SIUE and partners from regional mental health and substance use disorder treatment agencies look forward to offering the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) and Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) Training Program. CRSS and CPRS professionals provide a range of recovery support services in healthcare and human services for persons recovering from mental health, substance use and co-occurring disorders. 

The CRSS and CPRS credentials requires mastery of the knowledge and skills identified by the professions. The SIUE CRSS/CPRS Training Program prepares candidates to sit for both the IL CRSS and CPRS exams. The training program requires 110 hours of didactic education that addresses the core competency areas identified by the Illinois Certification Board (ICB) for both the CRSS and CPRS credentials. Each candidate is required to complete a 300-hour CRSS/CPRS internship under the supervision of a qualified mental health or substance use disorder professional. 

Healing Journeys: Essentials for Mental Health Recovery Support Services

Mondays, August 17 - December 14, 2026

Empowering Recovery: Facilitating Substance Use Recovery Support Services

Wednesdays, August 19 - December 16, 2026

A 300-hour internship must be completed with a community partner (approximately 25 hours per week). Community partners that will host CRSS Training Program interns include: Amare, ARCH House, Behavioral Health Alternatives, Centerstone, Chestnut Health Systems, Crossover Ministries, Gift of Voice, and the Madison County Mental Health and Drug Court.