💻 Task 1: The Screen-Shared Resource Lookup (Virtual Research & Synthesis)
The Virtual Setup: Share your screen or have the member share theirs. Open a local, public resource directory website (like 211.org) or a list of local food pantries.
The Prompt:“Imagine a peer contacts you because they are facing eviction and have no food for the weekend. Using this screen/website, please find the phone number and address of the closest food pantry that is open on Saturdays, and type it into our meeting chat box.”
The Mid-Task Correction: Once they begin typing, state: “Oh, wait, I just found out that pantry is closed this weekend. Please find an alternative pantry or a mobile food truck option instead.”
What you are assessing virtually: Digital literacy, visual tracking on a screen, the ability to pivot when information changes suddenly, and multi-tasking (reading while using a virtual chat tool).
📝 Task 2: The Chat-Box Boundary Translation (Written Peer Documentation)
The Virtual Setup: Copy and paste a highly clinical, medicalized paragraph into the video call chat box.
Example Text to Paste: “Patient is a 34-year-old schizophrenic non-compliant with psychotropic medication, exhibiting baseline decompensation, agoraphobia, and poor hygiene.”
The Prompt:“As a peer worker, we never use stigmatizing or clinical language. Please read that clinical note in the chat. Take a moment to rewrite it in the chat box using person-centered, strengths-based peer language.”
The Mid-Task Correction: As they type, verbally interrupt: “Make sure you also include a sentence suggesting one community-based coping skill they could try, like attending a local support group.”
What you are assessing virtually: Reading comprehension from a digital display, typing endurance, understanding of peer support boundaries, and cognitive flexibility under a live verbal interruption.
The Virtual Setup: Share your screen to display a simple 1-day calendar view (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) with 3 pre-scheduled peer home visits. Paste a list of 3 new unexpected events into the chat.
Events to paste: “1. A peer calls in an emotional crisis. 2. Your supervisor calls an emergency team meeting. 3. A peer needs a ride to a pharmacy.”
The Prompt:“Look at the schedule on my screen and the 3 new events in the chat. Talk me through your exact thought process: how would you rearrange your day, prioritize these needs, and who would you call first?”
The Mid-Task Correction: Midway through their explanation, say: “Your supervisor just messaged you saying the team meeting is mandatory and cannot be missed. How does that change your plan?”
What you are assessing virtually: Verbal reasoning, executive functioning, crisis prioritization, stress tolerance when a schedule is disrupted, and verbal communication clarity.
✉️ Task 4: The Virtual Group Welcome Draft (Digital Outreach & Messaging)
The Virtual Setup: Ask the member to open a blank Notepad file or a blank email draft on their computer and share their screen (or have them dictate it to you live while you type).
The Prompt:“You are launching a new online depression support group next week. Please draft a short, 3-sentence welcome email to send to new participants, including the group’s name, the start time, and a warm encouraging sign-off.”
The Mid-Task Correction: As they start, say: “Please make sure you add a note reminding them to keep their cameras on for safety, and keep the tone professional but friendly.”
What you are assessing virtually: Fine motor typing skills, basic computer navigation, written communication boundaries, and ability to integrate secondary instructions into a live workflow.
