Peer Navigator Employment Training Program: A Health Care Transition Service-Training Model
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Health care transition (HCT) service disparities are evident for youth and young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities when compared to other populations of youth and young adults with chronic conditions, resulting in service discontinuities in accessing adult-focused care and acquisition of developmental milestones associated with adulthood. Models of care to address their unique needs for services have been reported to advance acquisition of HCT outcomes.
Methodology: An innovative HCT service model, Peer Navigator Employment Training Program (PNETP) is described in this paper. The PNETP is a service-training model focused on providing HCT services to youth and young adults and concomitantly training individuals with intellectual and /or developmental disabilities to serve as HCT peer navigators. The PNETP training program features a unique partnership among intellectual and/pr developmental disability service and employment agencies and a regional pediatric medical center.
Preliminary Findings. A description of the PNETP is presented together with pilot data describing the PNETP implementation. Integral to the development of this model are the ongoing efforts to gather data from potential and actual users. Parental input was elicited for programmatic development. Descriptive data obtained with the initiation of PNETP is presented.
Conclusions. Preliminary PNETP implementation and programmatic pilot data suggest promise for its dual purpose of facilitating employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities as peer navigators in healthcare and social service settings and services for transition-aged youth and young adults. This specialty community health worker role shows not only promise for HCT navigation but for other specialty care services that would benefit from peer navigation support.
Article Details
How to Cite
MIRZAIAN, Christine Bottrell et al.
Peer Navigator Employment Training Program: A Health Care Transition Service-Training Model.
Medical Research Archives, [S.l.], v. 13, n. 3, mar. 2025.
ISSN 2375-1924.
Available at: <https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/6446>. Date accessed: 06 apr. 2025.
doi: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v3i3.6446.
Section
Research Articles
The Medical Research Archives grants authors the right to publish and reproduce the unrevised contribution in whole or in part at any time and in any form for any scholarly non-commercial purpose with the condition that all publications of the contribution include a full citation to the journal as published by the Medical Research Archives.
References
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14. Oakes, L R, Nichols TR, Schleien SJ, Strack RW, & Milroy JJ Exploring Inclusion of College Students with IDD in Campus Recreation Through the Lens of Recreation Departments’ Organizational Level Stakeholders. Recreational Sports Journal. 2021; 45(1), 34-51. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558866120982594
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19. California Department of Developmental Services, National Core Indicators Accessed on December 10, 2024 from https://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/nci/
20. Ahonkhai AA, Kuti KM, Hirschhorn LR, et al. Successful Implementation Strategies in iCARE Nigeria-A Pilot Intervention with Text Message Reminders and Peer Navigation for Youth Living with HIV. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2023;8(11):498. Published 2023 Nov 16. doi:10.3390/tropicalmed8110498
21. Cunningham WE, Weiss RE, Nakazono T, et al. Effectiveness of a Peer Navigation Intervention to Sustain Viral Suppression Among HIV-Positive Men and Transgender Women Released From Jail: The LINK LA Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2018;178(4):542-553. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.0150
22. Freeman HP, Rodriguez RL. History and principles of patient navigation. Cancer. 2011;117(15 Suppl):3539-3542. doi:10.1002/cncr.26262
23. Hailemariam M, Weinstock LM, Johnson JE. Peer navigation for individuals with serious mental illness leaving jail: a pilot randomized trial study protocol. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2020;6:114. Published 2020 Aug 17. doi:10.1186/s40814-020-00659-1
24. Kelly E, Fulginiti A, Pahwa R, Tallen L, Duan L, Brekke JS. A pilot test of a peer navigator intervention for improving the health of individuals with serious mental illness. Community Ment Health J. 2014;50(4):435-446. doi:10.1007/s10597-013-9616-4
25. Marsack-Topolewski C, Milberger S, Janks E, Anderson N, Bray M, Samuel PS. Evaluation of peer-mediated systems navigation for ageing families of individuals with developmental disabilities. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2023;67(5):462-474. doi:10.1111/jir.13024
26. Littlewood K, Cooper L, Rosenthal M, Averett P, Yelick A, Bennett R. Children’s Home Network’s Kinship Navigator Program: Connecting to Concrete Resources Through Peer-to-Peer Kinship Navigation Services. Families in Society, 2024;105(1), 139-151. https://doi.org/10.1177/10443894231196283
27. Pagkas-Bather J, Jaramillo J, Henry J, et al. What's PrEP?: peer navigator acceptability among minority MSM in Washington. BMC Public Health. 2020;20(1):248. Published 2020 Feb 18. doi:10.1186/s12889-020-8325-5
28. Rocha-Jiménez T, Pitpitan EV, Cazares R, Smith LR. "He is the Same as Me": Key Populations' Acceptability and Experience of a Community-Based Peer Navigator Intervention to Support Engagement in HIV Care in Tijuana, Mexico. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2021;35(11):449-456. doi:10.1089/apc.2021.0069
29. Kangovi S, Mitra N, Norton L, et al. Effect of Community Health Worker Support on Clinical Outcomes of Low-Income Patients Across Primary Care Facilities: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2018;178(12):1635-1643. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.4630
30. World Health Organization. Constitution. Accessed October 25, 2024 from: https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution
31. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Community Health Workers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/community-health-workers.htm (visited December 15, 2024). Thursday, August 29, 2024
32. Herman AA. Community Health Workers and Integrated Primary Health Care Teams in the 21st Century. Journal of Ambulatory Care Management. 2011; 34 (4): 354-361. doi: 10.1097/JAC.0b013e31822cbcd0.
