Congratulations to our newest graduating class of Certified Peer Recovery Advocates! These newly certified CRPAs will use their lived experience to help those at risk of substance abuse, changing lives of people in our community. As part of the program, they will become employed at one of Staten Island PPS’s partner organizations.

The primary function of a CRPA is doing outreach with people currently in a program or considering treatment. Using their recovery experience and professional training, peers boost individuals’ engagement in treatment and commitment to recovery.

Thank you to Stephen Nico, Peer Supervisor at Richmond University Medical Center for sharing his perspective with the class as a peer counselor.

The CRPA program is one of four free apprenticeship programs sponsored by Staten Island PPS. To learn more about the program and how to become a CRPA, visit statenislandpps.org/certified-recovery-peer-advocate.