We recently launched a pilot Recovery Support Peer Specialist Training Program in the Harris County Jail. On Tuesday, we presented certificates of completion to our first ten participants. The graduates are now providing supervised hands-on support and guidance to others in their recovery journey.
This moment has been in the making for more than a year. We were able to implement this life-changing opportunity through partnerships and the support of the Office of the Governor.
Addiction has impacted countless lives. As public safety leaders, we must have a multi-faceted approach to reduce recidivism, and a crucial part of that approach is treatment and peer-to-peer coaching.
Dariel Newman, Director of Nursing, Health Services
“No one can walk with someone through life better than someone who has experienced it,” said Dariel Newman, Director of Nursing.
“And this was our vision for this program. We wanted to help people inside our facilities, not just with doing their time, but positioning them to come back to their communities with a new mindset and skills they didn’t have before.”
Participants demonstrated continuous courage and a strong desire to remain sober while lifting others in their recovery journey to make it to graduation.
They completed six hours of foundational training and 46 hours of interactive training with extensive role-playing and scenarios led by Darrel Sims, a recovery coach trainer.
His personal story of addiction and overcoming barriers serves as an inspiration to those who want to change.
Darrel Sims, Recovery Coach Trainer, K.E.Y.S. of Houston
“I was once in the same position as the people I serve today,” said Sims, who has dedicated himself to empowering others through mentorship and teaching resiliency. He referred to his work as a calling, adding, “Recovery is different for every individual, and we are here to help them find their unique path. It’s about being hands-on and person-centered.”
Empowering Others
Helen Harper-Davis, Substance Abuse Program Lead, and Substance Abuse Counselor
This pilot program is an invaluable tool in meeting the needs of those entrusted into our care and reducing recidivism. It’s designed to promote self-determination and healthy coping skills to reach personal wellness and navigate stressors.
“It’s not about telling someone how to live their life,” said Helen Harper-Davis, Substance Abuse Program Lead, and Substance Abuse Counselor. “It’s about guiding them to a different perspective by putting options on the table, sharing a vulnerable moment, and trying to get down to what is making them feel a certain way.”
We are proud to champion a collaborative initiative that makes life better for the person providing the support and the person receiving it.
Participants have started applying the knowledge, skills, and tactics they learned to fulfill 250-hours of real-life experience. Working with a newly formed cohort inside the county jail is one step closer to completing their certifications. Most importantly, they provide a sense of empathy and understanding that only comes from having experienced recovery. Their journey is just beginning.
“It’s easy for society to write us off because of a stigma or their biases,” said one of the program graduates. “And it’s easy for us to give up and accept these titles. But this has given us hope and purpose as we reenter society.”
