The roles and experiences of peer support specialists working with youth experiencing homelessness

This participatory case study examines a peer support model for engaging youth experiencing homelessness. Using participatory methods, the peer support team partnered with the PI to design the study, develop instruments and analyze data. Data come from interviews with peer support specialists and their supervisors and administrators, document review and weekly peer support journal entries. This qualitative study aims to understand the role of a peer support specialist, and to identify potential benefits of the peer support model, challenges inherent in the model and needs for program improvement.