Peer Support is a component of Open Doors which aims to provide seniors and people with disabilities with peer support during the transition process. Peer Advocates are people who have lived in institutional settings and then moved to home and community based settings, and who have received services and support where they live. Peer Advocates visit nursing homes and intermediate care facilities to share their experiences with residents and support people who want to move to the community.
Open Doors - Peer Program from NYAIL on Vimeo
Peer Advocates will work with you to get control over the choices that impact your life, such as:
- Whether to move at all;
- Where to live;
- When and what to eat;
- What to wear;
- To call or visit family and friends;
- Places to worship;
- Recreation;
- Privacy and security of possessions;
- Roommate or the choice to not have a roommate;
- How to use public transportation;
- What community resources are available.
Training: The power of the peer comes from the breadth of their lived experience. All peers are required to complete a paid eight hour training and satisfactorily pass a post-test to assess competency. Peers will be exposed to training in the following areas:
- Active listening and communication strategies
- Boundary setting
- Empowerment strategies
- Explaining the transition process and incorporating lived experience
- Discussing community living options and incorporating lived experience
Peers will have the opportunity to participate in ongoing education to enhance their skillsets. Feedback mechanisms are in place to allow NYAIL to develop topical trainings as needed.
Documents available for download:
Open Doors Peer Advocate Application pdf
Open Doors Peer Advocate Application word
For more information:
Katy Bell
Open Doors MFP Peer Program Director
155 Washington Ave, Suite 208
Albany, New York 12210
Phone: (518) 465-4650 ext. 106
Email: