Peer to Community (P2C) Model: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Summary

This study has been designed to conduct a pilot evaluation of a novel model of support aimed at promoting community integration (CI) following homelessness. This model is called the Peer to Community Model (P2C). The P2C model is an outreach peer support model aimed at facilitating CI for individuals living with concurrent disorders following homelessness. This approach uses relationship-building and engagement in meaningful activity facilitated by peer support specialists (PSS) in concert with occupational therapy (OT) and social work (SW) consultation. This model includes four distinct components: 1) peer support delivered in a community space dedicated to the program or community locations at a maximum ratio of 10:1; 2) OT and SW offering consultation to PSSs and service users; 3) a weekly support meeting for PSSs, OT and SW aimed at providing a venue for problem-solving through complex cases and providing mutual emotional support in the context of service delivery with a complex population; and 4) opportunities for social enterprise (developing ideas for income generation) within the community space.

\*\*\*NOTE: This is a single model of support that includes the components identified above - these are not separate interventions, but various components of one intervention designed in previous research by the study team.

In this clinical trial, the investigators will implement the P2C model for the first time. The study team will conduct a pilot study using an open randomized controlled trial, crossover design. A total of 20 participants will be assigned randomly to the intervention group, where they will receive P2C supports at baseline, and 20 participants will be assigned to a waitlist condition for six months, after which time, they will be offered the P2C intervention. Participants will be interviewed at baseline and every three months using mixed (qualitative and quantitative) interviews. Waitlisted participants will be interviewed during these same intervals using the same interview protocols, and while waiting, will receive care as usual.

Conditions

• Social Inclusion
• Mental Illness
• Substance Use Disorders

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Peer to Community (P2C) Model

The P2C model is an outreach model including peer support, occupational therapy and social work aimed at facilitating community integration through relationship building and meaningful activity engagement for individuals living with concurrent disorders following homelessness.

BEHAVIORAL

Care as Usual (UC)

Participants in this group will receive care available typically in the community

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Providence Care Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Trellis HIV and Community Care, Kingston, ON, Canada

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Western University, Canada

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Carrie Anne Marshall, PhD · Western University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

16 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-05-15

Primary Completion

2024-05-19

Completion

2025-09-01

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations