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About This Micro-Credential

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For students who have lived experiences with Substance Use Disorder and are interested in providing paraprofessional support to their peers in their journey to recovery. This micro-credential enhances community-based experiential learning and creates a career ladder for students preparing to become Kentucky Adult Peer Support Specialists.

PLEASE NOTE:

This micro-credential is NOT identical to the Online Kentucky Peer Support Specialist Training Program. There is some overlap in the coursework, but only the Online Kentucky Peer Support Specialist Training Program leads to certification. Certification has its own requirements beyond those of the micro-credential program. 

Certification is NOT conferred through the micro-credential program; it is only obtainable through the Online Kentucky Peer Support Specialist Training Program.

For questions regarding certification through the Online Kentucky Peer Support Specialist Training Program, please contact Jude Thornton (thorntonm4@nku.edu) or visit the Peer Support web page.

Learn How to Apply

Skills You Will Gain

Peer Support

Drug Substance Use and Abuse

Behavior Change Interventions

Health and Wellness

Drug Rehabilitation and Therapy

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the health-wellness continuum and the influences (genetics, environment, and choices) that impact an individual’s placement on the continuum. 
  • Identify ways in which promoting overall health and well-being supports the recovery process.
  • Describe the progression of a substance use disorder from experimentation, tolerance, dependence and addiction.
  • Identify components of evidence-based treatment.
  • Explain person-centered care as a treatment approach.
  • Define motivational interviewing and its role in the stages of behavior change.
  • Explain trauma and its impact on recovery.
  • Identify key aspects of professional behavior (ethics, boundary setting, cultural competence).
  • Demonstrate skills to facilitate interventions related to client goals.
  • Develop and sustain professional behaviors that are congruent with the values and ethics of the profession.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of diversity cultural issues as they pertain to providing culturally sensitive services.
  • Practice confidentiality of client information.
  • Clarify personal and professional values.
  • Implement the steps outlined in their Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).
  • Practice helping skills working with individuals and groups in a structured and supervised setting in a human services agency.
  • Conduct effective motivational interview with clients.
  • Implement critical time intervention techniques.
  • Work with clients to develop their own Wellness Recovery Action Plan.
  • Demonstrate awareness of one’s own values, strengths, limitations, interpersonal style and reaction patterns.

Required Courses

  • HSR 102: Foundations for Recovery Support
  • HSR 103: Motivational Interviewing Skills
  • HSR 104: Practicum in Recovery Support

Offered in online format

Contact

Jude Thornton
thorntonm4@nku.edu

PLEASE NOTE:

This micro-credential is NOT identical to the Online Kentucky Peer Support Specialist Training Program. There is some overlap in the coursework, but only the Online Kentucky Peer Support Specialist Training Program leads to certification. Certification has its own requirements beyond those of the micro-credential program. 

Certification is NOT conferred through the micro-credential program; it is only obtainable through the Online Kentucky Peer Support Specialist Training Program.

For questions regarding certification through the Online Kentucky Peer Support Specialist Training Program, please contact Jude Thornton (thorntonm4@nku.edu) or visit the Peer Support web page.

Adult Peer Support Specialist, First semester offered: Spring 2021

Micro-Credentials

Northern Kentucky University
Local: +1 (859) 572-7852
microcredentials@nku.edu