Peer Recovery Support Specialist: A Training Program

GSU's College of Health and Human Services' Addiction Studies and Behavioral Health Program present a series of subsidized training programs focused on peer recovery support /mentoring as part of a recovery-oriented system of care for individuals and families dealing with alcohol, substance use, and/or mental health disorders.

Greetings from Governors State University's

Peer Recovery Support Training (PRSS)

The Peer Recovery Support Specialist Training Program is a selective application program open to people with lived experience in alcohol, substance use, and/or mental health disorders :

The Peer Recovery Support Training Program consisting of: 

  • Mandatory Orientation Class
  • 3 courses at no cost to the participant \ and
  • Paid internship  

    The Peer Recovery Support Specialist Training Program meets the Illinois Certification Board (ICB) requirements for Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) and Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS).

    The PRSS Training program is funded by:

    • The Illinois Department of Human Services' (IDHS) Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) #43CAC00123
    • The Illinois Department of Human Services' (IDHS) Division of Mental Health (DMH) 814 CRSS Project Success #45CAB04313
    • Federal Health Resources and Human Services (HRSA) Behavioral Workforce and Training (BHWET) Grant #1M01HP42507-01-00

      GSU currently offers training groups 3 times per year and may meet virtually, online or
    in person on campus at
    Governors State University University Park, IL

    Participants must commit to attend all training and internship hours in order to receive our certificate of program completion and be eligible for certification.  
    Application will be required to
    attend group training.   

    OUR NEXT PRSSGSU GROUP TRAINING SESSION IS SCHEDULED for SPRING 2024 

    If you are interested in receiving an invitation to enroll in our January 2024 group training, please complet the application in link below and we will be in contact.  

    Application Link

    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6N6B62X

      If you have further questions regarding this please email PRSSGSU@govst.edu

     

    • Is Peer Recovery Support Specialist something new?

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      Yes and No – the concept of Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) is an effective type of mentor that has been around for a long time. PRSS and the concept of Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) have been receiving increasing attention. There is a good foundation of literature and research regarding the principles and practices that contribute to the effectiveness of PRSS, and that is what much of our training is based on.

    • Does the GSU Training provide some kind of certification for RC?

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      Yes, this is new program development at GSU content of our training program that is designed to meet the foundational criteria of 410 hour educational and internship experience requirement specified in Illinois and other jurisdictions for Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. (The RC is considered a Peer Recovery Specialist in Illinois and many other states.) 

       

      Looking online, you may see many types of RC training programs that provide their own RC Certification. It is difficult to know, however, how these will or will not end up meeting State and Federal Certification standards as they evolve. 

    • What Illinois Certifications are there for Peer Recovery Support Specialists?

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      The current requirements for various types of Peer Recovery Support Specialist Certifications in Illinois can be found on the IL SUPR (formerly DASA) website at http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=99995 . More information on Illinois credentialing can be found athttp://www.iaodapca.org/ You may want to focus on the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) and the various documents related to it at http://www.iaodapca.org/credentialing/certified-peer-recovery-specialist-cprs/Note that these certifications involve both educational and experiential elements, so plan to spend time understanding these requirements, perhaps contacting these organizations for assistance if needed.  

      Our training will provide a brief overview of certification requirements – but will not allow for extensive questions on the certification process or consideration of individual cases.

    • Are there jobs ?

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      Recovery Support Specialist positions are becoming increasingly available across the country, and in some areas (as California) more than others. We can expect this trend will continue. You may want to Google open PRSS positions in your area or elsewhere from time to time to get a feel for position availability.  

       

    • Internships?

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      Yes, GSU is able to offer a limited number of SUPR (Illinois Department of Human Services; Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery) -funded RC internships to those who successfully complete the RC training and meet additional criteria.  This program and the application process will be fully explained during your training.