RFP-2016-085 - VETERAN PEER-TO-PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM

Summary of Specifications:
The Broome County Mental Health Department (BCMHD) is seeking proposals from Eligible Agencies for the NYS PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Support Program. The Veteran Peerto-Peer Support Program was established for veterans (and their families) needing assistance with reintegrating from active military service back to civilian life. This program recognizes the difficulties of making this transition by offering an alternative to the traditional clinical treatment environment. The Veteran Peer-to-Peer Coordinator will provide peer-to-peer support for veterans as well as recruit other veterans as volunteers for peer to peer mentoring. Peer support has emerged as a highly effective way to engage veterans and ease the civilian reintegration process. The program will address gap support services not clinical services. The bedrock of this program is reinforcing the comradery, self-reliance, and trust-building values taught in the military. Working with veterans who have common shared experiences has proven to be an effective tool in reducing the veteran suicide rate, lowering drug and alcohol addictions, and reducing veteran incarcerations. The available Mental Health funding will be $120,000 this year annualizing to $185,000 in full annual funding.