Congratulations Project Peer Recovery Graduates!

September is National Recovery Month, an observance to promote and support providers, evidence-based recovery practices, and the fantastic recovery community. It is the perfect time for Resilient Frederick County to proudly announce the graduation of the first Project Peer Recovery participants!

Seven Frederick County Workforce Services job seekers registered in the Resilient Frederick County program were selected to participate in Project Peer Recovery. This 7-month pilot program was 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.

A Certified Peer Recovery Specialist is an individual with lived experience in their recovery or a family member/ally who completed specialized training qualifying them to help others recover. Certified peer specialists play an essential role in recovery journeys for many, as they walk beside their peers with mutual trust, understanding, and respect from shared experiences.

Six of the Project Peer Recovery participants have graduated after four months of rigorous training in Peer Coaching, Ethics, Suicide Prevention, Business Communication, Microsoft Word & Excel, and CPRS Work Readiness. They persevered through hardship as one of their own lost their battle with addiction during training. Remaining firm in their recovery and purpose, they focused on their calling to give back to the community and completed with exemplary scores.

As the participants move into the last three-month phase of the program with hands-on work experience and exam study, they carry the words of their co-participant, TJ, in their hearts. "We will continue to battle for people like us and TJ who've been affected by addiction and are looking for the different pathways of recovery through our experience, strength, and hope."

Frederick County Workforce Services and Resilient Frederick County are happy to announce the accomplishments of Project Peer Recovery participants and look forward to their continued growth! We know they are well-prepared to enter employment in the behavioral health field in Frederick County and are a great asset to the community!

If your business is recruiting Peer Recovery Specialists or is interested in learning about the role a peer could play in your organization, please get in touch with Micha Hagans at mhagans@frederickcountymd.gov. Resumes of the Project Peer Recovery participants are available upon request.