Safety-Focused Toolkit for Peer Work

Purpose

This section provides a clear foundation for Safety-Focused Practice and explains how it aligns with the peer specialist role. Peer support and safety-focused practice share core values: dignity, autonomy, compassion, and respect for lived and living experience. Peer specialists support safety every day, whether they name it this way or not, by showing up without judgment, centering choice, and supporting people in the realities of their lives.

What Safety-Focused Practice Is

Safety-Focused Practice is a peer-aligned, public-health-informed approach that prioritizes reducing risk and increasing well-being without demanding that substance use stop.

It recognizes that people use substances for many reasons, that abstinence is not always the person’s goal, and that people deserve safety, dignity, and support regardless of where they are in their relationship with substances.

Safety-Focused Practice:

• Meets people where they are, without requiring change before offering support
• Honors the person’s right to make choices about their own life
• Focuses on practical steps that reduce risk, improve well-being, and strengthen connection
• Recognizes substance use along a continuum, not as an all-or-nothing issue
• Understands that people are experts in their own experiences

Safety-Focused Practice may include safer-use strategies, overdose prevention, access to sterile supplies where permitted, naloxone distribution, safety information, and non-punitive, person-centered support, always within peer specialist scope and organizational policy.

What Safety-Focused Practice Is Not

Clarifying misconceptions helps peer specialists stay grounded and consistent:

• It is not encouraging or promoting substance use
• It is not anti-abstinence or anti-treatment
• It is not “anything goes” or ignoring risk
• It is not clinical care or medical instruction
• It is not telling someone what goals they should have
• It is not withholding support unless the person chooses recovery

Safety-Focused Practice is intended to increase safety and connection while reducing risk.

Why Safety-Focused Practice Belongs in Peer Support

Peer support and safety-focused practice are naturally aligned.

Both value:

• Autonomy – People are the decision-makers in their own lives
• Mutuality – Relationships are built on shared humanity, not hierarchy
• Choice – There is no single “right way” to recover or increase safety
• Respect and dignity – People deserve compassion, whether change happens today or not
• Cultural humility – Peer specialists honor diverse traditions, experiences, and identities
• Transparency – Peer specialists avoid power-over dynamics
• Trauma-informed practice – Safety, trust, and empowerment guide interactions

And both avoid:

• Coercion
• Shame
• Punishment
• “Fixing”
• Pushing personal agendas

Peer support is a safety-focused practice when it centers people’s truths, experiences, and goals.

How Peer Specialists Practice Safety-Focused Support Day-to-Day

Peers operationalize safety-focused practice through small, relational, and practical actions.

Peer specialists practice safety-focused support when they:

• Offer information instead of pressure about safer-use practices
• Provide naloxone or explain how it works (when permitted)
• Normalize that change is personal and non-linear
• Ask permission before sharing ideas or resources
• Use non-stigmatizing, respectful language
• Explore the person’s own knowledge, skills, and priorities
• Support safer-use planning without assuming the person wants abstinence
• Help someone build safety plans, check-in plans, or overdose-prevention strategies
• Validate feelings without minimizing or pathologizing them

Examples of Peer Specialist-Aligned Safety-Focused Conversations

• “What helps you feel safest when you use?”
• “What matters most to you right now? I want to support your goals.”
• “If nothing changes today, what would help reduce risk just a little bit?”
• “Would you like information about how people stay safer when using alone or with others?”
• “If you ever want to talk about treatment options, I can walk alongside you and not push you.”

Peer specialists support agency, not control.

Stigma, Language, and Reducing Harm in Relationships

Language is one of the most powerful safety-focused tools peer specialists have. Stigma pushes people away from care; dignity pulls them closer.

Words that cause harm:

• “Addict,” “junkie,” “clean/dirty,” “non-compliant,” “drug-seeking”

Language that supports safety and dignity:

• “Person who uses drugs”
• “Positive/negative drug test.”
• “Return to use” (when appropriate for the person)
• “Safer use,” “options,” “strategies,” “choices.”

