MRC's RECOVERY COACH ACADEMY APPLICATION

This application is for December 16th -20th 2024

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 approved by the MRC Recovery Coach Academy Selection Committee. The selection committee consists of peers in long-term recovery who have previously completed the Recovery Coach Academy. Qualified candidates are selected for the training based on their completed application, interview, and ability to meet the training guidelines.

QUALIFICATIONS

The minimum qualifications for a Recovery Coach Academy participant are:

1. Be willing to self-identify as a person in recovery or as a member of the recovery community (e.g. ally, professional, family member) for the benefit of others.
2. Demonstrated participation in advocacy and/or personal knowledge of recovery.
3. If attending as an MRC volunteer, should be in recovery from alcohol or other drug addiction with 1 to 2 years of problem-free recovery.
4. Strong reading comprehension and written communication skills as indicated by responses during the application process.
5. Agree to respect and observe the MRC Recovery Coach Code of Ethics.
6. Note: A high school diploma or equivalent is required to meet the requirements to take the Minnesota Certification Board Exam to hold the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist credential, but it is not a requirement to attend the Minnesota Recovery Connection Recovery Coach Academy.

WRITING SAMPLE

Each Applicant must submit a writing sample explaining why he/she should be selected to participate in the Recovery Coach Academy, Peer Recovery Specialist training . Please include your value system, leadership skills that you possess, your ability to demonstrate and promote recovery and any advocacy or work done in the community. You may use MRC’s Recovery Coach Academy’s mission, vision and values statements as a reference document (see below).

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.

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.

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.

Each Applicant must submit two (2) reference letters that will attest to the applicant’s appropriateness for being a Recovery Coach.

The reference letters should also comment on the applicant’s years of recovery by addressing the applicant’s length of recovery and any activities such as volunteer work, sponsorship, etc. that the applicant pursues surrounding recovery. References are asked to share their thoughts, with examples if available, on the applicant's ability to demonstrate leadership qualities as it related to recovery; describe how the applicant is working a quality recovery program; how the applicant works with diverse groups of people; how the applicant conveys hope to others regarding recovery; and anything else the reference would like us to know about the applicant.

This reference letter 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; and at least one reference letter must specifically address the candidate’s understanding and belief in recovery and the ability to convey such to others.

Reference letters must be uploaded with this application.

Minnesota Recovery Connection’s Recovery Coach Code of Ethics

Recovery Coaches acknowledge and follow these ethical statements. 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. 

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

GROUP INTERVIEW

MRC uses a ‘Getting to Know You’ process in determining who is accepted into an upcoming Recovery Coach Academy. This process is an opportunity for applicants to get to know each other and ask any questions they might have about the RCA. It is not a one-to-one interview but an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their ability to use their own recovery experience; to demonstrate their ability to enforce healthy boundaries, and to listen with empathy when working with others (a key aspect of providing peer support). The process is not about right or wrong answers but 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.