Peer24 Training is an interactive learning course designed to provide peer support training, communication mastery workshops, and team-based learning activities to effectively prepare trainees to support guests of Sean’s House. During the training course, trainees will learn how to use their own recovery experiences when supporting the wellness of others and guiding them toward a better quality of life.
Upon completion of this training trainees receive certificates from the Academy of Peer Services and experience hours from the SL24: UnLocke the Light Foundation, which can be used as a prerequisite for pursuing a formal certification as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist.
a person who is willing to identify lived experiences with a behavioral health challenge to their peers and support them by reducing stigma, connecting them to community resources, and promoting wellness throughout recovery
Overview: The Peer24 Training program is an 8-week virtual program created by the SL24 UnLocke the Light Foundation. It combines 13 self-paced modules from the Academy of Peer Services with weekly Sean’s House training and University of Delaware Healthcare Theatre sessions to provide a holistic understanding of what it means to provide peer support and how it relates to authentic experiences at Sean’s House.
Our Training Program in Detail: The Academy of Peer Services provides modules on numerous topics related to mental health and peer support. These modules each end with a post-test. Upon passing the post-test, trainees will receive a certificate of completion for each module that is then submitted to our Peer Support Manager for credit.
On Mondays, Sean’s House staff provides one-hour Zoom meetings in which we dig deeper into topics from the weekly modules and review how different situations and strategies relate to what trainees will encounter at Sean’s House. This allows trainees to ask questions, get to know our staff, and better understand and navigate situations arising at the House.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, trainees are split into groups to take part in UD’s Healthcare Theatre program. Founded and directed by UD Professor and experienced performer Allan Carlsen, this one-hour program allows trainees the opportunity to practice peer support sessions similar to what they would encounter at Sean’s House. Additionally, our staff is able to provide feedback on strategies and language used within these practice sessions to improve the trainees’ skills.
Once this 8-week program is completed, trainees will complete a mock session at Sean’s House with one of our Peer Leads. If they pass the session based on our rubric, they will then receive their final Peer24 Support Specialist certification, complete onboarding, and begin their service as a Peer24 volunteer. If they do not pass the session, our staff works with them on remediation and skill development so that the trainee may continue to work towards certification.
When We Train: Sean’s House offers our Peer24 Support Specialist training program twice a year – once during the months of December and January over UD’s winter break and once during the months of May, June, and July during a typical summer break.
Peer24 Training is an 8-week fully virtual program. Total training time per week is 2 hours “live” on Zoom in addition to the time taken to complete self-paced modules, which varies between 1-3 hours depending on the topic.
Anyone ages 16-24 willing and able to serve volunteer hours at Sean’s House in Newark, Delaware can become a Peer24 Support Specialist.
This program is fully virtual using Zoom. Mock sessions and onboarding are completed in-person at Sean’s House.
Once certified through our Peer24 training program, Peers can provide support at Sean’s House or at any of our Sean’s Room locations. Some further onboarding may be required for service in Sean’s Rooms.
After one year of volunteer Peer24 service, Peers can apply to become a Peer Lead. The process involves both an application and interview with the Peer Support Manager and Director of Sean’s House.
Our Peer24 training program is completely free! Everything Sean’s House provides to our community is 100% free with no strings attached.