APSS, CSA, & Bridge Course Registration

These courses are designed to lead to careers in Peer Support.

Students can start with the Adult Peer Support Specialist course and then move to Community Support Associate.

If your goal is to work at a treatment facility, the Adult Peer Support Specialist and then the RADPSS Bridge course would be required.

Vouchers for registration fees are made possible by the CLIMB (Career Ladder in Mental and Behavioral Health) grant.

Vouchers available for most participants! Call (606) 301-6118 or email keri.teegarden@kctcs.edu to determine your eligibility.

Adult Peer Support Specialist (APSS)

What it is:

Entry-level employment support certification for behavioral health treatment services
Familiarizes students with fundamentals of recovery and knowledge to become state certified
Taught by instructors that are/were in recovery or actively working in the recovery industry

Prerequisites:

18 years or older
Have a current or past diagnosis of mental health, substance use, or co-occurring mental health and substance use
Have received or are receiving treatment
High school diploma or GED

Class details:

30-hour class, across 2 consecutive Saturdays and Sundays
Online, instructor-led course
Registration fee: $200

Community Support Associate (CSA)

What it is:

A course to certify anyone dedicated to assisting individuals facing mental health challenges or substance use
Will equip students with skills necessary to impact community support and prepare you for a rewarding career in helping others navigate recovery
Gives employers and interested community members a look into what recovery and mental health look like to assist the people around us

Prerequisites:

18 years or older
Have a current or past diagnosis of mental health, substance use, or co-occurring mental health and substance use
Have received or are receiving treatment
High school diploma or GED

Class details:

10-hour class, across one weekend
Online, instructor-led course
Registration Fee: $100

Registered Alcohol & Drug Peer Support Specialist (RADPSS) Bridge Course

What it is:

Recent legislative changes now require individuals working as Substance Use Disorder (SUD) peer support specialists to pursue their credential through the Kentucky Board of Alcohol & Drug Counselors (KBADC).
Students planning to work in substance use disorder programs must meet KBADC requirements.
KBADC will continue recognizing the 30-hour adult peer support course through June 2026. After June 2026, full SUD peer training requirements apply.

Prerequisites:

18 years or older

Have a current or past diagnosis of mental health, substance use, or co-occurring mental health and substance use

Have received or are receiving treatment

High school diploma or GED

If the student has already completed the 30-hour course, they only need the additional bridge course of 21 hours:

3 hours – domestic violence
2 hours – HIV awareness
16 hours – ethics
= 21 hours (+ 30 hours of APSS = 51 hours total)
This fulfills training requirements for: Registered Alcohol & Drug Peer Support Specialist (RADPSS)

If the student has not completed the 30-hour course, they may choose:

The existing 30-hour DBHDID course + 21 additional hours (until June 2026), or
The full 51-hour KBADC peer support training package (available after June 2026; will be required for SUD peer roles)

Class details:

21-hour class, across one weekend
Online, instructor-led course
Registration Fee: $150

Careers Opportunities:

RADPSS is required for Medicaid billing in those programs.

Jobs:

Licensed Alcohol & Other Drug Entity (AODE) or Behavioral Health Service Organization (BHSO)
Residential rehab, intensive out patient program, licensed SUD clinic

CPSS (APSS)

Careers: Community mental health center, recovery community center, hospital, primary care clinics, peer-run drop-in centers
Appropriate for providing mental health, family, youth, or recovery support in non-AODE/BHSO settings.

The Career Ladders in Mental and Behavioral Health (CLIMB-Health) initiative is an innovative workforce development project of the Healthcare Workforce Collaborative (HWC) directed at establishing career ladders in behavioral health for individuals in recovery/re-entry. This effort is designed to increase opportunities for individuals in recovery/reentry to participate in Kentucky's growing mental and behavioral healthcare workforce.

This effort is designed to increase opportunities for individuals in recovery/re-entry to participate in Kentucky's growing mental and behavioral healthcare workforce grounded in the three key concepts: Recovery/Re-entry directed pathways (Lived experience pathways, In-demand behavioral healthcare occupations), Directed working relationships (Connect organizations in recovery/re-entry, Sustain directed job placement), and CLIMB campuses (Expand behavioral healthcare workforce training, Establish academic pathway programs).