Glossary of Terms & Acronyms

AA – Alcoholics Anonymous
ARI – Addiction Research Institute
ATSDR – Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
AUD – Alcohol Use Disorder
CA – Cocaine Anonymous
CCBHC – Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic
CDAD – Community Drug Awareness Day
CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CEU – Continuing Education Units
CIF-RC – Composite Indicator Framework of Regional Characteristics
CFP – Certified Family Partner
CMHC – Community Mental Health Center
COSP – Consumer Operated Service Provider
CPR – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
ED/IP – Emergency Department / Inpatient Hospitalization
EMS – Emergency Medical Services
FQHC – Federally Qualified Health Clinic
HPSA – Health Professional Shortage Areas
HRSA – Health Resources and Services Administration
HHSC – Texas Health and Human Services Commission (or its designee)
ICRC – International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium
IPS – Intentional Peer Support
IQR – Interquartile Range
JI-PRS – Justice-Involved Re-Entry Peer Specialist
LBHA – Local Behavioral Health Authority
LCDC – Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor
LMHA – Local Mental Health Authority
LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor
LPHA – Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts
MAT – Medication Assisted Therapy
MARA – Medication Assisted Recovery Anonymous
MARS – Medication Assisted Recovery Services
MCO – Managed Care Organization
MHPS – Mental Health Peer Specialist
MOUD – Medication for Opioid Use Disorder
NA – Narcotics Anonymous
NAADAC – NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals
NCC AP – National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals
NCHS – National Center for Health Statistics
NCPRSS – National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist
NOFO – Notice of Funding Opportunity
OSAR – Outreach, Screening, Assessment, and Referral
OUD – Opioid Use Disorder
PRO – Peer Recovery Organization
PRSS – Peer Recovery Support Specialist
PSS – Peer Specialist Supervisor
PTO – Personal Time Off
PWI – Peer Workforce Infrastructure
PWNI – Peer Workforce Needs Index
QCC – Qualified Credentialed Counselor
RCC – Recovery Community Center
RCO – Recovery Community Organization
RFP – Request for Funding Proposal
RHM – Recovery House Manager
RHP – Regional Healthcare Partnership
RSPS – Recovery Support Peer Specialist
ROSC – Recovery-Oriented System of Care
SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
TCB – Texas Certification Board
TIEMH – Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health
TODA – Texas Overdose Data to Action
ToT – Training of Trainers
TX-HHS – Texas Health and Human Services Health Data
UofWI/PHI – University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute
VA – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
WHAM – Whole Health Action Management
WRAP – Wellness Recovery Action Plan

Lived Experience
Having experienced a significant life disruption related to mental health and/or substance use, and being in recovery. In peer work, lived experience is used intentionally and ethically to support others through shared understanding, credibility, and hope.

Person-Centered
Directed by the recipient and aligned with their goals, values, preferences, and self-defined recovery priorities. Person-centered approaches emphasize choice, autonomy, dignity, and respect.
Source: Texas Administrative Code

Recovery
A process through which individuals improve health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. Recovery is personal, non-linear, and shaped by individual strengths, culture, and circumstances.

Multiple Pathways
Recovery occurs through many individualized pathways shaped by each person’s unique needs, strengths, culture, lived experiences (including trauma), and personal goals. Pathways may include clinical care, medication, peer support, family and community support, faith-based practices, and other approaches. Recovery is non-linear and supported by environments that foster resilience.

Recovery Housing
A family-like, shared living environment free from alcohol and illicit drug use and centered on peer support and connection to services that promote sustained recovery from substance use disorders.
Source: https://trohn.org/about/recovery-housing/

Inpatient Treatment
Involves living in a facility 24/7 for intensive, medically supervised care. Services may include detoxification, individual and group therapy, medication management, and life skills development. Inpatient care is often used when conditions are severe or home environments are unstable.
Source: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/learn-about-treatment/types-of-treatment

Outpatient Treatment
Provided in a community-based setting without requiring overnight stays. Services may include counseling, case management, education, and recovery skills training while individuals continue living and working in their communities.
Source: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/adult-substance-use/adult-substance-use-outpatient-treatment

Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS)
A trained professional who uses lived experience of substance use recovery or co-occurring recovery to support others through non-clinical services such as mentorship, advocacy, and resource connection. Services are strengths-based, person-centered, and focused on recovery and resiliency.

The RSPS credential standardizes qualifications for peer specialists providing Medicaid-reimbursable services in Texas.
Sources: https://www.tcbap.org/page/certification | https://www.samhsa.gov/technical-assistance/brss-tacs/peer-support-worke

Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS)
A trained professional who uses lived experience in mental health recovery to support others by modeling hope, building skills, advocating, and connecting individuals to resources. Services are delivered within a person-centered, trauma-informed framework.

The MHPS credential applies to Medicaid-reimbursable peer services in Texas.
Sources: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/behavioral-health-services-providers/peer-support-services/certification-peer-support-a-medicaid-benefit | https://www.tcbap.org/page/certification

Reentry Peer Specialist (JI-PRS)
A certified peer support provider with lived experience of justice involvement who supports individuals transitioning from jail or prison through mentorship, advocacy, and system navigation.

Sources: https://www.tcbap.org/page/certification | https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/86R/handouts/C2002019032108001/f2087fea-961a-4465-a0f4-2b01dcd23d01.PDF

Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS)
A trained professional who uses lived experience of mental health and/or substance use recovery to support others through non-clinical peer services.

This credential is not Medicaid billable and is reciprocal through the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC).
Source: https://www.tcbap.org/page/certification

Certified Family Partner (CFP)
A parent, foster parent, or caregiver with lived experience raising a child with behavioral health challenges who supports other families through education, advocacy, and system navigation.

Sources: https://www.tcbap.org/page/certification | https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/childrens-mental-health/childrens-mental-health-family-partner-support-services

Peer Specialist Supervisor (PSS)
A credentialed professional who provides oversight, mentorship, and ethical guidance to peer specialists and ensures compliance with Medicaid and organizational standards.

Sources: https://medicaid.swhp.org/Portals/0/Files/Forms/ProviderNews/Peer-Specialist-Notification-2019.pdf | https://www.tcbap.org/page/certification