Peer Support Specialist Training

RSPS Supplemental Training *This Course has a prerequisite

The Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS)/Mental Health Peer Specialist standardizes qualifications of those working in Recovery Support within the field of chemical dependency, mental health, and/or co-occurring disorders. The RSPS credentialing guidelines have been developed by the Texas Certification Board (TCB) and comply with Medicaid guidelines for billing Peer Recovery Support Services under Medicaid licensed providers. This course is a 5-day, interactive training. It includes 46 hours of instruction, presented in a combination of Instructor-Led-Instruction (ILT) and self-study. This course provides the necessary classroom hours to apply for the RSPS Initial 6-Hour Certification.

Required class time: 46 hours of combined ILT (36-hours) in a virtual learning environment and 10-hours of self-study. Class participants must attend all 5-days of ILT and complete all self-study and other assigned work, as well as pass the End of Course Assessment to get the certificate of completion for this class.

*RSPS Core Training is the prerequisite for this training.

Required Class time: 5 days Cost: $425

RSPS/MHPS Core Training

This class is a 6-hour preview of the role of a Peer Recovery Coach and is designed to be a prerequisite for the RSPS 46-Hour Supplemental Training. Students are required to read and sign an attestation that they have completed the HHSC self-assessment and orientation, “Do You Want to Be a Peer Specialist?” before completing this class or enrolling in the RSPS/MHPS 46-hour Supplemental Training.

Click here for these documents

Please fill out, save, and print the attestation that you have completed the self-assessment and orientation.

Required class time: 6-hours Cost: $80

Peer Specialist Supervisor

Supervision is crucial to the success of the peer support workforce. This 6-hour interactive training meets the requirements for individuals seeking the Peer Specialist Supervisor Certification under Texas Administrative Code, Rules 354.3105 and 354.3163.

Course Learning Objectives include: skill building and professional growth, problem resolution, peer and supervisor foundation, and group supervision through the study of supervision scenarios.

Required Class time: 6 Hours Cost $100

Developing Excellence in Coaching

$160

This 2-day, 16-hour training is designed to help reinforce and strengthen Peer Recovery Coach skills. It provides coursework and CEUs toward RSPS/PRSS recertification.

Course Learning Objectives include: how to self-assess your coaching skills, discussing and practicing active listening and asking good questions, appropriate storytelling and self-disclosure, and understanding components of trauma-informed coaching and how to best utilize the first five coaching sessions.

Required class time: Two days. This course provides 16 CEUs. Cost $160.00

All training is now virtual via Zoom from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

RSPS/PRSS 46-Hour Supplemental Training

• January 11-15, 2021
• February 15-19, 2021
• April 12-16, 2021
• June 21-25, 2021
• August 16-20, 2021
• November 15-19, 2021

Core Training

• December 4, 2020
• February 5, 2021
• April 9, 2021
• May 14, 2021
• June 4 , 2021
• July 16, 2021
• August 6, 2021
• October 1, 2021
• November 12, 2021

Developing Excellence in Recovery Coaching

• March 25-26, 2021
• September 23-24, 2021

Peer Specialist Supervisor

• December 11, 2020
• May 14, 20201
• December 3, 2021

$80 Core Training/ $425 for RSPS/PRSS 46-Hour Supplemental Training Contact training@cforr.org for tuition information and available scholarships. Communities for Recovery occasionally offers training scholarships. We receive a high number of requests for scholarships and are unable to grant all requests. All scholarship applications will be reviewed on an individual basis. Only active Communities for Recovery volunteers that have been active for at least 3 months and have documented at least 25 hours of service work are eligible to apply for a scholarship.

Following the RSPS/PRSS training, volunteers under the CforR Training Scholarship agree to continue to volunteer for at least 3 additional months and log an additional 25 hours of volunteer service hours. If you meet these eligibility requirements, contact our training coordinator at training@cforr.org to apply.

If you are not an active active volunteer and would like to apply to become one, you may contact our volunteer coordinator, volunteer@cforr.org. Click here to download an application.

Download and complete the application to the best of your ability, and send it to our training coordinator at training@cforr.org Your application will be reviewed and you will be contacted for a brief interview.

To become a Peer Recovery Coach, you must be age 18 or older, have lived experience with recovery, and have at least one year of continuous sobriety. It is also important that you are comfortable with publicly identifying as a person in recovery, and that you have a desire to help others with their recovery process.ite Detail Here

Through lectures, discussions, and role plays, you will obtain a strong foundation in the core competencies of a recovery coach, including strength-based goal planning, social support, linkage to services, and building recovery capital. You will finish the training understanding the roles and responsibilities of a recovery coach and the process for obtaining certification.Here

The cost for the five-day Peer Support Specialist Training is $425, which includes breakfast each day and snacks. Additional expenses you may want to budget for are travel, overnight accommodations, and evening meals. Communities for Recovery occasionally offers training scholarships. We receive a high number of requests for scholarships and are unable to grant all requests. All scholarship applications will be reviewed on an individual basis. Only active Communities for Recovery volunteers that have been active for at least 3 months and have documented at least 25 hours of service work are eligible to apply for a scholarship. Following the RSPS/PRSS training, volunteers under the CforR Training Scholarship agree to continue to volunteer for at least 3 additional months and log an additional 25 hours of volunteer service hours. If you meet these eligibility requirements, contact our training coordinator at training@cforr.org to apply. If you are not an active active volunteer and would like to apply to become one, you may contact our volunteer coordinator, volunteer@cforr.org. Click here to download an application.

To become a certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist in the State of Texas, you must meet the minimum education and residency requirements, verify your education and training, complete 250 hrs. of  work experience (volunteer or paid) with 25 hrs. supervision, pass the International Peer Examination, and pay a fee for your certificate. The certification is valid for two years once you have earned it. Learn more at https://www.tcbap.org/page/PeerCertificationApplications.

• C4R Recovery Coach Resource Folder –Forms, tools, guides, training docs, etc. for recovery coaches.
• PRS Certification Steps and Requirements (after the training class) –A summary of the steps and requirements to complete the testing, application, and certification to become a peer recovery support specialist for substance use disorder in Texas after a person has taken the 46 hour PRS training.
• Recovery Coach Resources Facebook Group –Facebook group to support recovery coaches and recovery coach trainers (closed group, must request membership).
• Recovery Webinars from NAADAC
• Check out our Youtube Training Playlist

Job Listings for Recovery Coaches

• Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations
• indeed.com: Recovery Support Specialist – Be sure to enter search terms for location.
• Mission Capital  – Positions at nonprofits in Austin and throughout Central Texas, including jobs, internships and board seats. Be sure to enter search terms like “Peer Support Specialist.”
• Integral Care Career Opportunities
• Bluebonnet Trails Career Opportunities

Offered to the public at NO cost! Brought to you courtesy of the Austin Area Opioid Workgroup and Communities for Recovery, contact phil.owen@cforr.org for more info! Save a Life Learn how to respond to an overdose emergency Get Naloxone Now is an online resource to train people to respond effectively to an opioid-associated overdose emergency. Get Training Online detail Here