Recovery Support Services (RSS) | Vermont Department of Health CLOSE Translations for you Recovery Support Services (RSS) System of Care Enhancement Recovery Residences Recovery Support Services (RSS) RSS Questions and Answers Recovery Support Services (RSS) The State of Vermont is establishing Recovery Support Services (RSS) as a Medicaid-reimbursable benefit for people covered under the Vermont Medicaid State Plan. Stay up-to-date on the progress of this initiative through the project timeline, updates, training opportunities and meetings. Timeline Click image to enlarge. Important Links Updates & Newsletter Training Opportunities & Meetings Key Documents Glossary of Terminology Questions & Answers The Recovery Support Services (RSS) timeline illustrates progress for three projects and their anticipated implementation time-frames, including the Recovery Services Organization Certificate (anticipated implementation in early 2025), the Peer Recovery Support Certification Rule (anticipated implementation in mid 2025) and the Recovery Services Medicaid Benefit (anticipated implementation in 2026). Updates & Newsletter Stay up-to-date on new information, requirements, or other resources related to Recovery Support Services. Sign up for the RSS Connect newsletter to be notified of new information. Most Recent Update The most recent Quarterly RSS Connect Newsletter is available here: Quarterly RSS Connect - March 2026 Sign up for the RSS Connect newsletter! Past Updates Archived Updates Quarterly RSS Connect - December 2025 Quarterly RSS Connect - September 2025 Quarterly RSS Connect - June 2025 Quarterly RSS Connect - March 2025 Quarterly RSS Connect - December 2024 Seeking Public Comment: The Division of Substance Use Programs (DSU) has developed the following Substance Use Disorder Recovery Standards and the accompanying Compliance Assessment Tool, related to the Draft Recovery Services Organization (RSO) Certification Rule, available on the Health Department's Rules for Public Comment page Certified Recovery Services Organizations: Substance Use Disorder Recovery Standards : The Recovery Services Organization Certification Rule, adopted pursuant to 8 V.S.A § 4089b(f)(2) and 18 V.S.A §§ 102 and 4806, requires that all certified Recovery Services Organizations provide services in accordance with the Certified Recovery Services Organizations: Substance Use Disorder Recovery Standards. RSO Compliance Assessment Tool (CAT) . The Compliance Assessment Tool (CAT) is used during site visits to determine a Recovery Service Organization’s level of certification compliance by providing transparency about the Recovery Support Organization compliance status, highlighting areas that require action or emphasis, and evaluating the level and type of technical assistance needs. Public comment for the above materials closed on November 20, 2024. Final materials will be posted once the RSO Certification rule has been adopted. Questions can be directed to: [email protected] The Office of Professional Regulations (OPR) has posted the Peer Support Provider and Peer Recovery Support Specialists Rule for public comment. Visit the OPR page. October RSS Connect Special Edition Posted October 14, 2024 CPRSS Code of Ethics DRAFT- SoS Filing Posted September 18, 2024 September 2024 RSS Connect Sent September 9, 2024 Training Opportunities and Meetings Public trainings, meetings, and slide decks related to Recovery Support Services work. Most recent training, meeting, or slide deck: Recovery Support Services (RSS) Initiative Monthly Recovery Center Director Touchpoint - February 5, 2026 Past trainings, meetings, and slide decks Archived content Recovery Support Services (RSS) Initiative Monthly Recovery Center Director Touchpoint - January 8, 2026 Recovery Support Services (RSS) Initiative Monthly Recovery Center Director Touchpoint - December 4, 2025 Recovery Support Services (RSS) Initiative Monthly Recovery Center Director Touchpoint – November 6, 2025 Recovery Support Services (RSS) Initiative Monthly Recovery Center Director Touchpoint – October 8, 2025 Recovery Support Services (RSS) Initiative Monthly Recovery Center Director Touchpoint - September 4, 2025 Recovery Support Services (RSS) Initiative Monthly Recovery Center Director Touchpoint - August 7, 2025 Recovery Support Services (RSS) Initiative Monthly Recovery Center Director Touchpoint - June 6, 2025 Recovery Support Services (RSS) Initiative Recovery Services Organization (RSO) Certification Webinar Slide Deck - May 30, 2025 Recovery Support Services (RSS) Initiative Monthly Recovery Center Director Touchpoint - May 1, 2025 Recovery Support Services (RSS) Initiative Monthly Recovery Center Director Touchpoint - April 3, 2025 Recovery Support Services (RSS) Initiative Monthly Recovery Center Director Touchpoint - March 6, 2025 Recovery Support Services (RSS) Initiative Update, February 13, 2025 Recovery Support Services (RSS) Initiative Kickoff with Recovery Centers - January 13, 2025 Recovery Support Services (RSS) Initiative Status Update - December 5, 2024 RSS Overview Slide Deck from August 26, 2024 Recovery Centers Directors' meeting Recovery Services Organization (RSO) Certification Key information and resources Most recent resources: RSO Certification Application PDF of RSO Certification Application for application planning Key Links