Peer Support Principles Flashcards

Under North Carolina law, peer support specialists are mandatory reporters when they have reasonable cause to suspect:

Answer: Child abuse or neglect involving a minor

North Carolina law requires mandatory reporting when there is reasonable cause to believe a child is being abused or neglected, regardless of confidentiality obligations.

Confidentiality in peer support services may be broken WITHOUT client consent in which situation?

Answer: The client makes a credible threat to harm a specific person

A credible, specific threat to harm an identifiable third party triggers the duty to warn, which overrides confidentiality protections.

A peer specialist receives a gift from a person they support. According to ethical guidelines, the best response is to:

Answer: Decline while explaining the ethical boundary and why it exists

Ethical guidelines generally advise declining gifts and using the moment as an opportunity to explain professional boundaries transparently.

Which action would constitute a dual relationship in peer support?

Answer: Becoming close friends with someone you currently support

A dual relationship occurs when the peer specialist takes on a second role (e.g., friend) beyond their professional role, which can compromise objectivity and boundaries.

HIPAA protections for peer support records primarily require that:

Answer: Protected health information is not disclosed without authorization

HIPAA's core requirement is that protected health information (PHI) cannot be used or disclosed without proper authorization except in specific permitted circumstances.

If a peer specialist disagrees with a decision their supervisor made about a person they support, the most appropriate action is to:

Answer: Address concerns through proper organizational channels

Disagreements with supervisors should be addressed through organizational channels, such as direct conversation with the supervisor or escalation procedures, not bypassed.

The ethical principle of 'non-maleficence' in peer support means:

Answer: Avoiding actions that could cause harm to the person being supported

Non-maleficence is the commitment to 'do no harm,' requiring peer specialists to avoid actions, words, or relationships that could hurt the individuals they serve.