Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
Transcript Of Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
Handbook of Guidelines, Standards, and Procedures
May 2022
Contents
I. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 3 II. Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Definition................................................................................... 3 III. CPRS Program Operation ................................................................................................................. 6
CPRS Advisory Committee............................................................................................................................... 6
IV. Certification Guidelines.................................................................................................................... 6
Certification Standards ................................................................................................................................... 6 Certification Procedure ................................................................................................................................... 7
V. CPRS Scope of Activities................................................................................................................... 9 VI. CPRS Code of Ethics ....................................................................................................................... 10 VII. Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of Certification, and Reconsideration .................................... 11 VIII. Certification Renewal Guidelines...................................................................................................11
Certification Renewal Procedure................................................................................................................... 12
IX. Continuing Education Guidelines...................................................................................................12
Continuing Education Standards ................................................................................................................... 12 Continuing Education Verification Procedure ............................................................................................... 13
X. Employment Standards for Reimbursable Services ....................................................................... 13 XI. Supervision Requirement .............................................................................................................. 14 XII. Frequently Asked Questions .......................................................................................................... 16
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Tennessee’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Program
I. Introduction
Tennessee’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialist program provides State certification for individuals who provide direct peer-to-peer support services to others who have mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders. Because of their lived experience, Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS’s) can, with specialized training and guidance, draw from their own journey of recovery to inspire hope and provide support to others who are facing similar situations. This document defines the role, purpose, functions, and responsibilities of the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in Tennessee. The certification defines the minimum standards of competency, which are the knowledge and the skills required of the position.
This certification does not imply that Tennessee Certified Peer Recovery Specialists are qualified to diagnose an illness, prescribe medication, or provide clinical services. Tennessee Certified Peer Recovery Specialists do not provide treatment of any kind. Tennessee’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialist program is not an offer of employment or job placement by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS). Certification in no way guarantees employment. Each person certified as a Peer Recovery Specialist should apply for positions available in his or her community. Each Certified Peer Recovery Specialist must be under supervision as defined by the state.
II. Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Definition
A Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) is someone who has self-identified as being in recovery from mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders of both mental illness and substance use disorder. To become certified, a CPRS has completed specialized training recognized by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services on how to provide peer recovery services based on the principles of recovery and resiliency.
Certified Peer Recovery Specialists can provide support to others with mental illness, substance abuse, or cooccurring disorder and help them achieve their personal recovery goals by promoting self-determination, personal responsibility, and the empowerment inherent in self-directed recovery.
Direct peer-to-peer services can include a variety of support services, such as:
▪ assisting in the development of strengths-based individual goals ▪ serving as an advocate, mentor, or facilitator for resolution of issues that a peer is unable to resolve on his
or her own ▪ assisting in the development of recovery goals ▪ developing community support ▪ providing information on ways to maintain personal wellness and recovery ▪ providing information on behavioral health system navigation
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With regard to Medicaid-reimbursable services, a Tennessee Certified Peer Recovery Specialist who is:
1. Employed by an agency that is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and
2. Under the direct clinical supervision of a licensed behavioral health professional in accordance with acceptable guidelines and standards of practice as defined by the State
is authorized to provide Medicaid-reimbursable peer recovery services in outpatient and inpatient programs under the employer’s contract with the health plans. A Tennessee Certified Peer Recovery Specialist is never authorized to provide peer recovery services on their own for pay or for reimbursement from a health plan and doing so constitutes unethical behavior and a violation of the scope of activities for a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist.
For information comparing Certified Peer Recovery Specialist roles with other behavioral health staff, see the following chart.
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Planning Service
Resource Service
Illness Management Service
Medication Management Service
Employment/ Housing Services
Education Services
12-Step Sponsor
Reviews the meaning of the 12 Steps and emphasizes their importance.
Accesses professional help if assistance outside the scope of the 12 Step Program is needed.
Encourages the person to work with others in recovery as soon as possible and begins to take him or her on Twelfth Step calls.
Refers the person to the literature that discusses medication. Encourages appropriate use of medication. Encourages the person to talk openly with their doctor about their symptoms and about being a person in recovery. Encourages personal responsibility, including getting a job and becoming a productive member of society.
