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substance abuse treatment

Professional education and skills training offered for drug and alcohol abuse recovery coaches and advocates

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse (GCASA) has teamed with Meaningful Trainings to offer the first, single-source professional education and skills development course of study for Recovery Coaches and Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPA) in New York State.

Registrations for fall are now being accepted.

GCASA is a leader in community resource building for addiction education, prevention, treatment and recovery services throughout Western New York. The GCASA Recovery Learning Campus offers more than 95 NY Certification Board (NYCB), NY Certification Association (NYCA) and OASAS-approved education hours for the following credentialing requirements:

Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC) – initial & renewal

Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) – initial & renewal

CASAC -- renewal

CPP/CPS -- initial & renewal

“As the landscape shifts nationally, GCASA is committed to being a leader and Advocate throughout Western New York and the Eastern United States, for the elevation and utilization of recovery, recovery coaching and Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC), says John Bennett, executive director.

“This initiative addresses the need for an easily-accessible, consistent, self-paced, durable resource for organizations and individuals dedicated to the preservation of proven peer principles and practices, who seek to support pathways of recovery and wellness for those they serve.

“We have also finalized dates for the launch of our Recovery Leadership Collaborative, a unique opportunity for organizational leaders to develop much-needed infrastructure (supervisory, HR, etc.) and capacity (skills/tactics) to support peer Recovery Coaches/CRPAs, employees and volunteers. We’ve invited a variety of recovery thought leaders from around the country to come to Batavia share their experiences and practical advice in terms of ROSC development.

"At the same time, we’ll host Meaningful Trainings’ Effective Supervision for Recovery Coaches/CRPAs workshop, a three-day experiential learning opportunity. Our state leaders, rightly so, dedicate much time and energy to facilitating economic growth, yet as the number one health challenge facing each and every community across New York State, substance use and addiction work in direct opposition to these economic development efforts.

"Communities will only realize the opportunities of economic development if they are healthy. Therefore, it is GCASA’s goal to offer resources to any community seeking to nurture a recovery mindset and/or to create a fully functional Recovery Oriented System of Care.”

Beginning Aug. 4-5, and continuing throughout the year, the GCASA Recovery Learning Campus will offer the nationally recognized Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) suite of workshops – Recovery Coach Academy, Spirituality, Ethical Considerations –  along with Meaningful Trainings Recovery Professional Series – MAT/MSR, Self-Care, Recovery Capital, Effective Communications & A(a)dvocacy – for Recovery Coaches & CRPAs.

Information on course listings, dates, times and fees can be found here.

Information on The Recovery Leadership Collaborative: Practical Perspectives - A National Discussion Supporting Recovery Coach/Peer Supervision can be found here.

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