Chapter 7: Program management – training for peer health navigators
In this chapter, we identify the responsibilities of the host agency related to peer health navigator training, which are specifically related to: training methods and training content.
Chapter 7: Program management – training for peer health navigators (PDF)
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Programming resources and tools
The following resources can be used to support host agency responsibilities related to peer health navigator training. Where a resource addresses a specific recommendation from the chapter, the recommendation number is provided.
Training content: General
Training syllabus for peer navigation training
Peer Navigation Services, Positive Living Society of British Columbia
This resource outlines the topics covered in the core training and ongoing trainings in the peer navigation services program of the Positive Living Society of British Columbia.
Training peer mentors: Facilitation guide
Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna & District Branch
This training facilitation guide is part of a toolkit to support community-based organizations delivering peer-based emotional and social support to people living with HIV and/or hepatitis C. The facilitation guide provides lessons and activities for peer training and covers topics such as communication skills, goal setting and relationship building, boundaries, and HIV and hepatitis C basics. A complementary participant training guide is also available.
Chapter 5: Recruiting, hiring and orienting peers from Building blocks to peer program success: A toolkit for developing HIV peer programs
Peer Education and Training Sites/Resource and Evaluation Center (PETS/REC) Initiative
This chapter includes practical considerations to address when orienting peers to their new role and work environment. Some information related to confidentiality and benefits is specific to the United States. A separate accompanying document contains tools for orientation.
Building blocks to peer success: A toolkit for training HIV-positive peers
Peer Education and Training Sites/Resource and Evaluation Center (PETS/REC) Initiative
This toolkit reviews factors to consider when developing a peer training program and provides sample lessons, activities and case studies that can be used during training. The lessons cover core competencies and key understandings needed by peers working in programs to engage and retain people with HIV in care, including working in organizational settings, communication skills, boundaries, confidentiality, disclosure and self-care, among other topics.
PREParing peers for success: Peer core competency training
Health and Disability Working Group, Boston University School of Public Health
This is a five-day training curriculum for peers working to engage people with HIV in care and treatment. The training covers a range of topics including HIV basics, treatment and adherence, disclosure, confidentiality and boundaries.
Peer navigation training core modules: Facilitator's guide
FHI 360
This peer training guide supports organizations implementing FHI 360’s LINKAGES program to engage and retain people with HIV in care and support their treatment adherence. The training includes core modules and optional modules as well as participant handouts. While some modules are specific to the LINKAGES program, many topics are of broader interest, including confidentiality, boundaries and communication skills.
Training manual for peer navigators
Chicago Health Disparities Center
This training manual directed at peer navigators working with street-involved African Americans with mental health disorders covers interpersonal skills that are relevant to peer health navigators working in HIV, including communication and trauma-informed care. A workbook with training handouts accompanies the manual.
Training content: Organizational culture
One foot forward: A GIPA training toolkit: Community-based groups
Canadian AIDS Society
This toolkit module is intended to help peers understand the structure and organization of the community-based groups they work with. (supports recommendation 12)
Training content: Self-care
Essential tools for support and stability: Worker resource kit
AIDS Bereavement and Resiliency Program of Ontario
This skills-building resource helps peers identify and manage emotional triggers that may impact them when providing support to others. (supports recommendation 20)
Training content: leadership
One foot forward: A GIPA training toolkit: Leadership
Canadian AIDS Society
This toolkit module explores leadership roles and skills for peers. (supports recommendation 22).
Section V: Advocating for clients: Tools (pages 61-68) from Integrating peers into multidisciplinary teams: A toolkit for peer advocates
Cicatelli Associates
This resource provides a series of tools a peer can use to develop their client advocacy and assertiveness skills as well as to plan for participation in case conferences with other service providers. (supports recommendation 22).
Training content: Counselling techniques
Essential tools for support and stability: Worker resource kit
AIDS Bereavement and Resiliency Program of Ontario
This kit is available to help peers identify and manage emotional triggers that may impact them when providing support to others. (supports recommendation 23)
Training content: Trauma-informed practice
Trauma-informed practice guide
BC Provincial Mental Health and Substance Use Planning Council
Through not specifically focused on training, this practice guide can be used to inform the understanding of trauma-informed practice and the delivery of trauma-informed services. The guide has a specific focus on mental health and substance use services. (supports recommendation 25)
Trauma-informed: The trauma toolkit
Klinic Community Health Centre
This toolkit can help inform training about trauma-informed practice. It covers a range of topics including trauma related to residential schools and sexual abuse. (supports recommendation 25).
Training content: Documentation and evaluation
Peer evaluator training manual
Pacific AIDS Network | CIHR Centre for REACH in HIV/AIDS (REACH2.0)
Through the modules in this manual, peers are introduced to a range of evaluation concepts and activities including logic models and data collection methods. (supports recommendation 26).