Network180
790 Fuller Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 336-3909
info@network180.org
Youth Peer Support
Youth Peer Support (YPS) is a peer-delivered service for youth and young adults. It is designed to support youth and young adults with serious emotional disturbance/serious mental illness through shared activities and interventions in the form of direct support, information sharing, and skill building.
The goals of Youth Peer Support include supporting youth and young adults by building a strong relationship based on mutual respect and strategic self- disclosure to increase hope, confidence, self-advocacy skills, and decision-making abilities. Youth Peer Support Services can be provided to youth and young adults up to 26 years of age, depending on the individual’s developmental and life stage needs.
Youth Peer Support Services are provided by trained Youth Peer Support Specialists, one-on- one or in a group setting. Youth Peer Support Services are primarily provided in a home or a community setting. In accordance with the goals in the youth’s or young adult’s plan of service, Youth Peer Support Specialists promote hope and acceptance by sharing their story of lived experience to reduce stigma and increase youth voice and ownership in services. Youth Peer Support Services assist and prepare youth and young adults to successfully navigate challenges, support opportunities for youth/young adults to have a voice in planning and decision-making, empower youth/young adults to communicate wants and needs to those involved in their lives, and encourage participation in services and daily activities.
The goals of the Youth Peer Support included in the individualized plan of service will be mutually identified in active collaboration with the youth receiving services and must be delivered by a Youth Peer Support Specialist with lived experience. The Youth Peer Support Specialist shall receive regular supervision by a child mental health professional and shall participate as an active member of the treatment team.
Call (616) 336-3909 to learn more about Youth Peer Support.
