PEER Research Project

Peer-Focused Education
to Enhance Recovery (PEER)

With support from the CARES initiative at University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), Innovations in Recovery through Infrastructure Support (IRIS) leveraged its years of capacity building with this 2024-2025 interprofessional curriculum development project. Our objectives were to further develop substance use recovery research skills for peer workers and to increase research-based knowledge of peer recovery for health science students and professionals. We thus aimed to enhance recovery research with greater grounding in peer perspectives, and to improve practice with greater integration of peer recovery support services

Using advisors representing graduate students, faculty, health science professionals, and peer workers, through a modified Delphi process we developed and codified curriculum materials from the successful pilot of IRIS’s Recovery Research Fellowship and other past presentations. Curricula were piloted with these audiences:

Graduate students and faculty – Four UMB graduate level guest lectures focused on peer recovery within social work and nursing courses

Health science professionals – A workshop through UMB School of Social Work’s Office of Continuing Professional Education focused on peer recovery for social workers and other behavioral health providers

Peer recovery workers – A workshop focused on building research skills for peers delivered with 3c Recovery Support Training Institute and Maverick Minds

Study results showed that the Delphi advisory process worked well as a method. Pilot presentations were successful in building knowledge and increasing commitment to peer recovery.

For a study summary, including results and implications, click here.

"Research has really enhanced my work as a change agent. I invite any peer who hasn’t participated in research to really get involved and see how that transformative work helps in your efforts to be a peer recovery specialist.”

Tiffinee Scott

CPRS, RPS, CHW, RCPF

President, CEO, Maryland Peer Advisory Council;

To learn more, partner, or explore receiving a presentation, contact Jon Gilgoff, at jon.gilgoff@ssw.umaryland.edu.

As an educational tool, and a call to action, we produced a video of peer leaders speaking about the benefits of research. View the whole piece or hear from specific speakers below!

"As chief executive of a rural health care organization and former university instructor, I am well aware of the importance of health science students, faculty, and staff learning more about peer recovery practice and research. The more we understand peers' role and expertise, the better our healthcare system will improve residents' lives.”

Dimitri Cavathas

LCSW-C

CEO of HealthPort

Making Our Case for Change: Peer Research to Improve Programs and Save Lives

Hear from peer leaders who use research to make their case for change:

Dwayne Dean, RCP-F, CPRS, RPS

Principal Facilitator/Principal Consultant

Peer Recovery Training and Support Services

Megan Sarikaya, CPRS, RPS, NCPRSS

Supervisor of Peer Related Programs

Calvert County Health Department

Rob Hamm CPRS, RPS

Lead Peer Recovery Specialist

Harford Crisis Response

Tiffinee Scott CPRS, RPS

President, CEO

Maryland Peer Advisory Council (MPAC)