How Next Step Works

Next Step is flexible, personal, and designed around what works best for you. You decide how to use your time and what you want to focus on—together with your peer specialist.

Free • Statewide • Ages 18+

Next Step is available to adults ages 18+ living in Minnesota who identify as living with a life challenge. There is no cost to participate, and no insurance, diagnosis, or documentation is required.

 
 
 

What to Expect from Next Step

Next Step gives you a consistent, one-on-one connection with a trained peer specialist who brings their own lived experience to the relationship.

There is no set agenda for your conversations. You might talk about something you’re going through, work toward a personal goal, explore ways to build support or connection, or simply have someone listen.

Your peer specialist is there to walk alongside you—not to tell you what to do or make decisions for you.

Your time can focus on:

  • What’s happening in your life right now

  • Goals that are important to you

  • Building confidence and self-advocacy

  • Navigating change or difficult situations

  • Finding connection and support

  • Developing routines or strategies that work for you

  • Or simply having someone to talk with

You decide what matters most.

 
 

Taking the Next Step

Connecting with Next Step starts with a simple referral.

You can refer yourself, or someone else can submit a referral with your knowledge and permission. There is no diagnosis, documentation, or insurance required.

Referring Someone Else

You may refer someone you think could benefit from Next Step as long as they know the referral is being made and are comfortable being contacted by us.

If they are not yet aware of the referral, talk with them about Next Step first. They can complete the form themselves, or you can submit it for them with their knowledge and permission.

Referring Yourself

Complete the referral form and tell us a little about yourself and how you would like to be contacted. Our Intake Coordinator will make the first attempt to reach you within 72 hours of receiving your referral.

 

What Happens Next?

Once we receive the referral, our Intake Coordinator will make the first attempt to connect within 72 hours. They’ll answer questions, talk with you about Next Step, and begin the process of connecting you with a trained peer specialist.

If we aren’t able to reach you, we’ll make up to three contact attempts before closing the referral. If the referral is closed and you would still like to participate, you’re always welcome to submit a new referral form.

Start a Referral

Questions about Next Step or whether it might be a good fit? Contact Nikki, our Intake Coordinator, at nikki@mnwitw.org

 
 
 

Questions About Next Step?

  • No. Next Step is free to participate in, and you do not need insurance, a diagnosis, or documentation to participate. The program is available to Minnesota residents ages 18+ who identify as living with a challenge.

  • During your intake conversation, our Intake Coordinator will learn more about you, what you’re looking for from peer support, and your preferences for a potential match. Matches are made based on factors such as your needs and preferences, availability, and areas of lived experience.

    You’ll have the opportunity to meet your proposed peer specialist before deciding whether the match feels right. Both you and the peer specialist choose whether to move forward with the match.

  • That’s okay. Peer support works best when both people feel comfortable with the relationship. During the initial matching process, you can decide that a proposed peer specialist isn’t the right fit, and our Intake Coordinator will work on another match.

    You are never expected to accept a match simply because one has been offered.

  • No. Next Step is peer support, not therapy or clinical treatment. Your peer specialist is there to listen, encourage you, share lived experience when helpful, and support you as you identify your own goals and strategies.

    Next Step is designed around routine, ongoing peer-support check-ins rather than immediate crisis response.

  • Yes. Participating in Next Step does not prevent you from using other Wellness in the Woods peer-support programs. In fact, Next Step peer specialists may help connect you with other peer-support options when additional connection would be helpful.

  • You can participate in Next Step for up to one year. During that time, you can receive up to 60 minutes of one-on-one peer support each week, arranged in a way that works for you.

  • We collect information needed to operate the program and understand how Next Step is working. Peer specialists complete a data survey following meetings that include information about participant goals and progress toward previously identified goals.

    Next Step staff are also expected to respect the confidentiality of information shared by participants and are prohibited from discussing participants with their family or friends.

 
 
 

Ready to Take the

Next Step?

You don’t have to know exactly what you need. Start with a referral, and we’ll take it from there.

Start a Referral

Questions about whether Next Step might be right for you? Contact Nikki, our Intake Coordinator, at nikki@mnwitw.org