Education, Certification, & Dedication

Becoming a Certified Recovery Peer (CRP) is a challenging process, requiring rigorous training, mastery of knowledge, and cultural competency. At Fresh Start Inc. of Miami-Dade County, we are committed to expanding certification pathways, providing high-quality training, and offering culturally responsive programming. We also work to educate stakeholders—funders, legislators, and community partners—on the powerful impact of peer-led systems of care. By honoring Certified Peers as leaders in recovery and equity, we build community pride and demonstrate the value of lived experience in transforming lives.

Tamara Burch writes: I recently attended a training on supported employment, and it reminded me how uplifting it is to come to work among people who share similar experiences. Being in this environment makes it less likely for me to feel isolated or depressed. It’s empowering to take the stigma others may place on me and turn it into a source of inspiration to lift others up. My work here is deeply meaningful because I get to transform my own pain into support for others on their recovery journey.

Supporting people in becoming Certified Recovery Peer Specialists (CRPS) is some of the most meaningful work I can imagine. To celebrate their achievements, we hope to host a Certification Luncheon where peers will be pinned with their CRPS pins, recognized for their hard work, and honored for completing the rigorous training and exam requirements. This milestone is not just a professional achievement—it is a celebration of resilience, dedication, and leadership in recovery.

Please join us in supporting CRPs as they reach this important milestone. Your support helps Fresh Start Inc. of Miami-Dade County continue to uplift, empower, and inspire our peers, strengthen community pride, and advance equity through peer-led systems of care.

Sincerely,

CRPS, Tamara Burch

CEO, Sandra McQueen-Baker