WV PEERS

Enhancing Education, Recovery and Survival

Who are WV PEERS?

  • WV PEERS are a cadre of individuals with lived experience concerning substance use disorder recovery. Peers receive more than 50 hours of didactic evidence-based training on interventions such as motivational interviewing, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, transtheoretical model of change, and daily supervision from substance use disorder professionals.
  • Our cadres of staff include a network of certified peer recovery support specialists and peer recovery coaches in the community, working to help connect individuals to the services they need to live a healthier and more fulfilling lives.

What WV PEERS Do

Peers are able to connect individuals with the following resources:

  • social services (birth certificates, access to healthcare insurance, emergency housing, etc.),
  • healthcare connections (dental, vision, primary care)
  • infectious disease management [HIV, Hepatitis C treatment], etc.)
  • behavioral healthcare (harm reduction, detoxification, outpatient, residential, and MOUD services)
  • legal help through COSSUP
  • and linkages to support services (SMART recovery, NA, AA, Refuge recovery, Celebrate Recovery, peer support services, supportive employment, etc.)

WV PEERS continues to engage consumers due to needs changing over the course of time.

Additional Services

WV PEERs also works closely with the Monongalia County Quick Response Team, which is comprised of a collaboration with WV Peers, first responders, public health, and others to provide quick and longer-term assistance to individuals and families affected by substance misuse. The action team is supported by a multidisciplinary team of advisors from various community partners in emergency health care, law enforcement, the court system, recovery programs, behavioral health services, harm reduction programs, and residential care facilities. The primary goal of a QRT is to reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Additional services offered by this QRT include: Provide Naloxone Training and access to Narcan

  • Respond to overdose survivors
  • Assist families with supportive care
  • Connections to resources

COSSUP (Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program) – Utilizes peer recovery support services to engage individuals within the justice system. There are two primary focuses of this project.

1. To assist individuals during pre-adjudication or post-adjudication to acquire treatment in lieu of incarceration.
2. To assist individuals with comprehensive transitional plans during the parole process. A dedicated line has been created for this project (Call 304.602.3306) to allow prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, correctional counselors, families, and individuals to engage our support services. Some services may include:

    • Case management
    • Linkages to court-ordered treatment
    • Securing post-incarceration housing
    • Employment support services
    • Linkages to social service
    • Return to use prevention strategies

To create a holistic plan of care that reduces recidivism rates and reintegrates an individual back into society with wrap-around support.

Active Grants and Programs

• SOR – State Opioid Response
• COSSUP – Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program
• ODCP (Office of Drug Control Policy) – Police & Peers
• Monongalia County QRT – Quick Response Team, partnership with Monongalia County Health Department

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