Peer Assistance Services

Peer Assistance Services, Inc. is a Colorado 501(c)(3) non-profit agency leading with prevention and intervention for substance use and mental health concerns. Our values of grit, integrity, and compassion are guideposts for all that we do in the service of our mission.

PAS was incorporated in 1984 to provide services to nurses with substance use, mental health, and related problems using the employee assistance model of service delivery. The innovative group of nurse leaders who founded the agency recognized the need to create a support network because, even though they were at the heart of patient care, nurses often did not receive the support they needed. By providing early identification, support, monitoring, and accountability, the peer health assistance program filled a gap to protect public safety while offering help and healing for nurses through professional and peer support.

Agency programing has expanded to provide statewide, comprehensive peer health assistance programs for a broad range of health and mental health professionals with physical, emotional, psychiatric, or psychological concerns that may be detrimental to their ability to safely practice their profession. In addition, health professionals statewide have been trained on the practice of screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment, focused on unhealthy alcohol use for over 16 years. These trainings have Continuing Education approval for multiple disciplines: nurses, social workers, pharmacists, and physicians. These complementary agency efforts have earned PAS the recognition as a leader in substance use prevention and early intervention programming.

Managed by the leadership team, Peer Assistance Services, Inc. is guided by an elected board of directors, who champion our mission and are representative of the individuals we serve. We have a diverse, skilled staff committed to our mission, with experience and exceptional credentials in nursing, public health, mental health, social work, education, substance abuse prevention and treatment, grant and contract management, and finance and accounting.

From a client

My story

As a veterinarian and someone with an alcohol use disorder, I cannot stress enough the impact you have had on my recovery and professional development. When I first came to you, I only had a few months of sobriety. I wasn’t working, nor did I know any other healthcare professionals in recovery. I was particularly apprehensive about trying to find a job as a veterinarian since it would be necessary to inform my employer about my alcoholism and resulting contract with PAS.

With the encouragement of your staff and the members of my peer support group, I obtained the courage and knowledge I needed to reenter the workplace. With their help, I’ve learned not to be ashamed of my disease. I’ve come to realize many other healthcare professionals have been in my shoes and are currently gainfully employed with the employers’ full knowledge of their disease and recovery.

Over three years ago, I didn’t know whether I would live or die. I had been hospitalized five times for alcohol poisoning, been in three inpatient treatment centers, had lost my driver’s license as well as my license to practice. My family had practically given up on me. Today I’ve been sober for three years, I have a job practicing, and I am healthy, physically and psychologically. I have never in my entire life been healthier or happier than I am today. This program played an integral part in my willingness and desire to stay sober and in recovery.

Board of Directors

President
Velvia Garner, MSN, RN, ANP

Vice President
Daniel E. Burrows, Esq.

Secretary
Linda Kottmann, DNP, WHNP-BC, RN

Treasurer
David Stuhr, RPh

Directors
Bregetta Brown, DDS
Sara Jarrett, EdD, MS, CNS, RN
Jane Klein, ADN, RN
Shelly Sandel, DVM

• Advocates for Recovery Colorado

• Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance Use and Addiction

• Colorado Association of Addiction Professionals

• Colorado Association of Alcohol and Drug Service Providers

• Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence

• Colorado Coalition for Parity

• Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention

• Colorado Council of Black Nurses

• Colorado Counseling Association

• Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition

• Colorado Dental Association

• Colorado Dental Hygienists’ Association

• Colorado Non-Profit Association

• Colorado Nurses Association

• Colorado Organization of Nurse Leaders

• Colorado Pharmacy Coalition

• Colorado Pharmacy Society

• Colorado Public Health Association

• Colorado Task Force on Drunk and Impaired Driving

• Colorado Veterinary Medical Association

• Employee Assistance Professionals Association – Rocky Mountain Chapter

• FAST Colorado Advisory Board

• Harm Reduction Action Center

• Healthcare Worker Resilience and Retention Advisory Committee

• Illuminate Colorado

• Imagine Zero of Larimer County

• International Employee Assistance Professionals Association

• National Association of Social Workers

• National Council for Mental Wellbeing

• National Organization of Alternative Programs

• No DUI Larimer County

• Opioid Settlement Steering Committee

• SBIRT Advisory Council

• State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup

• Substance Abuse Trend and Response Task Force

• The College for Behavioral Health Leadership

• The Colorado Health Services Corp Advisory Council

• The Counseling & Education Center

• Western Colorado Health Network Regional Council