Partners in Equity and Empowerment through Resources and Support (PEERS) 

Mission:

PEERS uses an established near-peer model, Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) training and clinical framework, and comprehensive social needs assessment. As a service-learning experience at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, PEERS provides first- and second-year medical students with the opportunity to learn and practice brief screening and motivational interviewing around topics including mental health, sexual health, and substance use with adolescent patients in the pediatric ED. We will additionally screen for social needs including housing, education/job services, food access, etc. The goal is to improve the quality of care and health equity for adolescent patients seeking care in the BMC Emergency Department.