|
PEER Project Overview |
|
The PEER (Pennsylvania's Empowered Expert Residents) Project has been an exciting evolution for all of us. Initiated in the Spring of 2002, a pioneering group of three residents from Cambria County were interested in training to upgrade their skills in self-advocacy. A series of five training sessions was conducted, and the first PEER graduates were on-board. The PEER Project next moved to Schuylkill County where the local Ombudsman, Ms. Carolyn Tenaglia, had already developed a group of nursing facility residents who were meeting on a quarterly basis to address/resolve issues.
A curriculum workgroup was then convened consisting of local Ombudsmen, State Office representatives, and PEER graduates who participated in development of a standardized and exciting curriculum. There have now been sites run in all five of Pennsylvania's regions and the result is that there are now currently 375 PEER graduates across the state.
It is amazing to think that this has all taken place in the matter of two years. In June of 2003, a train the trainer session was convened in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to train local Ombudsmen to be PEER trainers at their local sites. Twenty-six of the fifty-two counties were represented at that session. Another train the trainer session was held in June of 2004, and one held in March 2005. The March 2005 session was attended by a representative from Maryland who would like to expand the program out of state. This will enable even more expansion statewide and beyond of the program as the local Ombudsmen are trained on how to utilize the PEER curriculum.
In fiscal 2001-2002 1 facility and 1 local program participated which produced 3 graduates. In fiscal year 2002-2003 17 facilities and 3 local programs participated which produced 34 graduates. In fiscal year 2003-2004 7 facilities and 3 local programs participated and produced 38 graduates. In fiscal year 2004-2005 8 new facilities and 2 local programs participated yielding 76 graduates. In fiscal year 05-06 there were 8 new facilities, 2 local programs participated yielding 88 new graduates. We also hit the milestone of over 300 graduates Statewide.
There are currently PEER graduates in the following counties: Cambria, Schuylkill, Chester, Mifflin/Juniata, Jefferson, Columbia/Montour, Mercer, Lackawanna, Luzerne/Wyoming, Cameron/Elk/McKean, Montgomery, Clearfield, Lycoming, Lebanon, Franklin, Warren, Beaver, Crawford, Sullivan and Perry, counties.
The PEER Project has grown beyond our expectations for a number of reasons. This is a concept that is so simple, RESIDENTS advocate for themselves.
Making a Difference in Long-Term Care
Please contact the Pennsylvania Department of Aging for more information if you are interested in the PEER Project!
|
|
Pennsylvania Long Term Care Ombudsman Program |
|
PEER Graduation in Sullivan County |
|
Cassie Weikle, Schuylkill County gets a visit from Santa at their Holiday meeting |
|
Lebanon County Graduation |
