1. 2017 CEANY Annual Conference
Creating and Sustaining Synergistic Partnerships Through a Unique Dual Enrollment Model of Credit & Non-Credit Professional Development: Implementing a Pilot Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) Program at Queensborough Community College (CUNY): Panel Discussion
Presenters:
Dean Jeff Chen, Assistant Dean of Continuing Education & Workforce Development
Ms. Lori Conkling, M.A., Continuing Education Director of Labor Market Research & Workforce Development
Ms. Nadine Brown, LMSW, CRPA Curriculum Developer, Course Instructor and Case Manager

2. CRPA Program Background
Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPA’s) are individuals who have been certified to provide coaching, support, information, guidance, and motivation to those seeking or sustaining recovery from a substance use diagnosis.
As of July 1, 2015 peer services provided by CRPA’s are now reimbursable at an increased Medicaid rate.

3. QCC CRPA Program
QCC awarded contract from NYC Dept. of Small Business Services, New York Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (NYACH) to design and implement a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) Program between 9/1/2016 and 6/30/2017, for two cohorts.
To ensure proper learning in areas of addictions and recovery, QCC designed a dual-enrollment model combining the non-credit CRPA course and the 3-credit HE 104: Addictions & Dependencies course.

4. 35 hours non-credit CRPA Training
Dual Enrollment Model
35 hours non-credit CRPA Training
45 hours 3-credit HE 104: Addictions & Dependencies
11 hours common content
between
2 courses
HE 104 Addictions and Recovery Course to develop an understanding of the nature of addiction and current research and trends.
CRPA Training – to develop competency in the four domains - Advocacy (10 hours), Mentoring/Education (10 hours), and Recovery/Wellness Support (10 hours) and Ethical Responsibility (16 hours).
20 hours of Basic and Professional Skills

5. PROCESS OF DEVELOPING THE CURRICULUM
CRPA Roadmap
Curriculum Development
Feedback from NYACH and QCC
Revision
Further review from NYACH and QCC
Community Partner Review

6. CRPA Recruitment Process
Collaborated with Industry Providers, i.e., NYC SBS/NYACH, NYS OASAS, NYC DOHMH, to capture the pulse of the recovery community.
Over 100 initial applicants.
Intake/Screening Process.
Vestibule Training Process.

7. The Instructor’s Perspective
Initial Class: Safe place
Increasing self-esteem amongst student population
Sharing of lived experience through structured classroom role-plays
Developing a sense of community among peers/colleagues
Built-in supports to eliminate barriers to success

8. The CRPA Team at QCC Josephine Troia, CRPA Program Coordinator
Jeffrey Chen, Assistant Dean, Continuing Education & Workforce Development
Dr. Andrea Salis, Faculty Fellow, Office of Academic Affairs, Associate Professor and Co-Chair, Public Health Program, Department of Health, Physical Education & Dance
Professor Ed Diller, Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Health, Physical Education & Dance
Lori A. Conkling, Continuing Education Director of Labor Market Research & Workforce Development
Nadine Brown, LMSW, CRPA Curriculum Developer, Course Instructor and Case Manager
Josephine Troia, CRPA Program Coordinator
Earline Asbury, CRPA Case Manager
Victoria Duic, CRPA Program Assistant

9. CRPA Successes Graduated 2 Cohorts-39 students in July 2017.
As a direct result of their CRPA training, students offered CRPA positions at NYC Health & Hospitals Corporation and Bridge Back to Life.
Awarded second-year contract for 2 additional cohorts and to offer training and technical assistance to Bronx Community College.
Synergistic, continuous collaboration with SBS, NYACH.
Employment partnerships.

10. Lessons Learned Extended CRPA Test Preparation Model.
Understanding the requirements for CRPA certification through certification boards, beginning application process early on in training.
Continue implementing the CRPA Training and the HE 104 course using a design of concurrent and connected instruction, with the CRPA training offered one day at 3.5 hours a week for 10 weeks, and two days, 6 hours a week, for 7.5 weeks for HE 104, and 4 bi-weekly co-facilitated sessions in HE 104, with both instructors, incorporating CRPA domain topics as they relate to the HE 104 curriculum.

11. Discussion: Q&A