By Redaccion
Redaccion@latinocc.com
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors has approved a new partnership between Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office to establish a peer support program at the Family Justice Centers.
Funded through the Proposition 63 Mental Health Services Act, VCBH will allocate $1.25 million to the initiative through June 30, 2026. The program aims to provide critical peer support to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, helping them navigate their recovery process with guidance from trained specialists who have firsthand experience overcoming similar challenges.
Building a Survivor-Centered Support System
The funding will support the research, development, and implementation of a peer support model designed specifically for adult survivors. The initiative seeks to foster resilience and empowerment by offering mentorship and assistance in accessing behavioral health resources.
“This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault with compassionate, effective support,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said. “Peer specialists, who can relate firsthand to these experiences, will be instrumental in guiding victims on their journey to healing.”
The program will employ trained Peer Specialists, including a Peer Specialist Supervisor, to provide both one-on-one and group support. It will also introduce child watch services to allow participants to fully engage in program activities. Outreach efforts will focus on increasing community awareness, while ongoing training will ensure that peer specialists are equipped with self-care and trauma intervention techniques.
To maintain effectiveness, the initiative will incorporate regular evaluations to assess its impact and identify areas for improvement. The goal is to create an evidence-based peer support model that can be expanded and implemented by other qualified organizations.
Collaboration and Long-Term Impact
The District Attorney’s Office will work closely with VCBH to implement the program, ensuring that survivors receive peer-guided support in connecting with behavioral health services and other community resources. The partnership will also coordinate training opportunities and public outreach efforts to expand awareness of available victim support services.
“Peers have become a vital part of the VCBH system of care,” said County Behavioral Health Director Dr. Loretta Denering. “Consumers note that peers provide unique perspectives and offer an understanding that comes from their lived experiences. Benefits include increased engagement, hope, and connection. Introducing this program to the Family Justice Center is a powerful and empowering approach to services in this field.”
The program structure includes peer navigation support during intake, a train-the-trainer model for scalability, and staffing through a vendor selected via a competitive bidding process, following Ventura County procurement guidelines.
This initiative reinforces Ventura County’s commitment to expanding victim services and creating a trauma-informed support network for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