Why it matters:

• Shame decreases safety
• Judgment increases secrecy
• Listening increases trust
• Respect increases engagement

Peer specialists support safety through how they talk and how they listen.

Ethical Foundations That Guide Safety-Focused Peer Specialist Practice

Peer support practice is grounded in:

• Self-determination – The person chooses their path
• Mutuality – We walk alongside, not in front or behind
• Trauma-informed care – Safety and empowerment come first
• Integrity – Staying within role and scope protects everyone
• Hope – Even small changes deserve recognition and support

Safety-focused practice is an ethical obligation for peer specialists because it supports safety, dignity, and authentic relationships.

High-Level Scope Boundaries

A high-level view

Peer Specialists CAN:

• Build connection
• Provide emotional support
• Offer safety and safer-use information
• Share naloxone (if permitted)
• Support self-defined goals
• Normalize non-linear change
• Offer grounding or de-escalation support
• Connect people to resources

Peer Specialists CANNOT:

• Diagnose or interpret symptoms clinically
• Give medical instructions or prescribe solutions
• Perform wound care or medical procedures
• Demand or pressure someone into treatment
• Confiscate substances
• Maintain confidentiality when safety laws require reporting

Safety-focused practice protects both autonomy and safety for the participant and the peer specialist.

Purpose

Support peer specialists in recognizing the signs of an opioid overdose and responding in ways that are safety-focused, trauma-informed, and aligned with organizational policies and peer specialist scope of practice. This section focuses on what peer specialists can do and emphasizes grounding, safety, and connection. This information is not medical advice and is not a substitute for medical training or guidance. When in doubt, consult your organization and/or your supervisor.

Understanding Overdose

Opioid overdose occurs when breathing slows or stops. Without oxygen, a person can lose consciousness within minutes. Fast recognition and response can save a life, and peer specialists often serve as trusted first points of contact because of their relationships, lived experience, and presence in community settings.

Peer specialists do not diagnose overdose. Instead, they observe signs and respond based on what they see, prioritizing safety and following training and policy.

Recognizing Possible Opioid Overdose

Common signs include:

• Slow, shallow, or no breathing
• Unresponsive to voice, touch, or pain (sternum rub)
• Blue, gray, or pale lips or fingertips
• Limp, heavy, or non-responsive body
• Gurgling, snoring, or choking sounds
• Pinpoint pupils (when visible)
• Unusual stillness or inability to stay awake

Not every opioid overdose looks the same. When in doubt, treat it as an overdose and respond as trained.

Stay Within Scope: What Peer Specialists Can Do

Peer specialists can:

• Call 911
• Administer naloxone (if trained and permitted by policy)
• Support breathing through rescue breaths (if trained and safe to do so)
• Provide grounding, calm, and reassurance
• Protect the environment (reduce noise, crowding, or chaos when possible)
• Stay with the person until help arrives, when safe

Peer specialists do not:

• Diagnose
• Provide medical judgment
• Perform invasive procedures
• Force someone to accept care
• Remain in unsafe environments

Overdose response always begins with your safety first.

Peer Specialist-Scoped Overdose Response Steps

1. Check for safety

Look around for hazards such as needles, weapons, traffic, aggressive bystanders, smoke or chemical exposure, or other unsafe conditions.
If the scene is not safe, leave immediately and call 911 from a safe location.

2. Check responsiveness

Try:

• Calling the person’s name
• Speaking loudly
• Gently shaking the shoulder
• Sternum rub (if trained)

If there is no response → move to the next step.

3. Call 911

Use simple, direct language:

“Someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally.”

You do not need to say “overdose.”
Stay on the line and follow instructions as you are able.

4. Administer naloxone (if available and trained)

Naloxone is considered safe even if the person used something other than opioids.

General guidance:

• Check for breathing
• Give one dose of naloxone (nasal or injectable, depending on product)
• Follow your agency’s training and instructions
• Expect that the person may not wake up immediately

Naloxone reverses opioid effects. It does not reverse xylazine or stimulant effects, but it should still be given if opioids may be involved.

