Peer Recovery Support Specialist Training

Funded by IDHS/SUPR, IDHS/DMH, HRSA/BHWET, and Governors State University

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PRSS and CRSS Training at GSU

 

The GSU College of Health and Human Services, Department of Addictions Studies and Behavioral Health offers the Peer Recovery Support Training Program consisting of:

~ Mandatory Orientation Class
 ~ 3 tuition-free courses (110 hours) and
~ 300-hour paid internship
 
The Peer Recovery Support Specialist Training Program meets the Illinois Certification Board (ICB) educational requirements for Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) and Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS).

If you would like to participate in an upcoming Virtual Group Information Session, please complete this information form.

  For more information about the Peer Recovery Support Specialist Training, please go to Governors State University's PRSS Training site.    

 

Participants who successfully complete this program will be able to:

  • Define the key elements of recovery support roles and services.
  • Describe core services and responsibilities of recovery support specialists.
  • Demonstrate core recovery support values and ethical decision-making in the practice setting.
  • Explore core attitudes that support recovery support services.
  • Apply evidence-based practices to recovery support services.
  

The Illinois CRSS Success Program

 
 The CRSS (Certified Recovery Support Specialist) Program is an Illinois Department of Health Services (IDHS), Division of Mental Health (DMH) grant-funded program operated through designated post-secondary educational institutions in Illinois designed to support students with lived experience of mental health or substance use recovery to successfully complete all requirements necessary to obtain either the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) and enter the behavioral health workforce.
 
The program will also provide support for students to overcome practical barriers to success, such as childcare and transportation, during the time of program completion.  

 

CRSS Success Program Locations and Contact Information

College/University
Location  		 Contact/Email Phone Contact/Email Phone Contact/Email Contact/Email
Governors State University
South Suburban Chicago 		 Nancy Burley   708.534.4387        
Illinois Institute of Technology
South Loop/Near South		 Lindsay Sheehan 312.567.7983        
Malcolm X College
Near West Side  		 Elizabeth Gmitter 312.850.3532 Veronica Sek 312.850.7255    
Rincon/New Hope School of Counseling - Irving Park  Kimberly Skoczelas 773.564.9700 Angela Galiotto      
University of St. Francis
Joliet		 Marcia Van Natta 815.740.3779        
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn 		Jason Florin 630.942.2043 Andrea Polites 630.942.2103    
Elgin Community College
Elgin 		Wendy Chen 847.214.7379 David Meraz 847.214.7455 Kristina Garcia  
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb

Paul Priester

 815.753.5198 Jennifer Ridge      
SIU Edwardsville
Edwardsville  		 Jayme Swanke 618.650.5976        
Heartland Community College Normal Sonja Workman 309.268.8740        
Envision Unlimited
 Catherine Aranas 773.506.3229        
 

More information about the CRSS Success Program can be found on the IDHS / DMH site.  

Career Pathway for the Substance Use Disorder Field

 

There are many careers in the substance use field each with different focus, responsibility, and requirements.  

To learn more about these careers and certifications, click on the links below.  

 

Recovery Support Specialists Certifications  

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor Certifications  

Illinois Certification Board Requirements

 Illinois Certification Board Requirements
 
 
For more information about recovery and resources, please visit our Recovery Resources page.
 
 
The PRSS Training program is funded by:
  • The Illinois Department of Human Services' (IDHS) Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) Grant #43CDC00123
  • The Illinois Department of Human Services' (IDHS) Division of Mental Health (DMH) 814 CRSS Project Success Grant #45CAD04313
  • Federal Health Resources and Human Services (HRSA) Behavioral Workforce and Training (BHWET) Grant #1M01HP42507-01-00
Governors State University
1 University Parkway
University Park, IL 60484-0975

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