Promotes awareness of 12 Step literature, scope of the 12 Steps, and the three Legacies (Recovery, Unity and Service)
Peer Recovery Specialists and Role Comparisons
Peer Recovery Specialist
Assists the individual in developing and monitoring a recovery plan.
Teaches, role models, coaches how to use resources and navigate the mental health and/or substance use disorder systems. Teaches, supports, coaches the acquisition and exercise of skills needed for management of symptoms.
Case Manager
Assists the individual in developing a service plan.
Provides referral and linkage.
Ensures individual has access, continuity of care throughout the mental health and primary healthcare system.
Psychosocial and Recovery Staff
Assists the individual in developing an employment/housing plan. Identifies resources needed to implement plan.
Assists the individual so that illness symptoms do not negatively impact employment and housing goals.
Encourages appropriate use of medication; holds the person accountable for his or her actions; teaches, models monitoring symptoms and/or medication reactions, effective communication with doctors, therapists.
Teaches, models, coaches skills and attributes needed to attain and maintain employment and housing.
Ensures individual has resources to acquire medication, has transportation for appointments, and attends appointments.
Ensures individual has access to psychosocial rehab, supportive employment, and housing options.
Teaches recovery education such as WRAP®, BRIDGES, IMR, and/or 12 Steps for knowledge and skills needed to manage illness
Encourages individual to utilize community/natural supports to assist in illness management.
Educates employers, landlords on the treatment process, the role of medication, and symptoms in the management of the illness, as appropriate.
Provides employment and housing support by facilitating opportunities for housing and job placement. Teaches skills needed to maintain housing and employment.
Substance Use Disorder
Professional Develops treatment plan with individual.
Conducts clinical assessment.
Provides clinical education and training regarding symptomatology and medication management.
Provides clinical treatment to include individual and group therapy focusing on education of the role of medication in the recovery process. Provides clinical consultation and assessment.
Provides clinical support through individual or group therapy sessions.
Mental Health Professional
Develops treatment plan with the individual.
Conducts clinical assessment.
Provides clinical education and training regarding symptomatology and medication management.
Provides clinical treatment to include individual and group therapy focusing on education of the role of medication in the recovery process. Provides clinical consultation and assessment.
Provides clinical support through individual or group therapy sessions.
III. CPRS Program Operation
The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services’ Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services operates Tennessee’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Program with consultation from the CPRS Advisory Committee.
The Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services shall develop and reserves the right to make any necessary changes to CPRS Guidelines, Standards and Procedures without prior notification so that appropriate authority to grant certification and acceptable professional standards are established.
CPRS Advisory Committee The CPRS Advisory Committee meets on an on-going basis and shall be made up of, but is not limited to, Certified Peer Recovery Specialists, behavioral health service providers, and the TDMHSAS. The CPRS Advisory Committee has the duty and responsibility to function in such a manner as to promote and protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. Thus, the Committee makes recommendations that include, but are not limited to, requirements of certification, training, and acceptable continuing education.
IV. Certification Guidelines
Each applicant must meet all minimum requirements as outlined by CPRS Guidelines, Standards and Procedures. After the TDMHSAS has reviewed the application, applicants will be sent an email confirming their status and will receive their certificate in the mail.
Certification Standards
To become certified as a Peer Recovery Specialist in the State of Tennessee, all applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
1. Be at least age eighteen (18) years of age or older;
2. Hold a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED);
3. Have current or past mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorder;
4. Self-identify as a person who is in recovery from mental illness, substance abuse, or co- occurring disorder as part of his or her personal recovery process;
5. Have demonstrated self-directed recovery for a minimum of 24 consecutive months as stated in the CPRS Application, Part One;
6. Have successfully completed the state’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training within the past year. If more than one year has passed since taking the training, it must be retaken. To apply for the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training, complete Part One of the Certification Application, which can be found at www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/CPRS-online-forms *Please note that pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, all state records are considered open for public inspection, unless otherwise protected under the law. Accordingly, the State cannot and does not guarantee the confidentiality of this application, any notes, files, reports or other documents received by the State or in possession of the State in conjunction with this application.
7. Have successfully demonstrated competency through testing and evaluation as required by the state Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training.
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8. Complete a minimum of 75 hours of supervised paid or volunteer work within the past year providing peer recovery services with individuals who have mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders.
▪ Sponsorship in 12-step programs does not qualify to meet this requirement, in part because of the supervision requirement.
▪ No less than three hours of supervision (one hour for every 25 hours of service provided) from an approved supervisor (see Supervision section in this handbook)
▪ Peer recovery services can include providing one-on-one support, leading support groups, and providing recovery education.
▪ Examples of recovery education include stress management presentations, presenting tools to deal with triggers, and teaching the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP®), among many others.
9. Read, understand, and agree to the following:
▪ Successful completion of the state’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training
▪ Supervised employment or supervised volunteer work providing peer support services supervised by an approved supervisor (see Supervision section in this handbook)
▪ The CPRS Scope of Activities
▪ The CPRS Code of Ethics
10. Submit all of the following online forms:
▪ Completed CPRS Application, Part Two *Please note that pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, all state records are considered open for public inspection, unless otherwise protected under the law. Accordingly, the State cannot and does not guarantee the confidentiality of this application, any notes, files, reports or other documents received by the State or in possession of the State in conjunction with applications.
▪ Completed Employment/Volunteer Summary by the supervisor
▪ Three completed professional/personal references
Two of the three professional/personal references may come from a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist.
Do not use family members, therapists, or psychiatrists as a professional reference.
Certification Procedure It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required documents are submitted and completed as accurately as possible. The completed application and other required documents are to be submitted by the applicant via the online application process found at this link: Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Program (tn.gov). In the rare instance that the online application process cannot be accessed, applications can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed directly to:
Peer Recovery Coordinator Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Andrew Jackson Building
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6th Floor 500 Deaderick Street Nashville, Tennessee 37243
Please allow fourteen business days for documents mailed to the Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services to be received.
Once an application is received, a status report will be mailed to the applicant at the email address listed on the application. If Federal Express or special courier services are used, the Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services shall not be responsible for any charges incurred or any lost documents. The average application processing time is three weeks. Once complete, each application is reviewed and a certification determination made. Upon successful review, the applicant will receive an email and the certificate will be mailed.
If the application is not complete upon receipt by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services, a deficiency letter will be emailed to the applicant. Supporting documentation requested in the letter must be received in the Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services ninety (90) calendar days from the date of the deficiency letter before the applicant can be certified. Applications not completed within ninety (90) calendar days after the date of the deficiency letter will be closed. Once an incomplete file has been closed, all applicants must submit a new application and all required documentation.
For questions about the application process, contact the Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services toll-free at 800-560-5767 or visit: Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Program (tn.gov) *Please note that pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, all state records are considered open for public inspection, unless otherwise protected under the law. Accordingly, the State cannot and does not guarantee the confidentiality of this application, any notes, files, reports or other documents received by the State or in possession of the State in conjunction with this application.
Peers currently certified in other states can become certified in Tennessee through the state to state process, which includes completing the state to state application, providing documentation of current certification in previous state and providing documentation of education level (if not required by previous state). Once certification has been verified from the previous state, the peer is issued a CPRS Training Manual and Workbook and allowed one month for study. The final step is for the peer to complete testing and role plays with a state certified CPRS Trainer.
NOTE: Everyone who is certified as a Peer Recovery Specialist must notify the Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services, in writing to [email protected], within fourteen business days of the following:
▪ Change in name, address, email, or other contact information. ▪ Change in the agency staff person responsible for providing supervision (even if agency
does not change). Each Certified Peer Recovery Specialist must be under supervision as defined by the State. ▪ If you have a professional license and any action is taken against that license. ▪ If you are placed on the Tennessee Department of Health Abuse Registry or Tennessee Sex Offender Registry.
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V. CPRS Scope of Activities
The scope of activities outlines the range of peer recovery services that a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist can provide to assist others in living their lives based on the principles of recovery and resiliency. Certification does not imply that the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist is qualified to diagnose an illness, prescribe medication, or provide clinical services and doing so constitutes at minimum a violation of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Code of Ethics.
1. Utilizing unique recovery experiences, the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist shall: a. Teach and model the value of every individual’s recovery experience; b. Model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies; c. Encourage peers to develop a healthy independence; and d. Establish and maintain a peer relationship rather than a hierarchical relationship.
2. Utilizing direct peer-to-peer interaction and a goal-setting process, the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist shall: a. Understand and utilize specific interventions necessary to assist peers in meeting their individualized recovery goals; b. Demonstrate and impart how to facilitate recovery dialogues through the use active listening and other evidence-based and/or best practice methods; c. Demonstrate and impart relevant skills needed for self-management of symptoms and prevention of relapse; d. Demonstrate and impart how to overcome personal fears, anxieties, urges, and triggers; e. Assist peers in articulating their personal goals and objectives for their recovery f. Assist peers in creating their personal recovery plans (e.g., WRAP®, Declaration for Mental Health Treatment, crisis plan, relapse prevention plan, etc.); and g. Appropriately document activities provided to peers in either their individual records or program records.
3. The Certified Peer Recovery Specialist shall maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the fields of mental health, substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and peer recovery services by: a. Reading books, current journals, and other relevant material; b. Developing and sharing recovery-oriented material with other Certified Peer Recovery Specialists; c. Attending authorized or recognized seminars, workshops, and educational trainings.
4. The Certified Peer Recovery Specialist shall serve as a recovery agent by: a. Providing and promoting recovery-based services (e.g., BRIDGES, WRAP®, 12-Step Groups, etc.); b. Assisting peers in obtaining services that suit each peer’s individual recovery needs; c. Assisting peers in developing empowerment skills through self-advocacy; d. Assisting peers in developing problem-solving skills so they can respond to challenges to their recovery; e. When appropriate sharing his or her unique perspective on recovery from mental illness and substance abuse disorders and co-occurring disorders with non-peer staff; and f. Assisting non-peer staff in a collaborative process in identifying programs and environments that are conducive to recovery.
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VI. CPRS Code of Ethics
These principles will guide Certified Peer Recovery Specialists in the various roles, relationships, and levels of responsibility in which they function professionally.
1. The primary responsibility of Certified Peer Recovery Specialists is to help peers achieve their own needs, wants, and goals.
2. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will maintain high standards of personal and professional conduct.
3. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will conduct themselves in a manner that fosters their own recovery.
4. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will openly share with peers, other CPRS’s and non-peers their recovery stories from mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders as appropriate for the situation in order to promote recovery and resiliency.
5. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists at all times will respect the rights and dignity of those they serve.
6. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will never intimidate, threaten, harass, use undue influence, use physical force, use verbal abuse, or make unwarranted promises of benefits to the individuals they serve.
7. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will not practice, condone, facilitate, or collaborate in any form of discrimination or harassment based on ethnicity, race, color, pregnancy, creed, veteran’s status, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, marital status, political belief, mental or physical disability, or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.
8. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will promote self-direction and decision making for those they serve.
9. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will respect the privacy and confidentiality of those they serve.
10. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will promote and support services that foster full integration of individuals into the communities of their choice.
11. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will be directed by the knowledge that all individuals have the right to live and function in the least restrictive and least intrusive environment.
12. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will not enter into dual relationships or commitments that conflict with the interests of those they serve.
13. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will never engage in sexual or other inappropriate activities with peers they serve.
14. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will not use illegal substances, misuse alcohol, or other drugs (including prescription medications).
15. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will keep current with emerging knowledge relevant to recovery and will share this knowledge with other Certified Peer Recovery Specialists.
16. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will not accept gifts of significant value from those they serve.
17. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will not provide services, either for employment or on a volunteer basis, without supervision.
18. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will not provide services beyond their qualifications. This includes diagnosing an illness, prescribing medications, or providing clinical services.
19. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists shall only provide services and support within the hours, days and locations that are authorized by the TDMHSAS-approved agency with which they work.
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May 2022
Contents
I. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 3 II. Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Definition................................................................................... 3 III. CPRS Program Operation ................................................................................................................. 6
CPRS Advisory Committee............................................................................................................................... 6
IV. Certification Guidelines.................................................................................................................... 6
Certification Standards ................................................................................................................................... 6 Certification Procedure ................................................................................................................................... 7
V. CPRS Scope of Activities................................................................................................................... 9 VI. CPRS Code of Ethics ....................................................................................................................... 10 VII. Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of Certification, and Reconsideration .................................... 11 VIII. Certification Renewal Guidelines...................................................................................................11
Certification Renewal Procedure................................................................................................................... 12
IX. Continuing Education Guidelines...................................................................................................12
Continuing Education Standards ................................................................................................................... 12 Continuing Education Verification Procedure ............................................................................................... 13
X. Employment Standards for Reimbursable Services ....................................................................... 13 XI. Supervision Requirement .............................................................................................................. 14 XII. Frequently Asked Questions .......................................................................................................... 16
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Tennessee’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Program
I. Introduction
Tennessee’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialist program provides State certification for individuals who provide direct peer-to-peer support services to others who have mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders. Because of their lived experience, Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS’s) can, with specialized training and guidance, draw from their own journey of recovery to inspire hope and provide support to others who are facing similar situations. This document defines the role, purpose, functions, and responsibilities of the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in Tennessee. The certification defines the minimum standards of competency, which are the knowledge and the skills required of the position.
This certification does not imply that Tennessee Certified Peer Recovery Specialists are qualified to diagnose an illness, prescribe medication, or provide clinical services. Tennessee Certified Peer Recovery Specialists do not provide treatment of any kind. Tennessee’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialist program is not an offer of employment or job placement by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS). Certification in no way guarantees employment. Each person certified as a Peer Recovery Specialist should apply for positions available in his or her community. Each Certified Peer Recovery Specialist must be under supervision as defined by the state.
II. Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Definition
A Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) is someone who has self-identified as being in recovery from mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders of both mental illness and substance use disorder. To become certified, a CPRS has completed specialized training recognized by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services on how to provide peer recovery services based on the principles of recovery and resiliency.
Certified Peer Recovery Specialists can provide support to others with mental illness, substance abuse, or cooccurring disorder and help them achieve their personal recovery goals by promoting self-determination, personal responsibility, and the empowerment inherent in self-directed recovery.
Direct peer-to-peer services can include a variety of support services, such as:
▪ assisting in the development of strengths-based individual goals ▪ serving as an advocate, mentor, or facilitator for resolution of issues that a peer is unable to resolve on his
or her own ▪ assisting in the development of recovery goals ▪ developing community support ▪ providing information on ways to maintain personal wellness and recovery ▪ providing information on behavioral health system navigation
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With regard to Medicaid-reimbursable services, a Tennessee Certified Peer Recovery Specialist who is:
1. Employed by an agency that is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and
2. Under the direct clinical supervision of a licensed behavioral health professional in accordance with acceptable guidelines and standards of practice as defined by the State
is authorized to provide Medicaid-reimbursable peer recovery services in outpatient and inpatient programs under the employer’s contract with the health plans. A Tennessee Certified Peer Recovery Specialist is never authorized to provide peer recovery services on their own for pay or for reimbursement from a health plan and doing so constitutes unethical behavior and a violation of the scope of activities for a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist.
For information comparing Certified Peer Recovery Specialist roles with other behavioral health staff, see the following chart.
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Planning Service
Resource Service
Illness Management Service
Medication Management Service
Employment/ Housing Services
Education Services
12-Step Sponsor
Reviews the meaning of the 12 Steps and emphasizes their importance.
Accesses professional help if assistance outside the scope of the 12 Step Program is needed.
Encourages the person to work with others in recovery as soon as possible and begins to take him or her on Twelfth Step calls.
Refers the person to the literature that discusses medication. Encourages appropriate use of medication. Encourages the person to talk openly with their doctor about their symptoms and about being a person in recovery. Encourages personal responsibility, including getting a job and becoming a productive member of society.
Promotes awareness of 12 Step literature, scope of the 12 Steps, and the three Legacies (Recovery, Unity and Service)
Peer Recovery Specialists and Role Comparisons
Peer Recovery Specialist
Assists the individual in developing and monitoring a recovery plan.
Teaches, role models, coaches how to use resources and navigate the mental health and/or substance use disorder systems. Teaches, supports, coaches the acquisition and exercise of skills needed for management of symptoms.
Case Manager
Assists the individual in developing a service plan.
Provides referral and linkage.
Ensures individual has access, continuity of care throughout the mental health and primary healthcare system.
Psychosocial and Recovery Staff
Assists the individual in developing an employment/housing plan. Identifies resources needed to implement plan.
Assists the individual so that illness symptoms do not negatively impact employment and housing goals.
Encourages appropriate use of medication; holds the person accountable for his or her actions; teaches, models monitoring symptoms and/or medication reactions, effective communication with doctors, therapists.
Teaches, models, coaches skills and attributes needed to attain and maintain employment and housing.
Ensures individual has resources to acquire medication, has transportation for appointments, and attends appointments.
Ensures individual has access to psychosocial rehab, supportive employment, and housing options.
Teaches recovery education such as WRAP®, BRIDGES, IMR, and/or 12 Steps for knowledge and skills needed to manage illness
Encourages individual to utilize community/natural supports to assist in illness management.
Educates employers, landlords on the treatment process, the role of medication, and symptoms in the management of the illness, as appropriate.
Provides employment and housing support by facilitating opportunities for housing and job placement. Teaches skills needed to maintain housing and employment.
Substance Use Disorder
Professional Develops treatment plan with individual.
Conducts clinical assessment.
Provides clinical education and training regarding symptomatology and medication management.
Provides clinical treatment to include individual and group therapy focusing on education of the role of medication in the recovery process. Provides clinical consultation and assessment.
Provides clinical support through individual or group therapy sessions.
Mental Health Professional
Develops treatment plan with the individual.
Conducts clinical assessment.
Provides clinical education and training regarding symptomatology and medication management.
Provides clinical treatment to include individual and group therapy focusing on education of the role of medication in the recovery process. Provides clinical consultation and assessment.
Provides clinical support through individual or group therapy sessions.
III. CPRS Program Operation
The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services’ Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services operates Tennessee’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Program with consultation from the CPRS Advisory Committee.
The Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services shall develop and reserves the right to make any necessary changes to CPRS Guidelines, Standards and Procedures without prior notification so that appropriate authority to grant certification and acceptable professional standards are established.
CPRS Advisory Committee The CPRS Advisory Committee meets on an on-going basis and shall be made up of, but is not limited to, Certified Peer Recovery Specialists, behavioral health service providers, and the TDMHSAS. The CPRS Advisory Committee has the duty and responsibility to function in such a manner as to promote and protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. Thus, the Committee makes recommendations that include, but are not limited to, requirements of certification, training, and acceptable continuing education.
IV. Certification Guidelines
Each applicant must meet all minimum requirements as outlined by CPRS Guidelines, Standards and Procedures. After the TDMHSAS has reviewed the application, applicants will be sent an email confirming their status and will receive their certificate in the mail.
Certification Standards
To become certified as a Peer Recovery Specialist in the State of Tennessee, all applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
1. Be at least age eighteen (18) years of age or older;
2. Hold a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED);
3. Have current or past mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorder;
4. Self-identify as a person who is in recovery from mental illness, substance abuse, or co- occurring disorder as part of his or her personal recovery process;
5. Have demonstrated self-directed recovery for a minimum of 24 consecutive months as stated in the CPRS Application, Part One;
6. Have successfully completed the state’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training within the past year. If more than one year has passed since taking the training, it must be retaken. To apply for the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training, complete Part One of the Certification Application, which can be found at www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/CPRS-online-forms *Please note that pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, all state records are considered open for public inspection, unless otherwise protected under the law. Accordingly, the State cannot and does not guarantee the confidentiality of this application, any notes, files, reports or other documents received by the State or in possession of the State in conjunction with this application.
