CPSS Community Navigation 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A peer needs help with prescription medication costs. Which NC program provides prescription assistance to low-income uninsured or underinsured residents?
- NC WORKS
- NC Medicaid Extra Help / Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy, or NC Rx programs (Correct answer)
- NC Division of Motor Vehicles
- NC State Health Plan (for state employees only)
Correct answer: NC Medicaid Extra Help / Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy, or NC Rx programs
Extra Help (LIS) for Medicare Part D and state pharmaceutical assistance programs help low-income individuals afford prescription medications.
Question 2: Which scenario BEST demonstrates a peer specialist effectively using their lived experience in community navigation?
- Telling a peer exactly what decisions to make based on what worked for the specialist
- Sharing how they personally navigated a similar system challenge to inspire hope and model possibilities (Correct answer)
- Avoiding all mention of personal history to maintain professional boundaries
- Using their experience to diagnose the peer's barriers
Correct answer: Sharing how they personally navigated a similar system challenge to inspire hope and model possibilities
Intentional self-disclosure of lived experience is used to inspire hope and model that navigation is possible, not to direct the peer's choices.
Question 3: A peer specialist learns that a peer has been evicted and is now unhoused. Which NC resource SHOULD be explored first for emergency shelter?
- The peer's former landlord
- Local homeless shelters, 211 NC (community information line), and Continuum of Care providers (Correct answer)
- The state legislature's housing committee
- The peer specialist's personal home
Correct answer: Local homeless shelters, 211 NC (community information line), and Continuum of Care providers
211 NC is the statewide information and referral line that connects individuals to local emergency shelter and housing resources through the Continuum of Care network.
Question 4: When navigating systems for a peer from a different cultural background, what is MOST important for the peer specialist to do?
- Assume services are culturally appropriate for everyone equally
- Explore the peer's cultural values and identify culturally responsive resources when available (Correct answer)
- Refer only to same-culture specialists
- Avoid discussing cultural differences to prevent discomfort
Correct answer: Explore the peer's cultural values and identify culturally responsive resources when available
Culturally responsive navigation means understanding the peer's cultural context and actively seeking resources that respect and reflect those values.
Question 5: A peer specialist notices that a resource they frequently recommend has recently had complaints about poor treatment of peers with mental illness. What should the specialist do?
- Continue referring to the resource since it is the only option available
- Stop referring until investigated, document concerns, and explore alternative resources (Correct answer)
- Report the agency directly to the police
- Ignore the complaints as they may be exaggerated
Correct answer: Stop referring until investigated, document concerns, and explore alternative resources
Peer specialists have an ethical duty to advocate for quality services and should not continue referring to resources where peers may experience harm or discrimination.
Question 6: A peer specialist is helping someone navigate the process of obtaining a state ID, which is needed to access many services. In NC, which agency issues state IDs?
- NC Department of Health and Human Services
- NC Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) (Correct answer)
- NC Administrative Office of the Courts
- US Social Security Administration
Correct answer: NC Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV)
The NC Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) issues state-issued identification cards, which are essential for accessing housing, employment, and many benefits.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a resource directory or community asset map used by peer specialists?
- To rank services from best to worst for peers to choose from
- To provide an organized, up-to-date reference of available community services and supports (Correct answer)
- To replace the peer specialist's knowledge with a printed document
- To share confidential client information across agencies
Correct answer: To provide an organized, up-to-date reference of available community services and supports
A resource directory or asset map organizes available community supports to help peer specialists efficiently connect peers to the right services.
CPSS Community Navigation 4
A peer needs help with prescription medication costs.
Which NC program provides prescription assistance to low-income uninsured or underinsured residents?