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Peer Support

Providing immediate connection for youth and families entering VOA's services.

At VOA Alaska, peer support is integrated into every level of care. By sharing their lived experience, peer supporters build a relationship of trust and understanding between our team and the youth and families in our care.

Providing Immediate Engagement and Connection

VOA’s Access & Engagement team exists to support youth and families the moment they reach out for help. Consisting of peer supporters and a mental health clinician, this team provides:

    • Pre-assessment therapeutic support
    • Reducing barriers and opening access to care
    • Family support
    • Community outreach
    • Engagement activities
    • Crisis intervention

Providing Guidance on the Journey of Recovery and Healing

VOA’s outpatient, residential, supportive housing, and family programs include peer supporters and additional staff with lived experience. Working alongside our clinical team, they provide:

    • Mentorship in recovery
    • Life-skills development
    • Case management
    • Support for housing, education, and employment
    • Empowering youth in their transition to adulthood
Three people posing with big smiles
Two people hugging and another leaning on the shoulder of the middle person
Seconds after a pose, with two people still hugging and one walking out of frame laughing

A few of VOA Alaska’s friendly Peer Support Specialists.

Ready to Get Started with
Behavioral Health Services?

We know reaching out for help can be difficult. That’s why the team at VOA Alaska is committed to making entry into our services as easy as possible for you.

Getting Started with Services
Getting Started with Services

VOA Alaska’s integrated behavioral health team provides children, teens, and young adults with care and support for a range of needs, including depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, drug and alcohol use, anger management, life skills development, and severe mental health or substance use disorders.

Our integrated services provide wrap-around care for youth and their families.

VOA Alaska’s array of behavioral health services creates a continuum of care, allowing our team to meet the specific needs of each child and teen that walks through our door while remaining flexible in providing the right level of care at the right time.

Entering our services for substance use counseling? Once a teen graduates from treatment, they can continue their mental health counseling with the same team. 

Receiving services for depression or anxiety? A young adult in our services can also learn life skills, like how to apply for a job or education. We are here for youth every step of the way.

Two staff members posing with a youth, smiling, outside
Group of three people sharing a happy conversation
Therapist holding up two fingers during an EMDR session
Therapist and a youth using a sand tray during a session
A baby holding up a ball while a staff member and the young parent smile
Three people in car smiling for a selfie
Youth celebrating day treatment graduation
Youth smiling in conversation in group counseling
Person with long, bright red hair giving a peace sign in front of a wall decorated for Pride Month
Meet Our Behavioral Health Team
Learn More About Our Integrated Services

VOA Alaska’s priority admission criteria includes those who are pregnant, injecting substances, pregnant and injecting substances, involved in Office of Children Services or Division of Juvenile Justice or youth experiencing homelessness.

VOA Alaska’s treatment programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities (CARF) and are approved by the State of Alaska’s Division of Behavioral Health.

Not sure if VOA Alaska is right for you and your family?

Our free Behavioral Health Consultations allow you to connect with one of our clinicians, discuss the needs and goals of your child or family, and learn more about our services. Call (907) 279-9640 to get started today or complete a brief online form.

Who is eligible for services with our peer support team?

All current VOA Alaska youth, ages 14-24, may receive services offered by our Peer Support Specialists, including career and education counseling, family support, and life skills development.

Medicaid and most insurance are accepted and billed, and no one is turned away due to the inability to pay. We offer cash discount and sliding fee scale options as needed to assist with payment. At intake, our billing specialist will work with your family to develop a fee schedule and payment plan that best meets your needs. Click here to view fees by service.

Our team knows that reaching out for help can be challenging. That’s why we make entering our services as easy as possible. Click here to get started today.

Just want to learn more first? Behavioral Health Consultations allow you to connect with one of our clinicians, talk about needs and goals, and learn more about our services.

Rapid Connections is also available daily. Find hope and encouragement though a conversation with a Peer Support Specialist. Learn from their unique perspectives on how they overcame their own challenges related to mental health or substance misuse.

An assessment is like an interview. It’s an opportunity for the clinician to get know a client and learn their goals, hopes, and needs. This will allow the team to ensure they are placed in the level of care that best fits their needs.

Our free Behavioral Health Consultations allow you to connect with one of our clinicians, talk about needs and goals, and learn more about our services.

Rapid Connections is also available daily. Find hope and encouragement though a conversation with a Peer Support Specialist. Learn from their unique perspectives on how they overcame their own challenges related to mental health or substance misuse.

Call (907) 279-9640 to get started today. 

You can find more detailed descriptions of our Behavioral Health programs, our Code of Ethics and Conduct, and descriptions of our privacy practices in our Behavioral Health Programs Handbook.

Reviewing the handbook is required for all clients when registering for services.

Yes! Many of our mental health clinicians across our behavioral health programs are trained in EMDR therapy, including outpatient mental health, residential treatment, and school-based services.

For those enrolled in VOA Alaska’s care, EMDR is one component of an individualized, strength-based treatment plan—and it can be done both in-person and via telehealth for youth anywhere in Alaska.

As a specialized service, VOA Alaska also provides EMDR therapy to individuals who visit an outside therapist. Our clinical team will work together with the therapist and family to identify barriers and ensure the highest level of care.

Read the Latest from Our Behavioral Health Programs