About Our ORG
Our Labor Organization
Pure Support:
Is a grassroots nonprofit labor organization dedicated to improving the lives of peers, supporters, and other lived experience workers. We believe in the power of peer support and aim to provide resources and advocacy for those who support others in their recovery, health, and well-being.
MISSION STATEMENT:
Our mission is to provide our members with the advocacy and resources they need to succeed in their employment goals and promote the core values of peer support, including accessible, equitable, person-directed planning with informed consent.
Overcoming Barriers
OBJECTIVES:
We believe in the power of Peer Support and strive to establish cooperative relationships with all professionals and organizations to increase recognition of the value of Peer support in the overall care continuum. To achieve this, we will provide our members with access to resources and services such as training and professional development opportunities, job placement assistance, networking, and advocacy efforts aimed at increasing funding for supporter employment and programs.
OUR TRAINING GOALS:
We are committed to utilizing evidence-based practices and the latest information and technologies to offer high-quality training sessions to our members and organizations. These training sessions will also be available to the public, and the proceeds will fund our non-profit organizational objectives.
OUR GOALS FOR SUPERVISORY STAFF:
Our goals for supervisors will be that they are certified Peers or equally lived experts in their fields. They are embedded champions who organize training, provide support, engagement, mentorship, and more to the workforce.
VALUES:
At Pure Support, we are committed to upholding the values set forth by the National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.) in their National Practice Guidelines, including promoting hope, wellness, and recovery; advancing a culture of inclusion, respect, and diversity; honoring the principles of self-determination, person-centered planning, and informed consent; providing a safe and supportive environment; and promoting ethical and responsible conduct in all aspects of support.
Additionally, we believe in:
~Support as a voluntary, reciprocal relationship
~Empathy, respect, and open-mindedness in support
~Strengths-focused, transparent, and person-driven support
~Facilitating change and promoting self-advocacy in support
~Equitable, accessible, and socially-just support
These values guide our organization's commitment to providing support and advocacy to professionals in the support field, including peer supporters and others who work in various aspects of support. We do not collect dues for ideological or political purposes and are dedicated to providing our members with the resources and services they need to succeed in their employment goals while promoting the values of support.
THE SERVICE WE ARE WORKING TO PROVIDE WITH YOUR DONATION!
~National Peer Run Warmline accessible to all
~Continuing Education courses
~Training of supporters
~Connection to local supporters
~Assistance with navigating insurance for Peers to connect with local support specialists, contractors, organizations, and members
~Ensuring Fair and Compensated Employment opportunities exist, especially for the disabled, veterans, restorative justice supporters.
What is Peer Support and what are its benefits?
Peer_support Wikipedia 3/11/23:
Peer support occurs when people provide knowledge, experience, and emotional, social, or practical help to each other.[1] It commonly refers to an initiative consisting of trained supporters (although it can be provided by peers without training), and can take a number of forms such as peer mentoring, reflective listening (reflecting content and/or feelings), or counseling.
In Healthcare According to SAMHSA
Peer workers offer encouragement, practical assistance, guidance, and understanding to support recovery. Peer support workers walk alongside people in recovery, offering individualized support and demonstrating that recovery is possible. They share their own lived experience of moving from hopelessness to hope. They share tools that can complement or replace clinical supports by providing strategies for self-empowerment and achieving a self-determined life. They support people in recovery to connect with their own inner strength, motivation, and desire to move forward in life, even when experiencing challenges. Peer workers offer different types of support, including: emotional (empathy and camaraderie) informational (connections to information and referrals to community resources that support health and wellness) instrumental (concrete supports such as housing or employment) affiliation support (connections to community supports, activities, and events)
WHO WE ARE TARGETING
~Peers in need of specialists and specialists in need of supporters on a national to the local level
THE PROBLEM WE ARE SOLVING
~Employment for trained supporters and job training, especially for the disabled or part-time on varied schedules of availability
~National call line for all to get local connections with Supporters and services
~National resource and referral network for Supporters
~Employment disparity and Employer misuse of Supporters "role drift"
OUR COMPETITORS
~Other warmlines using untrained and under-compensated personnel
~Private supporters not contracted or members with us
OUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
~Freedom of contracts
~At will contractual employment or membership
~National service
~Provide in-house training and hiring programs for volunteers through contracts
CUSTOMER INCENTIVES
~Peer focused utilizing the latest information, technology, and methods to connect peers to specialists and supporters in particular subjects or topics
~Free to use services for peers
~Providing individual specialists and supporters with access to local peers in need of services and workers in need of supervision
OBJECTIVES WE PLAN TO ACHIEVE
~National standardization of supporter and peer services and trainings
~in-network private and public insurance coverage of services
~Paid Employment for part-time and especially disabled supporters
~National network of resources and information providable to across any platform
~Recognition as a profession and reciprocity
COMING IN 2023
~We are currently working hard to finalize contracts with services such as CCS (comprehensive community services). we expect to begin providing service in the community in 2023.
