Peer Support Evaluation and Capacity Project

We are now moving into the third phase of this project and have made significant progress.

Early feedback has been positive and offered thoughtful insights. In May, the steering committee met to review this feedback and plan for the final year. Together, we identified areas for improvement and committed to revising the content, changing the delivery platform, and reducing the time commitment for learners.

In mid-September, we reconvened to review the updated content based on the steering committee’s recommendations. The meeting also included important discussions on the perception of peer support, the need for standards, and the positive impact of ethically delivered peer support by well-trained peer supporters.

By the end of a very productive day, we left with a clear plan that allows time to deliver an additional cohort using these updates.

Updates include the following:

• Revised content with new case studies

• Shortened self-paced modules delivered in two steps rather than 8

• 2 virtual classroom sessions

• a new learning management platform

We will be launching the final cohort early November and invite interested individuals to submit their application soon.

_________________________________________________________________

PHASE TWO

We’ve reached the next milestone on our project Nurturing Hope: A Peer Support Path for Trafficking Survivors and that is to begin delivery of the Ethical Peer Support Program to select organizations and individuals in 3 to 4 regions across Canada.

This comprehensive training and implementation program has been carefully designed and developed for use in organizations working with people who’ve been trafficked or sexually exploited, and are using (or wanting to use) peer support as part of their service delivery.

Information about the program can be found here.

PHASE THREE

Project Objectives

This Pan-Canadian project has the following objectives;

• Evaluate the program’s impact on both survivors and peer supporters.

• Identify the level of support required by service providers to enhance or introduce a peer support component in their programming.

• Measure effectiveness of the program in a variety of settings and with a diversity of participants (recognizing the intersections of gender, race, ability, and sexual orientation that impact experiences of trauma); and

• Adjust and improve any identified program deficiencies to effectively scale the program.

You can find out more about our training program on this page.

How do I proceed? REGISTRATION FOR FINAL COHORT
There are two forms to be completed. One is for your organization and the other is an application form for member(s) of your team and/or any survivor-leaders you work with who may be ready to take this step. 

One we receive this information, an interview will be scheduled with the participant to further evaluate their capacity to become a peer supporter.

Questions?
Please send any questions to EPS@Voicefound.ca and we will be happy to jump on a call with you.

Thank you so much for the work you do to support survivors of human trafficking. We look forward to hearing from you.

Why Participate?

Research shows the importance and need to train peer supporters and to provide them with safe and accessible support. You will have access to an entire program including an organizational guide to help you develop or enhance your peer support program in an ethical way.

What do I get?

Participation in this project, provides you with an opportunity to identify staff and survivor leaders to join the training cohorts at no charge. You will be aiding in important research to uncover the impact of peer support on survivors/victims, organizations, and peer supporters.

Application form

Organization form