Veteran Supported Recovery

What is VSR?

ASAP-NYCB's Veteran Supported Recovery (VSR) is a peer specialty certification for professionals interested in offering specialized peer support to Veterans. The VSR certification and associated role-specific training have been developed in response to demand from the field, first voiced at the ASAP Veterans Summit in Tarrytown, New York in 2019. With seed funding from the Mother Cabrini Foundation, development work began in March 2020.

The Orientation 5-hour training module, required for non-Veteran certification candidates, is now available online. This module is designed to give non-Veterans a more complete understanding of military culture, jargon and values. The core 20-hour VSR training was launched for Veterans Day 2021 and is available here. Both trainings are offered online only.

Both the Orientation Module and the VSR Training are also ASAP-NYCB approved for continuing education credits (CARC, CRPA, CRPA-parenthetics) when not applied to VSR certification.

The Veteran Supported Recovery professional certification is available to eligible candidates on application (see details below).

What is the VSR training program?
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The ASAP-Peer Workforce Initiative (PWI), working with military, including Veterans, and peer recovery subject matter experts, has developed the required training for VSR candidates. See details on ASAP-PWI sidebar (at right). This online-only training (either or both parts) is also approved by ASAP-NYCB for continuing education credits (CARC and CRPA, and CRPA-parenthetics).

Training is offered to participants interested in:

Expanding their peer recovery knowledge base
Preparing for certification as VSR; or
Earning approved continuing education hours for renewal of ASAP-NYCB peer recovery certification (CARC, CRPA, CRPA-Parenthetics) - https://www.asapnys.org/ny-certification-board/renewal-program/
Learning how to effectively navigate the challenges of supporting a Veteran with Substance Use Disorder

What are settings where VSR Professionals are likely to work?

Like other peer professionals, VSR professionals work in a wide variety of settings. They work in community-based substance use programs, recovery centers and recovery-oriented clubhouses, community mental health agencies, Veterans hospitals and community-based Veterans programs, as well as in Veterans housing and employment programs. Simply stated, VSR professionals work wherever Veterans are served.

Who is eligible for VSR certification?

ASAP-New York Certification Board has determined that VSR candidates must meet the following standards:

Prerequisites:

In good standing as one/more of the following:

Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC);
Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA);
NY Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS) (Mental Health);
Equivalent initial peer recovery credential

VSR Certification Standards:

Eligible candidates for VSR certification must be:
- A Veteran who is a former member of the Armed Forces of the United States (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard and National Guard) who served on active duty and was discharged under conditions which were other than dishonorable. OR
- A non-Veteran may qualify if s/he satisfactorily completes the additional 5-hour ASAP-NYCB authorized VSR Orientation training program to demonstrate competency and fluency in military culture as well as instill effective strategies for building trust in the Veteran relationship.
All candidates must complete an ASAP-NYCB approved VSR competency-based training program totaling 20 hours and covering the four identified performance domains of: advocacy; recovery for Veterans; military culture & resources; and ethical responsibility.
All candidates must also acknowledge and attest to adhering to the professional ASAP-NYCB Code of Ethical Conduct, including its VSR-specific addendum.
Every three years, VSR certificants must demonstrate completion of at least three (3) hours of continuing education in NYCB-approved courses related to any of the four performance domains of the Veteran Supported Recovery certification. These domains are: Advocacy, Recovery for Veterans, Military Culture & Resources, Ethical Responsibility. This standard is satisfied by the selection of approved trainings posted to the dedicated ASAP-NYCB Certification Renewal Program page at https://www.asapnys.org/renewal-program/. Lists of approved trainings are updated every month.

Are there scholarships for VSR training and/or certification fees?

VSR is not currently eligible for publicly-funded scholarships. Privately-funded scholarship opportunities may be available.

How do I apply for the Veteran Supported Recovery (VSR) certification?

Application & Instructions: Now available on the Certification Applications page - https://www.asapnys.org/apply-here/

A note of thanks

ASAP-NYCB gratefully acknowledges the support of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for invaluable seed funding - https://cabrinihealth.org/.

Contact:

Ruth Riddick
ASAP-PWI Administrator
rriddick@asapnys.org

Veteran Supported Recovery Development Story in 3 Steps

VSR Training - Online only
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Curriculum Development Convener, Jason Page, describes the process of building a competence-based training from the VSR Role Delineation Study here.

The Veteran Supported Recovery training developed by ASAP-PWI consists of two modules which may be taken separately or consecutively:

Orientation-5 hrs: now available online at https://asapnys.digitalchalk.com/learn/orientation-veteran-supported-recovery-vsr. Recommended, but not required, for Veterans seeking certification as VSR Professional. Required for non-Veterans interested in VSR certification. Closed captioning.
VSR Core Training-20 hrs: now available online at https://asapnys.digitalchalk.com/learn/veteran-supported-recovery-vsr. Required for all VSR certification applicants (non-Veterans and Veterans). Closed captioning.

The VSR training program consists of content specifically designed to meet the role knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) required to perform competently as a VSR professional. These KSAs were identified in the VSR Role Delineation Study-Job Task Analysis, which stipulates 4 domains (or content headings) and 21 itemized KSAs (presented below - click here to open).

The VSR Role Delineation Study-Job Task Analysis was commissioned by ASAP with funding from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and validated by community survey. The study was published in September 2020.