Jobs & Hope WV Celebrates Largest Peer Recovery Support Specialist Training Class in Bluefield
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — Jobs & Hope WV celebrated a milestone in workforce development and recovery support as 28 individuals completed the program’s largest-ever Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) training class, held at Recovery Point Bluefield.
The four-day training, led by Jobs & Hope WV Transition Agent and certified instructor Josh Farmer, provided participants with 32 hours of instruction designed to prepare individuals for certification as Peer Recovery Support Specialists in West Virginia. Participants represented recovery homes, health centers and nonprofit organizations from communities across the state, reflecting the growing demand for trained peer support professionals.
“The importance of the class lies in its ability to help bridge a severe gap in substance use disorder and mental health treatment,” said Farmer. “By gaining the tools offered in the class and then obtaining state certification, those working in PRSS positions are instrumental in meeting individuals suffering with SUD and mental health challenges and helping them find and seek meaningful treatment. In many instances, peers are the missing link in integrated person-centered care.”
Completion of the 32-hour training marks an important step toward full certification. Participants must complete additional requirements through the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP), including submission of a personal recovery statement related to substance use disorder (SUD), completion of 500 hours of volunteer or paid experience specific to peer recovery domains and 25 hours of supervision, with a minimum of six hours in each domain.
Additional certification requirements include possession of a high school diploma or GED, completion of 46 clock hours of education specific to peer recovery domains, passing the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) Peer Recovery Support Specialist examination and maintaining certification through renewal every two years. Recertification requires 20 hours of continuing education, including six hours focused specifically on PRSS ethics.
Peer Recovery Support Specialists are individuals with lived recovery experience who provide mentorship, encouragement and guidance to others navigating recovery from substance use disorder. Their work supports individuals in maintaining recovery, accessing resources and building pathways to meaningful employment and stable lives.
“The class impact on individuals often shows that their lived experience does translate to real, meaningful, professional expertise when applied appropriately,” Farmer said. “Besides just being a stepping stone or building block to possible career outcomes, it also offers a new perspective on what living and working in recovery looks like. The tools obtained in the class can be used to great benefit in everyday life and interactions.”
By offering PRSS training opportunities, Jobs & Hope WV continues to support West Virginians in removing barriers to employment while strengthening recovery networks statewide. Certification provides participants with the training and credentials needed to pursue meaningful careers while also creating opportunities to positively impact individuals and families in their communities.
The April 2026 class represents the largest PRSS training cohort facilitated through Jobs & Hope WV to date, highlighting the continued growth of peer recovery services and workforce development initiatives across the Mountain State.
About Jobs & Hope WV
Jobs & Hope WV is West Virginia’s statewide comprehensive workforce development program designed to remove barriers to employment for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. Through partnerships with community organizations, educational providers and employers, Jobs & Hope WV connects participants with career training, education, certification opportunities and supportive services that lead to meaningful, long-term employment.
Media Contact
Matthew Holstein
Strategic Relations Agent
Jobs & Hope WV Communications Office
Email: matthew.holstein@k12.wv.us
Phone: 304-533-0111
