Peer Engagement Principles and Best Practices

Key findings related to emerging/promising principles for engaging PWLLE:

• SHARING POWER: Recognizing and addressing the differences is paramount to the success and validity of the voices of peers in peer engagement work. As such, providers must acknowledge the limitations they face from lack of adequate resources and thus the inability to create true collaboration and empowerment in their work.
• REGIONAL DIFFERENCES: In relation to stigma and discrimination
• STIGMA AND TRUST: Peer engagement best practices are one approach to promoting compassionate engagement and increasing trust between providers and peers. Working with peers can support compassionate engagement and inclusion in the workplace. Furthermore, workplaces can recognize and train providers in trauma-informed practice.
• ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT: Limited resources, including adequate time, training, space, and financial support for peer engagement can undermine the integrity and validity of the overall peer engagement process. In general, the level and quality of peer engagement coincides with the level of commitment from all parties involved. Meaningful peer engagement requires multiple levels of leadership and support including the Health Authority, Provincial Health Services Authority and Ministry of Health as well as programmatic support.
• PEER NETWORKS: Peers saw the value in increasing the access to information through peer networks, and suggested that health authorities engage with peer networks and/or peer run organizations where they exist in order to increase access to information

Key findings related to emerging/promising practices for engaging PWLLE:

• START EARLY: Think about engagement early on (dedicate several weeks or months in the preparation stage), to prepare and organize efforts. Appropriate time, commitment, human and financial resources available.
• EQUITABLE PARTICIPATION: Lived experience, age, race, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, and geography should be considered in relation to engagement and including all experiences. This can inform a more inclusive and all-encompassing harm reduction services that are culturally safe.
• # TO ENGAGE: Invite more than 1 peer, bring peers with a range of backgrounds, ideas and perspectives from their communities. Employing a peer mentor may be warranted in longer or more demanding engagement opportunities.
• RECRUITING: To recruit peers, flyers and word of mouth at several locations typically work best. Don’t only rely on relationships between peers and providers because it may limit the diversity and reach of peers involved. Anonymity and confidentiality is important especially when including PWLLE of drug use. Save 6-8 weeks in advance for recruitment.
• PARTNERING WITH PEER RUN ORGANIZATIONS: Engaging with a peer run organization can promote positive communication and future partnerships between the Health Authority and the organization.
• SETTING UP COMPENSATION: A cash honorarium is typically paid for short-term engagement opportunities. Gift cards are sometimes given but not recommended as adequate compensation. For opportunities that will compensate more than $500 per calendar year, a T4A must be issued
• SETTING EXPECTATIONS: How peers will contribute to decisions, the length and scope of the project, resources, training, support, communication, confidentiality and disclosure, compensation, and what happens when the project ends should be discussed in advance. As well as the objectives for engagement.
• DEVELOPING UNDERSTANDING: Develop Team Agreement to establish agreed-upon expectations.
• OVERCOME BARRIERS: Provide childcare, make materials and engagement Literacy-inclusive and low-barrier. Peer mentors can also assist in developing materials that are accessible to other peers. Consider travel and location, and compensation. Set up supports for peers: mental/emotional support, substance use support, financial planning support

Key Findings Related Implementation Approaches:

• Inform (assist peers in understanding the problem, information, opportunities and solutions);
• Consult (obtain feedback from peers on programs, policies and decisions, including alternatives and those analyses);
• Involve (work directly with peers throughout decision-making processes to ensure communities are represented);
• Collaborate (equal partnership in all aspects of decision-making);
• Empower (place final decision about initiative in the hands of peers).

Other Resource Materials (i.e. images, frameworks, tables…)

• Table 1: Spectrum of Peer Engagement in decision making in harm reduction initiatives;
• Table 2 : How To Involve People who use drugs.