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Home / Information & Support / Programs / Heart to Heart Peer Support / Heart to Heart Peer Mentor Application

ACHA Heart to Heart Peer Mentor Application

Thank you for your interest in becoming an ACHA Heart to Heart Peer Mentor. Please make sure to carefully review the "Peer Mentor Roles and Responsibilities" section listed here before applying.

We encourage everyone interested in becoming a Peer Mentor to apply, and ACHA will carefully consider all applicants. As a needs-based program, we will be giving priority to adults who have been diagnosed with HLHS, DORV, and PAPVR; adult patients living with a Fontan; adults with CHD who can speak to the transplant process; and adults with CHD who can speak to different family planning options (adoption, surrogacy). 

Please note that for those invited to interview, there are two steps to our interview process after submitting your application. The first is a virtual interview with members of the Peer Mentor team. If selected to move forward, applicants must attend a mandatory virtual Peer Mentor Training Orientation, which is the second part of the interviewing process. The dates of the mandatory virtual Peer Mentor training orientation are as follows (6:30-8:30 p.m. EDT each evening):

  • Tuesday, September 8, 2026
  • Wednesday, September 9, 2026
  • Thursday, September 10, 2026

Applications are due by May 8, 2026, and all letters of reference must be received by ACHA on or before May 15, 2026.

If you have questions, please contact ACHA's Senior Program & Peer Support Coordinator Karla Deal at kdeal@achaheart.org.

Relationship with CHD
Applicant Info
mm/dd/yyyy
*We will not contact them unless you added your employer as a reference.
Short Answer Questions
Letters of Reference

Please read these instructions for sending letters of recommendation carefully, as it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all letters are submitted as outlined below:

For Patients: You must submit one statement from an ACHD healthcare professional (for example, a doctor, nurse, or mental health professional). Your ACHD healthcare professional should confirm you are in active care for your CHD and understand the need for lifelong ACHD care. One letter of reference should be from someone who knows you professionally, such as an employer, teacher, or volunteer coordinator. One letter of reference should be from someone who knows you personally, such as a friend, neighbor, or co-worker.

For Family Members and Loved Ones: Please submit three letters of reference. One must be from someone who knows you professionally, such as an employer, teacher, or volunteer coordinator.

*All letters should address the following areas: commitment, reliability, accomplishments, strengths, experience in dealing with people, how you handle challenges, and why they believe you are a good example of someone who thrives alongside life challenges.

All professional letters should contain a written or digital signature, preferably on letterhead. Letters should be emailed as attachments to kdeal@achaheart.org. You may email ACHA's Peer Mentor Coordinator Karla Deal at kdeal@achaheart.org regarding the receipt of your letters of reference.

Letter of Reference 1 - ACHD Provider or Professional Reference
*Please type "N/A" if you are a Family Member applicant.
Letter of Reference 2 - Professional Reference
Include - City, State, Zip
Letter 3 - Professional or Character Reference (Non-Family Member)
* Please type "N/A" if this is a personal reference
Include - City, State, Zip
Signature

I have received and read ACHA's Heart to Heart Peer Mentor description.

Please read the following carefully prior to signing and submitting your application. I understand that by signing this form, I acknowledge the following limitations of the role of a Peer Mentor:

• I am not a therapeutic counselor.

• I am not allowed to provide medical advice.

• I should not be the sole support system of a member I am matched with while a part of the program.

By signing this form, I further acknowledge the following:

*I have read and understand the Peer Mentor description as outlined above. * I understand that as a patient or a family member/loved one of someone affected by CHD, limited confidential medical information (including, but not limited to name, age, diagnosis) pertaining to me may be released to ACHA staff and that this information will be kept in the strictest confidence by ACHA staff. * Selection of Peer Mentors is based on the needs of the program (including, but not limited to geographic location and type of defect) and that by applying to the program, I am not guaranteed a spot within the program. *ACHA provides Peer Mentors with ongoing trainings to support them in their role. Peer Mentor trainings are held every other month beginning in January. These six one-hour trainings are held on Tuesday evenings at 8 p.m. ET. * My application will only be considered if all three letters of recommendation are received by February 21, 2025. I may contact ACHA's Peer Mentor Coordinator Karla Deal at any time to follow up on receipt of my letters by emailing kdeal@achaheart.org.

4/18/2026