Please join us for our Town Hall series to learn about innovative practices for outreach and support of peer and direct care staff during the epidemic. COVID-19 has changed all of our lives in so many ways. Social distancing decreased contact with loved ones, and the disruption of everyday routine is overwhelming and stressful. Our most vulnerable community members are often experiencing the challenges of the coronavirus on top of painful past events and current levels of uncertainty and lack of safety. These forums will be led by peers and direct care staff from hospital and community settings around the country.
All Events held from 2p-3:30p Eastern
- 2/11 - Innovative Practices to Support Hospital Staff during COVID-19 Crisis – Part 1. Led by Jay Hill from Arkansas/Tiffany Rector from California
- 4/16 - Providing Equitable Community Based Peer Support during COVID-19. Led by Amy Brinkley from Indiana /Brandy Hemsley from Oregon
- 4/30 - Receiving Equitable Community Based Peer Services during COVID-19. Led by Tony Sanchez from Georgia/David Sanders from West Virginia
- 5/13 - Perspectives & Experiences from Inpatient and Individuals in Congregate Settings during COVID-19 Crisis. Led by Nanette Larson from Illinois/Amanda Saake from New York
- 5/26 - Innovative Practices to Support Hospital Staff during COVID-19 Crisis – Part 2. Led by staff from NJ, CA, and MD
*For questions regarding this series, contact Jeremy.mcshan@nasmhpd.org.
Session Descriptions
February 11 - Innovative Practices to Support Hospital Staff during COVID-19 Crisis – Part 1
COVID-19 has changed all of our lives in so many ways. Social distancing decreased contact with loved ones, and disruption of everyday routine is overwhelming and stressful. Our most vulnerable community members are often experiencing the trauma of the coronavirus on top of painful unrelated past events and current levels of uncertainty and lack of safety. Hospital staff, especially, have been impacted greatly by this crisis. This has brought additional challenges to direct care staff caring for individuals restricted to units as treatment malls, cafeterias and activities have been adjusted to minimize COVID -19 spread. In this Town Hall meeting, we learn about innovative practices for outreach and support used by hospital leadership from around the country, and we provide attendees the opportunity to share with one another creative ways facilities have provided support for staff who are required to be on site during this unprecedented time.
Town Hall Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVO6GVBY-lU
April 16 - Providing Equitable Community Based Peer Support during COVID-19 Peer Support
Staff, especially, have been impacted greatly by this crisis. COVID-19 has brought with it, additional challenges to peers caring for individuals with restricted access to treatment, clinical staff, peer support, medications, and other activities that have been adjusted to minimize COVID -19 spread. In this session peer support leaders will discuss the challenges and innovative practices for community outreach and peer support they have implemented from around the country. This forum will also provide attendees the opportunity to share with one another creative ways that peers have provided peer support for each other and the community they serve during this unprecedented time.
Town Hall Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhcJuJB9IjM
April 30 - Receiving Equitable Community Based Peer Services during COVID-19
People receiving peer support services, especially, have been impacted greatly by this crisis. COVID-19 has brought with it additional challenges to individuals with restricted access to treatment, clinical staff, peer support, medications, and other activities that have been adjusted to minimize COVID -19 spread. In this session peer leaders and other direct care staff from around the country can expect to hear some of the challenges and successes people receiving peer services have experienced during COVID-19. This forum will also provide attendees the opportunity to share with one another creative ways they have received the peer support that they needed during this unprecedented time.
Town Hall Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w4SRRaRtME
May 13 - Perspectives & Experiences from Inpatient and Individuals in Congregate Settings during COVID-19 Crisis
Last March life changed for all of us. We learned to social distance from each other, wash our hands, wear a mask, avoid crowds, and keep our pod small. For those residing in hospitals or other residential facilities adhering to such guidelines was almost impossible. Frequently, to avoid spread, many services individuals were accustomed to were no longer provided such as going outside, going off unit to programs, having visitors and eating in the cafeteria. Such drastic alterations to daily routine created new challenges for staff and those in care. In this session, we will hear the experiences and perspectives from individuals residing in inpatient and congregate settings during the pandemic. The focus will be on what would make a difference to assure all feel physically and psychologically safe during unprecedented times.
Town Hall Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfC7eHeYzhI
May 26 - Innovative Practices to Support Hospital Staff during COVID-19 Crisis – Part 2
Hospital staff, especially, have been impacted greatly by this crisis. This has brought additional challenges to direct care staff caring for individuals restricted to units as treatment malls, cafeterias and activities have been adjusted to minimize COVID -19 spread. Direct care staff also did not have the option to work remotely or choose to not work with Covid affected individuals. The speakers are individuals who worked the units each day providing services to individuals in care often without the activities, recreational and clinical support at the same level they were accustomed to. They will share their thoughts on what made a difference and the creative ways they kept everyone safe during very challenging times. This session will provide attendees the opportunity to share with one another creative ways facilities have provided support for staff who are required to be on site during this unprecedented time.
Town Hall Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX2mygWQIGw