My Organization is a:* Name of Organization
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How long has your organization been providing peer recovery support services? Recovery Principles, Culture, and Climate Recovery principles are what differentiate peer recovery support services (PRSS) from treatment and from other types of recovery services. A program’s principles—its basic assumptions and ways of working—and values—those things of worth, meaning, or importance—serve as the core from which practices (patterns of actions), services, and everything else emanate. The principles of a trauma informed community are reflected in recovery principles which foster safety (both physical and emotional), trust, mutual respect, as well as promote choice, empowerment, and collaboration.
Culture includes deeply held values, beliefs and assumptions, symbols, heroes, and rituals. An organization’s culture is the mixture of qualities that gives the group its identity. It is comprised of many tangible elements—such as dress “code” or language— and intangible ones —such as underlying values.
Climate consists of the recurring patterns of behavior, attitudes and feelings that characterize life in the organization. Climate is akin to the weather within an organization—how warm or cool it is. Like the weather, organizational climate is the sum of “prevailing conditions,” including accessibility, openness, inclusivity, and diversity. An organization with a good climate attracts new people to its efforts; one with a negative climate is characterized by high turn-over, low participation, high levels of mistrust, and lack of momentum.
The climate and culture of recovery community organizations and programs providing PRSS directly relate to the effectiveness of recovery support. The program’s climate and culture set the context in which personal recovery can occur.
The questions in this section ask you to consider the policies and processes that you have in place that document and put into practice recovery principles, and support a positive recovery culture and climate.
Our peer recovery support services (PRSS) program is grounded in the values of the recovery community because it please choose all that apply
Our PRSS program incorporates key practices that support and enhance recovery, including* please choose all that apply
Being peer-centered Encouraging peer self-direction Assessing and building recovery capital Promoting wellness and self-care Ensuring that PRSS are provided in a culturally competent manner
Our PRSS program establishes a welcoming climate that is conducive to recovery by* please choose all that apply
Accepting all who are interested in recovery, regardless of pathway to recovery Providing opportunities for each person to participate and contribute Maintaining a warm and welcoming physical space Valuing service to others
Ethical Framework for Service Delivery Peer recovery support services (PRSS) programs require an ethical framework for service delivery--an essential supporting structure that helps to guide interactions in the peer setting. This structure includes a code of ethics or code of conduct, training, and ongoing dialogue. In most cases, simply “importing” a professional code of ethics and training is not effective. There is a difference between the professional-client relationship and the relationship of the peer leader and the peer being served that warrants an ethical framework specifically tailored to PRSS.
Our peer recovery support services (PRSS) program has guidelines, policies, and practices related to ethics that are consistent with peer values, including* please select all that apply
A written and publicly posted code of ethics Participatory processes to determine ethics policies and practices Ways to track and document critical incidents when they arise
Our PRSS program ensures that training and guidance are provided on implementing ethical guidelines by* please select all that apply
Requiring peer ethics trainings for individuals providing peer services Using peer working groups or other types of exploratory sessions to work through critical incidents in a supportive manner that promotes peer accountability
Our PRSS program has guidelines, polices, and practices to safeguard confidentiality of personal information, including* please select all that apply
Orientation and training on confidentiality Clear process for reporting any breaches of confidentiality Providing protected, safe spaces for peer sharing and disclosure
Our PRSS program provides opportunities to address boundary-related conflict before, during, and after conflict happens through* please select all that apply
Peer supervision Regular dialogue and support on how to negotiate shifting roles Training and other learning opportunities
Peer Leader Development Peer recovery support service (PRSS) programs are engaging a new cadre of personnel in the recovery workforce: peer leaders. Peer leaders are people who use their lived experience and expertise on how to achieve and sustain recovery to help those with less recovery experience. They provide this help through coaching individuals; facilitating support and educational groups; providing a connection to resources that support recovery; and creating a community of people in and seeking recovery where all feel welcome.
