A credential for individuals with personal, lived experience in their own substance use disorder and/or mental health disorder recovery. By offering insight into the recovery process based on their own experience, peer recovery specialists are able to provide a unique perspective while providing recovery support services. The CPRS is not a sponsor, case manage or a therapist but rather a role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator.
Domains:
1. Advocacy
2. Ethical Responsibility
3. Mentoring and Education
4. Recovery/Wellness Support
5. Harm Reduction
For more in depth information on the requirements please review the downloadable application above.
Formal Education: Minimum high school diploma/GED.
Peer Work Experience: 500 hours of work or volunteer experience in the CPRS domains.
Current Volunteer Job Description: Copy of current peer recovery specialist volunteer/job description, obtained from current organization, and signed by both the applicant and their immediate supervisor.
Statement of Lived Experience: 1000 word essay describing their experience with recovery and their history of sustained recovery
On-The-Job Supervision: 25 hours of on-the-job supervision in the CPRS domains.
Education/Training: 46 hours of education/training specific to the CPRS domains, of which 10 hours in the domains of Advocacy, Mentoring/Education, and Recovery/Wellness Support and 16 hours in the domain of Ethical Responsibility.
A note from the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH): "DSAMH has designated the Mental Health Association in Delaware as the official provider of Delaware’s IC&RC-aligned CPRS education and training. Applicants are not required to seek out multiple training sources, as this program fulfills the full education requirement at no cost. Further information can be found at: https://www.mhainde.org/.”
Examination: Once application is approved, applicant must pass the IC&RC Examination for Peer Recovery Specialists (PR examination).