Welcome to Power of Two
What is the Power of Two
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s Definitions
PEER MENTORING
A form of 1:1 support from someone who has lived through similar experiences.
LENGTH
Takes place over three months, with the opportunity to extend based on mutual agreement
Power of Two
IBD Patients & Caregivers can receive:
free
consistent
accessible
personalized
support from one of our trained mentors who has gone through a shared experience
Mentors & Mentees
MENTOR
Someone who has lived experience with IBD, has been trained by the CCFA, and has a passion for helping others living with the condition.
MENTEE
Someone who has been newly diagnosed or has been diagnosed for a while who is seeking support from someone who gets it.
Meet the Team
Catherine Soto, MPA
Associate Vice President, Patient Education & Support
- As the Power of Two Administrator Cat is here for all of your questions and concerns about navigating the platform, situations with your mentees, handling crises and more
poweroftwo@crohnscolitisfoundation.org
PHONE NUMBER
Meet the National Council of College Leaders (NCCL)
- The NCCL focuses on youth-focused advocacy and are patient advocates through local and national campaigns
- Some members assist us in the management of the Power of Two program
Understanding Peer Support
The Value of Peer Support
Research done on peer mentorship programs for chronic diseases has found that they lead to:
improved appointment attendance
reinforced hope for the future
enhanced self management
Pollock, M. D., Brotkin, S. M., Denio, E., Dave, S., Fisher, E. B., Docherty, S. L., & Maslow, G. R. (2022). Clinical application of a peer coaching intervention to enhance self-management for adolescents and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease.
Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 10(4), 409–427. https://doi.org/10.1037/cpp0000468
Peer Mentoring vs Support Group
1:1 relationship between someone who has lived experience with IBD (the mentor) with someone who is newly diagnosed or struggling (the mentee)
relationships last for three months
conversations are centered around achieving a certain goal
a group of individuals who come together to share experiences, provide mutual support and learn from one another led by a trained facilitator
ongoing and people can join at any time
conversations are centered around whatever people in the group need support with
What People Have to Say
Hear from one of our mentors, Rachel!
why did you want to become a peer mentor?
What Mentees Have to Say
Ways to Connect & Availability
Ways to Connect
Three Ways to Connect
Messages
Voice
Video
All mentees have different preferences around how they want to connect. You can connect in whatever format works best for you both.
Availability
Preferred Times
Preferred Days
Calendar Syncing
You set your own availability. It is totally up to you when you’d like to plug in.
When scheduling calls be sure to ask your mentee what time zone they are in!
Maintaining a Safe Virtual Space
Creating a Safe Virtual Space
Effective mentoring requires a supportive and distraction-free environment. As a peer mentor, your goal is to provide a space where you and your mentee can focus on their needs and concerns. Here are some tips to ensure your mentoring sessions are both productive and comfortable:
Choose a Quiet Environment:
- Select a Space with Minimal Foot Traffic: Choose a location in your home where there’s minimal likelihood of interruptions. Ideally, this should be a room or area where household members do not frequently pass through. This helps maintain a quiet environment and ensures your conversation remains confidential.
- Consider Noise Levels: Look for a spot that is away from potential sources of background noise. If possible, consider using noise-cancelling headphones to improve audio clarity during your calls.
Minimize Disruptions:
- Tell family members, roommates, and housemates that you will be on a call and need privacy. This advanced notice helps prevent accidental interruptions and keeps the environment conductive to mentoring.
Turn on Do Not Disturb
- Before starting your sessions, consider putting your phone on Do Not Disturb. This will silence notifications and alerts that could disrupt the flow of conversation.
Be Mindful of Your Background
- The app does not have a feature where you can blur your background, so be mindful about where you sit. If you prefer not to display personal spaces or items, try to adjust your camera angle to only see the wall behind you.
Access Needs
“is there any specific access needs you have in this space today?”
Ask your mentee,
Examples of Access Needs
Bathroom Breaks:
- Need: Participants may need to take breaks to use the bathroom frequently due to IBD symptoms.
- Accommodations: Encourage breaks and let participants know it's okay to step away from the screen as needed.
Access to Water and Snacks:
- Need: Keeping hydrated and having snacks handy can be important for managing symptoms and overall comfort.
- Accommodations: Ensure that participants are aware that they can keep water and snacks nearby during sessions. Be mindful that for some members in the group, it may be triggering to watch others eat.
Managing Fatigue Symptoms:
- Need: Some participants may experience fatigue and prefer to use voice-only options to conserve energy.
- Accommodations: Allow and support the use of audio-only participation if it helps manage fatigue.
Closed Captions:
- Need: Closed captions can help participants who are deaf or hard of hearing, or those who benefit from visual text support.
- Accommodations: Enable closed captions on video calls and make sure participants know how to access this feature.
Flexibility in Participation:
- Need: Participants may need flexibility in session times or durations due to health fluctuations.
- Accommodations: Be open to adjusting meeting times and lengths to accommodate individual needs.
Comfortable Seating:
- Need: Comfort during long periods of sitting can be important for managing physical discomfort.
- Accommodations: Encourage participants to use supportive seating or adjust their seating arrangements as needed.
If You’re Unsure How to Accommodate
- Reach Out for Help: If you encounter specific access needs that you’re unsure how to address, contact us. We can provide guidance and resources to help accommodate those needs effectively
Camera Positioning
too far!
too close
looking at another screen?
looks good!
The platform does NOT allow you to blur your background, so keep that in mind before you hop on the call
For online support groups, creating a welcoming and effective environment is essential. Here are some camera tips:
Camera Positioning
- Eye Level: Set your camera at or just above eye level. This position helps create a natural and engaging view, and helps you maintain eye contact.
- Proper Framing: Ensure that your face and shoulders are clearly visible in the frame. Aim for a view where your head and upper shoulders are in the center, with some space above your head and around your shoulders.
Distance from Camera
- Appropriate Distance: Sit approximately 2-3 feet from the camera. This distance helps keep your face visible and clear without distorting your image or making you appear too close.
- Avoiding Distortion: Ensure you’re not too close to the camera, which can cause an overwhelming or distorted view. Maintain a comfortable distance to keep the frame balanced.
Lighting
- Front Lighting: Position yourself facing a light source to ensure your face is well-lit. Natural light from a window or a desk lamp can work well. Avoid having a light source behind you, as it creates a silhouette and makes it hard to see you.
Background
- Clutter-Free: Since you cannot blur your background, make sure your surroundings are tidy and free from distractions. A clean and organized space helps maintain focus on the discussion.
- Neutral and Professional: Choose a background that is neutral and non-distracting. If needed, use a plain wall or a simple backdrop.
Camera and Screen Focus
- Maintain Eye Contact: Look directly at the camera when speaking to foster a sense of connection and engagement with the group.
- Minimize Distractions: Close any extra tabs you have open in the background.
Preparation and Testing
- Pre-Session Check: Test your camera, lighting, and background before starting the call.
Engage Participants
- Encourage Video Use: Encourage all participants to use their cameras if they’re comfortable. This fosters a more connected and supportive environment.
Keeping the Support Space Safe
If you run into any of the following issues:
- Someone who has a mental health need beyond your expertise
- Someone making hateful comments to you or other members
- Someone who is in the support space that should not be
- Someone using foul or derogatory language
Please let us know IMMEDIATELY
so we can step in and help.
