History of National Certified Recovery Specialist (NCRS)

 

The NCRS was developed in 1976 by AHHAP (The National Association of Halfway Houses). This credential provides affirmation, encouragement and peer recognition of staff (employees & volunteers) that work in Halfway Houses, Recovery Homes, Sober Rooming Houses, Neighborhood Recovery Centers and other Social Model Programs and Centers.

 

Purpose of NCRS:

• To provide effective residential extended care to recovering alcoholics and addicts who have completed or are still in treatment

• Coach and support individuals in recovery from alcohol and/or drug abuse

• Build public confidence in the extended cared halfway house/recovery home process

• Ensure quality care to the consumer of extended care

• Open doors to new professional opportunities for recovering chemical dependent individuals

• To provide individuals in recovery with support systems to develop/learn sober living skills

 

As a member of AHHAP, IAEC adapted the NCRS credential in 1994 and was granted permission from AHHAP to confer this credential to recovery professionals in the State of Illinois. As a result, it became mandatory that all Recovery Home / Sober Living members of IAEC have a staff person who held NCRS certification.

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By mutual agreement of the Board of Directors of AHHAP and the Membership of IARECP (IAEC), AHHAP contracted with IARECP (IAEC) to administer the NCRS Credential and to supervise the evaluation process in the State of Illinois. The initial contract period began on January 1, 1998. In1999 the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA), Illinois Association of Extended Care (IAEC), Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association (IADDA), and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (OASA) began discussion with AHHAP about an Illinois specific NCRS. We were grateful to AHHAP for beginning the credential and allowing IAEC to develop an Illinois specific Certified Recovery Specialist (NCRS) credential.

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IAEC, the Illinois Association of Extended Care, and NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, are excited to announce that beginning February 1, 2023, IAEC is partnering with NAADAC to administer the National Certified Recovery Specialist (NCRS) Credential for peer recovery specialists in the State of Illinois.

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The Illinois Peer Specialist Program (IPSP) is a collaborative effort between NAADAC and IAEC to streamline each step of the credentialing process for peers, produce highly trained and knowledgeable recovery specialists, and continue to be a one-stop shop for all NCRS credentialing needs.

 

Dates of Note:

• Beginning in July 1st of 2003 thru 2008 IAODAPCA administered the Illinois Specific NCRS in Illinois.

• In December of 2001 IARECP officially changed its name to the Illinois Association of Extended Care (IAEC) and obtained 501C3 status with the IRS.

• NARR (National Alliance of Recovery Residences) was founded in 2011. NARR merged with AHHAP in 2013. IAEC is a member of NARR.

• IAEC/NCRS began using the CAS (Certified Addiction Specialist) exam in June of 2016.

• IAODAPCA began administering the NCRS credential once again on July 1, 2016.

• NADAAC began administering the NRCS credential on February 1, 2023. 

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