Peer Support as a Social Capital Strategy for Programs Serving Individuals Reentering from Incarceration and Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence or Human Sex Trafficking

Many human services programs recognize the power of “social capital,” or the value that arises from relationships. This report offers insight into how programs use peer supports to help build social capital with participants who are reentering the community after incarceration or are survivors of intimate partner violence or sex trafficking. Three overarching themes on the use of peer supports in these settings that are described in the report are:

1. Considering and responding to trauma to advance healing;
2. Valuing the cultural context of program participants; and
3. Respecting the role of peer support providers.

Related Products:

• Research Brief: Peer-to-Peer Supports: Promoting Employment and Well-Being
• The Value of Relationships: Improving Human Services Participant Outcomes through Social Capital
• Project CARE Case Study
• Douglas County Community Mental Health Center Case Study
• Social Capital Considerations for the Incarcerated and Reentry Population