Peer Recovery Support
Peer-Based
Certified Peer Recovery Specialists are people who have undergone extensive training and embody a life of recovery, who help others experiencing similar situations. Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, peer support specialists aid people in laying the foundation for SAMHSA’s four dimensions of recovery: Health, Home, Community and Purpose, that support a life in recovery. Peer support services create a recovery continuum of care that continues to enhance one’s life in all aspects.
Multiple Pathways of Recovery
Certified Peer Recovery Specialists recognize that there are multiple pathways to recovery. They are educated on a multitude of options to assist individuals in finding the perfect path for their journey. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists embrace pathways such as harm reduction, moderation, 12-step, faith based, evidence based science recovery, abstinence, and solo recovery. If the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist cannot find a path that does not work for the individual, they will encourage and empower the individual to create a mode that’s right for them.
Person Centered/Strength Based
Peer recovery support provides a strength-based approach to a person’s recovery journey. By assisting with identifying the person’s strengths, peers guide the person to self-directed choices about their personal journey. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists empower the person to remove barriers and obstacles associated with that person’s recovery process. Peers will aid in developing a Recovery Wellness Plan, which will assist in navigating situations, such as a reoccurrence of symptoms.
Integrated Recovery
SAMHSA’s four dimensions of recovery, Health, Home, Purpose and Community, are the foundation of the work that is done at CARES. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists work alongside a person to ensure that their recovery is integrated with their physical health, mental health, and community support. Peer Recovery Specialists assist with providing resources and guidance to aid and allow the person to remove any barriers or obstacles from obtaining the four dimensions of recovery.

Peer Recovery Support Services at CARES
Telephone Recovery Support (TRS)
Telephone Recovery Support (TRS) is an innovative peer-to-peer support service offered through CARES. Weekly telephone calls are made by trained CARES employees and volunteers to “check in” and see how they’re doing. Recoverees are given support and encouragement such as information about community resources, pathways to recovery or other supports that may help them. They beauty of TRS is in its simplicity – it helps people stay connected. Click here to schedule a call!
Recovery Coaching
More than a supportive hand or sympathetic ear, recovery coaching is a formalized, co-created relationship between a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and an individual. Recovery coaching sessions are guided by the wants and needs of the individual and is self-directed by them. Peers help to remove barriers, provide resources, and work with them to provide support as they rebuild their lives. Peer work is focused solely on the individual’s future and supporting them throughout their journey. Contact us here to schedule a recovery coaching session with one of our Certified Peer Recovery Specialists.
Case Management/ Systems Navigation
This is a collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation, care coordination, evaluation, and advocacy for options and services to meet an individual’s and family’s comprehensive wellness needs through communication and available resources to promote client safety, quality of care, and cost-effective outcomes
The underlying premise of case management is based in the fact that when an individual reaches the optimum level of wellness and functional capability, everyone benefits: the individuals being served, their support systems, the health care delivery systems, and the community.
CARES Pop-Up/ Mobile Recovery Services
The Pop-Up Recovery Center “model” is supported by a collaborative partner “site” on a fixed weekly schedule; whereby, Certified Peer Recovery Specialists provide recovery support services to the community. Frequency of days, times, and types of recovery services are established between the partner site, CARES, and community needs. Mobile Recovery Services are provided via the CARES Recovery Hot-Spot van at various locations throughout New Jersey.
Anchoring the support services provided at each Pop-Up Recovery Center is an All Recovery Meeting, which is facilitated by a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. All Recovery Meetings are based on the philosophy that people from every recovery pathway have much in common and can benefit from sharing together. These meetings offer a safe place, where people can share their recovery experiences, with an emphasis on the hope and healing of recovery and how recovery has changed our lives. It is also an opportunity to learn and connect with individuals from multiple pathways of recovery.
Pop-Up Recovery Centers are currently operating at Our Promise in Morristown, Edna’s Haven in Dover and Jefferson Township Rescue Squad. If you are interested in starting a Pop-Up CARES Recovery Center in your community, contact us today!
CARES APP
These services are provided by the support of the Morris County Department of Human Services.