HOPHonest, Open, Proud (HOP): A Peer Delivered, Co-occurring Disorders Intervention for Justice-involved Veterans

Audit and Feedback will be our low intensity implementation strategy. Peer specialists and key stakeholders will receive monthly data reports on VA-HOP delivery (e.g. number of sessions delivered, number of Veterans served) and fidelity data with written feedback. Peers will have the opportunity to join an optional, monthly virtual session to discuss their report with a quantitative expert.

Implementation Facilitation will be our high intensity implementation strategy. Peer specialists and other key stakeholders will participate in biweekly virtual meetings with an external facilitator. Facilitation activities serve a range of functions spanning problem-solving, relationship-building, and goal setting and planning. Activities are selected based on site progress and needs.

VA-HOP is an evidence-based, peer-delivered group intervention designed to help individuals navigate decisions about disclosure of behavioral health conditions. The intervention consists of three lessons comprising nine structured tasks that guide participants through decisions of disclosure aimed at reducing self-stigma. The goal of HOP is not to force disclosure; rather, it empowers participants to decide whether, when, and how disclosure may occur. VA-HOP is facilitated by a peer specialist with a group of 8-10 participants, and sessions can be broken down into a 45-minute weekly session for 9 weeks or 3 weekly 2 1/4-hour blocks. The first lesson covers the short- and long-term benefits and risks of disclosure and non-disclosure. The second lesson addresses the different levels of disclosure, emphasizing that disclosure exists on a continuum and can vary depending on the context and audience. The third lesson focuses on how to tell one's recovery story.