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Recovery Coach

Every aspect of the Addiction Recovery Coach Certificate (ARCC) Program is set up to give individuals the knowledge and skills required to be a recovery coach. The ARCC program is based in part on the nationally recognized Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR)'s Recovery Coach Academy. It is also based on the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC & RC) requirements through the Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification (MBSACC.) The Recovery Coach Program offers individuals an opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills by providing the necessary education, tools, and resources needed to become an effective recovery coach. The content of the program has been accredited by the Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification for CARC requirements.

Schedule

The ARCC program is a live online course beginning March 14 and ending June 20, 2023. The program includes 61 class hours and 27 practicum hours. Classes will take place online on Tuesday evenings and Saturdays. Click the link below for the full schedule.

•ARCC Program Schedule

Program Cost

The cost of the ARCC program is $1,950. Cost of required books (approximately $85) not included.

Payment is due by February 28, 2023 or upon acceptance into the program if it occurs after that date. A payment plan is also available for all accepted students paying out of pocket. If you will be receiving third party funding for this program, please let us know.

Payment Plan due dates:
•February 28, 2023 (or upon acceptance): $750
•March 31, 2023: $400
•April 28, 2023: $400
•May 31, 2023: $400

Please note that missed payment deadlines may result in withdrawal from the program. No partial refunds will be given for class absences. The withdrawal policy linked at the top of this page is in effect for the program and program cost taken as a whole. The withdrawal period for the program ends after the 3rd class meeting. Refunds for withdrawals initiated by the student before the third class will be calculated based on the full program cost.

ARCC Program content includes the four domains required for CARC Certification:

•Advocacy (10 hours)
•Mentoring/Education (10 hours)
•Recovery/Wellness Support (10 hours)
•Ethical Responsibility (16 hours)

These four domains are addressed in the 30-hour CCAR Recovery Coach Academy and 16-hour Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaches that are presented in the ARCC program.

Additional trainings to meet certification requirements are included in the ARCC Program:

•Cultural Competency (3 hours)
•Addictions 101 (6 hours)
•Recovery Coaching and Mental Health (3 hours)
•Motivational Interviewing (3 hours)

Additional Experience required for CARC Certification

Practical Training beyond this course is required for certification. MBSACC CARC Certification requires 500 hours of supervised (paid or volunteer work) experience specific to the domains of advocacy, mentoring/education, recovery/wellness support, and ethical responsibility. These hours must be supervised by a qualified recovery coach supervisor who has completed an MBSACC approved Recovery Coach Supervisor Training. A minimum of 27 of these 500 hours, specific to the domains, will be provided in this training as part of the practicum. The remainder of these 500 hours are NOT part of the ARCC program.

Director and Teaching Staff

Westfield State University is partnered with Choice Recovery Coaching Inc which is a 501 C3 Non Profit organization dedicated to Championing Recovery for individuals, communities, and systems across the Commonwealth and beyond. pAUL aLVES, RCPF, CARC, NCPRSS, a person in long term recovery, is the founder and Westfield State ARCC program director.

Admission Application Checklist

•Completed application
•Narrative statement
- 1 to 2 pages typed and double-spaced
- Include a bit about your background, why you chose to apply to the program, and what you hope to do after program completion.
•Signed Attendance Policy
•Official transcripts from highest level of education attained - College, High School, or GED scores

Important Links

•Application for ARCC program
•Application Instructions
•Online Attendance Policy
•ARCC Program Content

Contact

All application materials can be emailed to bfredette@westfield.ma.edu or sent to the following address:

Westfield State University
Recovery Coach Program
577 Western Avenue
Westfield, MA 01086

If you have any questions about the application process, contact Brandon Fredette at (413) 572-8033 or bfredette@westfield.ma.edu