5. Support breathing (if trained and safe to do so)

If the person is not breathing:

• Tilt the head back
• Lift the chin
• Give one breath every 5–6 seconds

Supporting breathing can keep oxygen flowing until EMS arrives.

Peer specialists provide rescue breaths only if they are trained, organizational policy allows it, and they feel safe doing so. Chest compressions should only be performed if the peer specialist is CPR-certified and following their organization’s protocols or 911 instructions.

6. Repeat naloxone after 2–3 minutes (if needed)

If there is no improvement:

• Give a second dose of naloxone
• Continue supporting breathing
• Follow 911 instructions

Multiple doses may be needed, especially with fentanyl or unknown substances.

7. Use the recovery position

If the person is breathing but not fully awake:

• Roll them onto their side
• Bend the top leg forward
• Keep the airway open

This position helps prevent choking if vomiting occurs.

8. Stay with the person if it is safe

Overdose response does not end when naloxone is given.

Peer specialists may:

• Offer reassurance
• Reduce stimulation (dim lights, use quiet voices)
• Explain what happened
• Normalize confusion or fear

Possible peer specialist-focused scripts:

• “You’re safe. You’re not in trouble.”
• “Help is on the way.”
• “Your body went through something intense. I’m here with you.”
• “Take your time — no one is rushing you.”

Avoid shaming, scolding, or lecturing. This is a moment for grounding and care.

Why Trauma-Informed Overdose Response Matters

People waking up from an overdose may feel:

• Confused
• Afraid
• Angry
• Embarrassed
• Disoriented
• Physically uncomfortable

Peer specialists support safety by:

• Staying calm
• Speaking softly
• Giving space
• Avoiding judgment
• Being predictable and honest

These actions create safety when the nervous system is overwhelmed.

After an Overdose: Peer Specialist Considerations

After the immediate crisis has ended — and when the peer specialist remains present and it is appropriate to do so — a peer specialist might:

• Ask how the person is feeling physically and emotionally
• Offer water or grounding support (if available)
• Ask permission to discuss safety-increasing strategies
• Explore what the person wants — or does not want — right now
• Provide information on naloxone access, safety-focused use strategies, or community resources
• Respect if the person is not ready to talk

Peer specialists do not impose goals or pressure change.

Purpose

This section offers practical, peer specialist-appropriate safety-focused use considerations for common substances. The goal is not to encourage use or provide medical advice, but to offer information that reduces risk and supports autonomy. Peer specialists share safety-focused strategies only within their training and organizational policy, using non-judgmental, trauma-informed approaches and honoring each person’s choices.

Guiding Principles for Safety-Focused Conversations

Before substance-specific strategies, peer specialists benefit from anchoring in these principles:

• Offer information, not instructions.
• Ask permission before sharing.
  (“Would it be okay if I shared something others have found helpful?”)
• Center autonomy. The person decides what does or does not feel right for them.
• Focus on small steps. Even a small reduction in risk increases safety.
• Respect the person’s expertise. People often know what helps their body; peer specialists can help them build on that knowledge.

Opioids: Safety-Focused Use Considerations

Opioids include heroin, fentanyl, prescription pain medications, and other substances that depress the central nervous system.

Safety-focused strategies:

• Start low, go slow. Especially with a new batch or unknown supply.
• Test dose first. Use a very small amount to check strength or unexpected effects.
• Avoid mixing with alcohol or benzodiazepines. This greatly increases overdose risk.
• Use sterile supplies if injecting. Rotate sites to reduce infections and vein damage.
• Try not to use alone. If using alone, explore overdose safety check-ins with trusted people or apps where available.
• Keep naloxone nearby and accessible. Let others know where it is and how to use it.
• Observe your body. Unusual drowsiness, trouble breathing, or confusion may signal increased risk.

Peer specialist note:
Peer specialists do not assess medical symptoms or give medical advice. Peers offer information and explore what safety looks like for the person.

