Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPAs) are individuals  who have been certified to provide coaching, support, information, guidance, and motivation to those seeking or sustaining recovery from a substance use disorder. CRPAs have a unique blend of lived experience and specialized training in the field of recovery and the use of peer services as part of treatment plans has been shown to reduce hospitalizations, hasten recovery time, and improve patient experience. Strong  hiring demand for this emerging  title is expected to be forthcoming with the enhanced Medicaid reimbursement rate for peer services which went into effect in July 2015 and the inclusion of peer services in the transformation of behavioral health to medicaid managed care plans. Visit the New York Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (NYACH) to learn more.

Queensborough Community College (QCC, CUNY) in partnership with the New York Alliance for Careers in Healthcare is recruiting participants for the Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) training program. This free training program will prepare participants to take the IC&RC CRPA certification exam, apply to one of New York's two certification boards, and work as a CRPA. This program will also provide participants with case-management and employment services to ensure they receive the supports needed to successfully complete the program and begin working as CRPAs.

Successful program graduates will earn 3 credits towards an associate degree in Public Health Administration at Queensborough Community College and have the opportunity to interview with employer partners.

This training program will take place in Flushing, NY on  Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6–10 PM starting in January 2017 for three months.

Those interested in participating should attend one of the information sessions at 2 PM on October 31, and November 3, 7, and 10,  at CUNY Center for Higher Education, 39-07 Prince Street, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11354.

For more information, please contact Guiseppina Troia at 718-281-5535 or at gtroia@qcc.cuny.edu.

The curriculum development and pilot classes will be funded by NYACH and the Department of Small Business Services.

For further information, we recommend reaching out to the helpful folks at Ask NYPL. Contact Ask NYPL here.