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In summer of 2022, the PR CoE and National Family Support Technical Assistance Center came together to create an animation that takes a look at the roles of peer recovery specialists and family peer specialists. In this video, each role is defined as well as a discussion on their similarities and differences.

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In 2021, the Peer Recovery Center of Excellence conducted an extensive national needs assessment regarding capacity building needs for Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs). The study found that a common barrier to sustainability is the absence of solid organizational infrastructure, often driven by a lack of funding and understaffing.

This learning series focuses on key tools and resources RCOs, RCCs, and other peer-run organizations need to develop a solid foundation from which to grow. Check out the materials and recordings of each session below!

Series Learning Objectives:

• Offer practical skills and foundational elements needed to run, operate, and grow a healthy nonprofit organization
• Educate nonprofit leaders on the importance and elements of building proper infrastructure
• Build community and share resources among RCO, RCC, and peer-run nonprofit leaders

Session Topics:

• January: Building a Work Plan
• February: Appreciative Inquiry Approach to Strategic Planning
• March: The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Inventory for RCOs
• April: Data Management, Choosing What Works
• May: Managing Nonprofit Financial Operations
• June: Effective Budgeting for Nonprofits
• July: Grant Writing Basics

In late 2022, Tim Saubers who leads our workforce development team, hosted a 6-month Skill Development Series for Peer Recovery Support Specialists. The training series provided recurring opportunities for peer recovery support specialists from across the country to build foundational skills that are necessary for effective peer support service provision. The series was so well attended and in demand, that we also offered it in early 2023. In this podcast series, Tim sits down to have a conversation with each facilitator to have a deeper discussion with them about their presentation and what it means for the field.

In 2023, our RCO capacity building team hosted a learning series on nonprofit basics. The series aimed to:

• Offer practical skills and foundational elements needed to run, operate, and grow a healthy nonprofit organization
• Educate nonprofit leaders on the importance and elements of building proper infrastructure
• Build community and share resources among RCO, RCC, and peer-run nonprofit leaders

Session 4 focused on data management. Learning objectives were:

• Understand how to use data inventories to select the right sized data management system
• Review current data management systems strengths and deficiencies
• Select a data management system that will facilitate better reporting and decision-making with accurate and accessible data
• Describe how to utilize data for sharing, governance, and sustainability

You will find the recordings of the 2-part session below. You can download the slides and handouts by clicking the image to the left.

Part 1 Recording

Part 2 Recording

In 2023, our RCO capacity building team hosted a learning series on nonprofit basics. The series aimed to:

• Offer practical skills and foundational elements needed to run, operate, and grow a healthy nonprofit organization
• Educate nonprofit leaders on the importance and elements of building proper infrastructure
• Build community and share resources among RCO, RCC, and peer-run nonprofit leaders

Session 3 focused on how to utilize the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Inventory. Learning objectives were:

• Define diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within recovery community organizations.
• Identify two (2) ways in which to engage with BIPOC recovery community members and providers.
• Identify practice considerations for realignment with the stated goal of DEI&B. Learning outcomes.
• Collaborate effectively with BIPOC recovery community members and BIPOC providers within an interdisciplinary context.
• Engage responsibly and sensitively with cultural, historical, and interdisciplinary contexts in the synthesis of ethical and sustainable practice solutions.
• Evaluate concepts of race, culture, identity, and diversity with regards to creating an inclusive recovery community.
• Critically reflect on professional knowledge and skills, incorporating DEI&B subject knowledge and perspectives.

You will find the recordings of the 2-part session below. You can download the slides and handouts by clicking the image to the left.

Part 1 Recording

Part 2 Recording

In 2023, our RCO capacity building team hosted a learning series on nonprofit basics. The series aimed to:

• Offer practical skills and foundational elements needed to run, operate, and grow a healthy nonprofit organization
• Educate nonprofit leaders on the importance and elements of building proper infrastructure
• Build community and share resources among RCO, RCC, and peer-run nonprofit leaders

Session 2 focused on strategic planning using an appreciative inquiry approach. Learning objectives were:

• Understand the basics and benefits of Appreciative Inquiry
• Come away with specific action plans that will help their organizations build capacity and sustainability.
• Define purpose and map strengths
• Share strengths, define values and guiding principles
• Identify opportunity areas
• Construct an action plan

You will find the recordings of the 2-part session below. You can download the slides and handouts by clicking the image to the left.

