Supporting Youth Recovery Certified Recovery Specialist Program

Training and Field Experience Opportunity!

Tuesdays 9:30am - 5:00 pm

January 10 - June 13, 2023

Philadelphia Recovery Training Center

This 6 month program includes:

• Training to apply for Pennsylvania Certification Board Certified Recovery Specialist exam
• Additional training focused on providing peer recovery support to young people (ages 12-26)
• 100 hours of internship to gain invaluable experience
• Scholarships available to cover cost of training and materials
• Bi-weekly stipend support
• More than 18 months of continuous, uninterrupted recovery from a substance use disorder
• Live or work in Pennsylvania
• Minimum High School diploma/GED
• Ability to commit to attend in person ALL trainings and complete 100 hours of internship, as well as all assignments and documentation for 6 months
• Ability to secure transportation to and from trainings and internship site
• A demonstrated interest in working with youth, adolescents, and/or young adults with behavioral health challenges, as well as with their families
• An understanding and acceptance that there are multiple pathways to recovery
• Technology fluency

Qualified candidates:

Applicants between the ages of 18 - 30 are preferred, but all individuals are welcome to apply.  

The Supporting Youth Recovery CRS program prepares peer paraprofessionals to obtain the Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) credential and to provide peer-based addiction recovery support services to youth and young adults (ages 12 – 26), and their families.

This enhanced CRS training goes far beyond the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) 78 hours CRS requirement.  The standard CRS training is only one component of the Supporting Youth Recovery Program.  Students receive over 100 hours of classroom instruction, including core content related to the behavioral health needs of children, youth, and families, along with seminars in professional development and skill building to enhance student employability, professionalism, and leadership.  Topic areas include, but are not limited to, adolescent development, recovery and resilience planning, social media and peer support, Youth Mental Health First Aid, recovery messaging for young people, family recovery, and supporting LGBTQQI+ youth. 

In addition to classroom-based training, students are required to complete an innovative 100 hours of internship, putting their knowledge into practice and gaining practical skills in providing the targeted populations with recovery support services. Internship and related activities include hours of direct provision of services through a supervised placement within a youth serving agency, planning, developing, and facilitating a youth-oriented recovery support group, professional self-assessment and development activities, advocacy in action learning projects and more.  

To be considered for the certificate program, potential students participate in a competitive application and interview process in which they must demonstrate an ability to commit to the program, stability in their own recovery journey and a clear intent to work with the target population. If accepted into the program, students are awarded a full scholarship which covers all training costs and materials.

The Council operates two cohorts of about 15 students per year.

Please read the FAQ below for more detailed information:

Supporting Youth Recovery FAQs

APPLY HERE