bacchus and Gamma Peer Education Network - An international association of college and university based peer education programs dedicated to alcohol abuse prevention and related student health and safety issues. They address a variety of topics including college student alcohol abuse issues and programs, illicit drug use and programs, sexual health and responsibility issues and programs, HIV/AIDS prevention issues and programs, tobacco use prevention issues and programs, safety and violence prevention issues and sexual assault and rape prevention issues and programs. They provide training programs and resources and materials can be ordered directly from their web site. Contact: The BACCHUS and GAMMA Peer Education Network, PO Box 100430, Denver, Colorado 80250-0430; Tel: (303) 871-0901; Fax: (303) 871-0907; e-mail: bacgam@aol.com
The Japanese Peer Support Association - Created in 2002 to support peer initiatives throughout Japan. Contact: Professor Sumio Morikawa, Director General, Japanese Peer Support Association, Tel/Fax: 027-221-3777; e-mail: morikawa@js4.so-net.ne.jp.
The Peer Support Networker - An opportunity for trainers to learn about various issues and ideas associated with peer support and bullying in the United Kingdom. Copies of each issue are available on line. The site also includes links to other resources.
California Association of Peer Programs - This organization appears to have ceased operations as of July, 2007 They were a non-profit corporation that is dedicated to the initiation, enhancement, and promotion of youth service through quality peer programs. Over 3,000 youth from middle schools and high schools and adults gathered annually at the CAPP state-wide peer helping conference. The conference celebrates and recognizes school and community service contributions that peer helpers are making throughout the state, offers and receives state-of-the-art training and professional development, and acts as an inforamtion and resource exchange for peer support. Last known contact: Box 50725 Pasadena, California 91115-0678; Tel: (626) 564-0099; Fax: (626) 796-9629; Deborah Brown, Associate Director. (No conference was held in 2004 due to state-wide cutbacks.)
The Ontario Peer Helpers' Association - A network for peer helping programs associated with schools in Ontario. Services include a yearly conference, five newsletters, curriculum suggestions for a Peer Helping Credit Course, a Speakers and Resources Directory, and notification regarding three provincial conferences and various regional conferences. For further information regarding OPHA, contact: Cheryl Brackenbury, 357 Major Street, Cobourg, Ontario, K9A 4C8, (905) 372-7275. Contact peerhelping@hotmail.com.
PEERS - An officially-recognized peer network for peer trainers in the province of Alberta (Canada). Administered by the Youth Services Division of the Alberta Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission (AADAC). Publishes a newsletter and holds a variety of training workshops. For further information contact the AADAC Calgary office at (403) 297-4657.
Western Manitoba Region Peer Helpers Association. - Supported by the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, this officially-recognized peer association holds a variety of training workshops. For further information contact Larry Zawadsky at (204) 729-3275.
Manitoba Central Region Peer Helpers Association - Assists the region to (1) encourage all schools to implement peer helper programs, especially junior high and high school, (2) support new peer helper programs through a "Buddy System" consultative network, (3) share resources, (4) provide a regional student peer helper conference each year, (5) locate resources to maintain current programs, (6) provide training for trainers for peer helping programs, and (7) provide a newsletter, networking and sharing of ideas through quarterly meetings. For further information contact CRPHA Chairperson, Arthur Meighen High School, 201 River Road, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba R1N 3W2; Tel: (204) 857-6838; Fax: (204) 857-8241; e-mail: amhscoun@plpsd.mb.ca.
The North Carolina Peer Helper Association - A professional organization dedicated to encouraging, promoting and improving peer helping programs in schools, business/industry and the community.
The South Dakota Peer Helpers Association - Contact: NE PREVENTION RESOURCE CENTER, PO BOX 1030, WATERTOWN, SD 57201; Tel: (605) 884-3524
The Pennsylvania Peer Helpers Association - A non-profit organization to encourage, promote, and improve peer helping programs in schools and communities throughout Pennsylvania. Focuses primarily on the adolescent population, but all age groups are eligible for service. Provides peer helping information, workshops, and presentations, a network for existing programs, consultation, newsletters, and conferences for peer helpers. Contact information: Steve Klinger, Executive Director, 316 Park Road, Valley Park, PA, 17983, Tel: 1-800-807-PEER; email: kling@epix.net
The Maryland Peer Helpers Association - Contact: 410-535-7467.
The Massachusetts Peer Helpers Association - This organization acts as a catalyst for peer work within the state. They are affiliated with the National Peer Helpers Association and they hold their own conferences and professional development events. They also provide recognition to outstanding peer advisors and outstanding students associated with peer helping. The produce a quarterly newsletter and a directory of peer programs. Contact: MPHA, 83 Cedar Street, Milford, MA 01757; Tel: (508) 252-5060. Contact: Corinne Pridham.
Iowa Peer Helpers Association.
YouthLaunch Formerly the Peer Assistance Network (PAN). Their mandate has expanded to include additional ways to engage young people in meaningful and valued service. Contact: 3701 Executive Center Drive, Suite 210, Austin, Texas 78731; Tel: (800) 875-1862 or (512) 342-0424: Fax: (512) 342-9796; info@youthlaunch.org.
Kansas Association of Peer Programs. Contact: Becca Flowers.
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) Peer Assistance Advisors - This organization is made up of a number of similar groups in states across the US. They are involved in research of the education, prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery of addiction; and assisting individuals or organizations when requested in the formulation of guidelines regarding intervention, treatment, aftercare and reentry into the workplace of addicted nurse anesthetists.They provide a hotline, a directory of peer assistance advisors, a number of educational aids, and a directory of other national or international organizations providing peer assistance for nurses.
The Association for the Tutoring Profession - This organization provides a communication link between tutors, tutor coordinators, and administrators committed to developing independent learners. Membership is fee-based with categories for regular members and student tutor members. The Association holds an annual conference with pre-conference professional development sessions. They also provide a certification system for tutors and a Code of Ethics.
National Tutoring Association - A diverse group of approximately 437+ professionals, including tutors, tutor coordinators, program administrators, educational specialists, literacy program advocates, and college instructors. The mission of the NTA is to foster the advancement of tutoring and enhance student success. Membership in the NTA is open to anyone actively involved in tutoring or in tutoring program administration. The NTA publishes a newsletter and holds an annual conference. Contact: National Tutoring Resource Center, 3719 Washington Blvd., Indianapolis, Indiana 46205; Tel: (317) 926-9671; Fax: (317) 927-0789; e-mail: crestreet@aol.com.
National Service Learning Clearinghouse - A great resource of information, materials, books, conferences, details about funding sources, and other areas all about service learning and related fields. Service learning is a term that is used to describe the variety of ways that students can apply what they learn in their schools to their activities in the community. Contact: National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, ETR Associates, 4 Carbonero Way, Scotts Valley, California 95066; Tel: 1-866-245-SERV (7378) or 831-438-4060; 831-461-0205 TDD; Fax: 831-430-9471; Email: nslc@servicelearning.org.