33. Carter N, Valaitis RK, Lam A, Feather J, Nicholl J, Cleghorn L. Navigation delivery models and roles of navigators in primary care: a scoping literature review. BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):96. Published 2018 Feb 8. doi:10.1186/s12913-018-2889-0
34. Valaitis RK, Carter N, Lam A, Nicholl J, Feather J, Cleghorn L. Implementation and maintenance of patient navigation programs linking primary care with community-based health and social services: a scoping literature review. BMC Health Serv Res. 2017;17(1):116. Published 2017 Feb 6. doi:10.1186/s12913-017-2046-1
35. Gale, N. K., Heath, G., Cameron, E., Rashid, S., & Redwood, S. (2013). Using the framework method for the analysis of qualitative data in multi-disciplinary health research. BMC medical research methodology, 13, 117. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-13-117
36. California Department of Developmental Services. Current initiatives and efforts to advance employment for Californians with intellectual/developmental disabilities (ID/DD). Paid Internship Programs.Accessed on December 10, 2024 from: https://www.dds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/EmploymentWG_Handout_12132021.pdf
37. Betz CL, Ferris ME, Woodward JF, Okumura MJ, Jan S, Wood DL. The health care transition research consortium health care transition model: a framework for research and practice. J Pediatr Rehabil Med. 2014;7(1):3-15. doi:10.3233/PRM-140277
38. Mirzaian CB, Solomon O, Setaghiyan H, et al. Enhancing access to early intervention by including parent navigators with lived experience in a pediatric medical home. Fam Syst Health. 2024;42(3):405-416. doi:10.1037/fsh0000864
39. Iverson E, Sayegh CS, Porter C, Tanaka D, Williams R, Reflections on developing a hospital-wide health care transition program, Health Care Transitions, 2025; 3,100090, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hctj.2024.100090.
40. Patton M, San Martin-Feeney D, Allemang B, Punjwani Z, Samborn S, Pfister K, Ryan L, Mackie AS, Samuel S, Dimitropoulos G,What skills do adolescents and young adults desire as they prepare for adult health care?, Health Care Transitions,2024; 2, 100049, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hctj.2024.100049.
41. Belton TD, Wu K, Steinway CM, Trachtenberg SW,Tchume-Johnson T, Shilly S, Austin T,Luma S, Smith K, Smith-Whitley K, Rubin D, Jan S, Training young adults as community health workers specializing in pediatric to adult health care transition to support emerging adults with sickle cell disease, Health Care Transitions, 2024;2,100050, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hctj.2024.100050.
42. Markoulakis R, Weingust S, Foot J, Levitt A, The family navigation project: An innovation in working with families to match mental health services with their youth's needs. Can J Commun Ment Health, 2016; 35, 63-66. https://doi.org/10.7870/cjcmh-2016-026
43. Markoulakis R, Cader H, Wong K, Kodeeswaran S, Addison T, Walsh C, Charles J, Cheung M, Sur D, Willis D, Levitt A, The role of navigation services in supporting mental health and addictions care transitions: A qualitative exploration of perspectives from transitional-aged youth, family, and service providers (part 2), Health Care Transitions; 2025, 3, 100082, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hctj.2024.100082.
