The history of Peer Support Specialists in Montana
Alexie Aguayo
and last updated 2021-04-14 17:46:29-04
MONTANA â Peer Support Specialists are those who have suffered from addiction or Behavioral Health Disorders, recovered, and then use their life experience to mentor others.
The career came a long way over the past decade to become recognized by the state.
Jason Mcnees (pictured above to the left) helps put together the medical-assisted treatment groups at the Helena Indian Alliance (HIA). It is part of his line of work to help his clients towards a path of recovery from addiction. Mcnees is a Certified Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist and says this career has evolved over the years.
O Malley hopes effort will expand into model for criminal justice reform
Uploaded: Thu, Feb 18, 2021, 10:17 am
Time to read: about 2 minutes
The Alameda County District Attorney s Office is partnering with several city police departments to institute a pilot program to redirect qualified individuals accused of low-level criminal conduct away from the criminal justice system and into behavioral or mental health support systems instead, DA Nancy O Malley announced last week.
The program, new to Alameda County but commonly referred to as the 3-D Program, is launching with the Oakland, Fremont, San Leandro and Hayward police departments, but O Malley said she expects it will eventually expand to all law enforcement agencies in the county.