A quality peer leader development system that starts with the strengths and experiences of the recovery community and builds the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver quality peer-to-peer services.
Our peer recovery support services program uses efficient and effective processes to recruit peers who work with others, including* please select all that apply
Written job descriptions that describe roles and responsibilities for each peer position Engaging peers in recruitment Methods for recruiting individuals who reflect the cultural identities, life experiences, and recovery paths of the peers being served
Our PRSS program has clearly defined the way it screens and selects peer leaders, including* please select all that apply
Having materials for candidates that explain expectations Using application forms Conducting structured interviews Doing appropriate reference checks
Our PRSS program provides training for peers who work with others that will enable them to strengthen their knowledge and skills necessary for their assigned role, including* please select all that apply
Orientation for new peer leaders Core training for new peer leaders Advanced training specific to peer role (such as recovery coach, telephone support)
Our PRSS program works to retain (reduce turnover of) peers leaders by* please select all that apply
Recognizing and celebrating accomplishments Offering leadership and growth opportunities Encouraging self-care to avoid burnout
Peer Supervisor Development Peer programs engage a diverse—and often sizeable—cadre of peer leaders. An effective program uses a strengths-based approach to supporting their work, designed to enhance motivation, autonomy, self-awareness, and skills.
This support role falls to peer supervisors who mentor, facilitate, and manage the work of peer leaders. It is important to note that supervision in a PRSS setting is not clinical supervision. Rather, it is more akin to coaching, where the peer supervisors provide the space and opportunity for peer leaders to learn from their own experiences —and to explore and learn directly from the wisdom and experience of other peer leaders.
Given the above, the support and development of peer supervisors is important. Peer supervisors need to have a good understanding of their role, and have the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to do well.
Our peer recovery support services program uses efficient and effective processes to recruit peer supervisors, including* please select all that apply
Written job descriptions that describe roles and responsibility for peer supervisor Recruiting from within the program
Our PRSS program has clearly defined the way it screens and selects peer supervisors, including* please select all that apply
Having materials for candidates that explain expectations Using application forms Conducting structured interviews Engaging peers in interview process Doing reference checks
Our PRSS program provides peer supervisors with support that will enable them to gain the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and attributes necessary to effectively supervise peer workers in a non-clinical context through* please select all that apply
Training in core competencies for new peer supervisors Advanced training that relates to the knowledge and skills peer supervisors need in their role Encouraging peer supervisors to practice and model wellness and appropriate self-care
Governance and Program Oversight Peer recovery support programs can be developed and operated in many different organizational contexts. Recovery community organizations (RCOs) are one such context. An RCO is defined as an organization that is primarily composed of and led by people with lived experience of addiction and recovery. Many other PRSS programs are housed in host organizations, such a treatment providers, AIDS service organizations, or veterans organizations. These are organizations that provide addiction peer support as part of a larger mission that is recovery-oriented or is focused on another agenda of which recovery is an important part.
Regardless of context, effective governance (on the part of the board of directors) and program oversight (on the part of representatives of the recovery community) is key, in order to create an organization in which peer supports can flourish.
Our PRSS program oversight is inclusive of and responsive to local communities of recovery through an established recovery community advisory group that has* please select all that apply
Clear purpose Clear structure Delegated, significant authority
Our PRSS program is transparent and accountable to those served (e.g., participants, recovery community, greater community, funders) because it* please select all that apply
Makes it easy for participants and other stakeholders to find clear, accurate, up-to-date information about the program Regularly reports on the work that is being done, and the outcome and impact of our work
Our organization’s board of directors is representative of and responsive to local communities of recovery, because it has* please select all that apply
Significant representation from the diverse recovery community Representation that is reflective of the cultural diversity of the community Participatory processes to solicit views of the diverse recovery community Regular updates for board members on issues of interest to communities of recovery
Our organization’s board of directors ensures that its practices are consistent with the principles of good governance by providing oversight of* please select all that apply
Fundraising/ fund development Finances, through budgeting, regular financial reporting, and annual audits Organizational risk
Our organization’s board of directors supports and facilitates linkages with other organizations that can strengthen support for recovery, through* please select all that apply
Community outreach Building relationships with other organizations
Management Systems Management systems provide a structure for doing things efficiently and effectively. The management systems for PRSS programs are much the same as those for any other organization--human resources, financial management, quality assurance. And yet, each system also has unique characteristics in the peer setting. The standards in this domain are used to examine how organizations balance the need for infrastructure and control (both for efficiency and as required by law) with the openness, transparency, and participation that are hallmarks of peer-led, peer-driven programs.
