Peer Professionals in Justice Settings:

How Recovery-Oriented Peer Services Reduce Risk and Promote Change

20-Hours

This training is facilitated in-person or live via Zoom. Deb Rhoades, LCSW, CASAC, CARC, Best Practice Trainer and Ben Deeb, CRPA, CARC, Forensic Peer Specialist, will deliver this 20-Hour training. This 20-Hour training is approved by ASAP-NYCB and meets the full training requirements for the Criminal Justice Supported Recovery (CJSR) specialty certification and is also approved for CRPA/CARC CE’s and CARC Electives (one use only). 

This training is approved by NYS OASAS for 20 CASAC, CPP and CPS renewal credits.

For virtual training, participants must have access to both audio and video connection and must fully participate.

This training was developed by Rhoades to Recovery/Deb Rhoades and Ben Deeb, CRPA, CARC/Forensic Peer, for Peer Professionals working in the Correctional/Justice settings (Specialty Courts and other Justice Settings). This training is approved by ASAP-NYCB and provides the full 20-Hours required for the new Criminal Justice Supported Recovery certification for those working (or wishing to work) in these settings.

These 20-hours are also approved for CRPA/CARC renewal CE’s or CARC Electives (one use only). This training was specifically developed for NYS Peer Professionals (CRPA, CARC’s) but it is also appropriate for other behavioral health professionals who wish to learn about recovery-oriented services in Correctional/Justice Settings.

Participants who attend this training will be able to:

1)     Describe the relationship between SUDs and incarceration/justice involvement.

2)     Discuss and describe the culture of justice systems/corrections as well as the issues and challenges when working with this population.

3)     Identify justice actors/reps and strategies to build and maintain positive relationships utilizing a person-centered approach.

4)     Practice strategies for communicating with justice system actors/representatives and advocating on behalf of participants.

5)     Explore the peer professional’s role in accountability within the Justice system.

6)     Recognize and apply how recovery and a recovery-oriented framework can reduce risk and recidivism, minimize sanctions and assist with meeting justice obligations while creating safety, and promoting change. 

7)     Summarize the peer core competencies, recovery coach roles and expectations for peer support in correctional/justice settings.

8)     Discuss how stigma and language negatively impact the health and wellbeing of incarcerated/justice involved individuals with substance use disorders.

9)     Apply person-centered language as a strategy to reduce stigma.

10) Identify your personal biases and values related to working with this population.

11) Discuss and identify specific boundary and ethical issues that may arise in correctional/justice settings when working with this population.

12) Identify how peers navigate reporting responsibilities while ensuring that the information that is disclosed is limited to what is required legally, contractually, or occupationally.

13) Develop an understanding of trauma and adversity and how trauma and adversity impact individuals incarcerated/involved with the justice system.

14) Describe a trauma responsive approach for peers working in justice settings.

15) Describe how Motivational Interviewing and the Stages of Change can be utilized by peers with the justice population. 

16) Practice through role play, implementing MI skills and the art of coaching with the justice population.

17) Examine ways to implement Harm Reduction strategies with the justice population.

18) Identify new advances in correctional and community supervision that support a harm reduction approach.

19) Describe the role of peer professionals in re-entry planning.

20) Identify strategies and tools that peer professionals can utilize in the re-entry planning process.

21) Discuss the potential impact of this work on peer professionals and the ethical responsibility of wellness and self-care and supervision when working in these settings.

22) Discuss and identify wellness and self-care strategies to mitigate the impact of the work.

23) Review the requirements for the ASAP-NYCB Criminal Justice Supported Recovery Certification