[15] It was developed in collaboration with post-secondary educators and coaching experts for a diverse population with an array of learning skills who may be teaching, employing or supporting those who may be inmates, ex-offenders, mental health consumers, recovering addicts and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
[15] The online Peer Recovery Facilitator Development e-Course was officially approved in 2014, by the Association for Addiction Professionals, also known as NAADAC.
From 2013 to 2014, PARfessionals and its parent organization, the SJM Family Foundation (which closed in January 2015[16] through the Texas Secretary of State) provided seven scholarships[17] for eligible candidates from the general public who were devoted to seeking training for addiction treatment and peer recovery services.
The ICBRP's mission was to be an independent, informal ad-hoc advisory board that provides guidance and accountability for the National Certified Peer Recovery Professionals (NCPRP) credentialing program.
In Spring 2017, The PARfessionals' Cultural Intelligence in Addictions course supplemental student workbook[21] was included in the German National Library.
The founder, Jorea Kelley-Hardison is a nationally certified psychiatric technician[23][24] and social impact artist that has successfully worked with dozens of licensed professional clinicians and medical staff worldwide, including professionals from Harvard Medical School and the National Institute of Health.
[25][26][27] In order to accomplish the company's goals, Kelley-Hardison, along with members of the AR SJM Family, hired and privately paid independent contractors and freelancers,[28][27][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] also Ms. Hardison and several of her family members working as volunteers using their own money,[36] and collaborating with a group of qualified contracted experts from across the world that had acquired degrees, held additional credentials and had significant work experience in their own respective fields.
[49] IC&RC credentials and examinations, including Peer Recovery[41] are administered exclusively by various certification and licensing boards in the United States and the world.
[51] SAMHSA states that: Peer support services are delivered by individuals who have common life experiences with the people they are serving.
People with mental and/or substance use disorders have a unique capacity to help each other based on a shared affiliation and a deep understanding of this experience.
[53] The curriculum is based on proven research in order to make it the most specialized and comprehensive training program for a new generation of Peer Recovery Professionals for a variety of settings.
According to its 2017 Global Healthcare Sector Outlook Infographic, "Peer support, self-management education, health coaching, and group activities, along with workforce training, and investments in the right technology" are " potential enablers of patient activation and engagement" and " key ingredients for productive health care operations".