Engaging Peer Educators in Delivering Evidence-Based Brief Motivational Interventions: Innovative Training Models, Benefits, and Challenges
Abstract:
Research indicates that peer educators, when well-trained and supervised, can deliver evidence-based brief motivational interventions just as well, if not better, than trained professionals. This workshop will explore a number of innovative peer education training models derived from evidence-based brief motivational interventions, including peer navigation and peer educator-delivered Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) addressing alcohol and other drug misuse, problem gambling, and related risk behaviors. Challenges and potential risks associated with engaging peers in delivering evidence-based brief interventions will be identified and explored.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify two evidence-based brief motivational intervention practices in which peer educators can be trained and supervised.
2. Describe two methods of peer education training focused on the effective delivery of evidence-based brief motivational interventions.
3. Identify two benefits and challenges associated with training peer educators to deliver evidence-based brief motivational interventions
4. Identify two benefits of participation in evidence-based peer education practices to recipients of services and to peer educators delivering services.
Presenter Bio:
Dr. M. Dolores Cimini is a New York State licensed psychologist, Emerita Senior Research Scientist, and Founding Director of the Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research at the University at Albany, SUNY. She has also served as the Director of the nationally recognized Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program. Dr. Cimini has led comprehensive efforts in research-to-practice translation at the University at Albany for more than three decades with over $15 Million in federal, state, and foundation grant support. The screening and brief intervention program developed by Dr. Cimini, the STEPS Comprehensive Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention Program, has earned 13 national awards for best practices and innovation in behavioral health care. Dr. Cimini has co-edited two books, including a volume focused on college student health and well-being entitled Promoting Behavioral Health and reducing Risk Among College Students: A Comprehensive Approach (2018) and Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for Substance Use: A Practitioner’s Guide 2020). She has been recognized by the White House with two national awards for her mentoring work in promoting STEM for undergraduate and graduate students and early career professionals and has earned awards for both professional service and research excellence from the University at Albany President and SUNY Chancellor.
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