1. Peer Recovery Specialist Certification in Virginia
Mark Blackwell, MSA
Program Specialist: Office of Recovery Services
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
Phone: (804)

2. A CERTIFIED PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST
…is a specially
trained
PROFESSIONAL!!!

3. PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST:
Do these things:
practice guidelines,
have a code of ethics and
utilize core skills
just as every professional.

4. Certified Peer Recovery Specialist -IT’S AN IMPORTANT ROLE!
“A health-trained peer practitioner is described as a natural ally, and someone who has walked “in the same shoes” as the individual seeking help. Peer perspectives can provide momentum to an individual toward his/her self-management and health activation. Sharing lived experiences and a strengths-based approach can foster support and motivate an individual towards health, wellness, and resiliency.”

5. HOW DOES A PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST HELP INDIVIDUALS?
A Peer Recovery Specialist will encourage and coach those they support to help them decide what they want in life and how to appropriately achieve it without judgment.

6. PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Models that Recovery is possible
Is able to relate to someone else who has had similar experiences.
May be able to talk “their” talk instead of “professional” talk
Demonstrates by words, actions and attitudes that Recovery is possible
Constantly works at their own recovery growth
Challenging themselves to check their own recovery progress so that they may improve their ability to serve others

7. PEER SUPPORT IS AN IMPORTANT ROLE
Peer supporters demonstrate that recovery is REAL! By authentically living recovery, peer supporters inspire real hope that recovery is possible for others

8. PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT IS:
An intentional relationship between two people who share a similar experience.
Uses mutuality to overcome the negative effects of either primary experience: Mental Health or Substance Abuse.
Is an equal, non-subordinate relationship.
Requires a skill set that encompasses coaching, motivational techniques, intentional choices and “change agent” skills.

9. PEER ROLE SETTINGS Traditional Treatment Recovery Community Centers
Agencies
Detoxification Units
Emergency Rooms
Rehabilitation Programs
Recovery Housing
Employment Support Services
Collegiate Recovery Communities
Youth Services/System of Care
Recovery Community Centers
Consumer Operated Services
Court Diversion Programs Jails and Prisons
Home Health Services
PACT Teams
Churches
Family Run Organizations
CIT Programs
Detoxification Units
Emergency Rooms
Rehabilitation Programs
Recovery Housing
Employment Support Services
Collegiate Recovery Communities
Youth Services/System of Care

10. VDBHDS Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training Curriculum
SCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE
VDBHDS Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training Curriculum

11. Scope of Knowledge – CPRS Training Curriculum
Current Body of MH/SA Knowledge
Knowledge of current body of knowledge of recovery from substance use disorder and/or mental health conditions (wellness, trauma)
Define mental illness and substance use disorder recovery
Knowledge of key language and terms
Explain individual advocacy
Knowledge of current research practices and trends in MH and SA

12. Scope of Knowledge – CPRS Training Curriculum
Recovery Process - Promoting Services, Supports, and Strategies
Knowledge of recovery plans, strengths-based recovery planning, and recovery goal setting (WRAP, Relapse Plan),
Knowledge of the recovery process and recovery- promoting services, supports and strategies
Explain major recovery models (12 steps, Intentional Peer Support, SMART recovery, Women for Sobriety, Celebrate Recovery)
Knowledge of multiple pathways to recovery
Explain evidence based practices, practice based evidence, and promising practices
Explain recovery plans and recovery goal setting (such as but not limited to WRAP)
Assist individual with goal setting
Promote self-determination and choice

13. Scope of Knowledge – CPRS Training Curriculum
Crisis Intervention
Knowledge of basics of crisis intervention
Explain de-escalation techniques
Explain basic suicide prevention concepts and techniques
Knowledge of peer role and activities for peer support during crisis
Identify and utilize legal and ethical policies and practices
Recognize signs and symptoms of distress
Recognize various crisis and emergency situations

14. Scope of Knowledge – CPRS Training Curriculum
Values for Role of Recovery Support Specialist
Knowledge of the role of peer recovery support coach values such as strengths-based, mutuality, unconditional high regard, shared experience, etc.
Explain the concept of a strength based approach to recovery
Ability to share experience using lived experience
Establish and maintain a peer relationship rather than a hierarchical relationship
Establish a respectful, trustful relationship
Practice non-judgmental language
Identify strengths and resilience in others
Knowledge of peer recovery philosophy and practices

