Dear Mental Health Professional,
Thank you for your interest in referring your client to Compeer Buffalo. Our program serves as an extra layer of support for individuals receiving mental health treatment. We believe that our volunteers, through the healing power of friendship, contribute to the mental well-being of those we serve. Volunteers commit to spending four hours each month for one year with their “friend”.
Below you will find the eligibility requirements, a list of responsibilities for all parties to agree to and the referral application.
Once the application is received and processed by our team, it will be determined if our service is appropriate for the client at this time. The outcome of the determination will be communicated to you by email/phone within 2 weeks of receipt. If accepted, matches are made based on several factors such as age, culture, personality traits, interests, level of client need, level of experience of the volunteer, and geographical location. The information you provide in the application will help us make the best possible match, so being as thorough as possible is helpful. Based on compatibility matching it is difficult to predict how long it will take to find an appropriate volunteer for your client. Once a client is accepted into the program, they are eligible to attend our free social engagement activities while waiting to be matched.Eligibility Requirements
Client:
• is age 6 or older
• has a primary diagnosis of a identified mental health disorder
• is receiving mental health counseling/treatment
• is interested in spending time with a volunteer in the community
• is in the recovery phase of their illness and:
- is not verbally or physically aggressive
- does not have thoughts to harm self or others
- is not acutely suicidal
ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities of Referral Source/Mental Health Professional
• Available to answer questions that Compeer may have to help determine the most successful match for the client and volunteer.
• Available to discuss issues of concern throughout the match.
• Notify Compeer of any changes in client’s mental health, mental health provider, or contact information.
• Notify Compeer if you close with the client you refer as soon as possible. This applies to clients waiting to be matched and clients matched.
• If you make the referral but do not intend to be the primary contact for Compeer, please provide the alternate contact information in this referral.
• Completes the annual survey.
Responsibilities of Compeer
• Will recruit, interview, screen and provide training to volunteers before they are matched and give ongoing support and training during the match
• Will monitor the volunteer and client relationship via phone/email and monthly update forms and will advise mental health professional of any concerns that may arise.
• Will get to know the client via communication at time of referral, Compeer events, and checking in by phone.
Responsibilities of Parent/Guardian (if client is 17 or younger)
• Supports the referral
• Commits to working in partnership with Compeer
• Commits to completing annual survey
• Agrees to completing all necessary paperwork