7. Have successfully demonstrated competency through testing and evaluation as required by the state Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training.
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8. Complete a minimum of 75 hours of supervised paid or volunteer work within the past year providing peer recovery services with individuals who have mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders.
▪ Sponsorship in 12-step programs does not qualify to meet this requirement, in part because of the supervision requirement.
▪ No less than three hours of supervision (one hour for every 25 hours of service provided) from an approved supervisor (see Supervision section in this handbook)
▪ Peer recovery services can include providing one-on-one support, leading support groups, and providing recovery education.
▪ Examples of recovery education include stress management presentations, presenting tools to deal with triggers, and teaching the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP®), among many others.
9. Read, understand, and agree to the following:
▪ Successful completion of the state’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training
▪ Supervised employment or supervised volunteer work providing peer support services supervised by an approved supervisor (see Supervision section in this handbook)
▪ The CPRS Scope of Activities
▪ The CPRS Code of Ethics
10. Submit all of the following online forms:
▪ Completed CPRS Application, Part Two *Please note that pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, all state records are considered open for public inspection, unless otherwise protected under the law. Accordingly, the State cannot and does not guarantee the confidentiality of this application, any notes, files, reports or other documents received by the State or in possession of the State in conjunction with applications.
▪ Completed Employment/Volunteer Summary by the supervisor
▪ Three completed professional/personal references
Two of the three professional/personal references may come from a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist.
Do not use family members, therapists, or psychiatrists as a professional reference.
Certification Procedure It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required documents are submitted and completed as accurately as possible. The completed application and other required documents are to be submitted by the applicant via the online application process found at this link: Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Program (tn.gov). In the rare instance that the online application process cannot be accessed, applications can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed directly to:
Peer Recovery Coordinator Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Andrew Jackson Building
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6th Floor 500 Deaderick Street Nashville, Tennessee 37243
Please allow fourteen business days for documents mailed to the Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services to be received.
Once an application is received, a status report will be mailed to the applicant at the email address listed on the application. If Federal Express or special courier services are used, the Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services shall not be responsible for any charges incurred or any lost documents. The average application processing time is three weeks. Once complete, each application is reviewed and a certification determination made. Upon successful review, the applicant will receive an email and the certificate will be mailed.
If the application is not complete upon receipt by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services, a deficiency letter will be emailed to the applicant. Supporting documentation requested in the letter must be received in the Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services ninety (90) calendar days from the date of the deficiency letter before the applicant can be certified. Applications not completed within ninety (90) calendar days after the date of the deficiency letter will be closed. Once an incomplete file has been closed, all applicants must submit a new application and all required documentation.
For questions about the application process, contact the Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services toll-free at 800-560-5767 or visit: Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Program (tn.gov) *Please note that pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, all state records are considered open for public inspection, unless otherwise protected under the law. Accordingly, the State cannot and does not guarantee the confidentiality of this application, any notes, files, reports or other documents received by the State or in possession of the State in conjunction with this application.
Peers currently certified in other states can become certified in Tennessee through the state to state process, which includes completing the state to state application, providing documentation of current certification in previous state and providing documentation of education level (if not required by previous state). Once certification has been verified from the previous state, the peer is issued a CPRS Training Manual and Workbook and allowed one month for study. The final step is for the peer to complete testing and role plays with a state certified CPRS Trainer.
NOTE: Everyone who is certified as a Peer Recovery Specialist must notify the Office of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services, in writing to [email protected], within fourteen business days of the following:
▪ Change in name, address, email, or other contact information. ▪ Change in the agency staff person responsible for providing supervision (even if agency
does not change). Each Certified Peer Recovery Specialist must be under supervision as defined by the State. ▪ If you have a professional license and any action is taken against that license. ▪ If you are placed on the Tennessee Department of Health Abuse Registry or Tennessee Sex Offender Registry.
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V. CPRS Scope of Activities
The scope of activities outlines the range of peer recovery services that a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist can provide to assist others in living their lives based on the principles of recovery and resiliency. Certification does not imply that the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist is qualified to diagnose an illness, prescribe medication, or provide clinical services and doing so constitutes at minimum a violation of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Code of Ethics.
