Become a Certified Peer Supporter
Who: A Peer Recovery Supporter (PRS) is anyone with a lived experience of recovery from substance use or mental health disorders, or has supported a family member with these challenges and navigated service systems on their behalf, who is passionate about helping others navigate their recovery journey.
What: A PRS is a trained individual who uses their personal experience to provide support, guidance and encouragement to others seeking recovery. The role involves mentoring, offering practical assistance, advocating for peers, and connecting individuals to resources.
Where: Individuals are trained in a variety of ways then certified to become a peer supporter through the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS). A PRS can work in many settings, including community mental health and addiction treatment centers, hospitals and healthcare facilities, schools and educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and recovery support agencies such as Courage to Caregivers!
When/How: The process of becoming a PRS involves completing specific training and taking an exam for certification. Training sessions are held regularly throughout the year.
Why: Becoming a PRS is not only a way to give back to the community but also a fulfilling career path that empowers individuals to make a positive impact through their lived experience. PRS provide crucial support that complements clinical treatment, enhances recovery outcomes, reduces relapse rates, and helps build a supportive and understanding community around recovery.
A certified PRS is an individual who uses their personal lived experience to support others.
Adult Peer Supporters are personally in recovery from a mental health and/or substance use issues and support people over the age of 18.
Youth Peer Supporters are personally in recovery and between the ages of 18-30 and support people ages 12-24.
Family Peer Supporters self-identify as the caregiver of an individual with behavioral health challenges (mental health/substance use disorder), and who have navigated service systems for at least one year on behalf of the individual and support families and caregivers of individuals with mental illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or substance use disorders.
To become a certified PRS, you must:
Have direct lived experience as a person with mental illness and/or substance use disorder, or supporting a family member with these challenges.
Be in recovery (for Adult and Youth Peer Supporters).
Have a high school diploma/GED.
Be willing to share your story appropriately to help others.
Not currently be on probation/parole, and not have any disqualifying offenses on your record.
If you do not live with mental illness and/or substance use disorder, but you support a loved one who does, you may be eligible to become a Family Peer Supporter. You are not eligible to become an Adult Peer Supporter.
A Certified Family Peer Supporter (CFPS) is someone who self-identifies as the caregiver of an individual with behavioral health challenges (mental health/substance use disorder); and who has navigated service systems for at least one year on behalf of the individual.
A caregiver may include a birth parent, adoptive parent, foster parent, legal guardian/custodian, or a person chosen by the family or youth to have the role of primary caregiver. A CFPS supports an individual’s or family’s ability to address needs, navigate systems and promote recovery, resiliency, and wellness. They promote services that are family driven, youth guided, trauma-informed, and culturally competent. A CFPS can provide both basic and intensive family support services and participate as an active member of treatment teams in a variety of settings.
In order to become certified, OhioMHAS currently accepts two pathways to certification: through work experience or by completing eligible training.
Become a Certified Peer Supporter today!
OhioPRO partners with peer organizations to create Peer eLicensing/Certification Technical Assistance Hubs
Five peer organizations have partnered with OhioPRO and OhioMHAS to create technical assistance call centers for peers. These centers will be staffed by certified peer recovery supporters who will be available to answer any questions regarding the eLicensing platform. They have received training so that they may provide information and answer any questions related to peer recovery supporter certification or recertification.
If you have any questions regarding eLicensing, certification, or recertification, please contact any of the individuals below.
Emily Werner at 419-901-6558 or ehubsupport@artisansrecovery.org; Sandusky Artisans
Ashley Smithson at 937-528-6399 or a.smithson@gesmv.org; Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley
Andrea McCrate at 513-579-5416 or andream@recoverycenterhc.org; The Recovery Center of Hamilton County
Daniel West at 740-592-2690 or daniel@thegpathens.com; The Gathering Place
Gary Krafthefer at 614-453-4841 or gkrafthefer@thepeercenter.org; The PEER Center