Peer Bridger Program Overview. The Peer Bridger Program is intended to serve those who are currently at Western State Hospital (WSH), Eastern State Hospital (ESH) , Evaluation and Treatment centers or community hospitals with inpatient mental health beds, and have had a lengthy hospitalization or a history of frequent, multiple hospitalizations. Participation in the program is voluntary. The Peer Xxxxxxxx will attempt to engage Individuals in planning their discharge. Hospital staff and the IMC/BH-ASO Hospital Liaisons will help the Peer Xxxxxxxx identify potential participants. The Peer Bridger will transition from spending time on social support and begin offering assistance with independent living skills, coping skills and community adjustment skills. The hand-off between the Peer Bridger and the community behavioral health provider who is providing mental health services will be gradual and based on the Individual’s needs and their person-centered plan. The anticipated duration of in-community Peer Bridger services is 120 days with extensions granted by the BH-ASO on a case-by-case basis. The Peer Bridger is not a case manager, discharge planner or a crisis worker. However, the Peer Bridger can bring the Individual’s perspective into the provision of those services.
Peer Bridger Program Overview. The Peer Bridger Program is intended to serve those who are currently at Western State Hospital (WSH), Eastern State Hospital (ESH) or community hospitals with inpatient mental health beds, and have had a lengthy hospitalization or a history of frequent, multiple hospitalizations. Participation in the program is voluntary. The Peer Xxxxxxxx will attempt to engage Individuals in planning their discharge. Hospital staff and the IMC/BH- ASO Hospital Liaisons will help the Peer Xxxxxxxx identify potential participants. The Peer Bridger will transition from spending time on social support and begin offering assistance with independent living skills, coping skills and community adjustment skills. The hand-off between the Peer Bridger and the community behavioral health provider who is providing mental health services will be gradual and based on the Individual’s needs and their person-centered plan. The anticipated duration of in-community Peer Bridger services is one hundred twenty days with extensions granted by the BH-ASO on a case- by-case basis. The Peer Bridger is not a case manager, discharge planner or a crisis worker. However, the Peer Bridger can bring the Individual’s perspective into the provision of those services.
