§ 19.18-b Certified peer recovery advocate services program.

1. For purposes of this subdivision "certified peer recovery advocate services" means participant-centered services that emphasize knowledge and wisdom through lived experience in which peers are encouraged to share their own personal experience and first-hand knowledge of substance abuse, addiction, and recovery to support the recovery goals of individuals who use drugs and/or alcohol.

2. The commissioner shall develop and administer a certification process and standards of training and competency for certified peer recovery advocate services.

3. Certified peer recovery advocate services may include but not be limited to:

(a) developing recovery plans;

(b) raising awareness of existing social and other support services;

(c) modeling coping skills;

(d) assisting with applying for benefits;

(e) accompanying clients to medical appointments;

(f) providing non-clinical crisis support, especially after periods of hospitalization or incarceration;

(g) accompanying clients to court appearances and other appointments;

(h) working with participants to identify strengths;

(i) linking participants to formal recovery supports, including, but not limited to, medication assisted treatment;

(j) educating program participants about various modes of recovery, including, but not limited to, medication assisted treatment;

(k) peer engagement coordination with hospital emergency services to assist any patient that has been administered an opioid antagonist by a medical provider to establish connections to treatment, including, but not limited to, medication assisted treatment and other supports after an opioid overdose reversal or after discharge from another substance abuse related emergency department visit; and

(l) peer engagement coordination with law enforcement departments, fire departments and other first responder departments to assist any individual that has been administered an opioid antagonist by a first responder to establish connections to treatment, including, but not limited to, medication assisted treatment and other support services after an opioid overdose reversal.