44. California Department of Industrial Relations. Division of Apprenticeship Standards.2024, Accessed October 25, 2024 from: https://www.dir.ca.gov/das/
45. California Health and Human Services Agency. Department of Health Care Access and Information. State-Issued Community Health Worker Certificate Guidance Letter, July 1, 2023. Accessed December 20 from: https://hcai.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/HCAI-CHWPR-Guidance-Letter.pdf
46. Cioe, P. A., Pinkston, M., Tashima, K. T., & Kahler, C. W. (2021). Peer navigation for smoking cessation in smokers with HIV: Protocol for a randomized clinical trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 110, 106435–106435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2021.106435
47. Spiro A, Oo SA, Marable D, Collins JP. A unique model of the community health worker: the MGH Chelsea Community Health Improvement team. Fam Community Health. 2012;35(2):147-160. doi:10.1097/FCH.0b013e3182465187
48. Carter N, Valaitis R, Feather J, Cleghorn L, Lam A. An Environmental Scan of Health and Social System Navigation Services in an Urban Canadian Community. SAGE Open Nursing. 2017;3. doi:10.1177/2377960816689566
2. Betz CL, Ferris ME, Woodward JF, Okumura MJ, Jan S, Wood DL. The health care transition research consortium health care transition model: a framework for research and practice. J Pediatr Rehabil Med. 2014;7(1):3-15. doi:10.3233/PRM-140277
3. Cromwell EA, Ostrenga JS, Todd JV, et al. Cystic fibrosis prevalence in the United States and participation in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry in 2020. J Cyst Fibros. 2023;22(3):436–442.
4. National Heart,Lung and Blood Disease What Is Sickle Cell Disease? Accessed June 3, 2024 from: 〈https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sickle-cell〉- disease#:~: text=The%20condition%20affects%20more%20than,born%20with%2 0sickle% 20cell%20trait. April 22, 2024.
5. Cheak-Zamora NC, Farmer JE, Mayfield WA, et al. Health care transition services for youth with autism spectrum disorders. Rehabil Psychol. 2014;59(3):340–348. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036725.
6. Cheak-Zamora NC, Yang X, Farmer JE, Clark M. Disparities in transition planning for youth with autism spectrum disorder. Pediatrics. 2013;131(3):447–454. https://doi. org/10.1542/peds.2012-1572.
7. Zablotsky Benjamin, et al. Health care transition planning among youth with ASD and other mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders. Matern Child Health J. 2020;24:796–804. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcf.2023.02.009.
8. Zablotsky B, Black LI, Maenner MJ, et al. Prevalence and Trends of Developmental Disabilities among Children in the United States: 2009-2017. Pediatrics. 2019;144(4):e20190811. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-0811
9. Zablotsky B, Ng AE, Black LI, Blumberg SJ. Diagnosed Developmental Disabilities in Children Aged 3–17 Years: United States, 2019–2021. NCHS Data Brief, no 473. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics.; 2023. https://doi.org/ 10.15620/cdc:129520.
10. Leeb RT, Danielson ML, Bitsko RH, et al. Support for Transition from Adolescent to Adult Health Care Among Adolescents With and Without Mental, Behavioral, and Developmental Disorders - United States, 2016-2017 [published correction appears in MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020 Oct 30;69(43):1611. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6943a6]. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020;69(34):1156-1160. Published 2020 Aug 28. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6934a2
11. Walsh C, Jones B, Schonwald A. Health Care Transition planning among adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2017;47(4):980–991. https:// doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-3020-1. PMID: 28078534.
12. Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative. NPM 12: Transition to adult health care, CSHCN age 12-17 years, 2020-2021 National Child Health Survey, Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB). Retrieved [02/20/2023] from [〈www.childhealthdata.org〉]
13. Newman L, Wagner M, Knokey AM, Marder C, Nagle K, Shaver D, Wei X, Cameto R, Contreras E, Ferguson K, Greene S, Schwarting M. The Post-High School Outcomes of Young Adults with Disabilities up to 8 Years After High School. A Report from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) (NCSER 2011-3005). 2011; Menlo Park, CA: SRI International.
