Peer Coaching Program: Get Trained and Volunteer with Us

What is Peer Coaching?

Every day, families across the country navigate the heartbreaking realities of addiction. In 2023, over 107,000 people lost their lives to an overdose, and 17% of the U.S. population struggles with addiction. Nearly half of Americans, 46%, have a close friend or family member facing addiction.

We know that when families are involved, outcomes improve for those who are struggling and for the family members themselves. But here’s the problem: Families continue to be underappreciated and underutilized in solutions for addressing this addiction crisis. Most families do not have access to evidence-based strategies to support their loved ones. Instead, they experience stress, anxiety, isolation, stigma, and financial hardship.

At Partnership to End Addiction, we believe families shouldn’t have to navigate these difficult times alone. That’s why we created the Peer Coaching Program, a free, four-week service connecting parents looking for support with trained peer coaches via text or phone. Our peer coaches are parents who have walked this path themselves and now offer compassionate, nonjudgmental support to others.

Interested in becoming a Peer Coach at the Partnership?

Our 12-week training program equips future peer coaches with the skills needed to support parents navigating a loved one’s substance use. The training includes:

• Weekly two-hour live Zoom sessions
• Homework assignments to reinforce learning
• Practice with training simulations for hands-on practice

Training Structure

Part 1: Intro to the Partnership Model

Builds foundational knowledge of addiction, behavior change, and evidence-based family support strategies.

Topics Include:

• Families Matter
• Understanding Addiction
• Insight (Self Awareness, Self Compassion)
• Communication Skills
• Behavioral Tools
• New Perspectives

Part 2: The Art of Coaching

Focuses on how to coach effectively, applying communication and behavioral strategies in real-world scenarios.

Topics Include:

• What is Coaching?
• Best Practice
• Integrating Communication Skills into coaching
• Stages of Change
• Navigating Emotional Stress and Crisis Situations

What does coaching involve?

Completing our training is the first step to becoming a peer coach. After completing the 12-week training, participants will apply to become volunteers with the Partnership. Our team carefully reviews applications, considering performance and engagement throughout the training, to determine eligibility and fitness for a coaching role.

Those selected to become peer coaches must meet the following commitments:

• Time Commitment: Minimum one-year volunteer commitment. New coaches usually spend about 3 to 5 hours per week involved in peer coaching.
• Role: All new coaches begin by coaching over text before moving on to phone-based coaching.
• Clinical Support Meetings: Once coaching begins, attendance at a monthly clinical support meeting to discuss current cases and challenges.
• Continuing Education: Participation in a monthly continuing education meeting to deepen knowledge

Am I eligible to be a Peer Coach at the Partnership?

If you have lived experience as a parent navigating your child’s substance use and feel ready to support others, we encourage you to apply. No professional background in counseling or addiction support is required, just your personal experience, empathy, and willingness to help others. Ready to make a difference? Start with training and see where your journey takes you!

When is the next training session?

We are currently accepting applications for our Fall 2025 Training Session.

Peer Coaching Training Schedule:

Peer Coach Training will run from September 10, 2025 to December 10, 2025. It will be held via Zoom on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 PM ET. Participants can join via computer or phone.

Schedule Overview:

September 10 – October 15 – Part 1: Introduction to the Partnership Model

October 22 – Break Between Parts 1 and 2

October 29 – December 10 – Part 2: The Art of Coaching (with one week off on November 26th for Thanksgiving Break)

How do I sign up?

Filled out the form below to apply to training.

If you represent a local organization or jurisdiction interested in bringing a Peer Coach Training to your community, please contact solutions@toendaddiction.org.

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