Written on February 11, 2021
In 2020, this course was revised by a National Advisory Committee provided for updating to a virtual platform. Pilots have been extremely successful, and we can now say:
Peer Supporter training courses are now completely virtual! Peer Supporter trainings will be offered on a pre-scheduled basis, most months of the year.
Advantages to this updated model include the ability to train Peer Supporters throughout the year, intermixed with candidates from all Phoenix SOAR programs, cost savings for your facility (no travel expenses to bring instructors in), Peer Supporter candidates complete modules at their own pace, and learn how to provide support virtually (so important in current times!) This can also serve as a refresher course for your previously trained Peer Supporters.
The curriculum includes 4 hours of pre-course modules and quizzes, along with a 4 hour live (virtual) course with National Instructors. This may be completed from participants’ homes (pending adequate bandwidth to use webcam and Zoom or WebEx).
Manuals are now updated, revised, and in digital format.
We’re excited to roll out an upgraded and fully digital Phoenix SOAR program in 2021! Beginning in March, Phoenix Society is offering virtual quarterly Coordinator trainings.
Phoenix SOAR Coordinators keep peer support programs running smoothly in hospitals nationwide. Together, you make hope and connection possible for thousands of burn survivors and their loved ones each year.
These are 2.5 hours in length, held 4 times per year. This activity has been submitted to the Ohio Nurses Association for approval to award contact hours. The Ohio Nurses Association is accredited as an approver of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. (OBN-001-91)
Each hospital must have two Lead Coordinators, so we've also developed a Lead Coordinator module.
Manuals are now updated, revised, and in digital format.
Don't forget to check the Phoenix SOAR Coordinator hub for reports, interview forms, and so much more.
See below for dates of upcoming Peer Supporter and Coordinator Trainings.
Peer Supporter Trainings
March 27, 2021
May 22, 2021
June 26, 2021
August 28, 2021
September 25, 2021
October 30, 2021
November 20, 2021
Coordinator Trainings
March 17, 2021
June 9, 2021
September 8, 2021
December 8, 2021
Prior to course participation, we require registration and full screening by the Phoenix SOAR Hospital Coordinator (Peer Supporters only). Invoice payment must be complete at least 2 weeks prior to the course date. We encourage registration as soon as possible to secure a slot in your desired course.
To register or learn more, contact us.
We’d like to share the many ways that we are updating the Phoenix SOAR program, including transformation and innovation for the digital world. We are so excited about the ways that these updates will allow coordinators nationwide to grow their own Phoenix SOAR programs!
Please watch the video for updates from the Phoenix SOAR team and find more information below.
Programs are coping with covid-related restrictions in many different ways. If your hospital continues to limit in-person volunteering, consider virtual visits (such as via Zoom, using anonymous links). In the video above, listen to Phoenix SOAR Coordinator Kristen Quinn share how her team at the University of Utah Burn Center has addressed virtual peer support and found unexpected benefits.
At Phoenix Society, we believe virtual visits and virtual support groups fill an important gap and plan to keep expanding our digital offerings long after in-person peer support resumes.
This online hub offers information, inspiration, and connection for survivors and their loved ones, as well as continuing education for Peer Supporters.
As we expand our collection, we would love to share resources from our community partners. Fact sheets, articles, videos, survivor stories, and more - submit a resource here.
Check out the Community Calendar for the latest info on burn community events across the US and beyond. Feel free to submit your own one-time or recurring event.
Finally, submit your organization's information to the Burn Resource Directory. This directory will be posted on Phoenix Society's website to help survivors and their loved ones connect with local and regional support.
Based on community feedback, we’re bringing you even more in 2021: Phoenix WBC Engage, Phoenix World Burn Congress, Virtual Support Groups, Peer Support Chat, and more. (You can still catch some sessions from Phoenix WBC 2020 here.)
Save the dates!
Phoenix WBC Engage (virtual) - May 14, 2020
Phoenix World Burn Congress (virtual) - October 22 - 24, 2020
In 2021, these community touchstones will once again offer inspirational speakers, Open Mic, information and learning sessions, and support opportunities.
Please welcome Jess Irven into her new role as Program Manager of Peer Support! Reach out to Jess for more information on Phoenix SOAR, course registrations, or the next steps with your program.
We are excited about the future of the Phoenix SOAR program, and we look forward to collaborating with our partners across the country to serve the burn community in 2021.