Staff Training and Credentialing Guide

CRRA Certification (Certified Recovery Residence Administrator)

What is CRRA?

The Certified Recovery Residence Administrator (CRRA) credential is for individuals who operate and administer recovery residences. CRRAs are responsible for oversight of staff, volunteers, and residents according to standards established by the Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR).

Who Needs CRRA Certification?

Florida Requirement: As of July 1, 2022, recovery residences must have at least one CRRA per 50 residents. CRRAs may actively manage up to 50 residents at any given time, though they may manage up to 100 residents with written justification approved by the credentialing entity.

Requirements

Note: Up to 500 hours as a CRSS (Certified Recovery Support Specialist) may be applied. The remaining 500 hours must be spent providing CRRA-level services.

Costs

Additional fees include proctoring (paid to test site) and background screening fees (paid to screening entity).

Timeline

• Training: 100 hours (varies by provider; online options available)
• Work experience: 1,000 hours (approximately 6-12 months full-time)
• Total estimated time: 6-18 months depending on prior experience

Renewal Requirements

• Submit annual renewal fee ($100) before expiration
• Complete required continuing education (CE) credits annually
• CE credits must be from FCB-approved providers
• Late renewals incur $50 fee
• Credentials not renewed go to inactive status

Training Providers

Other States

36 U.S. states utilize NARR accreditation standards. Recovery residence administrator certification varies by state. Check the NARR Affiliate Directory for your state's requirements.

Peer Support Specialist Certification

What is Peer Support Certification?

Peer support specialists are individuals with lived experience of recovery from mental health conditions or substance use disorders who provide mentoring, support, and care coordination to others in recovery.

Florida Requirements (CRPS - Certified Recovery Peer Specialist)

Basic Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• 2 years of stable recovery from SUD or mental illness, OR
• Family member/caregiver of person with SUD or mental illness

Training Requirements (Florida)

Total: 40 clock hours minimum

Plus Whole Health Training (8-16 hours): WRAP (16 hours), WHAM (8 hours), or Peer Support Whole Health and Resiliency.

Endorsement Categories

• CRPS-A: Personal lived experience as adult with mental health condition or SUD, 2+ years recovery
• CRPS-F: Lived experience as family member/caregiver

Value for Sober Living Operations

Having certified peer support staff provides:

• Evidence-based recovery support for residents
• Potential for Medicaid billing in many states
• Enhanced credibility with referral sources
• Lived experience that resonates with residents
• Reduced stigma in the recovery environment

State Variations

House Manager Training

Role Overview

House managers serve as live-in leaders responsible for the daily operations of recovery residences. They maintain safety, enforce rules, provide mentorship, and coordinate with external parties.

Essential Skills

Administrative:

• Rent and fee collection
• Bed assignment and occupancy tracking
• Scheduling house meetings
• Chore completion tracking
• Documentation and record-keeping

Recovery Support:

• Crisis intervention
• Conflict resolution
• Role modeling recovery behaviors
• New resident orientation
• Recovery plan support

Compliance:

• Drug testing administration
• Room inspections
• Rule enforcement
• Incident documentation

Recommended Qualifications

Training Topics

Required Training Areas:

1. Crisis intervention and de-escalation
2. Drug testing procedures
3. Confidentiality (42 CFR Part 2, HIPAA basics)
4. Fair Housing compliance
5. Resident rights
6. Documentation standards
7. Emergency procedures
8. Naloxone administration

Recommended Additional Training:

• Motivational interviewing
• Trauma-informed care
• Cultural humility
• Ethics training
• Medication management (observation only)
• First Aid/CPR

NARR Level Staffing

Required Staff Training Topics

Crisis Intervention

Purpose: Equip staff to recognize and respond to behavioral health crises safely.

De-Escalation

Key Techniques:

• STAMP recognition (Staring, Tone, Anxiety, Mumbling, Pacing)
• Active listening
• Body language awareness
• Environmental modifications
• Verbal intervention strategies

First Aid and CPR

Narcan (Naloxone) Administration

Requirement: NARR standards require naloxone accessibility and staff/resident training.

Training Covers:

• Opioid overdose signs and symptoms
• How naloxone works
• Intranasal and intramuscular administration
• When to call 911
• Aftercare considerations

Confidentiality (42 CFR Part 2)

Sober Living Homes: Typically do NOT fall under Part 2 if they only provide housing and peer support without clinical treatment. However, staff should understand:

• Basic privacy principles
• Re-disclosure restrictions
• When consent is required
• How to handle requests for information

Best Practice: Treat all resident information as confidential regardless of Part 2 applicability.

Fair Housing Compliance

Staff Training Must Cover:

• Protected classes under FHA
• Reasonable accommodation requirements
• What cannot be asked during intake
• Documentation limitations
• Handling accommodation requests

Annual Training Requirement: Recommended 12-month refresher for all staff.