15. Scope of Knowledge – CPRS Training Curriculum
Basic Principles Related to Health and Wellness
Knowledge of basic principles related to health and wellness
Define the concepts of health and wellness
Understand the concepts of recovery and resilience
Recognize the importance of holistic health
Understand the impact of mental illness and substance use disorders on the experience of health and wellness

16. Scope of Knowledge – CPRS Training Curriculum
Stage Appropriate Pathways in Recovery Support
Knowledge of stage-appropriate pathways that support recovery
Knowledge of medication assisted recovery
State the stages of recovery
State the stages of change
Knowledge and use of motivational enhancement techniques

17. Scope of Knowledge – CPRS Training Curriculum
Ethics & Boundaries
Knowledge of ethics, confidentiality, boundaries and self-care as practiced in non-clinical settings ADA, HIPAA, 42CFR, Advanced Directives
Adhere to peer code of ethics
Recognize and adhere to the rules of confidentiality
Explain how and why individuals should establish an Advanced Directive
Knowledge of and adherence to professional and personal boundaries
Understand self-care principles
Establish working relationships with other professionals
Use organizational/departmental chain of command to address ethical issues

18. Scope of Knowledge – CPRS Training Curriculum
Cultural Sensitivity and Practice
Knowledge of cultural sensitivity and practice
Define culture, elements of culture, and its impact
Ability to communicate utilizing first person and person centered language
Recognize different types of cultures
Explain key recovery language and culture concepts
Knowledge of the influence of cultural heritage on individuals and groups
Knowledge of and sensitivity to how cultural identity can influence the dynamics in communication.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to how cultural identity shapes the helping process.

19. Scope of Knowledge – CPRS Training Curriculum
Trauma and Impact on Recovery
Knowledge of trauma and its impact on recovery from mental and substance use disorders
Define trauma and its impact on recovery process
Explain trauma informed care and recovery support
Understand the symptoms of PTSD
Skill in identifying physical and sexual abuse symptoms
Knowledge and awareness of risk indicators when working with others
Identify and respond to personal stressors and triggers

20. Scope of Knowledge – CPRS Training Curriculum
Community Resources
Identify community resources to including crisis services, community supports and professional services
Ability to access and refer to community resources
Ability to coach others to navigate community resources
Knowledge of and ability to collaborate with community organizations and other partners
Demonstrate effective networking skills

21. Scope of Knowledge – CPRS Training Curriculum
Delivering Peer Services within Agencies and Organizations
Knowledge of how to deliver peer recovery support coaching on an individual level and in an agency, organizational, systems, and federal setting
Define systems level advocacy
Knowledge of Virginia’s service delivery systems
Provide peer support within an organizational culture and requirements
Understand documentation requirements of activities to meet organizational requirements
Knowledge of when to seek out and use supervision
Advocate for peers and recovery support services within the organizational culture
Differentiate between the levels of advocacy

22. Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
SCOPE OF PRACTICE
VDBHDS
Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
SCOPE of PRACTICE

23. Certified Peer Recovery Specialist SCOPE OF PRACTICE
1.) Provide face to face interaction that supports an individual achieving their self-identified level of recovery, wellness, independence or personal strength.
Serve as a role model for recovery and wellness and self-advocacy. Provide feedback and insight into the value of every individual’s unique recovery experience.
Assist an individual or family receiving services with writing and communicating their personal recovery-wellness plans and to identify ways to reach those goals using a person-centered, individual recovery-wellness plan.
Increase the individual’s resiliency by assisting them in recognizing and augmenting personal strengths in skill areas related to handling problems encountered in daily life; such as self-awareness, resource discovery, and self-responsibility.  Assist in gaining/regaining control of their lives through recovery and/or wellness based activities, concepts, and understandings.
Share effective and positive strategies for developing coping skills and wellness tools related to overcoming the effects of having a trauma, a substance use disorder, or a mental health challenge.
Clarify and enhance self-advocacy skills.  Encourage peers to develop independent behavior that is based on informed choice; assisting peers in developing empowerment skills through self-advocacy.

24. Certified Peer Recovery Specialist SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Establish and maintain a peer relationship based on mutuality rather than a hierarchical relationship. Partner with the other person to facilitate recovery dialogues and other evidence-based and/or best practice methods
Assist peers in selecting behavioral health services that suit each person’s individual recovery and wellness needs; Inform peers about community based and natural supports and how to utilize these in the recovery process.
Provide education on wellness and/or recovery
Assist in developing a psychiatric advance directive
Assist individuals and families of children in creating crisis recovery response plans.
Accompany people through the behavioral health service intake process and the discharge process, with person to person, face-to-face follow up after discharge of person.  Help people identify and implement service exit strategies.
Provide outreach to people who have frequent inpatient experiences.  Provide outreach to people who have failed to engage with the behavioral health system.  

