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Peer Payment Standards – for short term engagements

PoliciesPrinciplesPracticesPeople who use drugsPeople living with HIVMental health consumersBC

Summary

The article introduces the Peer Payment Standards of the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), which give principles for equitable payment of peers in short-term engagements. It emphasises the significance of engaging PWLLE in the design of services and programmes to in the beginning of the conversation. The principles include having upfront payment conversations, providing options for obtaining honoraria, and preferring cash compensation over gift cards. The article also suggests addressing other expenditures, such as transportation, lodging, and childcare, and invites peers to consult the consequences of income and disability aid. The result and recommendations in the article is based on discussions with peers, health officials, and community-based organisations. The health authorities, government agencies, and CBOs (Community Based Organizations) and use these standards with an expectation to review and update these standards on an annual basis.

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Key Findings

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

Be upfront about payment: payment amounts for short-term peer engagements, other expenses that are covered, best time to pay. Provide options for Peers on the best way to pay them: after the work is complete; half before, half after the work is complete (or another combination); mixed payment methods (cash/cheque), to assist with money management. Unless specifically requested, cash is always preferred for paying peers (no gift cards, coupons, etc.). Develop a process with the finance department to ensure that cash payments and alternative payment methods are possible and delivered discretely: appropriate cash on hand (no bills over $20). For long-term engagements, cash may not be appropriate. Consider an employment or contract relationship and discuss payroll options with peers upfront. Organizations should pay for other costs directly and in advance (such as airfare, hotel, childcare, food, local transportation, food) whenever possible, instead of expecting peers to pay. Income and/or Disability may have implications for people enrolled in government assistance programs, such as Income and/or disability assistance – discuss implications before engagement. Do not assume all peers are on a form of assistance or that they do not have the information.

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

  • Have upfront discussion with peers about payment amounts, other expenses, and the timing of payment.
  • Provide options for receiving their honoraria
  • Cash payments are preferred unless requested by peers otherwise
  • Cover other costs in advance such as transportation, per diem, travel, accommodation, childcare and other unique expenses in discussion with peers.
  • Have discussion with peers around how honoraria and short term/part time work will affect their income and disability support payments
  • Use the document attached in the appendix to understand what payment standards for different types of short-term peer work
  • Engage stakeholders including health authority, peers, CBOs, and peer led organizations. Integrate that feedback as a part of development and review of practices document.

Detailed outline on peer payments standards: payment principles, payment amount (including breakdown), and how to document payments with peers and for the organization’s records. Based on peer consultation and in collaboration with service providers, payment principles emerged: be upfront with payment (don’t withhold cash to leverage involvement or someone’s potential level of engagement) peers should not be expected to pay their expenses and get reimbursed later; peer time should be compensated in any participatory role they play in relationship to what is being asked of them (facilitation, co-facilitation, research, travel, etc.); cash only (no gift cards, cheques, coupons) in bills no larger than a $20.

Key Findings Related Implementation Approaches:

  • Payment checklist overview – before committing to an engagement, and before engaging peers, and before the engagement
  • Cash process (cash advance, responsibility)
  • Honorarium form and templates