Category: Peer Support Specialists

We’ve posted two new videos to our YouTube channel. Check out our Virtual Peer Support playlist. Our peer support specialists talk about:

• Independent Living Skills
• Living in Your Own Place

You’ll learn how these things can help you build the life you want. You’ll learn how to get services in Texas. Most of all, you’ll be inspired by our team’s stories!

While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to our channel. That way, you’ll be the first to see new videos.

Special thanks to Cara Weber, Shelbi Davenport, James Meadours, Anand Iyer, and Charlotte Garrison-Tate!

Our peer support specialists have been hard at work. We’ve posted three new videos to our YouTube channel. Check out our Virtual Peer Support playlist:

• Intro to Peer Support
• Employment Peer Support
• Transportation Peer Support

You’ll learn how these things can help you build the life you want. You’ll learn how to get services in Texas. Most of all, you’ll be inspired by our team’s stories!

While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to our channel. That way, you’ll be the first to see new videos.

Special thanks to Cara Weber, Shelbi Davenport, James Meadours, Anand Iyer, and Adrean Avilla!

Peer Support Specialists Ashley Sattler, Katie Sheffield, and Lisa Simmons presented with Project Director Cynthia Burrow at The Arc of the US’s 2022 National Convention in November. The session was titled “Building Better Lives Together: Peer Support that Works.” We shared our successes and challenges with a packed room. Many people were already working to bring peer support to their states. Many were excited to start the process.

If you missed our session and want to learn more, visit the Our Resources page and download our PowerPoint presentation under the “Peer Support” category. Or, email Cynthia Burrow to learn more.

If you receive or are on the interest list for Medicaid Waivers in Texas, our Peer Support Specialists can help you:

– Make a plan for your life.
– Solve problems and make decisions to stay on track.
– Find services and supports to help you reach your goals.

Service is free of charge. Here are the steps:

1. Fill out an application that tells about you.
2. Then, we will match you with a peer support specialist.
3. Starting in November, you will meet with your peer support specialist and their coach on Zoom. Each meeting will be 45 minutes.
4. If it’s a good match, you can have more meetings.

Click the link above to fill out the application. You can get help from a trusted person if you need it. You can also get help from our Virtual Pilot Coach by clicking this link and emailing him:

Email Virtual Pilot Coach

Fill out your application soon–space is limited.

Please share this information with anyone you think might want free peer support!

Join our great team of peer support specialists! It can change your life and the lives of other self-advocates!

Peer support specialists will:

– Learn how to do the job.
– Get matched with clients who need help.
– Meet with clients online or in person to help them build the lives they want.
– Fill out a log to track their work hours.
– Get support from a coach to do all these things.

Peer support specialists will be paid $15/hour. They will be paid for training and for hours they work with clients. They will work between 5 and 7 hours per month from August 2021 – March 2022.

Peer support specialists must:

– Be strong self-advocates.
– Like helping people.
– Know or learn how to use email, Zoom, and the web (we will teach you).
– Like working with a coach or teacher.
– Have or be on the interest list for a Medicaid waiver: Community Based Alternatives (CBA), Community Living Assistance & Support Services (CLASS), Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD), Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP), Texas Home Living (TxHmL), Home and Community-based Services (HCS); or Community First Choice (CFC).
– Have experience getting services in one or more areas: Person-directed planning, Employment/Education, Transportation, Housing, Independent Living Skills.

To apply, fill out the application online by clicking this link:

Peer Support Specialist Application

You can get help from a trusted person to fill out the application. You can also get help from our Virtual Pilot Coach by clicking this link and emailing him:

Email Virtual Pilot Coach

Please share this information with anyone you think would be a great peer support specialist!

Our first pilot was a success. Now we want to expand!

We are seeking a Virtual Coach. The coach will recruit and match new peer support specialists and clients. They will help peer support specialists and clients fill out their applications online. They will help train peer support specialists online. They will help peer support specialists set up and hold client meetings. They will make sure all paperwork—surveys, timesheets, etc.—is completed on time.

The coach could be a staff member from an organization such as a local ARC, LIDDA, behavioral health service center, managed care provider, etc. Our project would support a part of that staff member’s salary. Or this person could be independent. They could be an experienced self-advocacy chapter leader, service provider, even a parent or caregiver for people with IDD.

The person must have experience helping people with IDD plan the lives they want and get the services they need. They must have great technology and mentoring skills. They must very organized so that data is collected on time and with accuracy.

This person will work on the project for 10 months, from July 2021 through April 2022. The job should take about 20 hours per week. Some months will have more hours, some fewer. This is a contract position. Please contact us if you are interested or if your organization wants to get involved.

This is an exciting project with a promising future. A successful pilot may be expanded in the 2022-2023 project year. Get involved today!

P.S.—We will be recruiting for new peer support specialists and clients in the next few months. Stay tuned for that announcement!