14. Oakes, L R, Nichols TR, Schleien SJ, Strack RW, & Milroy JJ Exploring Inclusion of College Students with IDD in Campus Recreation Through the Lens of Recreation Departments’ Organizational Level Stakeholders. Recreational Sports Journal. 2021; 45(1), 34-51. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558866120982594
15. Grigal M, Dukes LL III, Walker Z. Advancing Access to Higher Education for Students with Intellectual Disability in the United States. Disabilities. 2021; 1(4):438-449. https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities1040030
16. Erickson, W., Lee, C., & von Schrader, S. 2018 Disability Status Report: United States. 2020. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability (YTI).
17. National Disability Institute Financial Inequality: Disability, Race and Poverty in America, Goodman N,,Morris M, Boston K Accessed on 12.10.2024 from: https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/disability-race-poverty-in-america.pdf
18. Siperstein GN, Parker RC, Drascher M. National snapshot of adults with intellectual disabilities in the labor force. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. 2013;39(3):157-165. doi:10.3233/JVR-130658
19. California Department of Developmental Services, National Core Indicators Accessed on December 10, 2024 from https://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/nci/
20. Ahonkhai AA, Kuti KM, Hirschhorn LR, et al. Successful Implementation Strategies in iCARE Nigeria-A Pilot Intervention with Text Message Reminders and Peer Navigation for Youth Living with HIV. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2023;8(11):498. Published 2023 Nov 16. doi:10.3390/tropicalmed8110498
21. Cunningham WE, Weiss RE, Nakazono T, et al. Effectiveness of a Peer Navigation Intervention to Sustain Viral Suppression Among HIV-Positive Men and Transgender Women Released From Jail: The LINK LA Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2018;178(4):542-553. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.0150
22. Freeman HP, Rodriguez RL. History and principles of patient navigation. Cancer. 2011;117(15 Suppl):3539-3542. doi:10.1002/cncr.26262
23. Hailemariam M, Weinstock LM, Johnson JE. Peer navigation for individuals with serious mental illness leaving jail: a pilot randomized trial study protocol. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2020;6:114. Published 2020 Aug 17. doi:10.1186/s40814-020-00659-1
24. Kelly E, Fulginiti A, Pahwa R, Tallen L, Duan L, Brekke JS. A pilot test of a peer navigator intervention for improving the health of individuals with serious mental illness. Community Ment Health J. 2014;50(4):435-446. doi:10.1007/s10597-013-9616-4
25. Marsack-Topolewski C, Milberger S, Janks E, Anderson N, Bray M, Samuel PS. Evaluation of peer-mediated systems navigation for ageing families of individuals with developmental disabilities. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2023;67(5):462-474. doi:10.1111/jir.13024
26. Littlewood K, Cooper L, Rosenthal M, Averett P, Yelick A, Bennett R. Children’s Home Network’s Kinship Navigator Program: Connecting to Concrete Resources Through Peer-to-Peer Kinship Navigation Services. Families in Society, 2024;105(1), 139-151. https://doi.org/10.1177/10443894231196283
27. Pagkas-Bather J, Jaramillo J, Henry J, et al. What's PrEP?: peer navigator acceptability among minority MSM in Washington. BMC Public Health. 2020;20(1):248. Published 2020 Feb 18. doi:10.1186/s12889-020-8325-5
28. Rocha-Jiménez T, Pitpitan EV, Cazares R, Smith LR. "He is the Same as Me": Key Populations' Acceptability and Experience of a Community-Based Peer Navigator Intervention to Support Engagement in HIV Care in Tijuana, Mexico. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2021;35(11):449-456. doi:10.1089/apc.2021.0069
29. Kangovi S, Mitra N, Norton L, et al. Effect of Community Health Worker Support on Clinical Outcomes of Low-Income Patients Across Primary Care Facilities: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2018;178(12):1635-1643. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.4630
30. World Health Organization. Constitution. Accessed October 25, 2024 from: https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution
31. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Community Health Workers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/community-health-workers.htm (visited December 15, 2024). Thursday, August 29, 2024
32. Herman AA. Community Health Workers and Integrated Primary Health Care Teams in the 21st Century. Journal of Ambulatory Care Management. 2011; 34 (4): 354-361. doi: 10.1097/JAC.0b013e31822cbcd0.
