Certified Recovery Specialists

Effective peer support is a strong and unique factor in the recovery journey.

Under supervision, the Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS) at each New Roots location provide peer support services, recovery coaching, serve as an advocate, and provide information and referrals to participants. The CRS performs a wide range of tasks to assist individuals in regaining control over their lives and recovery processes. Their role is to build a strong and unique rapport with individuals in recovery based on their own lived experiences and help navigate, advocate, and support their fellow peer through their recovery journey. A CRS works to facilitate positive change and instill hope by modeling stable recovery and sharing strategies for success.

The centering of the Certified Recovery Specialist in New Roots’ offerings is what sets us apart from other recovery service providers.

“In other facilities, the Certified Recovery Specialists’ voices and opinions aren’t heard as much as when you build the staff around this key position,” said Kristin Topolski, CEO of New Roots, Inc. “Their voice is most important to us because that’s where the service lies, and it’s really this missing link between that formal outpatient treatment, in-patient care and that informal care of community-based supports.

Following the guidelines set by New Roots, the CRS interacts safely and effectively with peers to:

  • Assist peers in articulating personal goals for recovery and provide linkage to community-based resources

  • Assist peers in determining reasonable and holistic steps moving toward recovery

  • Assist peers in identifying barriers to recovery goals

  • Assist peers in identifying personal strengths in daily living and recovery skills

  • Reinforce positive progress that peers make toward recovery goals

  • Teach problem-solving skills including identifying and combating negative self-talk

  • Support vocational choices peers make and assist peers in overcoming job-related barriers

  • Assist peers in building social skills by demonstrating and reinforcing proper conduct and respectful interactions

  • Utilize his/her unique recovery experience to teach and role model the value of every individual’s recovery experience

According to Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, research shows that people who receive recovery support services:

  • Take more steps to care for their own health

  • Have more hope for recovery

  • Are more active in their own care

  • Use hospital and emergency services less often

  • Have better relationships with their providers

“Whatever my member needs to do, whether it’s just talk to somebody or go for a walk or if he has an appointment or is nervous about an interview or something, we can provide interview skills,” said Bubba, a CRS at New Roots Tamaqua. “It’s things [different] every day — interview skills, coping skills, emotional support, and helping them find resources to maintain their recovery, and successfully maintain it.”

For more information about getting recovery support services, please contact New Roots to enroll in services at one of our Luzerne County locations today, or contact Community Care Customer Service for your county.