25. Certified Peer Recovery Specialist SCOPE OF PRACTICE
2.) Provide trained peer-to-peer support in groups encouraging and supporting participation and self-directed participation.
Serve as a role model for recovery and wellness and self-advocacy. Provide feedback and insight into the value of every individual’s unique recovery experience.
Assist in developing skills needed to identify a variety of groups that may be helpful and available in the community.
Facilitate peer-to -peer evidence-based practices or best practices, such as WRAP, Dual Recovery, 12-Step groups, WHAM, High Fidelity Wraparound, etc. 
Facilitate non-clinical peer to peer recovery education and wellness coaching through group activities in topics such as stress management, healthy leisure activities, wellness, alternative treatment options, recovery, focusing on individual health and wellness strengths and needs, self-affirmation, treatment management techniques, community involvement strategies, etc.
Increase the individual’s resiliency by assisting them in recognizing and augmenting personal strengths in skill areas related to handling problems encountered in daily life; such as self-awareness, resource discovery, and self-responsibility.  Assist in gaining/regaining control of their lives through recovery and/or wellness based activities, concepts, and understandings.
Share effective and positive strategies for developing coping skills and wellness tools related to overcoming the effects of having a trauma, a substance use disorder, or a mental health challenge. 

26. Certified Peer Recovery Specialist SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Clarify and enhance self-advocacy skills.  Encourage peers to develop independent behavior that is based on informed choice; assisting peers in developing empowerment skills through self-advocacy.
Establish and maintain a peer relationship based on mutuality rather than a hierarchical relationship. Partner with the other person to facilitate recovery dialogues and other evidence-based and/or best practice methods.
Assist peers in selecting behavioral health services that suit each person’s individual recovery and wellness needs; Inform peers about community based and natural supports and how to utilize these in the recovery process.
Provide education on wellness and/or recovery.
Assist in developing a psychiatric advance directive.
Assist individuals and families of children in creating crisis recovery response plans.
Accompany people through the behavioral health service intake process and the discharge process, with person to person face to face follow up after discharge of person.  Help people identify and implement service exit strategies.
Provide outreach to people who have frequent inpatient experiences.  Provide outreach to people who have failed to engage with the behavioral health system.  

27. Certified Peer Recovery Specialist SCOPE OF PRACTICE
3)     Mentor community integration activities (one-to-one or in groups)
Provide community networking and linkage with social, recreational, spiritual, volunteer, educational or vocational resources.  Assist the person in identifying traditional and non-traditional community based supports that sustain a healthy life style. Provide opportunities to practice socialization, interaction and engagement abilities in the community. Support, encourage, and enhance the development of natural support systems and independent choice and participation.
Assist in the development of a community integration plan that sets milestones for an increased independent community involvement, showing a decrease of dependency on the CPRS
Support for day-to-day problem solving related to integration/reintegration into the positive community of choice.
Enhance the person’s/family’s ability to navigate the systems of service delivery related to the person’s written wellness-recovery plan or individual service plan. Provide, when available, time-limited transportation focusing on increasing the individual’s transportation independence through access to natural or formal resources.
Assist other behavioral healthcare service providers in identifying program and service environments that are conducive to recovery.

28. Certified Peer Recovery Specialist SCOPE OF PRACTICE
4.) Provide emotional support during the acquisition, exploration and sustaining of employment and/or educational services.
Support the vocational and educational choices of peers and assist them in developing strategies for overcoming educational or job-related behavioral health challenges that lead to independence.
5.) Attend treatment team and program development meetings.
Promote the use of self-directed recovery and wellness tools in individualized treatment planning.  Facilitate the inclusion of the person being served in all meetings that relate to the delivery of services.  Promote the inclusion of the individual in all treatment plans related to their healthcare.
The CPRS will share his or her unique perspective on recovery from mental illness or substance use disorder with non-peer staff. Assist non-peer staff in identifying programs and environments that are advantageous to supporting recovery and wellness outcomes.

29. Certified Peer Recovery Specialist - Requirements
Review Handouts
Virginia Certification Board – CPRS Application
Office of Recovery Services – What’s Next?

30. THANK YOU Questions? Mark Blackwell
Program Specialist, Office of Recovery Support
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
1220 Bank Street PO Box 1797
Richmond Va 23218
(804)