Immediate action needed to recognize Recovery Coach training for certification in the state of Wisconsin.

Currently, the state of Wisconsin recognizes Certified Peer Specialist training as the only billable certification for working with individuals in recovery.  We are asking that Recovery Coaches, Recovery Coach trainers, and Recovery Coach training to become a billable service.

A Recovery Coaching model, Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) is currently used by the ED2 Recovery grant.  This grant is made possible through federal and state grants, with approval by the WI Dept of Health Services.  The ED2 Recovery grant currently has 145 trained Recovery Coaches, trained in the CCAR model, helping Wisconsinites in active addiction or on the path to sobriety.  

As the demand for trained Recovery Coaches increases exponentially in Wisconsin, we believe the need for billable Recovery Coaches in Wisconsin is at crisis levels.  How can we, as a state, sustain the effort of Recovery Coaches and the valuable recovery support services they impart?  How can we continue to build and strengthen the recovery community organizations, and the Recovery Coaches who are on the front lines of the opioid epidemic?

An article from the Recovery Research Institute states that “research has pointed to the effectiveness of recovery coaches as both an aid to recovery and as a method to reduce overall healthcare costs and, as we look into the future, it is clear the most sustainable funding for Recovery Coaches will be reimbursement by all payers, at fair reimbursement rates.”

We are requesting, that under the leadership of Secretary of Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Andrea Palm, officials in the Department of Health Services, and the Department of Professional Services recognize the urgency to bring forth making Recovery Coaching, Recovery Coach trainers, and Recovery Coach training billable services.  We further request State acknowledgment of the importance of Recovery Coaching services in Wisconsin’s fight of the opioid epidemic.

If you or anyone you know is a CCAR training coach, an individual or family member who has been helped by a coach, or want to see the recovery coach movement grow in WI, please sign this petition and share on your social media pages and email lists.

With new energy and initiative, it is our hope that we can empower the growing number of Recovery Coaches across Wisconsin. Recovery Coaches are professionals providing more than a service to our residents - they are saving lives. Please join us in this fight to bring equal opportunity for all people in recovery.

The CCAR Academy is currently being trained in over 40 states, is recognized by the Connecticut Credentialing board for IC/RC which allows for the credential to be carried to 25 states, and by NADAAC as an Education Provider for Peer Recovery Support. Given that our state recently transitioned to using the NAADAC standards for other professional certifications, it would be in our favor to follow their standards for Recovery Coaches who have been trained under CCAR.

The goal is to obtain as many signatures as possible to be sent to DHS and DSPS to allow for trained coaches who can show proof of participation and are currently working for or volunteering (criteria will be worked out with DHS & DSPS) as a coach to be eligible for the April 17, 2019 state certification exam.

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS: Stop Heroin NOW, Helios Recovery Services, Darjune Recovery & Housing Services, Safe Communities MDC, WIS Hope

SAVE THE DATE: RECOVERY ALIGNMENT DAY APRIL 3RD at the Capitol in Madison, WI. Details and agenda will be coming soon.