The Florida Certification Board states “Certified Recovery Peer Specialists utilize their unique lived experience to ensure client directed care by assisting individuals to build the specific skills and relationships needed to achieve and maintain recovery from substance use and/or mental health condition.”

Lived experience is a foundation of peer-to-peer support services. As such, Florida Certification Board applicants for CRPS must attest to at least one of the lived-experience endorsements at the time of application. BEFORE YOU APPLY FOR THIS TRAINING, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING FCB-ISSUED ENDORSEMENTS:

Adult (A) Applicants have personal lived experience as an adult navigating mental health, substance use, or other recovery as an adult with a mental health condition or substance use disorder and are currently living a wellness and recovery-oriented lifestyle for a minimum of two years.

Family (F) Applicants have lived experience as a family member or caregiver to a child or adult diagnosed with a mental health condition or substance use disorder. Individuals with the “family” endorsement have lived experience supporting adult or child family members through recovery or systems of care necessary to achieve a wellness and recovery-oriented lifestyle.

Veteran (V) Applicants have lived experience related to military service and its impact on health, recovery, or community reintegration as a veteran of the armed forces who has also been diagnosed with a mental health condition or substance use disorder and is currently living a wellness and recovery-oriented lifestyle for a minimum of two years.

Youth (Y) Applicants are currently between the ages of 18 and 29; have lived experience with a significant life challenge(s) during the ages of 14-25; and are currently living a wellness and recovery-oriented lifestyle for a minimum of two years. Significant life challenges include experience with mental health, substance use, or systems involvement during adolescence or young adulthood.

Criminal Justice (CJ) Applicants have experience with incarceration, probation/parole, or other aspects of the criminal justice system due to a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder and are living a wellness and recovery-oriented lifestyle for a minimum of two years.

(Florida Certification Board applicants for CRPS can hold as many endorsements as they can attest to; however, only one endorsement can be selected at the time of application. Applicants seeking multiple endorsements will choose a primary endorsement at the time of application and then coordinate their request for additional endorsements with their assigned certification specialist.)

40 CEU SINGLE SOURCE TRAINING

From Peer to Practice: A Trauma-Informed Approach for Recovery Peer Specialists has been approved by the Florida Certification Board as a single-source training. This training meets the 40 training hours and content area requirements of the CPRS certification application. Upon completion, you will receive a Certificate of Completion to be submitted alongside your application’s training verification form. This training provides the foundational knowledge needed to provide peer-based recovery support services and pass the exam required for certification. Other requirements for certification are found at the Florida Certification Board website www.flcertificationboard.org.

TRAUMA-INFORMED

A trauma-informed approach is based on the understanding that many if not most of the people coming in for services have suffered traumatic experiences, and the provider is responsible for being sensitive to this fact, regardless of whether a person is being treated specifically for the trauma. Trauma-informed care is designed to be both preventive and rehabilitative. This training will reflect trauma competent service delivery and describe a service environment that addresses triggers and perceived dangers.

SELF CARE SUPPORTIVE

Workers in any helping profession cannot promote wellness in others if they are not well themselves. This training incorporates self-care practices and modeling that a peer may use with the person they are supporting and for their own recovery care. Personal recovery remains on the forefront for any peer and the maintenance of personal wellness is incorporated into discussions and activities related to service delivery.

APPLYING FOR THIS TRAINING

Applicants must attest to the type of lived experience that makes them eligible to serve as a peer to others.
If your application is accepted, there may be a brief phone interview with one of the facilitators.
All participants will be required to provide their own food and transportation for this training.

SELECT REGISTER (below) to start this process.

From Peer to Practice (40 CEU)