and Resources RSO Certification Rule Certified Recovery Services Organizations: Substance Use Disorder Recovery Standards Recovery Services Organization Compliance Assessment Tool Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) Certification Key information and resources Most recent resources: PRSS Certification Application Portal via VT Office of Professional Regulation Online Services Platform Advisory Board Application via Secretary of State Advisor Appointment Application Key Links and Resources PRSS Certification Rule via VT Office of Professional Regulation IC&RC Credentialing Process through Prevention WorksVT! PRSS Certification Process through VT Office of Professional Regulation Code of Ethics for Vermont Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialists Key Documents Standards, important documents, and other resources. Key Links and Resources Search results will filter the table by the search term(s). Resource link Resource Type Audience Prevention Works!VT Certified Recovery Coach Application Application Recovery Coaches RSO Certification Rule Rule Certified Recovery Services Organizations (RSO) Certified Recovery Services Organizations: Substance Use Disorder Recovery Standards Standards Certified Recovery Services Organizations (RSO) Recovery Services Organization Compliance Tool Compliance Tool Certified Recovery Services Organizations (RSO) Recovery Support Services (RSS) Initiative Recovery Services Organization (RSO) Certification Webinar Slide Deck Certified Recovery Services Organizations (RSO) Glossary of Terminology Definitions and information about RSS. Terms and Definitions Search results will filter the table by the search term(s). Definitions Recovery Services Organization (RSO) Certification Initial/Renewal Application Application submitted to initiate the certification process for Recovery Services Organizations or submitted by a certified RSO to renew certification every three years. Note: This application is under development and is not yet available. Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) Certification Application Application submitted to the Office of Professional Regulation to become certified as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist or renew certification. Note: This application is under development and is not yet available. Recovery Certification Compliance Assessment Tool (RCCAT) Tool to assess Recovery Services Organizations for certification, measured by the guidelines included in the RSO Substance Use Disorder Standards. The tool will be leveraged prior to and during RSO certification site visits by Division of Substance Use staff. Note: The tool is under development and is not yet available. Recovery Services Organization (RSO) Certification Rule Rule that provides certification requirements for Recovery Services Organizations. This rule will serve as the regulatory basis for the certification of Recovery Services Organizations that receive state or federal funding for the provision of recovery services and supports from the Vermont Department of Health. Peer Support Provider (PSP) and Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) Certification Rule Rule that will serve as the regulatory basis for the certification of PRSS (Vermont Department of Health) and PSP (Vermont Department of Mental Health). Note: The rule is currently under development. Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) Credentialing Body Entity authorized by the Vermont Department of Health to: (A) issue credentials to peer recovery support specialists to demonstrate that a peer recovery support specialist has met qualifications for certification; and (B) approve acceptable continuing education courses; in addition to other duties. Medicaid Member A person who is enrolled in Medicaid and covered under the Vermont Medicaid State Plan. Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) A person who holds a certificate to engage in the practice of recovery support services from the Office of Professional Regulation. Certified Peer Support Provider (PSP) A peer worker under the Department of Mental Health who is certified by the Office of Professional Regulation and is included in the same legislation (H.847) and associated rule as PRSS. Note: PSPs are not within the scope of the Recovery Support Services Initiative or part of the Vermont Department of Health’s provider network. Recovery Services Organization (RSO) A non-residential and non-clinical facility certified by the Vermont Department of Health to provide recovery services and supports in compliance with the Department’s Recovery Services Organizations: Substance Use Disorder Recovery Standards. Recovery Services Organizations (RSO): Substance Use Disorder Standards Standards published by the Vermont Department of Health and establishes the required minimum expectations related to operations, staff conduct, organizational performance, structure and workplace environment of a certified Recovery Services Organization. Questions and Answers Visit RSS Questions and Answers to review commonly asked questions about RSS. If you have questions about the contents of this webpage, contact [email protected] Substance Use Programs (DSU) Vermont Department of Health 280 State Street Waterbury, VT 05671-8340 802-651-1550 [email protected] April 13, 2026