Project Peer Recovery - Free Training

Are you interested in a career in the Behavioral Health Field?

Project Peer Recovery is a FREE and robust training program designed to help job seekers in recovery gain the fundamental skills necessary to enter Frederick’s growing behavioral health industry as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. 

Program Overview

  • Six-month program including classroom training and hands-on work experience

  • Training stipend and paid service hours for eligible participants

  • Exam Prep & Job Search Support included

What is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist?

A Certified Peer Recovery Specialist is an individual who has lived experience in their recovery from addiction, mental illness, co-occurring disorders, or family/allies of behavioral health and has completed specialized training qualifying them to help others in their recovery. Certified peer specialists play an important role in the recovery process because the relationship is built on mutual trust, understanding, and respect from shared experiences.

  • • Act as a role model for clients to prove recovery is possible

    • Discuss shared lived experiences to make clients comfortable

    • Identify client needs and develop a recovery plan for those needs

    • Connect clients with community support and resources

    • Teach and encourage clients to practice self-advocacy

  • Recovery support environments within the behavioral health system and beyond, such as:

    • Recovery centers

    • Sober living residencies

    • Drug courts

    • Emergency room departments

    • Social Service agencies

    • Homeless shelters

    • Behavioral health and primary care settings

    • & more

  • Detailed information about credentialling in Maryland can be found at the Maryland Behavioral-health Professional Certification Board:

    Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) | Maryland Addiction and Behavioral-health Professionals Certification Board (mabpcb.com)

The job market For Peer Recovery Specialists in Maryland

  • The median hourly pay rate is $17.79

  • Bright Outlook with a projected growth rate of 27% from 2020-2030

  • Projected annual job openings: 1,790 from 2020 - 2030

Program Eligibilty

  • Must be Authorized to Work in the United States

  • Must have a High School Diploma or GED

  • Males must be Registered for Selective Service (if born after 12/31/59)

  • Must be a Frederick County Resident

  • Must have at least 1 year in Recovery

  • Must be 18 years of age or older

Program Details

Schedule

  • In-Person Classes/Group Sessions: January 8, 2024 – April 16, 2024

  • Every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday*

    • 8:30 am - 12:00 pm (some days will end at 11:30 am)

      * No class on Monday 1/15/24 or Wednesday 4/3/24

  • Participants selected for paid work experiences will work up to 30 hours a week from May 6, 2024 - June 28, 2024. Hours will vary based on participant and employer schedule needs.

Location

  • In-person Classes/Group Sessions will be held at FCC Monroe Center, 200 Monroe Avenue, Frederick, MD 21701

  • Work Experiences will be in various locations in Frederick

Cost

There is no cost to participate in Project Peer Recovery! All applications will be reviewed and selected applicants must meet eligibility requirements to participate.

Project Peer Recovery consists of 8 program elements

  • • Peer Recovery Coach Training: 30 Hrs.

    • Suicide Prevention: 6 Hrs.

    • Ethical Foundations for Peer Recovery Coaches: 12 Hrs.

  • • Four types of Business Communication

    • Appropriate Modes of Communication

    • Active listening and Challenging Conversations

    • & more

  • • Excel Formats & Modifying Tables

    • Excel: Sort and Filter Data, Formulas

    • Word: Format Text and Apply Styles

    • Word: Insert Comments & Track Changes

    • & more

  • • Intakes & Assessments

    • Recovery Wellness Planning

    • Resource Navigation

    • Writing Effective Case Notes

    • & more

  • • Guaranteed Work Experience Interview

    • Hands-on Peer Work Experience*

    • Up to 240 of Paid Service Hours*

    *Must be selected in interview process and meet eligibility requirements for funding

  • • 25 Total Hours of Required Supervision*

    o Advocacy

    o Ethical Responsibility

    o Mentoring/Education

    o Recovery/Wellness

    o General Supervision including Self Care

    *Must be participating in a work experience

  • • Creating Your MABPCB Account

    • Reviewing CPRS Requirements & Gathering Documents

    • Reviewing Candidate Guide & Group Study

    • Completing Exam Application

    *Must meet all requirements to submit exam application.

  • • Recovery to Work Academy Topics

    • Resume & Interview Prep

    • Employer Connections

    • & more

Apply Now! Space is Limited

*

Apply Now! Space is Limited *

 
 

Applications will be collected through December 12, 2023.

Applicants will be notified of their status by December 15, 2023.