Certified Recovery Specialist Program

Overview

In 2009, with funding from the Division of Mental Health and Addiction, under the Family and Social Services Administration, Affiliated Service Providers of Indiana, Inc. (ASPIN) became the designated agency to develop and administer the Certified Recovery Specialist Program for the State of Indiana. With support from additional statewide partners such as NAMI, the S.E.C.T. Center, MHAI, and the Key Consumer Organization, curriculum was developed, individuals were recruited for the program, and the first class of Certified Recovery Specialists was certified. The program continues to expand and evolve to meet the needs of Indiana’s consumers of behavioral health services and the agencies who support their recovery.

Upon completion of the five day training and passing a final examination, a participant will be certified as Recovery Specialist and eligible for employment at an Indiana community mental health center, a state operated facility, and/or other human service provider. Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS) can be employed in any organization that provides services to persons with mental illness.

The Certified Recovery Specialist Program will provide consumers with role models, personal recovery strategies, and support for instilling hope and motivation to address the challenges of stigma regarding treatment. Certified Recovery Specialist services result in fewer numbers of consumers returning to inpatient treatment and increase the numbers of consumers completing educational and employment goals. Certified Recovery Specialists are needed to normalize the use of treatment and for integrating consumers into their communities.

 

Eligibility

Eligibility for training as a Certified Recovery Specialist is available to individuals who self-identify as having a mental health diagnosis, who are over the age of 18, who have completed a minimum of a high school or a GED program, and must be a resident of Indiana.  An online application will be required that will explain the program expectations.  Online application and verification of mental health treatment are required submissions to be considered for the program.

More Information:
ASPIN:  317-471-0000
Click Here or email: certifiedrecoveryspecialist@aspin.org

Grandfathering

A consumer who can verify previous training by an Indiana-approved Peer Specialist National training program should review the Indiana Grandfathering Guidelines and submit copies of required documentation along with a $60.00 non-refundable administration fee. The submission will be reviewed by DMHA and ASPIN for conformity to guidelines before status is determined.  This fee must accompany the document as a check or money order, made out to ASPIN. If you wish to pay via PayPal follow this link.

The Grandfathering Program ends December 31st 2010. ALL requirements must be completed by this date.

Download the Grandfathering Guidelines in PDF format

For more information regarding Grandfathering contact:
Tiffany Wicker
Special Projects Assistant
twicker@aspin.org

 

  Employment:

  • CRS will work with consumers within community mental health centers, state operated facilities, and/or other human service providers - They will be employees of those organizations.
  • The services that they provide within CMHCs will be reimbursable to the employer through Medicaid Rehab Option billing. The CMS Guidance on how Medicaid can be used to pay for Peer Support Services can be found at:  http://www.ncmhcso.org/downloads/smd07011%20(2).pdf
  • Completing the program does not guarantee employment.
  • Conditions of employment will be negotiated individually by employing agency.

Below you will find the 2010-2011 Certified Recovery Specialist training application as well as the Treatment Verification form (in pdf format).

Both the application and Treatment Verification forms must be submitted to be considered for the training.

CRS Application

Treatment Verification Form

 

If you would like to complete the CRS application using our secure web form please

CLICK HERE

You must still print and return the Treatment Verification Form

The training dates and locations are as follows:

Location Date Time Deadline for Submission
MCLS
6202 Morenci Trail
Indianapolis 46268
 August 16-20, 2010 9am-4:30pm, daily CLOSED
Madison State Hospital
711 Green Rd
Madison 47250
 September, 13-17, 2010 9am-4:30pm, daily CLOSED
Wabash Valley Hospital
2900 N. River Rd.
West Lafayette 47906
 October 11-15, 2010 9am-4:30pm, daily September 13, 2010
Hamilton Center
620 8th Avenue
Terre Haute 47804
 November 8-12, 2010 9am-4:30pm, daily October 11, 2010
Indianapolis - TBD April 4-8, 2011 9am-4:30pm, daily March 7, 2011

 

  Continuing Education & Recertification

As part of the Indiana Certified Recovery Specialist Training Program’s annual Continuing Education requirements, each CRS must complete a total of 14 hours of continuing education CEUs per year. There are two ways in which a CRS may obtain CEUs: the first is through Category 1 CEU, and the second is through Category 2 CEU. 

Please follow the link Annual Continuing Education and Recertification Requirements to learn more about how you can earn your 14 annual CEUs.

 

Indiana CRS Training Documentation Form must be completed by an authorized Instructor or Administrator when obtaining Category 2 CEUs.

 

To register for continuing education CLICK HERE.

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