How to Become a Professional Recovery Coach in Kentucky

In Kentucky, professional recovery coaches provide guidance and assistance to individuals undergoing addiction treatment.

Your responsibility lies in:

• Empowering and motivating patients,
• Equipping them with the necessary tools to overcome substance dependency
• Lead fulfilling lives in recovery.

This article aims to explore the field of recovery coaching, shedding light on its significance and how to pursue a career in this field.

Professional Recovery Coach Job Description in Kentucky

Recovery coaches can work with individuals struggling with various forms of addiction.

Key responsibilities of a recovery coach include:

• Educating clients on essential life skills
• Collaborating with clients to establish realistic goals and develop actionable plans to achieve them
• Conducting regular safety and wellness checks
• Monitoring clients’ progress
• Holding them accountable for their actions and commitments
• Facilitating access to additional recovery resources
• Safeguarding client confidentiality
• Adhering to HIPAA guidelines to maintain their privacy and trust

Steps to Become a Professional Recovery Coach in Kentucky

Here are the necessary steps to pursue this fulfilling career:

1. Get a High School Diploma

Having a high school diploma is a fundamental requirement for entering this profession. If you haven’t completed high school, you can obtain a General Education Development (GED) certificate as an alternative.

2. Seek Relevant Education

While there is no specific degree required to become a recovery coach, obtaining relevant training and education can significantly enhance your skills and knowledge in the field.

Consider enrolling in courses or workshops that focus on addiction, recovery support, counseling techniques, and communication skills.

The DBHDID is responsible for establishing the requirements for individuals seeking certification as peer support specialists (PSS).

To be eligible for state-approved PSS training in Kentucky, you must be a resident of the state and have a history of substance use or a mental health disorder.

While being in recovery is a prerequisite for applying, there is no specific duration of abstinence or sobriety required.

There are other prerequisites that must be met for peer support specialist training and certification in Kentucky:

• You must be 18 years of age or older to pursue certification.
• A high school diploma or GED is required as a minimum educational qualification.
• You should have received or currently be receiving mental health or addiction treatment.
• Successful completion of a 30-hour peer support course that has been approved by the state is mandatory.
• Passing a written and oral certification test is necessary to obtain your peer support specialist certification.

It’s important to note that your Kentucky peer support specialist certification is valid for a period of one year.

To renew your certification, you must complete at least six hours of relevant continuing education (CE) every 12 months.

3. Be Clean or Sober

In Kentucky, aspiring recovery coaches must have a minimum of one year of sobriety.

This prerequisite ensures that individuals have conquered their own demons and also established a solid foundation of personal recovery before helping others.

Even for those who haven’t personally battled addiction, it is essential to know the guidelines.

While acquiring the necessary training and obtaining the relevant licensing is crucial, the value of practical experience cannot be overstated.

Volunteering at recovery centers and similar organizations offers aspiring coaches a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field.

Furthermore, recommendations from professionals in the field can significantly enhance one’s qualifications.

Options for Professional Recovery Coach Training in Kentucky

Let’s take a look at the training programs in this state.

New Vista Academy

New Vista Academy offers a range of online programs that provide state-approved content.

To enroll, people need to meet the criteria for adult peer support specialist certification outlined by DBHDID

Applicants must attach two letters of reference to their application.

The academy offers live interactive classes.

The duration is 5 days.

The Training Center

The Training Center offers various 30-hour virtual training options that meet or exceed the certification requirements set by DBHDID.

These include:

• Adult Peer Support Specialist:
  • Classes are conducted via Zoom,
  • Applicants must submit an essay for their communication skills, and provide a reference to confirm their diagnosis or recovery experience.
• Family Support Specialist:
  • This class is designed for those who raised a child receiving professional mental health or addiction services.
  • Applicants must have the Kentucky Family Leadership Academy (KFLA) certification approved by DBHDID.
• Youth Peer Support Specialist:
  • For those between 18 and 35 years who received addiction or mental illness treatment in a state-funded program.
  • Eligibility requires certification from a program endorsed by the Department of Behavioral Health and the completion of KFLA training.

Northern Kentucky University

NKU offers a part-time recovery coach course that spans over seven weeks, providing participants with the flexibility to accommodate their busy schedules.

The course exceeds the state’s minimum requirement of 30 hours, offering 45 hours of approved coursework.

To be eligible, individuals must demonstrate progress in their recovery journey and fulfill other state certification prerequisites.

Upon completion of the online training, participants are required to pass written and oral tests with a score of 70%.

Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky

MHA provides remote peer support specialist classes that qualify successful participants for state certification.

The 40-hour virtual training is conducted over five days.

Applicants are required to answer essay questions to assess their skills, describing their experience with addiction or mental illness.

Additionally, two letters of reference from individuals involved in their treatment are mandatory.

Salaries for Professional Recovery Coaches in Kentucky

When considering a career path, it is normal to have an interest in the potential income opportunities associated with it.

In Kentucky, recovery coaches can anticipate a projected annual income of approximately x.

This estimation provides valuable insight into the average income range that recovery coaches can expect to earn within the state.

Remember that this figure represents a projected estimate and individual salaries may vary.

Regional Salary in Arkansas

Professional Recovery Coach by State