What are Recovery Support Services?

Our Recovery Services Program provides a non-clinical approach to supporting individuals in their recovery from substance use disorders, where peers with lived experience provide encouragement, guidance, and resources. Our program is staffed by NYS Credentialed Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPA) who offer emotional support, share knowledge, and help individuals connect with communities and resources to facilitate long-term recovery. We offer programming on-site at the Ithaca City Wellness and Recovery Court, Tompkins County Treatment and Family Courts, the County Jail and by appointment at our offices.

CRPA’s are people who have been successful in the recovery process who help others experiencing similar situations. Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, peer support workers help people become and stay engaged in the recovery process and reduce the likelihood of relapse. Peer support services can effectively extend the reach of treatment beyond the clinical setting into the everyday environment of those seeking a successful, sustained recovery process.

For more information contact Katie Donovan, Recovery Services Coordinator at KDonovan@mhaedu.org or call (607) 277-PEER.

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.