Stimulants: Safety-Focused Use Considerations

Stimulants include methamphetamine, cocaine, crack, ADHD medications, and combinations with other substances.

Common risks peer specialists can help reduce:

• Dehydration
• Overheating
• Heart strain
• Sleep deprivation
• Intense anxiety or paranoia

Safety-focused strategies:

• Stay hydrated and try to eat when possible. Even small amounts help.
• Take breaks to cool down. Overheating increases cardiac risk.
• Protect sleep. Sleep loss increases mental and physical risks; rest periods matter.
• Be mindful of mixing. Opioids + stimulants (“speedballing”) can mask overdose signs.
• Avoid using in isolated or unsafe environments, especially if experiencing paranoia.
• Use clean supplies if smoking or injecting. This reduces respiratory and infection risks.

Peer specialist note:
Peer specialists can normalize conversations about sleep, hydration, emotions, and grounding strategies. These often matter as much as substance-use patterns.

Benzodiazepines: Safety-Focused Use Considerations

Benzodiazepines include Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, and others. They depress the central nervous system and increase overdose risk when combined with opioids or alcohol.

Safety-focused strategies:

• Avoid mixing with opioids or alcohol whenever possible. These combinations significantly increase overdose risk.
• Use only what is needed. Benzodiazepines can be potent; effects vary widely by person.
• Be mindful of blackout risk. Some people may not remember events or interactions.
• Use in safe environments with people who understand how to respond in emergencies.

Important note about withdrawal:
Stopping benzodiazepines abruptly can lead to dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

Peer specialists do not:

• Give tapering advice
• Recommend stopping
• Give medical guidance

Peer specialists do:

• Encourage conversations with medical providers
• Offer emotional support
• Support the person’s goals

Alcohol: Safety-Focused Use Considerations

Alcohol is a depressant that can increase risk when combined with opioids, benzodiazepines, or certain medications.

Safety-focused strategies:

• Eat before and during drinking. This helps stabilize blood sugar and slow absorption.
• Hydrate between drinks. Reduces health risks and hangover severity.
• Avoid mixing with opioids or benzodiazepines. Overdose risk increases significantly.
• Know your body’s signs. Confusion, vomiting, and slowed breathing signal danger.
• Have a safety plan for transportation. Prevents accidents and injury.

Peer specialist note:
Peer specialists do not judge drinking but support safer choices and explore how alcohol interacts with someone’s goals and wellbeing.

Poly-Substance Use

Many overdoses and injuries involve multiple substances.

Peer specialists can support safety by exploring:

• “Do you know how these substances interact?”
• “What helps you stay in control when mixing?”
• “Would it be okay to talk through safer combinations or timing?”
• “Is there someone who can check on you?”

Peer specialists acknowledge people’s lived realities while helping reduce risk.

Staying Within Peer Specialist Scope During Safety-Focused Conversations

Peer specialists do not:

• Give medical instructions
• Tell someone how much to take
• Recommend specific regimens
• Diagnose withdrawal or intoxication
• Direct someone to stop using

Peer specialists can:

• Share general safety-focused, safer use, and wellness-informed principles
• Explore what safety means to the person
• Offer options, not directives
• Normalize non-judgmental conversation
• Provide naloxone (if allowed)

This keeps safety-focused information aligned with peer ethics, values, and legal scope.

Purpose

Support peer specialists in using trauma-informed, culturally responsive communication that honors autonomy, safety, and lived experience. Trauma-informed engagement recognizes that many people who use substances have experienced trauma, and that the peer specialist relationship itself can either increase safety or unintentionally cause harm. Peer specialists help reduce fear, shame, and disconnection by creating predictable, respectful, and collaborative interactions.

Why Trauma-Informed Practice Matters in Safety-Focused Peer Specialist Work

Trauma affects the body, emotions, memory, and a person’s ability to trust others. For many people, substance use is connected to coping, survival, or self-regulation rather than simple “choice.”

