Who are Peer Recovery Coaches?
A Peer Recovery Coach (PRC) is an individual with lived experience of substance misuse who is living well in recovery. A Peer Recovery Coach uses their lived experience and recovery story to instill hope. They discuss recovery issues from a peer perspective and support other peers in reaching and maintaining their own personal recovery goals. In addition, a PRC may serve as an advocate, guide peers on accessing resources, and model competency in recovery and wellness. Peer Recovery Coaches promote skills for improving mental and physical wellbeing and increasing resiliency. They promote self-determination, recognize there are multiple pathways of recovery, and help peers become and stay engaged in their own recovery.
Where do Peer Recovery Coaches work?
Peer Recovery Coaches are employed in substance use treatment facilities, social service agencies, peer-run recovery centers, peer-run respites, community-based organizations, hospitals, prisons, law enforcement agencies, mobile crisis teams, and other healthcare organizations. Peer Recovery Coaches may also serve on a variety of advisory boards and committees at local, state, and national levels.
Peer Recovery Coach Trainings
The Iowa Peer Workforce Collaborative uses the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) curriculum. The Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) Curriculum includes 4 hours of virtual learning (via Zoom) as a group and 2 hours of individual study each day (1 week, Monday-Friday).
PRC Training March 2023
Applications
- Applications are closed and class is full.
Virtual Training Dates:
- March 27 - 31, 2023 (4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Central)
Location
- Training will be held virtually via Zoom
PRC Training April 2023
Applications
- Applications are closed and class is full.
Virtual Training Dates:
- April 24 - 28, 2023 (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Central)
Location
- Training will be held virtually via Zoom
Training Details
You must arrange and pay for your own lodging (if applicable). If you are currently employed as a Peer Recovery Coach, check with your employer about covering these expenses.
This training is FREE, however, trainees must pay for their own lodging, food and travel costs. If you are currently employed as a Peer Recovery Coach, check with your employer about covering these expenses.
You must make arrangements for your own food. There are many food options near the training sites. Most training locations do not allow outside food to be brought into the venue.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this training, please contact us at 319-467-4288 or 319-467-4296 or email us at iowapeersupporttraining@healthcare.uiowa.edu.
If you are not currently employed as a Peer Recovery Coach (and will not have your costs paid by your employer), you may be eligible for a stipend that would reimburse you for part of your training related expenses. You would be required to pay the initial costs of your hotel, gas, and meals and submit a form for reimbursement upon completion of the training. You must submit the stipend application two weeks before the first day of training. Stipends must be applied for, processed and approved BEFORE the start of training. If you would like more information about applying for a stipend, please email: iowapeersupporttraining@healthcare.uiowa.edu.
Peer Recovery Coach FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
You must have a high school diploma or GED.
The training will provide you with in-depth knowledge and skills. However, in general the role involves the ability to:
- Model effective coping and self-help techniques.
- Work with individuals from diverse socio economic and cultural backgrounds.
- Attend workplace meetings and complete agency requirements.
- Assist people with finding community and natural supports and teaching them how to utilize these services.
- Advocate for someone’s needs and accompany them to meetings as needed.
- Work as a member of an interdisciplinary team focusing on each person’s choices for recovery.
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Adhere to confidentiality and understand protected health information.
- Maintain records and provide accurate documentation.
- Use computers (e.g. basic computer skills-email, web searches, word processing).
- Maintain a part-time or full-time work schedule.
- Share your own personal story of living in recovery.
You must be 18 years of age to take Peer Recovery Coach training.
When applications are open there will be a link above to click and apply for Peer Recovery Coach Training. For questions, please email us at iowapeersupporttraining@healthcare.uiowa.edu.