CRSS Student Acknowledgement

CRSS Program Student Acknowledgement

The Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) program in Elgin Community College will provide high-quality recovery support training, supervised practical experience, and wrap-around support for individuals with lived expertise of mental health, substance use, or co-occurring mental health and substance use recovery. The program consists of five courses, with three courses conducted in the classroom and two in a field experience setting where students are placed within an agency.

Course-Specific Focus Areas

• RSS 101:Essential Helping Skills, Advocacy, Mentoring, the Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and Dual Diagnosis Treatment Continuum.
• RSS 103: Harm Reduction, Stages of Change, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, Gender Sensitive Care, Cognitive Behavioral Interventions, Behavior Modification, Working with Families, and Working with Youth.
• RSS 105: Professional Responsibilities, Recovery Support, Mandated Reporting Act, Illinois Mental Health Code, Confidentiality (42CFR and the Illinois Mental Health Confidentiality Act), CRSS Code of Ethics, the Illinois Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse Professional Counselor Association, and Crisis Intervention, Field Experience Preparation.
• RSS 107 and RSS 109: the application of effective oral and written communication skills, the recognition and modeling of workplace success attributes, the development and use of problem-solving abilities, and the creation of time management plans.

Acknowledgment of CRSS Program and IDHS Grant-Related Expectations

Please review the following acknowledgment and sign where indicated:

I understand that I am required to meet with a Human Services Instructor each semester to discuss my progress toward becoming a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS).

To advance to RSS 107, Field Experience I, I must earn at least a C in each preceding class. I will review the syllabus to understand the in-class student evaluation process. I also understand that admission into RSS 107 (Field Experience I) and beyond is at the discretion of the faculty member. If a student is denied admission, they will receive a Remediation Plan outlining specific steps required for future admission. If successfully completed the remediation outlined in the plan, the student will be eligible to enroll in the field experience.

I understand that, under the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) grant funding this program, I may be eligible for benefits such as tuition, books and additional wrap-around support. These benefits are available to eligible grant recipients according to grant guidelines.

According to the IDHS, I may enroll in each course up to three times and remain eligible for grant funds, provided I meet qualifying criteria. However, advancement to field experiences (RSS 107 and beyond) is solely at the discretion of the faculty member.

I also acknowledge that successful completion of RSS 107 is required to advance to RSS 109, Field Experience II.

Lastly, as a student at Elgin Community College, I agree to abide by the Student Code of Conduct. Violations of the Student Code of Conduct or the CRSS Code of Ethics may lead to termination from the program and/or the college.

By signing below, I acknowledge that I understand the expectations of this program and have asked any questions I may have. I understand that if I have further questions, I am encouraged to ask my instructor or Dr. Liddy Hope, Coordinator of the Human Services Program.