Ramsey County

During the first part of 2017, Ramsey County worked in partnership with Minnesota Recovery Connection (MRC) to develop a contract with allows for the provision peer services in the Ramsey County Detoxification Center. This is significant as our service system needs to learn how to provide and integrate this emerging best practice within our continuum of care. The peer will have the ability to work with other acute care settings, such as local hospitals. The goal of services is to engage individuals in recovery oriented treatment and related activities, with the goal of getting people the care that they need and reducing the need for the use of acute care resources. Peer services will be provided both on-site, as well as in the community. A portion of grant funds were used to develop the associate best practices, procedures and policies that are needed for organizations to effectively integrate recovery coaching in SUD treatment programs. A peer was successfully placed in Detox until 12/31/18. She interacted with patients and provided support and encouragement to reach out to counselors and/or staff on the unit to seek treatment.

Integrating new services into a continuum of care is a process which requires continuous communication and idea sharing across stakeholder groups. Forming a shared definition and operational principles requires dedication and flexibility when working together with other interested parties. There is great importance in involving community leaders and consumers to facilitate trust and buy into a program. Peer services have developed within both mental health and chemical health care systems and have shown great value when engaging with those in the community that have avoided seeking assistance in the past.