Recovery Coach Academy Application

Please read before starting your application:

1. You may wish to review the web page, Recovery Coach Academy Application Process Overview, before beginning your application.

2. All boxes marked with a red asterisk (*) indicate that an entry is required in order to proceed to the next page or to submit your application.

3. To save your application and come back to it later, click the "Save" button on the bottom of the page. You will be prompted to create a free Jotform account. You must create the free Jotform account to save your progress and come back later. You will receive an email from Jotform with a link to continue working on your form.

4. This form requires you to upload a personal essay and reference letters. On those pages there will be a Choose File button. Click it to choose a file from your computer to upload.

5. If you need help in completing or submitting your application, please call us at (612) 584-4158 and ask for one of our Recovery Navigators. We will be happy to assist you.

Selection Process

People in recovery, recovery allies, or employees of recovery organizations who are interested in becoming a Recovery Coach must apply to Minnesota Recovery Connection (MRC) for initial screening and be approval. Qualified candidates are selected based on their completed application, interview, and ability to meet the training guidelines. The application and interview are an important part of the RCA training expereince and count towards the 46-hour educational requirement.

Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for a Recovery Coach Academy participant are:

• If you are pursuing the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist credential, you must self-identify as a person in recovery from substance misuse or substance use disorder and have at least one year of problem-free recovery. (See the Minnesota Certification Board for more information.)
• If you are not pursuing the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist credential, you may participate if you have experienced substance use disorder as a family member, ally, or professional who who supports the recovery community.
• Demonstrated participation in advocacy and/or personal knowledge of recovery.
• Strong reading comprehension and written communication skills as indicated by responses during the application process.
• Agree to respect and observe the MRC Recovery Coach Code of Ethics.
  
  

MRC uses a "getting to know you" process in determining who is accepted into an upcoming Recovery Coach Academy. It is not a one-to-one interview. Instead it's a group experience that gives applicants a chance to get to know each other and ask questions they might have about the RCA.

During the group interview, applicants will also:

• Show their ability to use their own recovery experience
• Demonstrate their ability to enforce healthy boundaries
• Show how they listen with empathy when working with others (a key aspect of providing peer support)

The process is not about right or wrong answers. It's about providing responses "from the heart" that show a commitment to learning and growing in the Recovery Coach Academy.

The group interviews are approximately 90-minutes long. Please select the group interview time that works for you. Unless notified otherwise, you will be scheduled for the time you select.

The fee for attending the Recovery Coach Academy is $850 and includes the following:

• All training material (and priority postage to mail manuals if class is virtual)
• Coffee, snacks and lunch each day of training, if class is in person
• 40+ hours of instruction
• Ongoing support from Minnesota Recovery Connection
• Membership in the Peer Support Alliance

Full scholarships are available for individuals who have completed 25 hours of MRC volunteer service and commit to an additional 25 hours of service, to be completed within one year of going through the Recovery Coach Academy.

Learn more about Recovery Coach Academy fees and scholarships here.

Each Applicant must submit a personal essay explaining why he/she should be selected to participate in the Recovery Coach Academy, Peer Recovery Specialist training.

Please include the following in your statement:

• What are your core values?
• Tell us a little bit about your leadership skills.
• Give an example of how you demonstrate and promote recovery in your daily life.
• Talk about any activities you are doing to advocate for recovery in your community.

This essay should be no more than one page, double-spaced, 12-point font and must be completed by the applicant and submitted with the application.

Need help starting your writing sample? Get inspired by MRC’s Recovery Coach Academy mission, vision and values:

Recovery Coach Academy Vision, Mission and Values

 Vision

Minnesota Recovery Connection envisions a world where recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs is understood, promoted, embraced, and enjoyed and where all who seek it have access to the support, care, and resources they need to achieve long-term recovery.

Mission

The Recovery Coach Academy mission is promoting long-term recovery from substance use disorders by providing experienced peer support and advocating for self-directed care.

Our Values

Wellness: We believe recovery is a pathway to wellness.

Hope: We believe hope is an essential component to long-term recovery.

Equity: We believe that all people deserve to be treated with compassion, dignity, and respect.

Service: We believe in providing opportunities to positively impact individuals, families, and communities.

Inclusiveness: We believe and embrace that there are many pathways to recovery.

Please submit two (2) reference letters that attest to your readiness and suitability for being a Recovery Coach.

Reference letters can come from a sponsor, counselor, accountability partner, faith-leader, friend or co-worker.

• One reference should be from someone who identifies as a person in long-term recovery.
• At least one reference letter should specifically address your understanding and belief in recovery and your ability to convey that to others.

 Do your references need help starting their letter?

• How do they know you?
• How would they describe the quality of your personal recovery, if applicable?
  • Have they observed any accomplishments you've made?
  • Do they know of volunteer work, sponsorship, or other activities you have done to help sustain recovery?
• Provide examples of your leadership qualities as they relate to recovery and helping others
• Provide examples of your "people skills" and your ability to work with diverse groups
• Give an example of how you convey hope to others regarding recovery
• Anything else about you that makes them think you would be a good recovery coach!

The principles below will guide me in my role as a Recovery Coach, as well as in my relationships and levels of responsibility in which I function:

1. My primary obligation and responsibility is my recovery. I will immediately contact my supervisor if alcohol, drug use, or anything else gets in the way of my recovery.
2. Recovery is guided by self-determination. I assist others in achieving their needs and goals. This includes advocating for the decisions of the peers regarding professional and other services.
3. I will support the Faces and Voices of Recovery Bill of Rights for each person that I serve.
4. I advocate for the integration of peers into self-selected recovery communities and will promote the individual’s inherent value to those communities.
5. I act in accordance with the law.
6. I affirm the dignity of each person that I serve.
7. I provide recovery services regardless of someone’s age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, political belief, language, socioeconomic status or mental or physical condition. If differences that impact the motivation for recovery occur, I seek consultation and, if necessary, make a referral to another recovery support.
8. I never use physical force, verbal or emotional abuse; intimidate, threaten, harass, or make unwarranted promises of benefits.
9. I share my lived experiences to help others identify resources and supports that promote recovery.
10. I respect the privacy of those I serve and I will abide by confidentiality guidelines as required by the law.
11. I never engage in sexual or intimate relations with peers that I serve.
12. I do not accept gifts of significant value from people that I serve.
13. I do not lend to, or borrow from, the peers that I serve.
14. I improve my recovery service knowledge and skills through ongoing education, training and supervision.

This is the end of the application. Thank you for taking the time to complete and submit your materials. If you have any questions about the Recovery Coach Academy, please contact us at (612) 584-4158 or email caddy@minnesotarecovery.org.