CRSS Foundation and Recovery Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which ethical principle requires a recovery support specialist to keep a client's information confidential unless specific exceptions apply?
- Autonomy
- Beneficence
- Confidentiality (Correct answer)
- Non-maleficence
Correct answer: Confidentiality
Confidentiality is an ethical and legal obligation requiring that a client's personal information not be disclosed without their informed consent, with limited exceptions.
Question 2: When a recovery support specialist operates within their 'scope of practice,' they are:
- Providing therapy and clinical diagnoses as needed
- Performing only the duties for which they are trained and credentialed (Correct answer)
- Acting as an advocate without any limitations
- Following only the client's wishes regardless of training
Correct answer: Performing only the duties for which they are trained and credentialed
Scope of practice defines the boundaries of roles and responsibilities a recovery support specialist is trained, credentialed, and authorized to perform.
Question 3: A client discloses they plan to harm themselves. According to ethical guidelines, the recovery support specialist MUST:
- Keep the information confidential because of peer support rules
- Contact emergency services or a supervisor immediately (Correct answer)
- Wait 24 hours to see if the client changes their mind
- Document the statement and continue the session normally
Correct answer: Contact emergency services or a supervisor immediately
Imminent risk of self-harm is a mandatory exception to confidentiality, requiring the specialist to contact emergency services or a supervisor immediately.
Question 4: In the context of CRSS, 'dual relationships' are generally discouraged because they:
- Reduce the number of people who can receive services
- Create conflicts of interest that can harm the client (Correct answer)
- Violate federal law in all circumstances
- Make recovery support less accessible to the community
Correct answer: Create conflicts of interest that can harm the client
Dual relationships occur when a specialist has both a professional and personal relationship with a client, creating conflicts of interest that compromise objectivity and trust.
Question 5: The principle of 'self-determination' in recovery support services means:
- The specialist decides what is best for the client's recovery
- The client has the right to make their own choices about their recovery (Correct answer)
- Clients must follow the program's structured recovery plan
- Specialists determine when a client is ready to end services
Correct answer: The client has the right to make their own choices about their recovery
Self-determination upholds the individual's right to direct their own recovery journey and make informed choices about their lives.
Question 6: What is the PRIMARY purpose of supervision for a Certified Recovery Support Specialist?
- To monitor attendance and punctuality
- To provide professional development and ensure quality service delivery (Correct answer)
- To evaluate whether the specialist should be promoted
- To document billable hours for insurance purposes
Correct answer: To provide professional development and ensure quality service delivery
Supervision supports the professional growth of the specialist, ensures ethical practice, and promotes quality outcomes for those receiving services.
Question 7: Which federally funded program is most directly associated with establishing recovery community organizations (RCOs) and peer recovery support services?
- Medicare Part D
- SAMHSA's Recovery Community Services Program (RCSP) (Correct answer)
- The Veterans Benefits Administration
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Correct answer: SAMHSA's Recovery Community Services Program (RCSP)
SAMHSA's Recovery Community Services Program provided foundational grants that established recovery community organizations and peer support services nationwide.
CRSS Foundation and Recovery Management 3
Which ethical principle requires a recovery support specialist to keep a client's information confidential unless specific exceptions apply?