The Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) is a credential for those who provide mental health or co-occurring mental illness and substance use recovery support to others. A person with the CRSS credential uses unique insights gained through personal recovery experience.
The CRSS credential assures competence in advocacy, professional responsibility, mentoring, and recovery support. Persons with the CRSS credential are employed specifically to use their personal recovery experiences to facilitate and support the recoveries of others and to help shape systems of care.
Persons with their CRSS infuse their work environments with hope and empowerment, and improve opportunities for others to:
- Develop hope for recovery
- Increase problem solving skills
- Develop natural support networks
- Participate fully in life in the community
CRSS Provider Workbook
Illinois Model for Mental Health Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS)
CRSS Application
CRSS Study Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Date |
Event |
Location |
Ongoing |
Mental Health First Aid |
In person & Virtual |
Ongoing |
Health e Knowledge Online Modules |
Virtual |
Multiple Options |
2023 CRSS/CPRS Competency Training |
Webex |
8/30/2023 |
CRSS Competency Training Session 6: Option 2: 1p-4p |
WebEx |
8/31/2023 |
Peer Recovery Support Series, Part 7: Storytelling for Recovery Professionals |
Virtual |
9/1/2023 |
CRSS Competency Training Session 6: Option 3: 9a-12p |
WebEx |
9/6/2023-9/8/2023 |
2023 IABH CONFERENCE |
Oak Brook, IL |
9/8/2023 |
MCHENRY COUNTY SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY CONFERENCE |
Crystal Lake, IL |
9/11/2023 |
NAADAC Mid-Central Regional Caucus Meeting 2023 |
Virtual |
9/12/2023 |
Dupage Veteran’s Suicide Prevention Coalition Seminar |
Wheaton, IL |
9/13/2023 |
Recovery Capital: Assets, Not Abstinence |
Virtual |
9/21/2023 |
Peer Recovery Support Series, Part 8: Ethics, Confidentiality, and Boundaries in Peer Recovery |
Virtual |
9/28/2023 |
Recovery & Empowerment Statewide Call |
Telephone |
10/6/2023-10/12/2023 |
NAADAC 2023 Annual Conference |
Denver, CO |
10/12/2023 |
CRSS Supervisor Training |
WebEx |
10/25/2023 |
Rewiring Your Life |
Virtual |
10/26/2023 |
Peer Recovery Support Series, Part 9: Supporting Recovery - Who’s Who at the Zoo? |
Virtual |
11/1/2023 |
Skills for Problem Gambling Integration |
Virtual |
11/3/2023-11/4/2023 |
Relational Trauma Repair (RTR) Sociometrics Certificate |
Virtual |
11/15/2023 |
Sustainable Integrated Care Through Community Partnerships |
Virtual |
11/30/2023 |
The ABCs of Problem Solving for Peer Specialists |
Virtual |
11/30/2023-12/1/2023 |
VIRTUAL TWO-DAY SAP INITIAL QUALIFICATION |
Virtual |
12/6/2023 |
The Art of Pushing and Pulling Through the Stages of Change |
Virtual |
12/7/2023-12/8/2023 |
Virtual CRR Two-Day Training |
Virtual |
12/13/2023 |
The Science of Shame and Why It Matters: Awareness for Supervisors and Practitioners |
Virtual |
Additional opportunities to obtain continuing education units (CEUs) may be available through the Illinois Certification Board
Employing Persons wih the CRSS Credential [Brochure]
Minimum Competency Standards for CRSS Professionals
Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) Credential Process
Recovery Through An Integrated Workforce
Effectiveness of Peer Support in Reducing Multiple Psychiatric Hospitalizations
Recovery Support Services Resource Handbook
Financing Recovery Support Services
(Provider Training Series)
- 02/28/12 —Effective Utilization of CRSS Professionals Part 4 of 4: Program Sustainability
- 01/17/12 — Effective Utilization of CRSS Professionals-Part 3 of 4: Professional Training
- 12/06/11 — Effective Utilization of CRSS Professionals-Part 2 of 4: Complex Relationships
- 10/25/11 — Effective Utilization of CRSS Professionals-Part 1 of 4: Preparation and Planning
If more information is not yet available on the particular event you are interested in, please come back as this information is updated regularly.