Schreiber Research Group

To increase capacity of services addressing SUD/OUD in our community, we will offer a formalized training program for peer recovery support specialists (PRSSs) that will include supervision, professional mentorship, and a clear path to certification. Currently, there are 16 PRSSs employed by agencies in our region, only four of whom are certified. Through anonymous surveys administered in the region, PRSSs are experiencing burnout, feel "pulled in too many directions," want to become certified, and are seeking a career track in peer recovery support. Peers are experientially qualified and are seeking more structure and support to continue providing a lifeline to clients in the region. To directly address peer feedback, provide targeted support, improve confidence in one's skill set, and enable peer retention, the training will include skill building, supervision/mentorship, boundary identification, an opportunity to choose specialty, self-care strategies, and a pathway to certification. Collaborating regional agencies report that they not only find value in their current peer recovery support specialists but are also wanting to increase the number of peers in their respective agencies to better meet client needs. In order to meet this immediate need, we are training peer recovery support specialists and coordinating their placements in three local SUD/OUD service delivery sites. These peers will serve as a free resource for these agencies as they complete their training, supervision, and certification, alleviating some of the workload current peers hold. Another means of creating access to recovery services is through improving capacity for and access to telehealth treatment services for SUD/OUD in the participating agencies in our area. Therefore, we plan to assess telehealth capacity and technology among regional agencies to ensure that all clients will have equitable access to the growing treatment resources in the region.