Nanticoke, PA – Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Jennifer Smith and Department of Health Deputy Secretary of Health Planning and Assessment and Opioid Operational Command Center Incident Commander Ray Barishansky yesterday joined Luzerne County Community College to announce its new human services degree program specializing in addiction recovery. The program will prepare students to become Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS) certified through the Pennsylvania Certification Board.
“Certified Recovery Specialists can be critical allies in a person’s treatment and recovery. They are peers in long-term recovery who have lived through what people entering treatment are experiencing,” said Secretary Smith. “I want to thank Luzerne County Community College for creating this program and giving this opportunity to Pennsylvanians living in recovery.”
The program, which was developed in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Recovery Organization Alliance (PRO-A), is the first degree program in Pennsylvania that will prepare students specifically for certification through the Pennsylvania Certification Board.
“This first-of-its-kind program in Pennsylvania is an example of the great, innovative work being done across the state to address the opioid crisis.” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Those who are working in addiction recovery are the frontline of the opioid epidemic. Treatment works and recovery is possible for those who are battling opioid-use disorder, for their families and for their communities.”
Secretary Smith strongly encouraged individuals living in recovery looking to work in the drug and alcohol treatment field to consider this or other CRS training programs available around the state. Individuals pursuing CRS credentials must demonstrate knowledge and skills in recovery management, education and advocacy, and professional ethics and responsibility. More information about CRS certification can be found through PRO-A.
“Programs like this are extremely valuable for people living in recovery and provide a path to making a career out of their experiences – a career that will truly help other people who may be in great need of support,” said Secretary Smith. “If you are living in recovery or know someone who wants to use their experience to help others battling a substance use disorder, I strongly encourage you to consider working as a Certified Recovery Specialist.”
For more information on the Wolf Administration’s efforts to address the prescription opioid and heroin crisis, visit www.pa.gov/opioids.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ali Fogarty, DDAP, 717-547-3314
Nate Wardle, DOH, 717-783-1787
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