Forensic Peer Support

Forensic Peer Support provides peer support to individuals who have been, are in, or are at risk of being in the criminal justice system.

The Role of Forensic Peer Support

Forensic Peer Support providers serve as community guides, coaches, and/or advocates, and provide support as individuals goal plan and focus on their individual paths to recovery.

Due to the stigma and discrimination associated with both mental illness and incarceration, an important function of Forensic Peer Support is to instill hope and serve as valuable and credible models of the possibility of recovery. Forensic Peer Support also embodies the potential for recovery for people who confront the dual stigmas associated with serious mental illnesses and criminal justice system involvement.

Forensic Peer Support Training

The Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers' Association (PMHCA) and Drexel University worked in partnership to develop and implement Forensic Peer Support training. Funding for the project was provided by a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The eighteen month project ended December 31, 2011.

To learn more about this project, visit the Forensic Training page on the Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers' Web site.

Ongoing Monthly Teleconference

PMHCA hosts a monthly teleconference to continue discussion of questions, concerns and updated information on forensic peer support programs and initiatives being implemented around the state.

Schedule a Training

PMHCA is available to contract for provision of the three day Forensic Peer Support Trainings with any interested party.

For more information about this project, contact Pat Madigan, Director of Training and Technical Assistance, 717-564-4930 x 113 or Liz Woodley, Forensic Peer Support Coordinator, 717-564-4930 x 102.