What We are About
About Us
Iowa Peer Network was founded in 2022 to provide a forum and opportunities for Peer Support Specialists, Family Peer Support Specialists, and Recovery Coaches to communicate and support each other. We receive our funding through a grant from the Iowa Department of Human Services. Our board and staff are both made up of a majority of people with lived experience.
What We are About
About Us
Iowa Peer Network was founded in 2022 to provide a forum and opportunities for Peer Support Specialists, Family Peer Support Specialists, and Recovery Coaches to communicate and support each other. We receive our funding through a grant from the Iowa Department of Human Services. Our board and staff are both made up of a majority of people with lived experience.
The Guiding Principal
Mission
Iowa Peer Network has three primary goals:
- 1Engage, connect, and support Peer Support Specialists.
- 2Build Peer Support Specialists’ knowledge and skills.
- 3Strengthen the Peer Support Specialist workforce in Iowa.
What Guides Our Work
Core Values
- 1Encourage individual ability and creativity.
- 2Engage in continuous self-improvement.
- 3Treat everyone with respect.
- 4Have Fun.
- 5Have passion for our work.
Our Team
Who We Are
I started my human service career as a volunteer at a crisis hotline because I knew what it was like to feel hurt and isolated, and I wanted to give back to others who felt that way. I became trained as a Peer Support Specialist in 2015.
I fell into Peer Support by accident in 2018. I completed my training as a Peer Support Specialist in 2021 through the Iowa Peer Workforce Collaborative and became State Certified in early 2022.
I am a peer support specialist, as well as the outreach specialist for Iowa Peer Network. I love my job! I do what I do for a myriad of reasons. The main reason is to be the person I wish I had when I was struggling.
How We've Helped
“I just met with Amy and we had a wonderful conversation. She is really great, and I am thrilled I was able to learn more about Iowa Peer Network, and we will definitely be participating in the opportunities you can offer! I am excited to work together in the future!”
“I don’t know what your common turnaround time is for participants from your sessions to implement their new strategies, but I used the suicide prevention skills last night. Your training was invaluable, and I was able to facilitate a process that got a young woman to commit to a safety plan.”
“I cannot thank you both enough for today’s zoom session. I learned more about the current state of Peer Recovery in less than 90 minutes than I have known to date! …Today’s call has given me SO many new ideas, and I can’t wait to delve more into all the sites provided on today’s call!”
Our Mission
We Put our Mission Into Practice Every Day by ...
Engaging, connecting, and supporting Peer Support Specialists; Building Peer Support Specialists’ knowledge and skills, and Strengthening the Peer Support Specialist workforce in Iowa..
How We've Helped
“I just met with Amy and we had a wonderful conversation. She is really great, and I am thrilled I was able to learn more about Iowa Peer Network, and we will definitely be participating in the opportunities you can offer! I am excited to work together in the future!”
“I don’t know what your common turnaround time is for participants from your sessions to implement their new strategies, but I used the suicide prevention skills last night. Your training was invaluable, and I was able to facilitate a process that got a young woman to commit to a safety plan.”
“I cannot thank you both enough for today’s zoom session. I learned more about the current state of Peer Recovery in less than 90 minutes than I have known to date! …Today’s call has given me SO many new ideas, and I can’t wait to delve more into all the sites provided on today’s call!”
My Mission
I Put my Mission Into Practice Every Day by ...
The mission of The Family Institute is to strengthen and heal families and individuals from all walks of life through clinical service, education and research.
How We've Helped
“I just met with Amy and we had a wonderful conversation. She is really great, and I am thrilled I was able to learn more about Iowa Peer Network, and we will definitely be participating in the opportunities you can offer! I am excited to work together in the future!”
“I don’t know what your common turnaround time is for participants from your sessions to implement their new strategies, but I used the suicide prevention skills last night. Your training was invaluable, and I was able to facilitate a process that got a young woman to commit to a safety plan.”
“I cannot thank you both enough for today’s zoom session. I learned more about the current state of Peer Recovery in less than 90 minutes than I have known to date! …Today’s call has given me SO many new ideas, and I can’t wait to delve more into all the sites provided on today’s call!”
Our Mission
We Put our Mission Into Practice Every Day by ...
Engaging, connecting, and supporting Peer Support Specialists; Building Peer Support Specialists’ knowledge and skills, and Strengthening the Peer Support Specialist workforce in Iowa..