Our organization is a good steward of financial resources, accountable to the recovery community as well as funders and donors, because it* please select all that apply
Uses its comprehensive annual budget as a management tool Uses regular financial reports to gauge program performance Has a comprehensive risk management program Has appropriate technology (hardware and software) to support financial management
Our organization uses best practices in human resources management to create safe and healthy work environment, including* please select all that apply
Clearly defined human resource policies, procedures, and descriptions influenced by recovery community values Regular policy review to ensure policies are consistent, fair, and equitably applied to paid and volunteer staff Processes to foster good working relationships and communication among the workforce Sufficient education and training opportunities to help the workforce develop requisite knowledge and skills to deliver quality peer recovery support services
Our organization uses data to* please select all that apply
Identify priorities for quality and performance improvement Improve the quality and effectiveness of peer support
Our organization is committed to providing a safe, secure, and respectful environment for participants and for persons providing peer support by* please select all that apply
Respecting each participant’s right to direct his or her recovery Having policies that help to maintain confidentiality for program participants Ensuring conversations and face-to-face disclosures remain confidential
Peer Support Capacity: Core Competencies In order to effectively serve individuals in and seeking recovery, peer recovery support programs must have the capacity to offer/deliver needed peer supports in their communities. There are specific core competencies for well-run peer programs that differ from other types of programs, including the capacity to engage in continuing community strengths-and-needs assessments and capacities related to program design, implementation, management, and evaluation.
Our peer recovery support services program uses participatory processes to* please select all that apply
Assess the skills, talents, strengths and assets within the local recovery communities Identify resources in the greater community Ascertain the needs of persons in or seeking recovery
Our organization has clear goals, policies, practices that help it to provide culturally appropriate peers services by* please select all that apply
Providing services that are tailored to populations in the community served Making information available in languages and formats that are appropriate for all participants Providing cultural competency training to all involved in the program
Our PRSS program uses information obtained from its community assessment to* please select all that apply
Guide and support program design Develop, enhance, and expand supports Eliminate supports that are not useful Develop a comprehensive plan to offer services that are appropriate to cultures and stages of recovery Ensure that the supports are inclusive of people following different pathways to recovery Develop community linkages and partnerships that facilitate access to other community recovery resources
Our PRSS program offers supports/services in an opportunity rich environment that* please select all that apply
Engages peers in creating their own recovery plans and choosing their own recovery options Connects participants to recovery resources in the Promotes the reality and power of recovery
Our program provides regular guidance and support to all peer workers* please select all that apply
Using a variety of methods, such as group sessions, individual coaching and mentoring Using a strengths-based model To help the peer workers solve problems and develop self-reflection skills To encourage wellness and self-care
Our PRSS program uses evaluation data as a management tool to* please select all that apply
Ensure the supports provided are needed Ensure that the services have measurable outcomes Re-prioritize activities in response to changed in the internal or external environment Redesign, add new, or discontinue services as needed Improve program effectiveness
Do you have any specific questions about CAPRSS Accreditation?
Would you like for us to follow up with you?* I would like to recieve information and updates. CAPRSS holds monthly Learning communities and has a newsletter that goes out monthly to keep the community informed and up to date.
