Interprofessional Peer Education and Evidence for Recovery (I-PEER) Program
Healthcare Industry
4-Year IHE
Organizations Involved
Western Michigan University College of Health and Human Services
Occupations Involved
Social Work students; Counseling students
Workforce Development Focus
Increasing number of healthcare workers AND improving the quality of healthcare workforce
Workforce Issues Addressed
Training individuals to work in a healthcare profession; Providing a benefit or incentive that encourages individuals to pursue a healthcare profession; Training current healthcare professionals in new techniques or practices
Description
The Interprofessional Peer Education and Evidence for Recovery (I-PEER) Program is a HRSA-funded program at Western Michigan University that trains masters-level students in their last year of their Social Work or Counselor Education program to provide culturally- and developmentally-appropriate, integrated, team-based care for adolescents and young adults in Michigan. Student participants receive a $10,000 stipend and are placed in rural counties or mental health professional shortage areas for their final placement or internship. Students are also trained on SBIRT, motivational interviewing, suicide prevention and goal attainment solutions. The purpose of the program is to increase the number of behavioral health workers who treat adolescents and young adults in Michigan. Licensed, community partners can also participate in self-paced trainings.