Consumer Education and Support Statewide Call-In: October 25, 2007

1. Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS): Understanding the What, Why and How of the New Credential Consumer Education and Support Statewide Call-In: October 25, 2007

2. Welcome! • Thank you to all who participated last month! • Thank you to all who have joined in for today’s call! • Report on previous Statewide Consumer Calls • CEU’s for today’s call • Plan for Future Calls: 11/29 and beyond

3. Objectives for Today’s Call • Participants will have a basic understanding of the new credential for Certified Recovery Support Specialists (CRSS) • Participants will know how to apply for a CRSS • Participants will understand the purpose and benefits of the CRSS credential • Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and offer suggestions regarding these topics

4. Guidelines for Today’s Call • All Speakers Will Use Person-First Language • All Acronyms Will Be Spelled Out and Defined • Diverse Experiences Will Be Heard and Validated

5. CRSS: What is It? • CRSS stands for Certified Recovery Support Specialist • CRSS is a new professional credential • For individuals whose primary professional identification is peer-provided services • For persons in recovery from mental illness or dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance use disorders.

6. CRSS: What is It? • Competecy-Based • vs -- • Curriculum-Based

7. CRSS: What is It? • The CRSS competencies are specific to: • effective utilization of unique insights • gained through one’s personal experience in recovery • from mental illness or from dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance use disorder • provided to support other individuals with such conditions

8. CRSS: Competencies • Advocacy • Professional Responsibility • Mentoring • Recovery Support

9. CRSS Competency: Advocacy • Promote consumer-centered services • Serve as the consumer’s individual advocate • Assure that the consumer’s choices define and drive the recovery planning process

10. CRSS Competency: Professional Responsibility • Maintain confidentiality • Document service provision • Communicate personal issues that impact one’s ability to perform job duties

11. CRSS Competency: Mentoring • Serve as a role model of a consumer in recovery • Teach consumers how to self-advocate • Encourage consumers to develop independent behavior, based on choice rather than compliance

12. CRSS Competency: Recovery Support • Help the consumer develop problem-solving skills • Help the consumer access services and supports to achieve their recovery goals • Serve as an active member of the consumer’s recovery-oriented team

13. CRSS: What is the Purpose? What are the Benefits? • If you are a person who wishes to utilize your personal experience in recovery to support others • You will have further training and education to develop your skills • You will increase your hiring potential

14. CRSS: What is the Purpose? What are the Benefits? • If you are an agency who is hiring persons in recovery • Your employees will have demonstrated competency, through an independent organization/process, to utilize their life experiences to help others • The independent credentialing process enhances the ethics of hiring persons in recovery within your organization

15. CRSS: What is the Purpose? What are the Benefits? • With the next revision of Rule 132, both the agencies hiring, and those who have the credential, will benefit because: • CRSS will be included in the revision • Agency billing capacity will increase • Employee hiring potential will increase • Employee rate of pay will increase

16. CRSS: How Do I Get It? • Granting of Equivalency Phase Requirements • Ends October 31st, no exceptions • Statement of Self-Disclosure • Notarized Code of Ethics • Documentation of Education • WRAP Facilitator’s Training • CRSS Pilot Course • PRCP (Psychiatric Rehabilitation Certificate Program) • College courses, trainings and in-services – see page 6 of the Model for certification • $100 fee (can set up payment plan)

17. CRSS: How Do I Get It? • Granting of Equivalency Phase • Work Experience Form not required • Supervised Practical Experience Form not required • Education Form not required • Exam not required

18. CRSS: After Nov. 1st • Training & Education: 100 clock hours • Supervised Practical Experience: 100 clock hours • Work Experience: 2000 hours (one year) • CRSS Exam • Fees: • Application $75 • Exam $125 • Certification $60

19. CRSS: How Can I Get More Information? • Information is Available on the Web at: • www.iaodapca.org , click on “Download Your Forms,” then “Illinois Model for Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS)” • Email contact: CRSS@iaodapca.org • Phone: 1-800-272-2632

20. Guidelines for Q & A • All Speakers Will Use Person-First Language • All Acronyms Will Be Spelled Out and Defined • Diverse Experiences Will Be Heard and Validated • Each Individual Will Ask One Question, then Pass to the Next Person • When Finished Speaking, Conclude With “Thank You” • Written Questions Can Be Sent To: • Nanette.Larson@illinois.gov (fax: 309-693-5101) • CRSS@iaodapca.org

21. Thank You!