Peer Partners

Peer Partners is the overarching term that encompasses youth partners, parent partners and peers with lived experience. However, each county uses different terms for these peer roles. There are various terms and titles used to describe the roles and individuals who align and partner with parents, family members, Tribes, caregivers, resource parents, and youth to provide support, advocacy, and encouragement.

Peer Partners in Systems of Care

Peer partners are individuals with lived experience in systems of care such as child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health and behavioral health. They are essential members of service teams, working alongside families, youth and professionals to provide support, guidance and advocacy. Their unique perspective, gained through personal experiences, allows them to foster trust, empower individuals and promote positive outcomes.

• What is a Peer Partner?
• A peer partner is someone who has navigated one or more public systems of care and now uses their firsthand experience to support others going through similar challenges. Peer partners serve as mentors, advocates and guides, offering emotional support and practical advice to those they work with. Their role is rooted in empathy, understanding and a shared journey, allowing them to build meaningful connections with families and youth.
  
  Peer partners come in various roles, including youth partners and parent partners, each with their distinct focus but unified by their commitment to family-driven and youth-guided care.
• What is a Youth Partner?
• Youth partners are young adults who have personally experienced systems like child welfare, juvenile justice, or mental health services. They bring their knowledge and insights from navigating these systems to support and empower other youth facing similar challenges. Youth partners provide a voice for young people in service planning, ensuring that their perspectives are heard and respected.
  
  Youth partners work closely with youth to help them identify and express their needs, advocate for their rights, and engage actively in their own care plans. Through mentorship, they assist in developing life skills, building resilience, and fostering self-advocacy. Their role is not just about guidance; it’s about partnership, working alongside youth to help them navigate systems and reach their full potential.
  
  In addition to personal experience, youth partners may serve in a variety role such as organizational leadership, training facilitation, mentorship, direct service, program development, bill analysis, ongoing professional trainings, and direction/feedback for continuous quality improvement.
• What is a Parent Partner?
• Parent partners are caregivers, often mothers or fathers, who have firsthand experience in navigating systems such as child welfare, juvenile probation, or behavioral health services. They have successfully navigated these systems and now use their experiences to support other parents who are currently involved in them. Parent Partners understand the challenges and emotions parents face when engaging with these systems and provide valuable guidance, empathy, and support.
  
  Parent partners work directly with families to help them understand and navigate the services available to them. They offer insights into how systems operate and help families build on their strengths to create successful outcomes for their children. Parent partners are key advocates for family-focused care, ensuring that families have a voice in decision-making and that their needs are addressed in a respectful and supportive manner.
  
  Parent partners are crucial in promoting collaboration between families and service providers, helping to bridge gaps in communication and understanding, and ensuring that family-centered principles are embedded in all aspects of care.