Peer Certification

About This Grant

To develop a statewide peer credentialing program for HIV/Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)/harm reduction workers. There is documented evidence that involvement of peer workers in the care of people with HIV, HCV, and substance use helps to improve patient health outcomes, increase rates of HIV viral suppression which, in turn, helps to prevent new cases of HIV infection. The effectiveness of peer-delivered services is rooted in the notion that peers have a "shared lived experience" with other clients and are able to motivate and communicate in ways that are highly effective. Peer workers have unique training needs, there is a need to offer community-based foundational training, certification readiness training, and trauma informed care trainings. By offering these peer specific training DOH/AI can properly train eligible individuals to provide peer services and receive the necessary peer credentials to do so.