Trauma-informed peer specialist engagement:

• Reduces the risk of re-traumatization
• Supports nervous system regulation
• Strengthens trust and connection
• Helps people make choices that align with their goals
• Recognizes cultural, social, and systemic trauma
• Respects how lived experience shapes decision-making

Peer specialists are not clinicians. However, their presence, words, and consistency profoundly shape how safe someone feels in moments of vulnerability.

The SAFER Framework

A simple, peer specialist-focused framework that aligns trauma-informed care with safety-focused practice and peer ethics.

S is for Safety

Create emotional, physical, and relational safety.

Examples include predictable tone, a calm voice, asking permission, and reducing overstimulation.

A is for Autonomy

Honor the person’s right to choose what happens in their life.

Autonomy reduces shame, fear, and resistance and increases engagement.

F is for Framework (Role & Limits)

Be transparent about what you can and cannot do.

Clear role boundaries increase trust and prevent misunderstanding.

Example:

“I can’t give medical advice, but I can talk through what safety might look like for you.”

E is for Empathy

Acknowledge feelings without judgment.

Empathy supports nervous system regulation, reduces shame, and strengthens connection.

R is for Relationship

Mutuality and shared humanity are at the center of peer specialist work.

Relationships — not outcomes — are the foundation of healing and safety-focused support.

Trauma-Informed Communication Practices for Peers

1. Ask permission before moving forward

Asking permission gives control back to the person and helps prevent overwhelm.

Examples:

• “Would it be okay if we talk about something I noticed?”
• “Is now a good time to check in about safety?”

2. Move at their pace

Avoid pushing, persuading, or assuming readiness.

Examples:

• “There’s no rush.”
• “We can pause or switch topics anytime.”

3. Be predictable and transparent

Explain what you’re doing and why. Predictability decreases anxiety.

Examples:

• “Here’s what I can help with today.”
• “I’m going to step outside to get naloxone; I’ll be right back.”

4. Use grounding and regulation tools (peer-appropriate only)

Peer specialists do not perform therapeutic interventions, but may offer simple grounding options, such as:

• Slow breathing together
• Naming what is happening in the moment
• Reducing noise or chaos
• Moving to a calmer space

Example:

“Would it help to take a moment and just breathe with me?”

5. Normalize feelings

Acknowledging emotions reduces shame and strengthens the peer specialist relationship.

Examples:

• “It makes sense that you feel overwhelmed.”
• “A lot of people feel this way after something intense.”

6. Honor cultural context

Trauma is shaped by culture, identity, history, and community.

Peer specialists practice cultural humility by:

• Asking rather than assuming
• Recognizing their own biases
• Being open to correction
• Honoring cultural meaning-making and resilience

Sample Peer Specialist Scripts

Short, practical, trauma-informed scripts that align with safety-focused peer specialist practice and peer specialist values:

• “Would it be okay if we talk about what helps you feel safer when you use?”
• “You get to decide what, if anything, you want to change right now.”
• “We can go at your pace.”
• “Your reactions make sense to me. You’ve been carrying a lot.”
• “Thank you for trusting me with this.”
• “I’m here with you. You don’t have to figure everything out at once.”
• “We can pause anytime — your comfort matters.”

Staying in Scope While Being Trauma-Informed

Peer specialists can:

• Offer grounding support
• Use empathy and reflective listening
• Provide information about safety
• Normalize responses
• Build relationship and trust
• Encourage self-determination
• Explore what safety looks like for the person

Peer specialists cannot:

• Provide therapy or trauma processing
• Diagnose trauma or symptoms
• Lead clinical grounding or EMDR-style techniques
• Promise safety they cannot guarantee
• Give medical or psychological instructions

Trauma-informed peer specialist work centers choice, presence, and dignity, not intervention.

Purpose

Support peer specialists in protecting themselves, participants, and their organization through clear, accurate documentation and consistent professional boundaries. Documentation is an ethical practice: it reflects what happened, why decisions were made, and how safety was supported. Boundaries help peer specialists stay in their role, avoid role confusion, and maintain relationships based on mutuality and respect — not obligation or over-involvement.

