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Our Team and Our Purpose

The Utah Peer Network's Mission: To help promote the sustainability and strength of the peer movement in Utah by connecting a diverse network of peers that promotes a participatory process that centers on peers' voices.

 

UPN is an organization committed to the advancement of the peer support profession in Utah. Peer support, in substance use and mental health treatment, has been shown to be effective and efficient, and vital to the recovery process. The Utah Peer Network aims to support these peers as they evolve the profession by advocating at the individual, community, and legislative levels. 

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UPN also offers consultations and training for peers in the state who have questions about where to get jobs, training, certifications, or any other professional questions that come up. These quick 30-minute appointments can help point you in the right direction for your present and future as a peer support specialist. We also want to centralize and organize the training and certification process, including ongoing specialization training to better support peers after certification. This will allow for more work opportunities, but will also better support professional peers throughout the length of their careers. 

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Executive Director

BRAYDEN ROBINSON

CPSS, MSW, CSW

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Brayden Robinson is a graduate of the Weber State University Bachelor of Social Work program, where he received Summa Cum Laude honors, Social Work Departmental Honors, and Outstanding Graduate of the Year recognition. After graduating from Weber State, Brayden was accepted into and graduated from Columbia University's Master of Social Work program, where he studied Leadership, Management, and Entrepreneurship for Social Justice, focusing on macro-level social work interventions. He graduated with a 4.0 GPA and developed skills in non-profit leadership and development, program development and management, and social justice advocacy at all levels.


Brayden's recovery story began in March of 2018 when he chose to change his path from a successful career as a professionally trained chef to focus on the newfound passion for recovery and service that he developed in his early recovery in the rooms of 12-step recovery programs. It was during this transition that he was introduced to peer support work, and fell in love with the ability to use his lived/living expertise to support others in their recovery journeys. He loves that peer support is grounded in mutuality and respect for diverse backgrounds and loves supporting others in whatever their recovery journey looks like for them.


Brayden has worked as a certified peer support specialist and a supervisor of recovery support service programs, developing professional leadership abilities and a passion for organizational leadership, positive work culture development and macro social work practice focused on advocacy, program development, and implementation. At the Utah Peer Network, Brayden has led the creation of a statewide network of support and advocacy for and with peer support specialists at the grassroots level. He has developed training materials, provided technical assistance to large behavioral health organizations, and sits on many of the mental health and substance use-focused councils and committees impacting policy and practice from the individual to the legislative levels.

Volunteers

While Utah Peer Network doesn't offer traditional volunteer opportunities, we do love showing off our work to the community! If you have a unique set of skills, like technology, finance, fundraising, advocacy, or any others, really, reach out to us! Join our efforts to leverage peer support services to improve the behavioral health system in Utah.

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  • Northern Utah Peer Network Coordinator: Natalee Hanson

  • Central Utah Peer Network Coordinator: Sonja Mitchell

  • Utah County Peer Network Coordinator: TBD (Maybe you!)

  • Southern Utah Peer Network Coordinator: TBD (Maybe you!)

  • Northeastern Utah Peer Network Coordinator: TBD (Maybe you!)

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We couldn't change systems alone, and have had so many incredible people volunteer their time and energy to our cause. With that support, we've created real change in our systems. With your help, we can continue this into the future. 

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors consists of (most) of our founding members! Without their vision and passion, Utah Peer Network would not exist. â€‹Since our inception in 2022, our Directors have supported our mission and ensured we have the necessary resources to succeed, provided strong leadership through challenging times, and built connections in the community.

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  • Board Chair: Javier Alegre (BScB, CPSS, Executive Director, Jacky's RSS)

  • Board Secretary: Becca Brown (CPSS, Training & Program Director, USARA)

  • Board Treasurer: Mitch Staheli (Finance Director, USARA)

  • Director: Lisa Walker (1st UPN E.D., LCSW, CDWF, Private Practice Therapy)

  • Director: MaryJo McMillan (Executive Director, USARA)

  • Director: Julie Hardle (Recovery and Resiliency Director, Magellan Health; Utah Behavioral Health Commissioner)

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A special thank you to Lisa Walker, our original Interim Executive Director, who supported getting UPN off the ground and moving toward our vision. Thank you as well to Jules Martinez, LCSW at Jacky's Recovery Support Services, and Rob Wesemann, founding board members who have since moved on.

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