33. Carter N, Valaitis RK, Lam A, Feather J, Nicholl J, Cleghorn L. Navigation delivery models and roles of navigators in primary care: a scoping literature review. BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):96. Published 2018 Feb 8. doi:10.1186/s12913-018-2889-0
34. Valaitis RK, Carter N, Lam A, Nicholl J, Feather J, Cleghorn L. Implementation and maintenance of patient navigation programs linking primary care with community-based health and social services: a scoping literature review. BMC Health Serv Res. 2017;17(1):116. Published 2017 Feb 6. doi:10.1186/s12913-017-2046-1
35. Gale, N. K., Heath, G., Cameron, E., Rashid, S., & Redwood, S. (2013). Using the framework method for the analysis of qualitative data in multi-disciplinary health research. BMC medical research methodology, 13, 117. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-13-117
36. California Department of Developmental Services. Current initiatives and efforts to advance employment for Californians with intellectual/developmental disabilities (ID/DD). Paid Internship Programs.Accessed on December 10, 2024 from: https://www.dds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/EmploymentWG_Handout_12132021.pdf
37. Betz CL, Ferris ME, Woodward JF, Okumura MJ, Jan S, Wood DL. The health care transition research consortium health care transition model: a framework for research and practice. J Pediatr Rehabil Med. 2014;7(1):3-15. doi:10.3233/PRM-140277
38. Mirzaian CB, Solomon O, Setaghiyan H, et al. Enhancing access to early intervention by including parent navigators with lived experience in a pediatric medical home. Fam Syst Health. 2024;42(3):405-416. doi:10.1037/fsh0000864
39. Iverson E, Sayegh CS, Porter C, Tanaka D, Williams R, Reflections on developing a hospital-wide health care transition program, Health Care Transitions, 2025; 3,100090, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hctj.2024.100090.
40. Patton M, San Martin-Feeney D, Allemang B, Punjwani Z, Samborn S, Pfister K, Ryan L, Mackie AS, Samuel S, Dimitropoulos G,What skills do adolescents and young adults desire as they prepare for adult health care?, Health Care Transitions,2024; 2, 100049, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hctj.2024.100049.
41. Belton TD, Wu K, Steinway CM, Trachtenberg SW,Tchume-Johnson T, Shilly S, Austin T,Luma S, Smith K, Smith-Whitley K, Rubin D, Jan S, Training young adults as community health workers specializing in pediatric to adult health care transition to support emerging adults with sickle cell disease, Health Care Transitions, 2024;2,100050, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hctj.2024.100050.
42. Markoulakis R, Weingust S, Foot J, Levitt A, The family navigation project: An innovation in working with families to match mental health services with their youth's needs. Can J Commun Ment Health, 2016; 35, 63-66. https://doi.org/10.7870/cjcmh-2016-026
43. Markoulakis R, Cader H, Wong K, Kodeeswaran S, Addison T, Walsh C, Charles J, Cheung M, Sur D, Willis D, Levitt A, The role of navigation services in supporting mental health and addictions care transitions: A qualitative exploration of perspectives from transitional-aged youth, family, and service providers (part 2), Health Care Transitions; 2025, 3, 100082, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hctj.2024.100082.
44. California Department of Industrial Relations. Division of Apprenticeship Standards.2024, Accessed October 25, 2024 from: https://www.dir.ca.gov/das/
45. California Health and Human Services Agency. Department of Health Care Access and Information. State-Issued Community Health Worker Certificate Guidance Letter, July 1, 2023. Accessed December 20 from: https://hcai.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/HCAI-CHWPR-Guidance-Letter.pdf
46. Cioe, P. A., Pinkston, M., Tashima, K. T., & Kahler, C. W. (2021). Peer navigation for smoking cessation in smokers with HIV: Protocol for a randomized clinical trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 110, 106435–106435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2021.106435
47. Spiro A, Oo SA, Marable D, Collins JP. A unique model of the community health worker: the MGH Chelsea Community Health Improvement team. Fam Community Health. 2012;35(2):147-160. doi:10.1097/FCH.0b013e3182465187
48. Carter N, Valaitis R, Feather J, Cleghorn L, Lam A. An Environmental Scan of Health and Social System Navigation Services in an Urban Canadian Community. SAGE Open Nursing. 2017;3. doi:10.1177/2377960816689566