One of the peer professional skills I would like us to talk about much more is resource navigation.
Sometimes resource support gets reduced to:
“Here is a phone number.”
There are certainly times when that is exactly what someone needs.
But meaningful resource navigation can involve much more.
SAMHSA's peer-worker competencies specifically include maintaining current information about community resources, helping people investigate and select resources, and supporting them in using the resources and services they want.
That is not simply referral.
It is a skill.
Start with the actual need
Someone says:
“I need a job.”
That sounds straightforward.
But what might be underneath it?
Transportation.
Identification.
Childcare.
A resume.
Internet access.
Interview clothing.
A criminal record.
Benefits concerns.
Training.
Recovery-friendly employment.
Confidence.
Fear of explaining a gap in employment.
If we immediately hand over the number for an employment agency, we may have identified a resource without fully understanding the problem.
A better starting point might be:
“Tell me a little more about what would make getting back to work possible for you right now.”
That question can completely change what resource becomes useful.
Resources have to fit the person
The existence of a program does not automatically make it useful.
Imagine recommending a service that:
requires transportation someone does not have,
operates only while they are working,
requires documents they cannot currently obtain,
has a six-month waiting list,
serves a different county,
costs more than they can afford,
or stopped offering the service six months ago.
Technically, we made a referral.
Practically, we did not create much access.
That is why resource navigation requires curiosity.
THE AP4L RESOURCE NAVIGATION PATH
I like thinking about resource navigation as six connected steps:
NEED → OPTIONS → FIT → ACCESS → CHOICE → FOLLOW-UP
1. NEED
What does the person actually need?
Try:
“What would be most helpful right now?”
“What is making this situation difficult?”
“If one thing became easier, what would make the biggest difference?”
Do not assume the presenting problem tells the whole story.
2. OPTIONS
What resources might help?
Try generating more than one possibility whenever appropriate.
A single referral can easily become:
“Take it or leave it.”
Options create choice.
3. FIT
Does the resource actually fit this person?
Consider:
location,
eligibility,
culture,
language,
accessibility,
cost,
recovery pathway,
schedule,
personal preference,
and previous experience.
A resource can be excellent and still not be the right resource for this individual.
4. ACCESS
What could make the resource difficult to use?
Ask:
“What might get in the way of connecting with them?”
That may uncover:
transportation,
phone access,
internet,
documents,
fear,
stigma,
childcare,
mobility,
literacy,
or previous negative experiences.
Now we can problem-solve around the actual obstacle.
5. CHOICE
What does the person want to do?
This matters.
Peer support is person-centered and voluntary. The individual remains the primary decision-maker.
Instead of:
“You need to call this program.”
Try:
“Which of these options feels most useful to you?”
6. FOLLOW-UP
What happened?
A referral that looked promising may not have worked.
That does not necessarily mean the person failed.
Maybe the resource was outdated.
Maybe eligibility changed.
Maybe nobody answered.
Maybe another barrier appeared.
Follow-up lets us learn.
PRACTICAL TOOL: THE RESOURCE VETTING CHECK
Before placing a resource into your regular referral list, check:
RESOURCE NAME
What is the actual name of the organization or program?
PURPOSE
What specific need does it address?
SERVICE AREA
Where does it operate?
ELIGIBILITY
Who qualifies?
COST
Free, sliding scale, insurance, private pay?
ACCESS
In person, virtual, phone?
HOURS
When can someone actually reach them?
DOCUMENTATION
What does someone need to bring or provide?
WAIT TIME
Can someone access the service immediately?
CONTACT
Is the phone number, email, or website current?
LIMITATIONS
What does the service not provide?
LAST VERIFIED
When did someone last confirm this information?
That final field matters.
A resource list can become outdated surprisingly quickly.
PRACTICE SCENARIO
Someone tells you:
“I'm staying with my sister, but I can't stay there much longer. I need housing.”
Before searching for housing programs, try exploring:
How soon do they need housing?
Are they currently safe?
What geographic area do they need to remain in?
Do they have income?
Are children involved?
Are there accessibility needs?
What housing situations would not feel safe or appropriate?
What resources have they already tried?
Now the resource search becomes much more targeted.
RESOURCE NAVIGATION WITHOUT TAKING OVER
One of the most important questions in peer practice is:
How much support is helpful?
Sometimes someone may need us to sit beside them while they make a call.
Sometimes they may want us to help write down questions beforehand.
Sometimes they may ask us to accompany them.
Sometimes all they need is accurate information.
The goal is not:
“Do everything yourself.”
And it is not:
“Do everything for them.”
The goal is:
Use the amount of support that helps the person move forward while preserving as much ownership as possible.
A WEEKLY RESOURCE-BUILDING PRACTICE
For peer professionals and human-services teams:
Choose one resource category each week.
For example:
Housing.
Food.
Transportation.
Employment.
Healthcare.
Peer support.
Childcare.
Legal assistance.
Education.
Then:
Find three resources.
Verify the information.
Record eligibility and limitations.
Identify common access obstacles.
Add the verification date.
In ten weeks, you have thirty vetted resources instead of a random collection of phone numbers.
That is how a usable resource library begins.
Putting It Into Practice
Pause Before You Assign Worksheet
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g2pfY7EdpHcLV223bZwxFU21e3V1C4mI/view?usp=sharing
This week, choose one resource you recommend regularly.
Do not assume it is still accurate.
Verify it.
Then ask:
Who is this best suited for?
Who might have difficulty accessing it?
What should someone know before contacting them?
What alternatives exist if this option does not work?
That is resource navigation.
Not simply knowing where resources exist.
Knowing enough to help someone find, evaluate, access, and choose among them.
Sources & Further Reading
SAMHSA, Core Competencies for Peer Workers in Behavioral Health Services.
Core Competencies for Peer Workers in Behavioral Health Services
SAMHSA, Peer Support Workers for Those in Recovery.
Peer Support Specialist Fact Sheet
SAMHSA, TIP 64: Incorporating Peer Support Into Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services.
Incorporating Peer Support Into Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services - NCBI Bookshelf
