ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Peer Recovery Support Specialists (PRSS), also called recovery coaches, are individuals in recovery from substance use, problem gambling, mental health, and/or other/co-occurring challenges. They use their recovery experience to advocate, provide support, resources, and hope to individuals working through their own recovery. Similar to a life coach or wellness coach, Peer Recovery Support Specialists provide mentorship, guidance, and support to people seeking recovery. They assist their peers with goal setting and recovery planning, establishing healthy habits, accountability, and lend helpful resources.
The PRSS training is 46-hours of instructor-led lessons, group exercises, and activities designed to give you the foundational knowledge to begin recovery coaching. You'll learn techniques such as motivational interviewing, recovery planning, and proper documentation while building a deeper understanding of the recovery process and your unique strengths in supporting others. The training covers the core competencies of peer recovery support specialists in four domains, including advocacy, mentoring and education, recovery and wellness support, and ethical responsibility.
This Program is Perfect For
People in long term recovery from substance use, problem gambling, mental health, and/or other co-occuring challenges who want to use their recovery experience to advocate, provide support, resources, guidance, mentorship, and hope to others.
What You Will Learn
- Demonstrate an understanding of the guiding principles of recovery and the core values of peer recovery support services, as well as a comprehension of how to use these to support individuals in discovering and strengthening their own recovery pathways.
- Utilize motivational interviewing techniques to assess the needs of a peer within the eight dimensions of wellness, then use this information to assist peers in formulating recovery plans with person-centered recovery goals.
- Demonstrate an understanding of different methods of documentation and the importance of writing thorough case notes in an accurate and timely manner.
- Understand the importance of self-disclosure as a tool for mutual-identification and reciprocity as well as the importance of maintaining non-hierarchical relationships with those they are serving.
- Utilize model of ethical decision making to identify and apply the best practices and core values of peer ethics to a variety of ethical scenarios.
Program Details
State Certification
The Nevada Certification Board (NCB) manages certification, testing, and continuing education. Below are the NCB requirements to become a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist: Lived experience:
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A certified peer recovery and support specialist shall be in recovery for at least two years prior to certification.
- Peer Recovery and Support Work Experience: 500 hours of volunteer or paid work experience specific to the PRSS domains.
- Education and Training: A high school diploma or GED and completion of approved training curriculum. Non-Clinical Supervision: 25 hours of supervision specific to the domains is required.
- Examination: All applicants are required to pass the IC&RC proctored examination. Cost of Certification $165 application fee, which includes the cost of the exam.
- Renewal: $100 fee every two years with 20 hours of continuing education, including 6 hours of ethics.
About Our Partner: Foundation for Recovery
Foundation for Recovery (FFR) is Nevada’s largest consumer-led nonprofit providing education, advocacy, and peer-led recovery support services for people and families impacted by addiction. Our training is approved by the Nevada Certification Board and meets the requirements for state certification. FFR has trained over 300 PRSS across Nevada and has published helpful guides, toolkits, and continuing education for providers seeking to implement and supervise a peer workforce.
Ways To Register
- Register online with a credit card at https://register.edoutreach.unlv.edu/ Returning students should login with their Continuing Education Student ID number (typically in the format of X00-00-000 or XW0-00-0000) or email address. New students should click on the Sign Up button or the “create account” link to create an account.
- Register by phone with a credit card by calling the Information Desk at (702) 895-3394. Customer Service hours for the Information Desk are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on university-observed holidays).
- Register by fax by submitting a Registration Form and credit card information to (702) 895-4195. Registration forms received outside of regular Customer Services hours listed above will be processed on the next business day.
- Register by standard mail by mailing a Registration Form with payment to the address listed below. Payment must accompany the form and can be any of the following:
a. Credit Card information listed on the Registration Form
b. Check or Money Order made out to Board of Regents
c. DO NOT SEND CASHMail Registration Forms to:
UNLV Continuing Education
4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 451019
Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-1019 - Register in person by visiting the Information Desk located at the UNLV Paradise Campus, 851 E. Tropicana Ave., on the corner of Tropicana and Swenson. Customer Service hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on university-observed holidays).
Visit Fees and Related Policies for more information regarding acceptable forms of payment and other related policies.