‘We’re not a separate entity, we're staff now’ The involvement of transition age youth peer supporters in trauma-informed community partnerships

Abstract

BackgroundTransition age youth (TAY) experiencing mental illness, homelessness, and trauma face challenges in navigating the transition to adulthood. Age appropriate, trauma-informed support from peer specialists (PS) can assist TAY who have experienced trauma in navigating their transition to adulthood. Whether and how TAY PS are involved in trauma-informed community-based partnerships is unclear. This study explores TAY PS experiences with and social network positions in trauma-informed ‘TAY-support networks.’ MethodsSocial network data were collected from four TAY-support networks. Structural analyses (network size and density) and core periphery analyses were conducted to elucidate TAY PS network positions, while focus groups were conducted with TAY PS to understand their experiences delivering services. Focus group data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Data were triangulated to understand whether and how focus group results expanded on our social network analysis. ResultsTAY support networks included 194 persons (range: 32–55) and 26 TAY PS. In two networks, TAY PS were located at the network’s core and periphery, and reported ongoing contributions to initiative activities. In two other networks, TAY PS were located at the network periphery and reported challenges with team communication. ConclusionsTo maximize TAY PS contributions to multidisciplinary partnerships, organizations should 1) include TAY PS throughout program planning and implementation and 2) provide age-appropriate professional supports to TAY PS.