LOUISVILLE, KY. – Goodwill Industries of Kentucky has announced new statewide programming designed to allow individuals to use their life experiences to positively impact others who are in recovery – The Adult Peer Support Specialist Certification Program. The program, which was approved by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, began its first cohort today.
The APSS Certification Program is designed for individuals who have survived their circumstances and are interested in using their stories to provide guidance and tools for others who are beginning their recovery journeys. The program is available for Goodwill employees, clients and the general public.
“At Goodwill, we know that recovery is not a destination as much as it is a journey, and we want to ensure we are providing the best opportunity for people to be successful,” said Angie Kerrick, Goodwill Director of Training and Development. “One way we do that is by offering this program. We see clients every day that have struggled and need someone to talk to that gets them, and that is the essence of this program. We are proud to be offering APSS across the Goodwill Industries of Kentucky territory.”
Participants of the program are required to complete a 30-hour curriculum that teaches the six core values of problem solving, Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP), the three stages of the recovery process, effective listening skills and how to establish recovery goals. It also offers participants the opportunity to work with others in recovery support groups.
To be eligible to apply for the APSS Certification Program, individuals must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have a current or past diagnosis of a mental health, substance use disorder or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
- Have received or be receiving treatment
- Have a minimum educational requirement of a high school diploma or General Equivalence Diploma (GED) certificate
- Demonstrate a pattern of recovery from a mental health, substance use disorder or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be awarded their Adult Peer Support Specialist Certification and be prepared for entry-level employment supporting behavioral health treatment services.
PLEASE NOTE: This program is only free for Goodwill clients. Other applicants will be required to pay a fee of $200. For more information or to enroll in the program, contact APSS@goodwillky.org.
About Goodwill Industries of Kentucky
Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is a 100-year-old nonprofit organization that operates in 103 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. The organization is committed to using resources from its 67 retail stores to help build pathways out of poverty for individuals who need a hand up in life. In 2023, Goodwill helped place 3,185 Kentuckians into jobs with its 1,330 employer partners and inside its own retail stores. Goodwill uses approximately 90 cents from every dollar generated in its retail stores to operate programs and services that help Kentucky’s hardest-to-serve job seekers build the life they desire.