Hear Our Dream!
Our dream is to ensure that anyone struggling with mental health issues
who wants peer support will be able to find it
Come Join Us In Our Dream!
Want to be a part of what we do?
Are you interested in mental health? Peer Support?
Peer Run & Operated Service Providers (COSPs)?
Do you have lived experience of mental health concerns?
Do you want to make a difference and enrich yourself and others?
The Peer Network is accepting applications for new Board Members!
We are a young organization and are looking for leaders in the peer movement who wish to make a difference for peer run services in Texas.
If you are interested in supporting our organization as a Board Member, please apply below.
Board of Directors
Every member of our Board of Directors is a leader who has made significant contributions to our society. Each one brings a unique set of skills and expertise to our organization!
List of Services
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Board President - Virginia SmithList Item 4
Virginia serves a Board Member and is a Certified Mental Health Peer Specialist and a Certified Mental Health Peer Supervisor. She has served in this capacity providing peer support for 7 years while working full time at Community Healthcore in Longview TX.
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Board Treasurer - Paula Hendrix Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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Board Secretary e - Mary TolleList Item 3
Mary Tolle has lived expertise of mental health diagnosis and is a Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) and Peer Specialist Supervisor (PSS). Her experience as a peer specialist consists of working for an LMHA, a peer directed organization, a Clubhouse, the University of Texas Health Science Center and as an instructor. She has had many other careers including computer programming, tax preparation, and college math teacher. Additionally, she earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, and an Associate Degree of Accounting Technology. She honored her parents by caring for them. She loves meditation, music, playing cards, and spending time with family and friends. Some of her personal interests are mental health, personal growth, and spirituality. Additionally, she really loves her fur babies!
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Board Member At Large - Ellen GoodmanList Item 2
Ellen Goodman is a LBSW with 35+ years of experience in behavioral health. She has been involved with peer services and had extensive trainings on peer integration in Texas since 2010. She was a member of the Peer Provider Stakeholder group for HB 1486 for Health and Human Services Commission. She participated on the Peer Supervisor Training Advisory Committee to HHSC to create a new training and is an active member on the Peer Supervisor Core Competencies subcommittee.
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Board Member At Large - Donald SeamsterList Item 1
While Donald Seamster was working at the Austin Mental Health Communities at The SHAC. Don felt the job he was doing was fulfilling and gave him a sense of hope for the individuals he served. The work is humbling and it reminds him that but for the grace of God go I. The people Don had the pleasure to be with, as they began their journey of recovery, had him realize the power of peer support. Don’s hope is for every interaction he has with someone, that person is left a little better for the experience of that connection with him.
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Board Member At Large - Janet Paleo
Janet started her career as an advocate for people with mental health issues, especially for those in public mental health system in 1996. After a two year hospitalization and 50 hospitalizations after that, she has continued to work with the community centers in representing the lived experience voice, in participating on a range of committees, bringing opportunities to centers and helping centers to become more recovery oriented,. Additionally, she has successfully engaged peers to become leaders, Peer Specialists, and volunteers within the local Community Health Centers. She helped found Prousmers International, a non-profit whose mission is to empower people to find a life they love, despite any challenges they may face. She currently works for the Texas Council of Community Centers as the Director of Recovery Based Services as well as for Prosumers International as the Deputy Director.
Janet is the past Treasurer of the board for the World Federation for Mental. Janet also served as the s the chair of the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) with Disability Rights Texas. She has also been recognized by the State of Texas receiving the Governors Trophy Award for Empowering Texans with Disabilities in 2005 and was honored nationally by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Voice Award in 2010. In 2020 was awarded the National Peer Specialist award by the National Council of Community Behavioral Health. Her passion in life is for all people to find their hope and live fulfilled lives of their choice.
Meett Our Team
Our team consists of highly qualified and motivated professionals, who are all experts in their field. With many years of experience in the industry, they have the expertise to provide comprehensive, first-rate services to our COSPs.
List of Services
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Shannon CarrList Item 1
Shannon Carr is a Certified Mental Health Peer Support Specialist and Peer Supervisor in Texas. For over 20 years, she has been the Executive Director for Austin Area Mental Health Consumers. Mrs. Carr currently serves on several workgroups, committees, and in other advisory roles, promoting wellness and recovery. She is a motivational speaker, church ministry leader, and singer in a gospel group.
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Anna H GrayList Item 2
Anna H. Gray uses her recovery from life issues to impact service systems and policy. Ms. Gray
co-owns PRO International which provides training, coaching and professional development services for peers. She is co-founder and Executive Director of Prosumers International. Recovering, resilient and thriving, she stands for all people to have full lives.
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