Peer-Mentoring for Self-Advocates with Dual Diagnosis

Hunter College School of Education was founded in 1870. It was the first teacher-preparation school in New York City. To this day, the college still produces excellent teachers, administrators, and counselors. But now it also does much more. Hunter College is committed to advancing scholarship to understand and improve communities. They do research and create programs that guide the academic, social, and emotional development of children, adolescents, and adults.

Hunter College School of Education proposes to develop, implement, and evaluate a peer mentoring program for adults with co-occurring intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental health diagnoses. This four-year initiative responds directly to the New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities' (CDD) priority to strengthen community-based, person-centered supports for individuals with dual diagnoses, while addressing gaps in access to mental health services, peer connection, and self-determination supports. 

Over the four-year grant period, the project will include the following core components:

Peer Mentoring Cohorts: Four to eight cohorts annually, each consisting of structured mentor-mentee relationships and 16 weekly mentoring sessions per cohort. 

Mentor Training and Supervision: Comprehensive mentor training led by a New York State-licensed psychologist, covering psychoeducation, communication skills, confidentiality, mandated reporting, boundaries, and crisis response protocols. Ongoing weekly supervision will support mentor wellbeing and program fidelity.

Psychoeducational Resources: Accessible videos, worksheets, and visual supports focused on emotional regulation, coping strategies, self-advocacy, and mental health awareness, developed using universal design principles.

Monthly Structured Social Events: Community-building activities designed to reduce isolation, strengthen peer relationships, and support social participation. 

Advisory Group Leadership: An inclusive Advisory Group comprised of individuals with lived experience of disability, family members, and cross-systems experts will guide program design, implementation, evaluation, and sustainability planning.

Clinical Oversight and Safety: The program will be overseen by a licensed psychologist with extensive experience in mental health practice and academic supervision. Clear safety and escalation protocols will be established for situations involving risk of harm to self or others. While mentors will not provide clinical treatment, clinical oversight ensures ethical practice, participant safety, and appropriate boundaries.

Evaluation and Outcomes: Hunter SOE will implement a rigorous mixed-methods evaluation plan to assess program effectiveness and systems impact. Quantitative data will be collected using Qualtrics and analyzed using SPSS, while qualitative data will capture participant experiences and perceived outcomes. Evaluation will focus on:

• Increased self-efficacy in managing mood and emotional well-being
• Increased use of coping strategies for emotional regulation
• Reduced stigma and increased social connection
• Growth in leadership and self-advocacy skills

Evaluation findings will be shared with participants and the Advisory Group in accessible formats and disseminated through peer-reviewed publication.

Project Length: 4 Years

Contract Start: April 1, 2026

Geographic Reach: Statewide

Total Funding: $200,000 per year

Current Status: Active