Peer Recovery Support Specialist: A Training Program
GovState's College of Health and Human Services Addictions Studies and Behavioral Health Department 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.
The Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) Training Program is a selective application program open to people with lived experience in alcohol, substance use, and/or mental health disorders. The training consists of:
- Mandatory Orientation Class
- 3 courses at no cost to the participant
- Completion of internship program
The purpose of our training is to prepare for Recovery Support Certification. 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).
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.
PRSS Training Group Program
If you are interested in enrolling in our GovState Peer Recovery Training Program and would like to be contacted regarding our next available group, please complete linked form below:
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.
Yes, this is a new program development at GovState. The content of our training program is designed to meet the foundational criteria of the 3 course plus Internship experience requirement specified in Illinois and other jurisdictions for Certified Peer Recovery Specialists.
Looking online, you may see many types of training programs that provide their own Peer Certification. It is difficult to know, however, how these will or will not end up meeting State and Federal Certification standards as they evolve.
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 https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=99995. More information on Illinois credentialing can be found at https://iaodapca.org/Credentialing. You may want to focus on the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) and the various documents related to it at https://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.
Recovery Support Specialist positions are becoming increasingly available across the country, and in some areas (such 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.
Yes, Gov State can offer a limited number of internships to those who successfully complete the peer support training courses and meet additional criteria. This program and the application process will be fully explained during your training.
The PRSS Training program is funded by:
- 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
- IDHS: Substance Use Disorder Illinois Department of Human Services JB Pritzker, Governor, Grace B. Hou, Secretary IDHS Office Locator. IDHS Help Line 1-800-843-6154 and 1-866-324-5553 TTY
- Illinois Department of Human Services
- SBIRT Allied Health Professionals Training