Part 1 Recording

Part 2 Recording

In 2023, our RCO capacity building team hosted a learning series on nonprofit basics. The series aimed to:

• Offer practical skills and foundational elements needed to run, operate, and grow a healthy nonprofit organization
• Educate nonprofit leaders on the importance and elements of building proper infrastructure
• Build community and share resources among RCO, RCC, and peer-run nonprofit leaders

Session 1 focused on building a work plan. Learning objectives were:

• Gain insight into the rationale and basic components of a work plan
• Be able to tie your work plan to the organizational mission and strategic priorities
• Identify tasks, milestones, deliverables, resources, budgetary requirements, and timelines to include in your own plan

You will find the recordings of the 2-part session below. You can download the slides and handouts by clicking the image to the left.

Part 1 Recording

Part 2 Recording

In late 2022, Tim Saubers, who leads our workforce development team, hosted a 6-month Skill Development Series for Peer Recovery Support Specialists. The series was so well attended and in demand, that we also offered it in early 2023. In this podcast series, Tim sits down to have a conversation with each facilitator to have a deeper discussion with them about their presentation and what it means for the field.

In this fifth episode of the series, Tim speaks with Mx. Yaffa about developing advocacy skills. They are an award-winning disabled, mad, trans, queer, Muslim, indigenous Palestinian. Mx. Yaffa conducts transformative work around displacement, decolonization, equity, and centering lived experiences of individuals most impacted by injustice. Mx. Yaffa is a storyteller and an equity and transformation consultant, having shared their story with over 100,000 audience members at speaking events globally. Mx. Yaffa has worked in over two dozen countries, and specializes in global and community vision building.

In late 2022, Tim Saubers, who leads our workforce development team, hosted a 6-month Skill Development Series for Peer Recovery Support Specialists. The series was so well attended and in demand, that we also offered it in early 2023. In this podcast series, Tim sits down to have a conversation with each facilitator to have a deeper discussion with them about their presentation and what it means for the field.

In this sixth and final episode of the series, Tim speaks with Jessi Davis about understanding and supporting mental health experiences. Jessi is an experienced Program Coordinator with a demonstrated history of working in the Peer Support, Mental Health, and Substance Use Recovery fields. Jessi is known for work surrounding Youth and Young Adult Peer Support training, technical assistance, and leadership. Currently working at the South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center, Jessi works to provide support, technical assistance, and training to the peer workforce throughout the 5 states and all tribal communities within Region 6. They have spent much of their career focused on Youth and Young Adult Peer Support and are currently the President of the National Association of Peer Supporters.

The Peer Recovery CoE is pleased to share an updated version of our Comparative Analysis of State Requirements for Peer Support Specialist Training and Certification in the United States. In recent decades, there has been increased recognition of the value of peer recovery support services in the behavioral health field. As recognition and evidence for best practices continue to emerge, each state is continually updating its training and certification requirements to improve the quality and practices of peer support in their communities. The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of state peer recovery trainings and certifications as well as provide recommendations to better support those individuals seeking information about the peer support specialist certification application process. The information in this report reflects the current status of state approved training and certification for behavioral health peer support specialists in the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas and Puerto Rico, as of January 2, 2023.

In 2023, our RCO capacity building team hosted a learning series on nonprofit basics. The series aimed to:

• Offer practical skills and foundational elements needed to run, operate, and grow a healthy nonprofit organization
• Educate nonprofit leaders on the importance and elements of building proper infrastructure
• Build community and share resources among RCO, RCC, and peer-run nonprofit leaders

Session 7 focused on grant writing basics. Learning objectives were:

• Learn techniques essential for obtaining grants
• Review examples of funded grants and consider areas for improvement
• Describe the requirements for submitting a federal grant application using a checklist approach such as SAMS or DUNS approvals, and other submission requirements
• Review a SAMHSA RFA and understand the essential information presented
• Draft a proposal outline for the SAMHSA RFA for your organization
• Discuss challenges and solutions to writing a federal grant and the capacity and resources necessary

You will find the recordings of the 2-part session below. You can download the slides and handouts by clicking the image to the left.

Part 1 Recording

Part 2 Recording

In this episode, our host spoke with Scott Breedlove and Melanie Cobb of Landmark Recovery, and Rabbi Ilan Glazer of Our Jewish Recovery. Tune in now to hear stories and anecdotes from the field!