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February 2024 Newsletter

"Not all of us can do great things, but we can do

small things with great love."

— Mother Teresa

CRSS Success Programs

In early 2022, the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health unveiled a grant opportunity designed to increase the number of individuals in Illinois obtaining certifications as Certified Recovery Support Specialists (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS). The initiative aimed to tackle the shortage in the behavioral health workforce by establishing training programs that would effectively address barriers, enabling individuals to leverage their lived experiences to assist others.

Grant funds were allocated to eleven Illinois colleges and universities to support students with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use disorders. These funds were intended to facilitate the successful completion of training and field experience required for state certifications, enabling students to enter the behavioral health workforce. Eligible students received various forms of support, including free tuition and curriculum, assistance with general technology needs, stipends for practical experience, coverage of application and testing fees, and other resources to overcome barriers to attendance or employment.

Furthermore, specific schools were granted Scholarship Funds to administer needs-based scholarships for Illinois residents, extending assistance beyond students in the CRSS Success Programs. These scholarships are intended to cover ICB credentialing fees (including application, exam, and annual renewal) as well as transportation costs to and from exam sites.

To learn more about the 814 CRSS Success Program information click here.

To see a list of participating schools to inquire about applying for the program or scholarship opportunity click here.

NIAPP has identified a new CRSS Success Ambassador, Mark Link, who will be helping to spread the word about our organization and benefits of membership to students attending the programs.

In each newsletter edition we will showcase a school providing the CRSS Success Program. Our hope is to spread the word of this amazing opportunity and hope to those who may benefit from the information. Read on below to hear about our first featured school!

by: Christa Cornelius, MHP, CRSS

Check out ECC's Program Introduction Power Point Presentationhere

CRSS Success Program

Spotlight

Elgin Community College

ECC offers their Recovery Support Specialist program to many students who may have never thought their lived experience could be an asset, giving them a new voice, passion and hope. Many report an ignited passion to help others, continuing in their lasting recovery, and building connections with classmates has been most rewarding.

Instructor Drew Beck states : "I have been teaching over the last 20 years from the community college level to the graduate level and have never seen such transformation in students, and now professionals. They are able to tell their stories of hope and progress in a non-shameful way and write a new narrative bibliography that has them as "superheroes." I have been blessed to be part of this amazing odyssey with these amazing people."

Classes are held on campus and online synchronous, with Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. All classes earn college credits. Students are eligible for transportation cards if taking on-campus classes and receive stipends during their field experience. In Fall and Spring semesters students are taken on shopping trips for professional clothes and accessories to boost their self-confidence and workforce motivation.

A few unique features of ECC's program include CRSS student receptions each semester, weekly student support group meetings, and an alumni group.

If you are interested in learning more about Elgin Community College's Recovery Support Specialist Program, you can reach out to:

Wendy Chen, RSS Grant Manager

Phone: 847-214-7379

Office: B264

Email: crss@elgin.edu

ECC Website: https://elgin.edu/academics/departments/recovery-support-specialist/

Online application:

https://apps.elgin.edu/ApplyOnline/ApplyOnlineForm.aspx

Requirements to be considered for admission:

-Must have at least a high school diploma or GED

-Must have personal, lived experience with a mental health disorder, substance use disorder, or co-occurring disorder

-Must be willing to share their stories

Here's what student Tara Retondo has to say about her experience at ECC:

For years, I’ve wanted to find some way to work in the mental health field but didn’t know how I would be able. I also found that sharing my story with others helped them feel less alone. Everyone’s personal experience is acknowledged and celebrated. The RSS program at Elgin Community College allowed me to blend these two concepts in a beautiful, synchronized harmony. All the professors in the ECC program hold a remarkable belief in their students and the classes are laid out in a balance that challenges students to succeed and expand their way of thinking of the human experience, and does all this while still feeling manageable with students current work load.

Read Tara's full testimonial here

Tara Retondo pictured with Professor Andrew Beck at the Recovery Support Specialist graduation at Elgin Community College

Contact

Take Action Today

at 618-212-3171.

Find us on Facebook!

Find us online!

takeactiontoday.net

Email us!

recovery@takeactiontoday.net

PEER PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT

LEIGHANNA BROWNING

Take Action Today is a faith-based 501-c3 non-profit recovery community organization. We provide non-clinical, peer-based Recovery Services in Franklin, Jefferson, Williamson, Jackson, and Perry counties. Our mission is to create a vibrant grassroots recovery community that fosters long-term recovery and supports individuals with substance use disorder and/or are at risk of/experiencing homelessness.

I have been with Take Action Today since 2020 when I starting as a volunteer Recovery Navigator with Recovery Corps and since obtaining my CPRS in 2021, I am now the Recovery Service Coordinator. This job has has helped me with my own sobriety. August 21st of last year I celebrated five years of sobriety from IV meth use. My favorite thing about my job is to give back and use my story to hopefully help others struggling with not just substance abuse but also trauma. I love being a "Hope Dealer" and helping to pull others out of the darkness.

If I could give any advice to other peers it would be to practice good self care and setting proper boundaries! Compassion fatigue and burnout are very real things that you will struggle with in this profession if you don't. Also, don't give up when you don't see results right away. Sometimes we just plant the seeds and somebody else comes along and waters them. Don't take anyone's return to use personally. Just keep being there for them so they know where to go when they are ready. Celebrate the wins!

I am proud of all my co-workers and have been blessed to be here. Take Action Today is so dear to my heart. I've got to watch it grow from day one and see all the positive results! We support the recovery communities through peer recovery support programs and are partnered with other initiatives such as drug courts, reentry programs, Safe Passage program, and the IL DOPP.

For more information you can reach out to me personally at leighanna@takeactiontoday.net. or my work number 618-629-3390.

Connect with Leighanna!

Know of a Peer Professional who deserves to be recognized? We would love to feature them in our Peer Professional Spotlight!

Please email us with their contact information and we will get in touch.

EMAIL US!

CRSS and CPRS Certification

Have you ever been confused on requirements to become certified in Recovery Support? Have you wondered what to do next?

NIAPP created these easy-to-use one page checklists to help you in the certification process!

Email us for your PDF copy today!

Request your copies today!

Patient or Public Involvement and Engagement

The Lancet Psychiatry, a globally respected scientific journal that publishes peer-reviewed research, has made a significant policy announcement. Moving forward, the journal will require authors to provide information on whether and how individuals with lived experience of mental illnesses were involved in shaping studies. The new policy emphasizes the importance of lived experience in mental health research.

Read the full article

PeerTAC released an incredible article titled "Recruiting and Hiring Peer Support Workers" that delved into several important areas surrounding best practices and retaining peer professional staff. From creating a good job description, finding qualified applicants and knowing employment laws to work schedules and supervisor qualities, this article boasts a wealth of information to help organizations get started in providing peer support services.

Click here to read the full article.

PeerTAC

Windows of Wisdom: Shape Your Own Journey with Insights from Experienced Peers

Created in partnership between SMI Adviser and the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), these short videos are filled with valuable, firsthand advice from seasoned peer professionals.

Discover valuable insights to aid your understanding of diverse care systems, navigate relationships, uphold peer support values, comprehend roles, set boundaries, and more.

Watch the series now!

Employment Opportunities

for Peer Professionals

Peer Health Navigator, CCBHC

Thresholds (Chicago)