Practice Peer Support within four (4) Maine Hospital Emergency Departments (EDs), which are at least twenty-five (25) miles apart from each other, with at least one (1) ED in each of the three (3) Regions. Practice Peer Support, in person, on-site with Participants referred by the ED who are sixteen (16) years of age or older and are experiencing a Behavioral Health Crisis (BH Crisis). Assist Participants to view their BH Crisis as an opportunity for growth and change. Assist Participants to ideally manage future BH Crises within the community, rather than in a hospital or other residential setting. Develop and provide Department approved hand-outs to referred Participants with information related to available community-based resources aside from the ED. Explore person-centered (e.g., including LGBTQIA+ and New Mainer specific agencies, as applicable) community resources and options with Participants, including but not limited to: Local Peer Support Centers; The Statewide Peer Support Line; BH Crisis Receiving Centers; Disability Rights Maine; The Maine Crisis Line and 988 S u icide and Crisis Lifeline; Local sexual assault and domestic violence related resources; Local behavioral health agencies for community-based care; Local culturally appropriate resources and services (e.g., agencies that support New Mainers); Local housing resources and other supportive service needs (e.g., food assistance); and The 2-1-1 Maine Resource Directory. Collaborate with ED staff to enhance the Peer Support and ED services provided in the ED and strive to meet the needs of Participants experiencing a BH Crisis. Refrain from performing BH Crisis assessments or serving as advocates for particular clinical dispositions. Maintain strict confidentiality, including but not limited to Protected Health Information, as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Provide follow-up contact, via phone call or video conferencing, to consenting Participants within fourteen (14) calendar days of the Participant’s discharge from the ED. Complete follow-up contact initiation, scheduling, and/or reminders via phone call, video conferencing, e-mail, and/or text. Provide up to thirty (30) calendar days of phone support, if desired by the Participant, after discharge from the ED. Ensure all attempts at follow-up are documented. Offer Participants a satisfaction survey link, designated and provided by the Department. Offer, annually either virtual, hybrid, and/or in-person, at least two (2) opportunities to EDs to participate in trainings related to Peer Support roles and practices.
