ASPIN's Certified Recovery Specialist Program

Description

The Affiliated Service Providers of Indiana Network (ASPIN) is a nonprofit behavioral health provider and education network operating four major service lines: behavioral health services, professional training and workforce development, grants management, and health improvement. The mission of ASPIN is to provide innovative educational programs, workforce development, network management, and collaborative program development with healthcare entities, member organizations, and partners.

ASPIN is the oldest Community Health Worker (CHW) training provider in the state of Indiana, offering asynchronous CHW training and certification statewide through their Learning Management System. ASPIN offers CHW certification, CHW/Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) dual certification, and professional development certificate training through accessible, instructor-supported online courses and community-based partnerships. The ASPIN Education Network is supported by the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) and certified to provide continuing education units for several clinical disciplines through the Commission for Case Management and the Association for Addiction Professionals (also known as NAADAC). The ASPIN network includes seven behavioral health and addictions providers, as well as 74 employer partners across the state of Indiana. These partnerships allow ASPIN to increase behavioral health and healthcare capacity in rural and underserved communities. All ASPIN certified CHWs are eligible to bill Indiana Medicaid and Medicare for their services.

Services offered

• CHW Certification (47+ hours): Builds core skills in communication, health promotion, ethics, resource navigation, and care coordination to support individuals with diverse needs.
• CHW/PRSS Dual Certification (53+ hours): Combines ASPIN's CHW training and certification with their NAADAC-approved PRSS training, providing a comprehensive, holistic approach to training for CHWs and Peers alike. This program builds foundational skills in ethical support, crisis response, and case management, with an emphasis on self-care and collaboration within a recovery-oriented approach. Individuals with two years (self-attested) of personal lived experience in recovery from substance use disorders or co-occurring disorders are eligible for the National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist exam through NAADAC. CPRSS with the national certification through NAADAC are approved by DMHA to bill for peer services under Indiana Medicaid.
• Chronic Care Certificate (26+ hours): Builds skills to support primary care teams and individuals with education, navigation, and management of chronic health conditions.
• Opioid Treatment Basics Certificate (23+ hours): Introduces substance use disorders with a focus on Opioid Use Disorder, treatment options, recovery supports, and impacts on individuals, families, and communities.
• Opioid Impacted Family Support Certificate (21+ hours): Prepares CHWs to support children, caregivers, and families affected by opioid use and other substance use disorders, including those experiencing trauma or at risk for mental health challenges.
• Intro to Domestic Violence Certificate (11+ hours): Covers the prevalence of domestic violence, warning signs, survivor and abuser dynamics, and strategies for promoting safety and change.
• Youth Mental Health Certificate (11+ hours): Equips adults working with youth to improve mental health outcomes in youth by recognizing signs of distress, fostering open conversation, and promoting resilience and mental well-being.
• Experiential learning: Virtual or in-person field placements in behavioral health mental health, primary care, and/or jail setting/justice involved services; Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE) or scarcity simulation workshops; Youth Mental Health First Aid.
• U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program for Certified Community Health Workers: 143+ hours of related instruction, including CHW training and certification, Chronic Care, Opioid Impacted Family Support, and virtual or in-person field placements, followed by 2,080 hours of on-the-job learning (OJL) with one of ASPIN's 74 employer partners. OJL is paid by the employer partner and includes continued mentoring and support from ASPIN training instructors.

Results

ASPIN has seen the following results as of November 2025:

ASPIN CHW and CHW/PRSS training:

• 2,235 individuals have been trained and certified as Certified CHWs (CCHWs)
• 14 individuals have been dually certified as a CHW/PRSS

Certificate courses:

• 593 individuals have completed the Chronic Care training certificate course.
• 467 individuals have completed the Opioid Treatment Basics training certificate course.
• 335 individuals have completed the Opioid Impacted Family Support training certificate course.
• 236 individuals have completed the Intro to Domestic Violence Prevention training certificate course.

U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program for CCHWs:

• 148 individuals have been enrolled in the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
• 36 individuals are currently enrolled in the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
• 76 individuals have completed the Registered Apprenticeship Program and earned a Certificate of Completion from the U.S. Department of Labor.

More details about each CHW designation are available through ASPIN.

The Indiana Veterans Behavioral Health Network, now known as ASPIN Veteran's Services, is also featured as one of RHIhub's Rural Health Models & Innovations.

Challenges

Curriculum development involves balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders and specialties, which can make consensus-building difficult. CCHW and PRSS roles vary across healthcare, behavioral health, recovery services, justice systems, and community organizations, creating diverse expectations for training content. Rural communities also experience barriers such as limited staff capacity and inconsistent access to technology, adding complexity to training and implementation. State-specific Medicaid reimbursement rules and certification policies require ongoing adjustment to ensure alignment and sustainability. Differences in state policies may impact how the curriculum can be standardized and scaled.

Replication

ASPIN's CHW curriculum is based on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-endorsed Core Competencies for Community Health Workers. The curriculum covers both Indiana-specific and national data regarding health, Social Drivers of Health (SDOH), clinical outcomes, and physical and behavioral health diagnoses, making the training modules and program structure easily adaptable for use in other states and rural regions. The training is designed for individuals pursuing paid frontline roles, as well as those that have extensive healthcare and/or behavioral health experience, and incorporates clear standards for enrollment, certification, and competency development. Organizations interested in replication can align the model with their state's CHW policies and coordinate with state Medicaid offices to support state level reimbursement for frontline services. ASPIN's CHW model has been shared with over 33 states and continues to serve as a framework for strengthening rural health workforces nationwide.

Contact Information