Organizational Development

“Pillars of recovery supports are formal and informal organizations and groups within communities that provide services designed to develop, promote and support recovery for all.”

Peer Support Coalition of Florida (PSCFL) is committed to increasing the recovery capital of communities. We are committed to increasing the quantity, quality, and variety of community pillars of recovery support. Our work providing technical assistance to organizations include:

Building Bridges and Connecting Communities: Peer Leadership Development through Statewide Networks a SAMHSA funded project, supports creation of regional and local peer networks across the state of Florida. Peer Networks are formal or informal groups comprised of individuals with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges, who organize to support one another and provide resources to help others on their paths to recovery. Visit our Peer Networks page to get more information on how to connect with and support your community’s pillars of support.

Peer Experience National Technical Assistance Center (PENTAC) is one of the 5 National Consumer and Consumer Supporter Technical Assistance Centers funded by SAMHSA. Some of the organizational development components of the project include:

Developing and implementing technical assistance and training on the integration of peers in multiple treatment delivery settings such as crisis intervention services, certified community behavioral health clinics, hospital emergency departments and integrated care settings.

Developing materials and other training approaches to assist employers in hiring and retaining individuals with lived experience. Employers include State and local organizations. Providing technical assistance to employees on skill development within the occupational and financial dimensions of wellness along with exploration of entrepreneurship options.

Visit our PENTAC page to get more information on the technical assistance provided to develop community pillars of support.

Facilitating the destigmatization of mental health in our communities through education and empowerment.

Funded by SAMHSA, the Medical Professional Mental Health Awareness Training project will train primary care providers, specialty care providers, and allied healthcare professionals to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and employ crisis de-escalation techniques, establish linkages with community-based mental health agencies to refer individuals, and provide education on supportive community resources to their patients. We also strive to educate medical care professionals on the necessity and benefits of self-care in promoting wellness to their patients. Allied healthcare professionals include the therapists, scientists, technologists, administrators, managers, and assistants who comprise the backbone of our healthcare workforce. By empowering those in healthcare with increased awareness of mental health and self-care, we can improve the health of the whole community.  

Certified Well-being Ambassador Program 

Each allied healthcare professional who completes all three mental health awareness trainings will become certified as a “Well-being Ambassador”. They are now equipped not only to make a positive difference in their workplace and in the lives of their patients, but also in the lives of family, friends and others in the communities they encounter daily. Well-being Ambassadors are enrolled in a network of their peers in healthcare who have also completed the qualifying training. These peers will meet voluntarily monthly for Well-being Community of Practice Sessions — a chance to connect and discuss the successes and challenges they’ve faced in using the skills gained. They will also be the first to know about any upcoming training for continued well-being education. The certification does not expire, but ambassadors are encouraged to attend monthly meetings and continued training as offered through PSCFL. 

Certified Well-being Ambassador Program Components 

• Successful completion of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), Emotional CPR (eCPR), and Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) trainings   
• Monthly Community of Practice Sessions to refresh training knowledge, connect as peers, and offer support 
• Continued education in relevant topics such as Health Equity, Self-care, and Effective Communication 

For information on how to become certified contact us.

A recovery community organization (RCO) is an independent, non-profit organization led and governed by representatives of local communities of recovery. These organizations organize recovery-focused policy advocacy activities, carry out recovery-focused community education and outreach programs, and/or provide peer-based recovery support services (Valentine, White, Taylor 2007).

PSCFL, funded by DCF’s Statewide Opioid Response grant, has provided technical assistance to 4 RCO organizations that are positioned to add to their community’s recovery capital for individuals seeking recovery from substance use disorders.

We are so proud of these great organizations and the impact they poised to have as pillars of recovery supports:

• Shining Light Peer Services
• Volusia Recovery Alliance
• Chainless Change
• Zero Hour Life