Education and Training

Recovery University is a 60-hour advanced training and certification program funded in part by the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for persons in recovery from psychiatric disabilities and co-occurring disorders. It is the only state authorized program to certify individuals as meeting the requirements of Certification for Recovery Support Specialist. Upon successful completion of the course and the certification test, graduates will be state certified as Recovery Support Specialists, Peer Delivered Services.

There are two new Medicaid initiatives that will offer employment opportunities for people who become certified RSS workers. Initially, only a few RSS jobs will be needed for these Medicaid funded services, but we expect this to increase over time. See the Recovery Support Specialist General Information document for more information about the Medicaid initiatives (MS Word document, opens in a new browser window).

Course topics will include the following Certification Exam Competency Areas:

• Effective, Empathetic Communication Skills
• Legal and Ethical Practice, Boundaries, Client Rights
• Introduction to Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Co-Occurring Disorders
• Principles of Psychiatric Rehabilitation
• Medicaid Mental Health Waiver / Money Follows the Person
• Using Your Recovery Story, Role of Peer Supports on Teams, Recovery Culture
• Role Challenges, Conflict Resolution, Self Care
• Recovery Planning and Documentation
• Entitlements and Benefits Management
• Cultural Awareness

Advocacy Unlimited cannot offer transportation to the Recovery University classes. Every effort will be made to hold all classes at a location on a bus line. For CT Transit bus schedules, see CT Public Transportation.

Before applying… be sure to read Recovery Support Specialist General Information for more information regarding the Recovery University Certification program (MS Word document, opens in a new browser window)

Waiver Program and Refresher Courses…
Peers with prior training and work experience may apply for the Waiver Program. The Waiver Program allows them to take the Certification Exam without attending the full 60-hour Recovery University training course, also referred to as "Testing Out."

To qualify for the Waiver Program, an applicant must have a total of at least 8 points from the Waiver Point System table.

To apply for a waiver, submit the Recovery University application form, paying close attention to any additional waiver requirements specified in the application form. To be considered for the waiver program, you will also need to submit three letters of reference in addition to your other documentation and have a total of 8 points from the Waiver Point System table. For more information about the Waiver Program requirements, see "Testing Out" in the Recovery Support Specialist General Information.

To assist those applying for certification through the Waiver Program, AU offers a 2 to 3 day "Refresher Course" available prior to the certification exam. See RU Course Schedule for the dates of upcoming Refresher Course offerings. Note that you still must submit the RU application form to apply for the Waiver Program.

Waiver applicants who do not pass the certification exam are eligible to apply for the full 60-hour Recovery University course.

For questions or more information…
Contact Deron Drumm, Director of Recovery University, Advocacy Unlimited, Inc. or Linda Lentini, Director of Grants and Programs, Advocacy Unlimited, Inc. or call (toll-free in CT only) 1-800-573-6929.

All fees are non-refundable unless stated here. No scholarships for the Certification Exam or the Refresher Course are currently available. Fees should be made by check or money order payable to:  Advocacy Unlimited, Inc.

Fee schedule

• Full 60-Hour Course:

• Refresher Course:

Please note that applications cannot be submitted online. They must be mailed or delivered to the AU Office with the application fee.

Applicants must follow all instructions. Please fill out your application carefully and accurately. Before applying, read and/or download and print the application instructions to make sure your application is complete and that you are providing all the necessary materials. Any applications that are incomplete or do not follow the instructions exactly will NOT be accepted.

Read and/or download and print the Application Instructions  (MS Word document).

Before completing the application form, be sure you have read the Recovery Support Specialist General Information and the Application Instructions.

(Please note that the application form also includes the instructions and an optional Equal Opportunity Form.)

You cannot submit the application form online because there is other material as well as the appropriate fees that must be included with the form. However, you can download and print a copy of the application form online. Complete your printed form, then combine it with the other required materials and mail or hand deliver it to the AU Office with the appropriate fees. If you are just submitting an application to get on the Waiting List, you do not need to submit any fees at this time.

Mail or hand deliver your complete application and fees to:

Advocacy Unlimited, Inc.
Recovery University Application
300 Russell Rd.
Wethersfield, CT 06109  [directions]

For questions, contact Deron Drumm, Director of Recovery University, Advocacy Unlimited, Inc. or Linda Lentini, Director of Programs, Advocacy Unlimited, Inc.

* Note to RU Graduates…
If, as a result of your certification, you obtain employment as a Recovery Support Specialist, please inform AU and let us know your name, where you are employed, and when you started. Thank you!

* For help preparing for your job search…
See resume writing, cover letter, and interviewing help

Job Listings…

• Recovery Specialist -- Advanced Behavioral Health, New Haven, CT
• Lead Recovery Specialist -- Advanced Behavioral Health, Willimantic, CT
• Recovery Specialist -- Chrysalis Center, Hartford, CT
• Recovery Pathways Specialist -- Chrysalis Center, Hartford, CT
• Community Support Specialist -- Chrysalis Center, Hartford, CT
• Residential Support Specialist -- Chrysalis Center, Hartford, CT
• Residential Support Specialist -- Chrysalis Center, Hartford, CT
• Peer Support Assistant -- Chrysalis Center, Hartford, CT
• Multiple openings -- Chrysalis Center, Inc., Hartford, CT
  Chrysalis Center has other openings that RU Graduates may qualify for.
• Community Support Specialist PSP -- CHR, Manchester, CT
• Community Support Specialist - Substance Abuse Specialist -- CHR, Manchester, CT
• Peer Support WarmLine Operator -- CHR, Second Wind Clubhouse, Enfield, CT
• Peer Support Clerical -- CHR, Second Wind Clubhouse, Enfield, CT
• Community Support Specialist -- CHR, Manchester, CT
• Community Support Worker -- CHR, Norwich
• Community Support Worker -- CHR, Willimantic
• Recovery Support Specialist - 35 hours/week -- CHR, Enfield, CT
• Recovery Assistant (2 part-time openings) -- MHAC, Stamford, CT
• Recovery Assistant -- Handz-on, Inc., Hartford, CT
• Peer Support Specialist -- Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, Bridgeport, CT
• Part-time Research Specialist -- UCONN School of Social Work (position will be at SMHA in Norwich)
• Recovery Specialist in Danbury -- Central Naugatuck Valley Help, Waterbury, CT
• MASSACHUSETTS -- Peer Specialist -- M-Power, Roxbury, MA