CERTIFIED RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST RESPONSIBILITIES
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) Credential - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A credential
established as a result of change and progress in the world of mental health and substance abuse
treatment, requiring passing a written examination.
Illinois Certification Board - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Also known as IAODAPCA, Inc., responsible for
developing the CRSS credential in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Human Services and
other entities.
Recovery Support - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅The process of providing and receiving non-clinical
assistance by individuals with lived experience in recovery to facilitate the recovery process.
Recovery Support Specialist - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A person with lived experience in mental
health recovery who formally assists others with psychiatric conditions on their recovery journeys and is
compensated for their services.
Recovery Support Services - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Peer-based recovery support services delivered
through organizations and specialized roles of paid Recovery Support Specialists, aiming to infuse hope
and empowerment into the human service system.
President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Commission
formed in 2003 to study the U.S. mental health service delivery system, defining recovery as the ability
to live, work, learn, and participate fully in communities.
Recovery - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅The process where individuals can live fulfilling lives despite
disabilities or experience symptom reduction/remission, with hope playing a crucial role according to
science.
Lowinson's Definition of Recovery from Co-occurring Conditions - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Involves
gaining information, increasing self-awareness, developing skills for sober living, and following a
program of change for individuals with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders.
, DHS/DMH Vision Statement - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅States the expectation of recovery for all
persons with mental illnesses to fully participate in community life.
CRSS Examination Study Guide - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Designed to aid individuals preparing for
the CRSS examination by providing an overview of key areas, although it does not cover all information
required for the exam.
Systems Advocacy - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Communicating effectively within an organization to
get the needs of persons participating in services met, often involving changes that affect groups of
people.
Self-advocacy - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅The act of expressing oneself clearly and calmly to get
needs met, often involving communication with family, doctors, institutions, or places of employment.
CRSS Credential - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Credential for individuals in the human service system,
indicating competency in tasks, knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for the field.
Systems Level Advocacy - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Communicating effectively within an organization
to meet the needs of individuals in services, often leading to changes affecting groups of people.
Advocate's Top Ten List - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A list of principles for effective advocacy,
including being an advocate not an adversary, knowing the audience, giving credit, and expressing
gratitude.
Step 1: Modeling - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅In the self-advocacy process, the Recovery Support
Specialist advocates on behalf of the individual.
Step 2: Supporting - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅In the self-advocacy process, the Recovery Support
Specialist advocates alongside the individual.
Step 3: Empowering - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅In the self-advocacy process, the individual advocates
for themselves, progressing towards greater self-advocacy.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) Credential - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A credential
established as a result of change and progress in the world of mental health and substance abuse
treatment, requiring passing a written examination.
Illinois Certification Board - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Also known as IAODAPCA, Inc., responsible for
developing the CRSS credential in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Human Services and
other entities.
Recovery Support - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅The process of providing and receiving non-clinical
assistance by individuals with lived experience in recovery to facilitate the recovery process.
Recovery Support Specialist - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A person with lived experience in mental
health recovery who formally assists others with psychiatric conditions on their recovery journeys and is
compensated for their services.
Recovery Support Services - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Peer-based recovery support services delivered
through organizations and specialized roles of paid Recovery Support Specialists, aiming to infuse hope
and empowerment into the human service system.
President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Commission
formed in 2003 to study the U.S. mental health service delivery system, defining recovery as the ability
to live, work, learn, and participate fully in communities.
Recovery - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅The process where individuals can live fulfilling lives despite
disabilities or experience symptom reduction/remission, with hope playing a crucial role according to
science.
Lowinson's Definition of Recovery from Co-occurring Conditions - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Involves
gaining information, increasing self-awareness, developing skills for sober living, and following a
program of change for individuals with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders.
, DHS/DMH Vision Statement - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅States the expectation of recovery for all
persons with mental illnesses to fully participate in community life.
CRSS Examination Study Guide - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Designed to aid individuals preparing for
the CRSS examination by providing an overview of key areas, although it does not cover all information
required for the exam.
Systems Advocacy - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Communicating effectively within an organization to
get the needs of persons participating in services met, often involving changes that affect groups of
people.
Self-advocacy - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅The act of expressing oneself clearly and calmly to get
needs met, often involving communication with family, doctors, institutions, or places of employment.
CRSS Credential - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Credential for individuals in the human service system,
indicating competency in tasks, knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for the field.
Systems Level Advocacy - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Communicating effectively within an organization
to meet the needs of individuals in services, often leading to changes affecting groups of people.
Advocate's Top Ten List - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A list of principles for effective advocacy,
including being an advocate not an adversary, knowing the audience, giving credit, and expressing
gratitude.
Step 1: Modeling - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅In the self-advocacy process, the Recovery Support
Specialist advocates on behalf of the individual.
Step 2: Supporting - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅In the self-advocacy process, the Recovery Support
Specialist advocates alongside the individual.
Step 3: Empowering - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅In the self-advocacy process, the individual advocates
for themselves, progressing towards greater self-advocacy.
