Peer Recovery Support Specialist: A Training Program

GovState'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:

  • Mandatory Orientation Class
  • 3 courses at no cost to the participant
  • 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

GovState currently offers training groups 3 or 4 times per year and may meet virtually, online or in person on campus at Governors State University University Park, IL. Participants must commit to attending all training and internship hours to receive our certificate of program completion and be eligible for certification. The application will be required to attend group training. If you are interested in receiving an invitation to enroll in our next group training, please complete the contact information link to the left and we will be in contact.

The purpose of our next PRSS GovState Group Training Session is to prepare for NCRSS eligibility only and will start during the 2024 Summer Semester (Virtual Fri/Sat. May - October). Please complete the below Application. One of the questions will ask you the names of 2 people you will send the other 'Recommendation"' link form to.

SU 24 Application
SU 24 Recommendation

If you have any additional questions 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.