Why Peer Specialists Document

Peer specialists document to:

• Maintain continuity of support
• Demonstrate ethical, safety-focused practice
• Meet organizational and funding requirements
• Communicate clearly with peer supervisors and team members
• Protect themselves legally by recording facts, not interpretations

Documentation Principles for Peer Specialists

Peer specialist documentation should always be:

1. Objective

Describe what was observed or heard, not assumptions or judgments.

Objective:
“Participant stated, ‘I didn’t sleep last night and feel shaky.’”

Not objective:
“Participant is probably withdrawing.”

2. Factual

Record what actually happened, not opinions or predictions.

Factual:
“Participant asked for information about safety-focused use strategies.”

Not factual:
“Participant is not motivated.”

3. Relevant

Only include information related to:

• Safety
• Goals
• Support provided
• Next steps
• Critical events

Peer specialists do not include personal opinions, unnecessary details, or speculation.

4. Concise

Documentation should be thorough but not lengthy.

5. Confidential

Peer specialists record only information appropriate for the record, not sensitive personal history, unless it is relevant to immediate safety or support needs.

Documentation: What to Include

Peer specialists typically document the following elements:

• Direct Quotes Relevant to Care or Safety
  Use quotation marks for exact wording.
  • “I feel like I might pass out.”
  • “I don’t want EMS called.”
• Objective Observations
  Describe behavior or appearance without interpretation.
  • “Eyes watery, speech slurred.”
  • “Sitting hunched over, breathing slow.”
  • “Participant appeared calm and made steady eye contact.”
• Options and Resources Offered
  Record what you provided.
  • “Offered information on naloxone access.”
  • “Provided link to support meeting.”
  • “Discussed agency transportation policy.”
• What the Person Chose
  Document the participant’s decisions.
  • “Participant declined EMS and requested to call a friend.”
  • Participant accepted resource list.”
• Safety Concerns and Steps Taken
  Record concerns factually and note actions taken.
  • “Participant reported thoughts of self-harm; contacted supervisor per protocol.”
  • “Called 911 per agency policy.”

Peer specialists never diagnose or label mental health or substance-use conditions in documentation.

Examples of Peer Specialist-Aware Documentation

These examples show scope-aligned, non-clinical, non-judgmental documentation.

1: Routine Check-In
Participant shared feeling stressed about housing. Discussed available resources, and participant chose to call the shelter hotline. No safety concerns observed.

2: Overdose Response
Found participant unresponsive, breathing shallow. Called 911 per policy. Administered naloxone as trained. EMS arrived and transported participant. Supervisor notified.

3: Boundary Support
Participant requested money. Explained agency policy and offered to explore other support options. Participant accepted referral to community resources.

These examples maintain clarity without implying clinical assessment.

Professional Boundaries in Peer Support

Boundaries keep relationships safe, ethical, and sustainable. Healthy boundaries support mutuality, not distance; clarity, not control.

Peer specialists use boundaries to:

• Maintain safety
• Prevent over-involvement
• Ensure consistency and reliability
• Avoid dual relationships that could cause harm
• Stay within organizational and legal guidelines

Boundaries are clarity.

Boundary Matrix for Peer Specialists

Green Zone: Safe, Appropriate Peer Support

These actions align with role, ethics, and organizational expectations:

• Listening without judgment
• Validating the person’s feelings
• Sharing lived experience appropriately and with permission
• Offering options, not directives
• Supporting safety-focused and safer-use conversations
• Providing harm-reduction or safety supplies if allowed
• Helping someone explore goals
• Encouraging self-determination
• Connecting to community resources
• Documenting factually and promptly

Green zone = “Yes, this is peer specialist work.”

