Advocacy & Systems Navigation Flashcards

A peer feels their therapist dismisses their goals. What advocacy approach best promotes self-advocacy?

Answer: The specialist role-plays with the peer how to express their goals and supports them in the next session if invited

Building the peer's own skills to voice their needs strengthens empowerment and self-determination.

A peer who was fired after disclosing past drug use (now in recovery and not using) asks about their rights. Which law most directly applies?

Answer: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The ADA protects individuals in recovery who are not currently using illegal drugs from employment discrimination.

Which is the best example of a warm handoff when navigating a peer to a new service?

Answer: Personally introducing the peer to the new provider and ensuring the first contact happens

A warm handoff involves direct, personal connection to the next provider, which improves engagement.

A community is considering zoning rules to block recovery residences. Which systems-advocacy action is most appropriate for a recovery specialist?

Answer: Organize peers with lived experience to give voluntary testimony and share data on recovery housing outcomes

Mobilizing willing voices of lived experience and evidence is ethical, effective systems advocacy.

A peer is overwhelmed by multiple agencies with conflicting requirements. What is the most helpful navigation strategy?

Answer: Help the peer map requirements and deadlines, prioritize with them, and, with consent, coordinate among providers

Organizing requirements and coordinating care with consent reduces overwhelm while keeping the peer in charge of decisions.

Which statement about advocating for a peer is most consistent with peer recovery ethics?

Answer: Advocacy should follow the peer's expressed wishes, even when the specialist would choose differently

Peer advocacy is grounded in self-determination, so the peer's own choices guide the advocacy.

A peer's SNAP benefits were cut off after a missed recertification. What should the recovery specialist do first?

Answer: Help the peer contact the benefits office promptly to complete recertification or request a fair hearing if the notice was improper

Prompt contact can often restore benefits through late recertification, and fair hearings are available if notice or process was flawed.