All program faculty are required to have a current CHW (Community Health Workers) Certification through ASPIN in good standing. Good standing=up to date on CEUs (Continuing education units) and has not allowed Certification to lapse. Program Faculty have completed all current community health worker related modules and completed all tests with a passing grade. Program Faculty have prior training experience,a Bachelor’s Degree or in lieu of degree, experience working as a CCHW, and experience working with the public in a helping role.
The Peer Recovery Support Specialist and Community Health Worker Certification Training Program is designed to equip individuals with lived experience in recovery with the skills, knowledge, and certification needed to support others on their recovery journeys and assisting with their health care needs and addressing social drivers of health. The CHW modules help build essential skills in communication, health promotion, ethics, and care coordination, while also preparing participants to support diverse communities and navigate employment. The PRSS modules provide foundational skills in ethical support, crisis response, and case management, with an emphasis on self-care and collaboration within a recovery-oriented approach.
The Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction and the Indiana State Department of Health have jointly approved a training and certification process for the Indiana Community Health Worker Program. ASPIN is certified to provide this training online. Upon completion of the online training, and passing a final examination, each participant will be certified as a Community Health Worker eligible for employment in organizations serving families, the elderly, children and youth including outpatient medical / behavioral providers, hospitals, medical clinics, schools, churches and community centers. CCHW services are billable under Indiana Medicaid.
After completion of the dual certification training students with 2 years self-attested recovery are eligible for the NAADAC National CPRSS certification. CPRSS can bill for peer services after obtaining NAADAC National Certification.
Eligibility Criteria: Must be at least 18 years old. Must have at minimum a high school diploma or equivalency for certification. Must have a personal email address (a computer and internet access is required).
The course is online with rolling admissions, so there is no application deadline.