Yellow Zone: Peer Supervisor Consult

These situations are complex, unclear, or emotionally charged. Peer specialists should pause and consult a peer supervisor before acting further:

• Uncertainty about whether something is in scope
• Requests for help outside the peer specialist role (legal advice, medical advice, therapy)
• Feelings of over-responsibility or emotional heaviness
• Repeated boundary testing or requests that feel uncomfortable
• Safety concerns that do not require immediate 911 response
• Dual relationship risks (friendship, financial ties, etc.)
• Disclosures you are unsure how to document or respond to

Yellow zone = “Pause and check in.”

Red Zone: Emergency Crisis Actions

These situations require immediate action per agency policy:

• Person is unconscious, unresponsive, or not breathing
• Medical emergency requiring 911
• Immediate threat of serious harm to self or others
• Weapon present and unsafe to remain
• Fire, overdose, or hazardous environment
• Participant threatens staff or others
• Any situation where the peer specialist’s safety is compromised

Red zone = “Act immediately and follow emergency protocol.”

Peer specialists do not personally intervene in violence, medical crises beyond their training, or unsafe scenes.

Staying in Scope Protects Everyone

Peer specialists stay grounded by remembering:

They can:

• Build trust
• Share lived experience
• Offer options
• Support autonomy
• Connect to resources
• Follow safety protocols
• Document accurately

They cannot:

• Give medical advice
• Diagnose
• Provide therapy
• Make decisions for people
• Promise confidentiality beyond legal limits
• Work outside agency policy

Clarity keeps peer specialist relationships safe, ethical, and sustainable.

Purpose

Provide simple, reproducible tools peer specialists can use with participants or for their own reflection. These worksheets encourage choice, autonomy, and practical safety planning without pressure or expectation. Each worksheet can be printed, completed verbally, or used as a springboard for supportive conversation.

How These Tools Are Used in Peer Specialist Work

• Can be printed, completed verbally, or used as conversation prompts
• Support choice and self-determination rather than compliance
• Can be used during one-to-one support, outreach, or supervision
• Are optional and participant-led
• Can be paused, skipped, or adapted as needed

The goal is to explore options together.

Worksheet Types Included

• Safety-Focused Planning Worksheet — explores current strengths, risks, and realistic next steps

  Link

• Safety-Focused Daily Check-In — supports awareness of body, stress, and support needs

  Link

• After-Crisis Grounding & Reflection — focuses on stabilization after intense events

  Link

• Personal Boundaries Check-In (For Peer Specialists) — supports role clarity and sustainability

  Link

• Values & Motivation Check-In — helps participants reflect on meaning, identity, and goals

  Link

Staying Within Peer Scope

Peers Specialists CAN

• Offer worksheets as optional tools
• Ask permission before using any worksheet
• Support reflection and conversation
• Honor all responses, including “not sure” or “not today”
• Use supervision when questions or concerns arise

Peers Specialists CANNOT

• Require worksheet completion
• Use worksheets for assessment or diagnosis
• Interpret responses clinically
• Replace supervision or organizational policy

Purpose

This section offers one-page reference sheets designed for printing or digital sharing to reinforce key safety-focused practices, language, and boundary reminders.

How Quick-Post Reference Sheets Are Used

• Designed for quick review in the field
• Can support peer check-ins, outreach, and supervision
• Reinforce key safety, language, and boundary reminders
• Support consistency without requiring training or facilitation

Reference Sheets Included

• Naloxone Quick Guide

  Link

• Safety-Focused Use: Opioids
• Safety-Focused Use: Stimulants
• Safety-Focused Use: Benzodiazepines & Alcohol
• Peer Specialist Language Guide

  Link

• Basic Boundary Reminders for Peer Specialists

  Link

Staying Within Peer Specialist Scope

Peer Specialists CAN

• Use reference sheets as reminders and conversation supports
• Share sheets with participants or team members when appropriate
• Adapt use based on setting and organizational policy

Peers Specialists CANNOT

• Treat reference sheets as medical or clinical guidance
• Use sheets to enforce behavior or compliance
• Replace training, supervision, or policy

Link