Recovery Support Specialist Training
- Peer Recovery Support Specialist CRSS Training at GovState (Funded by IDHS/DBHR, HRSA/BHWET, and Governors State University)
- The Illinois CRSS Success Program
- Career Pathway for the Substance Use Field
Image
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 IDHS: Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) Success Program is an Illinois Department of Health Services (IDHS), Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) 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
Chicago Area:
| Location | Contact | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Envision Unlimited | Catherine Aranas caranas@envisionunlimited.org | (773) 506-3229 |
| Governor's State University (South Suburban Chicago) | Nancy Burley nburley@govst.edu | (708) 534-4387 |
| Illinois Institute of Technology (South Loop/Near South) | Lindsay Sheehan lsheehan@iit.edu | (312) 567-7983 |
| Malcolm X College (Near West Side) | Kristen Godinez kgodinez@ccc.edu | (312) 850-7446 |
| Rincon/New Hope School of Counseling (Irving Park) | Kimberly Skoczelas kskoczelas@rinconfamilyservices.org | (773) 564-9700 |
| University of St. Francis (Joliet) | Marcia Van Natta mvannatta@stfrancis.edu | (815) 740-3779 |
Northern Illinois:
| Location | Contact | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn) | Jason Florin florin@cod.edu | (630) 942-2043 |
| College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn) | Andrea Polites politesa@cod.edu | (630) 942-2103 |
| Elgin Community College (Elgin) | Wendy Chen wchen@elgin.edu | (847) 214-7379 |
| Elgin Community College (Elgin) | David Meraz dmeraz@elgin.edu | (847) 214-7455 |
| Northern Illinois University (DeKalb) | Paul Priester ppriester@niu.edu | (815) 753-5198 |
Central Illinois:
| Location | Contact | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Heartland Community College (Normal) | Sonja Workman Sonja.workman@heartland.edu | 309-268-8740 |
Southern Illinois:
| Location | Contact | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| SIU Edwardsville (Edwardsville) | Jayme Swanke jswanke@siue.edu | 618-650-5976 |
More information about the CRSS Success Program can be found on the IDHS/DBHR site.
Recovery Support Specialists Certifications
Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS)
Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS)
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor Certifications
Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC)
Certified Reciprocal Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor (CRADC)
Certified Supervisor Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor (CSADC)
Certified Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor (CAADC)
| ICB Requirements | Credential Education | Work Experience | Supervision | Exam | Degree Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPRS | 100 hours | 1 year (2,000 hours) | 100 hours | Yes | High School or GED |
| CRSS | 100 hours | 1 year (2,000 hours) | 100 hours | Yes | High School or GED |
| CADC | 225 hours | 1 year (2,000 hours) | 150 hours | Yes | High School or GED |
| CRADC | 300 hours | 3 years (6,000 hours) | 300 hours | Yes | High School or GED |
| CSADC | 350 hours | 5 years (10,000 hours) | 300 hours | Yes (ADC and CS) | High School or GED |
| CAADC | 180 hours | 1 year (2,000 hours) | 300 hours | Yes | Master's Degree |
The PRSS Training program is funded by:
The Illinois Department of Human Services' (IDHS) Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) Grant #43CEC00123.
The Illinois Department of Human Services' (IDHS) Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) 814 CRSS Project Success Grant #45CEB04313.
Federal Health Resources and Human Services (HRSA) Behavioral Workforce and Training (BHWET) Grant #1M01HP42507-01-00.
