Yes, WV Bureau for Medical Services defines a certification process. There is also West Virginia Cert Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals which offers the IC&RC certification.
No, PRSS is someone who self identifies as someone with life experience of being diagnosed with a serious mental illness or substance use disorder.
Have a high school diploma or GED equivalency (not applicable to 16-17-year old’s applying to be a PRSS)
Self-identify as an individual with life experience of being diagnosed with a serious mental illness or substance use disorder which meets federal definitions.
Must be well established in their own recovery; currently in recovery for a minimum of two years and not have received SUD treatment for the preceding six months, except for MAT which is considered a part of recovery.
Must complete the Bureau for Medical Services (BMS) PRSS webinar with an 80% or higher score in order to be certified. It is a 45 minute webinar, plus an exam.
N/A
PRSS application which includes the Attestation of Recovery Statement and three letters of reference - one (1) page or less in length, from individuals familiar
with your Service Experience.
PRSS application asks applicants to indicate and explain if they have had any licenses, certification or registrations suspended, revoked, or surrender; if they have had a complaint filed against them; or if they have been convicted of a felony and/or crime that harmed another person. - There is no indication whether or not it will disqualify from certification.
Fingerprint-Based Background check required for certified PRSS who work for a company that bills Medicaid.
No
Yes
West Virginia Bureau for Medical Services
350 Capitol Street Room 251
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 558-1700
Training is always available online through WV LMS Public Learning Center: https://www.onlinelearning.wv.gov/student/home.html
WV LMS Public Learning Center - Online Webinar
Continuing education of 30 hours must be completed every two years in the competency domains which must include six hours in ethics.
No, for Medicaid reimbursable services PRSS must be supervised by an individual who has a master's degree.
Peers under the age of 18 can provide peer recovery support services to other peers under the age of 18. No adult PRSS can provide services to a minor.
PRSS - Peer Recovery Support Specialist
Yes, must meet additional requirements:
The individual must be employed by either a CBHC or LBHC.
Must be supervised by an individual who has a master’s degree and is employed by the same provider.
Individual cannot be a family member of the individual receiving the peer support services.
PRSS needs to complete 40 contact hours of volunteer work or paid work at an agency or provider prior to Medicaid
services being rendered.
Must have current CPR/First Aid card.
Must complete a Fingerprint-Based Background Check.
SUD Peer Support is paid for through a Medicaid West Virginia 1115 Substance Use Disorder Waiver.
Yes
West Virginia Recovers
J.K. McAtee, wvrecovers@gmail.com
PEER Summit offered annually by WV Recovers
and
Peer Recovery Support Services Conference, hosted by WV Department of Health and Human Resources
Ted Johnson Paradigm Pioneer Award