1. Utilizing unique recovery experiences, the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist shall: a. Teach and model the value of every individual’s recovery experience; b. Model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies; c. Encourage peers to develop a healthy independence; and d. Establish and maintain a peer relationship rather than a hierarchical relationship.
2. Utilizing direct peer-to-peer interaction and a goal-setting process, the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist shall: a. Understand and utilize specific interventions necessary to assist peers in meeting their individualized recovery goals; b. Demonstrate and impart how to facilitate recovery dialogues through the use active listening and other evidence-based and/or best practice methods; c. Demonstrate and impart relevant skills needed for self-management of symptoms and prevention of relapse; d. Demonstrate and impart how to overcome personal fears, anxieties, urges, and triggers; e. Assist peers in articulating their personal goals and objectives for their recovery f. Assist peers in creating their personal recovery plans (e.g., WRAP®, Declaration for Mental Health Treatment, crisis plan, relapse prevention plan, etc.); and g. Appropriately document activities provided to peers in either their individual records or program records.
3. The Certified Peer Recovery Specialist shall maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the fields of mental health, substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and peer recovery services by: a. Reading books, current journals, and other relevant material; b. Developing and sharing recovery-oriented material with other Certified Peer Recovery Specialists; c. Attending authorized or recognized seminars, workshops, and educational trainings.
4. The Certified Peer Recovery Specialist shall serve as a recovery agent by: a. Providing and promoting recovery-based services (e.g., BRIDGES, WRAP®, 12-Step Groups, etc.); b. Assisting peers in obtaining services that suit each peer’s individual recovery needs; c. Assisting peers in developing empowerment skills through self-advocacy; d. Assisting peers in developing problem-solving skills so they can respond to challenges to their recovery; e. When appropriate sharing his or her unique perspective on recovery from mental illness and substance abuse disorders and co-occurring disorders with non-peer staff; and f. Assisting non-peer staff in a collaborative process in identifying programs and environments that are conducive to recovery.
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VI. CPRS Code of Ethics
These principles will guide Certified Peer Recovery Specialists in the various roles, relationships, and levels of responsibility in which they function professionally.
1. The primary responsibility of Certified Peer Recovery Specialists is to help peers achieve their own needs, wants, and goals.
2. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will maintain high standards of personal and professional conduct.
3. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will conduct themselves in a manner that fosters their own recovery.
4. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will openly share with peers, other CPRS’s and non-peers their recovery stories from mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders as appropriate for the situation in order to promote recovery and resiliency.
5. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists at all times will respect the rights and dignity of those they serve.
6. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will never intimidate, threaten, harass, use undue influence, use physical force, use verbal abuse, or make unwarranted promises of benefits to the individuals they serve.
7. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will not practice, condone, facilitate, or collaborate in any form of discrimination or harassment based on ethnicity, race, color, pregnancy, creed, veteran’s status, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, marital status, political belief, mental or physical disability, or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.
8. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will promote self-direction and decision making for those they serve.
9. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will respect the privacy and confidentiality of those they serve.
10. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will promote and support services that foster full integration of individuals into the communities of their choice.
11. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will be directed by the knowledge that all individuals have the right to live and function in the least restrictive and least intrusive environment.
12. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will not enter into dual relationships or commitments that conflict with the interests of those they serve.
13. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will never engage in sexual or other inappropriate activities with peers they serve.
14. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will not use illegal substances, misuse alcohol, or other drugs (including prescription medications).
15. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will keep current with emerging knowledge relevant to recovery and will share this knowledge with other Certified Peer Recovery Specialists.
16. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will not accept gifts of significant value from those they serve.
17. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will not provide services, either for employment or on a volunteer basis, without supervision.
18. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will not provide services beyond their qualifications. This includes diagnosing an illness, prescribing medications, or providing clinical services.
19. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists shall only provide services and support within the hours, days and locations that are authorized by the TDMHSAS-approved agency with which they work.
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