Overview
This project is funded by the Tasmanian Community Fund, Primary Health Tasmania, and the Tasmanian Health Services South.
For inquiries about this project, please contact Maria at maria@den.org.au or by phone on 1300 369 319.
Updates
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The Concept
The ATOD Peer Workforce Project aims to train and introduce Peer Workers into the Tasmanian Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Sector. The project will result in a network of trained Peer Workers across the state.
DEN has created a broad concept paper for how Tasmania could integrate Peer Workers into the current workforce.
Click here to view the ATOD Sector Peer Worker Integration Concept Paper
The Structure
There are four key partners, plus many partners who will support the project.
- The Drug Education Network (DEN) is coordinating the project. DEN will provide resources, guidelines and policies, training and evaluation plans, and produce the final resources and reports.
- Holyoake Tasmania is one of three Peer Worker hosts. They will help recruit peer workers, and provide clinical support, debriefing and supervision for the Peer Workers during the project.
- The Salvation Army is one of three Peer Worker hosts. They will help recruit peer workers, and provide clinical support, debriefing and supervision for the Peer Workers during the project.
- Youth, Family and Community Connections (YFCC) is one of three Peer Worker hosts. They will help recruit peer workers, and provide clinical support, debriefing and supervision for the Peer Workers during the project.
Peer Work Project Network:
The key partners and the additional partners will form the Peer Work Project Network, which will guide the whole project. These partners include: Alcohol Tobacco & Other Drug Council (ATDC), Family Drug Support (FDS), Flourish, Ideal Voices, Migrant Resource Centre, Working It Out, and the University of Tasmania.
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The ‘Why’
This project is a first for Tasmania and has three core goals:
- To place Peer Workers in ATOD prevention and treatment programs, to better support the Tasmanian Community. This project aims to create a workforce of 36 peer workers over 3 years.
- To improve knowledge and skills in the Community Sector, enabling them to support Peer Workers. This project will create a ‘model of support’ framework as well as develop training resources, which will help other organisations create their own peer workforces.
- To increase community capacity and reduce alcohol, tobacco and other drug stigma in Tasmania. This project aims to create a state-wide network of peer workers, who will all have skills and knowledge to assist the community to access any help they need and have the important conversations that break down stigma.
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The Timeline
Year 1: 12 Peer Worker Students will be recruited. Twice in this year, Year 1 students will meet in 3 day training workshops. At the end of the year, the students will regroup to share learning and support. Opportunities for ongoing peer support and sharing with the learning group will be explored. If needed will be offered throughout the project via video-conferencing or another workable meeting format.
Year 2: 12 Peer Worker Students will be recruited. Twice in this year, Year 2 students will meet in 3-day training workshops. At the end of the year, Year 1 and Year 2 students will regroup to share learning and support.
Year 3: 12 Peer Worker Students will be recruited. Twice in this year, Year 3 students will meet in 3-day training workshops. At the end of the year, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 students will regroup to share learning and support.
Year 4: The project will be evaluated and the Framework and Training Resources published.
