Data for this performance measure will be gathered from partnering and contract community organizations that are providing certified peer support services to Buncombe County residents, including: Umoja Health, Wellness, and Justice Collective, Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness, October Road, RHA, Family Preservation Services/Pathways, UNETE, CIMA, Institute for Preventive Healthcare and Advocacy (IPHA), ABIPA, VAYA, MAHEC, etc..

https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/hhs/initiatives/closer.aspx

**NOTE: this performance measure data will not represent all people in Buncombe County in need of, and/or accessing mental health, substance use, and/or peer support services. At this time there is no formal method for collecting data related to all referrals to Peer Support Services in Buncombe County.

The “story behind the measure” is a compilation of narrative from lived experiences shared during community listening sessions on the 2021 CHA health focus areas and cross-cutting results related to dismantling white supremacy culture and creating trauma-informed systems for a resilient community. The included “story” narrative below focuses more broadly on the systemic factors in the community environment in which programs operate and function. As programs and performance measures begin and/or strengthen, there will be organic opportunities for direct narrative collection to occur from program staff providing implementation and from community members engaged in the program’s services.

The "Story Behind the Curve" helps us understand the causes and forces at that work that explain the data behind being linked with a certified Peer Support Specialist.

What's Helping What We Do?

These are the positive forces at work in our strategy/ program that influence how much we do or how well we do it.

• Increased employment opportunities for certified Peer Support Specialists embedded within social service and health-oriented organizations.

• Peer Supports are providing outreach in rural areas 

• Peer Supports help those in need feel seen, heard, and recognized - they meet people where they are without judgement

What's Hurting What We Do?

These are the negative forces at work in our strategy/program that influence how much we do or how well we do it.

• Lack of representation - language access, LGBTQ+, BIPOC

• COVID-19 and other pandemic-related procotols that have prohibited Peer Supports from being able to meet with people in locked settings 

• Burnout  - lack of organizational supports to address compassion fatigue and prevent burnout

The following actions have been identified by the Buncombe County CHIP Advisory Council and Buncombe County residents as ideas for what can work for this performance measure to make a difference on mental health and substance misuse.

(A) Actions and Approaches Identified

These are actions and approaches that we think can make a difference for this performance measure.

• Embedding certified Peer Support Specialists in more service settings

• Providing Peer Support services free of charge

• Addressing the stigma - increase public awareness around mental health and substance use/misuse

(B) No-cost and Low-cost Ideas

These are no-cost and low-cost actions and approaches that we think can make a difference for this performance measure.

• Public awareness campaigns that erase stigma and highlight how to get support

• Expanding or providing mobile services for those in rural areas without free/low-cost public transportation

• Providing warm hand-offs for referrals 

(C) What Buncombe County residents think would work to do better

These are actions and approaches that can make a difference for this performance measure.

• Enhance prevention efforts for youth

• Public awareness and education on mental health and trauma

• Increase opportunities for embedding certified Peer Supports into health-related services

(D) List of Questions/Research Agenda

These are questions to follow-up on for this performance measure. 

• What does final analysis of data from the Buncombe County "One Question" campaign indicate for what is needed?

• What are policy-level or system-level intervention, strategies, and performance measures that align with desired results?