~We also are in the process of representing members through collective bargaining at places of employment. we expect the first official vote soon.
~A "Peer Support for Supporters" warmline service EAP has begun, contact us so your organization can better prevent burnout and provide better services.
Board Members
Bridgette Vail, MA MBA is a seasoned Behavioral Health Care Professional with over 20 years of experience. With a diverse background and advanced degrees in both the Healthcare and Business Industries, Bridgette has developed and led large teams, supervised a variety of professionals, and navigated complex healthcare challenges.
As a former Director of Admissions and Utilization Review Bridgette recognizes the importance of care coordination and the care management process. Bridgette effectively utilizes clinical guidelines and accreditation standards to achieve admission and utilization targets.
With additional experience as Director of Healthcare Management at an inpatient Substance Abuse Hospital, Executive Director at an Outpatient based Substance Abuse facility and most recently as an Executive Director at a large Inpatient residential treatment facility, Bridgette's primary focus is to ensure access to proactive and balanced care, improve clinical outcomes and appropriately manage healthcare associated costs.
Bridgette places a high value on professional ethics, professional development, and positive patient outcomes.
Corey Hynson, MBA, SHRM- SCP is a Senior Human Resources Leader with over 20 years of human resources management and leadership experience. Corey has notable experience in strategic human resource planning, performance management, employee and labor relations, federal and state law compliance, communication, change management, problem resolution, training and development, and management coaching.
Corey has spent the last seven years working in “Big Tech” for fortune five hundred companies in the roles of Senior Employee Relations Manager, HR/ ER Partner Lead, and HR Manager, Employee Relations.
Prior to moving into “ Big Tech” Corey worked in the healthcare industry providing human resources leadership support in various capacities to hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, and medical and pharmaceutical distribution centers. Corey places a high value on integrity, ethics, compliance, and doing the “right thing” even in challenging situations.
He holds a master's degree in business administration from Oklahoma City University, human resources certificates from the University of Phoenix and George Mason University, and a bachelor's degree in biology from Wiley College. He has also served as an adjunct professor teaching human resources and business courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. He is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) with a Senior Certified Professional ( SHRM- SCP) designation.
"The path to financial freedom is ownership, unionization, and Cooperatives. Collective Collaboration between them is the future I envision."
Mitchell Sherman CPS is a dedicated professional and the founding member of Pure Support, a prominent labor organization providing peer support nationwide. Mitchell's passion for empowering others has led them to actively participate in several influential associations such as the National Peer Support Warmline Council (NPSWC), NAADAC The Association for Addiction Professionals, NAMI and a current co-chair of Wisconsin's Recovery Implementation Task Force (RITF), among others.
With a rich professional background, Mitchell draws from their experiences as a former Manager and Union member in the trades, as well as their current role as a certified peer support specialist. Their deep commitment to fostering positive change in their community extends beyond their organizational responsibilities, as they generously volunteer their time and support both locally and online.
Mitchell Sherman embodies a relentless dedication to peer support and is an invaluable asset to their field. Through their leadership, involvement in influential organizations, and ongoing commitment to making a difference, Mitchell continues to shape and empower the lives of countless individuals.
To become a member navigate to our membership page or download a copy and fill out the Authorization for Membership Then email it to us at purepeer.org@gmail.com and have your voice be heard!