Trauma-Informed Care

SAMHSA's Six Key Principles:

1. Safety (physical and psychological)
2. Trustworthiness and transparency
3. Peer support
4. Collaboration and mutuality
5. Empowerment, voice, and choice
6. Cultural, historical, and gender issues

Background Check Requirements

Level 1 vs Level 2 Background Checks (Florida)

Level 2 Requirements for Recovery Residences

Florida: CRRA applicants and recovery residence personnel must undergo Level 2 background screening per Chapter 435, F.S.

Process:

1. Submit electronic fingerprints to FDLE
2. Criminal history check conducted statewide (FDLE) and nationally (FBI)
3. Sex offender registry search in all states of residence (past 5 years)
4. Results returned to employer/licensing agency

Disqualifying Offenses (Florida Chapter 435.04)

Categories of Disqualifying Offenses:

• Sexual offenses (any sexual battery, unlawful sexual activity with minors)
• Violent offenses (homicide, manslaughter, felony assault/battery, kidnapping)
• Child abuse/neglect
• Elder/disabled person abuse or exploitation
• Felony drug offenses
• Human trafficking
• Arson, burglary, vehicular homicide

Exemption Process

Eligibility for Exemption (Florida Statute 435.07):

• 2+ years elapsed since sentence completion for disqualifying felony
• Misdemeanors: Must have completed sentence only
• Application processed by appropriate agency (e.g., DCF)

Not Eligible for Exemption:

• Sexual predators or offenders
• Career offenders
• Certain violent offense convictions (murder, kidnapping, sex offenses, domestic violence)

Rescreening Requirements

• Every 5 years: Level 2 background rescreening required
• Fingerprints retained for 5 years
• Renewal window: 75 days before expiration to 15 days before
• Break in service >90 days: New national screening required

Training Resources

NARR Training Programs

Available Online Courses:

• NARR Standard 3.0 implementation
• Policy and procedure development
• Social model practices
• Fair housing and zoning rights
• Medication management best practices
• Emergency protocols
• Code of Ethics

Florida-Specific Resources

FARR Required Training:

• FARR Ethics training (required for all staff)
• FARR Standards training (required for all staff)
• Deadline: Within 90 days of hire for new staff
• Frequency: Annual

Online Training Providers

Staff Policies

Essential Staff Policies

Every recovery residence should have written policies covering:

1. Code of Ethics - Aligned with NARR/FARR Code of Ethics, signed by all staff
2. Confidentiality Policy - Information handling, disclosure requirements, breach reporting
3. Staff Conduct - Professional behavior expectations, attendance requirements
4. Boundaries with Residents - No personal financial involvement, social media limits
5. Drug and Alcohol Policy - Zero tolerance statement, testing requirements
6. Incident Reporting - What must be reported, timeline, documentation requirements
7. Emergency Procedures - Medical emergencies, behavioral emergencies, evacuation

Boundaries with Residents

Clear Role Definition:

• Staff role is management of housing, NOT management of individuals
• Staff are NOT licensed counselors (unless separately credentialed)
• Staff provide support, accountability, and structure
• Clinical treatment is NOT the role of sober living staff

Financial Boundaries:

• Never lend or borrow money
• No personal financial transactions
• No co-signing loans or leases

Personal Boundaries:

• Limited personal disclosure
• No social relationships with residents
• Professional social media boundaries
• No romantic/sexual relationships with residents

Documentation Requirements

Staff Must Document:

• Resident intake information
• Medications (observed, not administered)
• Drug test results
• Rule violations
• Incidents and accidents
• Meeting attendance verification
• Rent payments and fees
• Move-in/move-out dates
• Discharge reasons

Documentation Standards:

• Timely (within 24 hours for incidents)
• Factual (objective observations, not opinions)
• Complete (who, what, when, where)
• Confidential

Summary Checklist: Building a Qualified Team

For Operators:

• Obtain CRRA certification (Florida requirement)
• Develop written job descriptions for all positions
• Create comprehensive staff policy manual
• Establish training plan (onboarding + ongoing)
• Set up background check process
• Complete FARR Ethics and Standards training

For House Managers:

• Complete house manager training program
• Pass Level 2 background check
• Obtain CPR/First Aid certification
• Complete Narcan training
• Complete crisis intervention training
• Complete Fair Housing training
• Complete trauma-informed care training

Annual Requirements:

• Renew CRRA certification
• Complete continuing education requirements
• Renew CPR/First Aid certification (every 2 years)
• Complete FARR Ethics and Standards refresher
• Complete Fair Housing refresher
• Rescreening (every 5 years per FL Chapter 435)