Recovery Support Services

What are Recovery Support Services?

Our Recovery Services Program offers non-clinical support for individuals recovering from substance use, led by peers who’ve been there themselves. Our team includes NYS Credentialed Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPAs) who provide emotional support, share knowledge, and connect people with resources and community support for long-term recovery. We provide services at the Ithaca City Wellness and Recovery Court, Tompkins County Treatment and Family Courts, the County Jail, and by appointment at our office.

CRPAs use their lived experience to help others stay engaged in recovery, reduce the risk of relapse, and navigate daily life beyond clinical care..

For More Information
Call: (607) 277-PEER
Email: info@mhaedu.org

Hands together in a circle

How Can a Recovery Peer Advocate Help?

A Recovery Peer Advocate can:

  • Provide emotional support through active listening and empathy, rooted in shared experience.

  • Encourage hope and motivation by modeling successful recovery and showing that change is possible.

  • Assist with goal setting and help individuals create personalized recovery plans.

  • Connect people to services such as treatment programs, housing, employment, or educational resources.

  • Support engagement in treatment by helping individuals navigate systems and stay connected to care.

  • Promote self-advocacy by empowering individuals to speak up for their needs and make informed decisions.

  • Share recovery tools and strategies that have worked for them or others with similar experiences.

  • Reduce isolation by fostering connection to peer support groups or recovery communities.

  • Support harm reduction strategies to improve health and safety at any stage of recovery.

  • Assist in building life skills such as budgeting, time management, and healthy communication.

  • Help prevent relapse by identifying triggers and building coping strategies.

What is a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate?

Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPAs) draw from personal experience with substance use, and professional training to provide non-clinical support services as identified in the patient's treatment or recovery plan. CRPAs may also help those in treatment/recovery in the development of recovery plans, effective coping habits, and life skills for navigating recovery.  CRPA’s are certified by the New York Certification Board and must successfully complete the following to be certified in NYS:

  • Hold a high school diploma or have their GED;

  • Complete 50 hours of required training (advocacy, mentoring and education, recovery wellness support, ethical responsibility and Medication Supported Recovery (MSR);

  • Complete at least 500 hours of related volunteer or work experience;

  • Complete at least 25 hours of supervision by qualified supervisory staff;

  • Pass the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC-RC) exam.