Choices Recovery Trainings
Our Trainers
Bret Smith
Bret Smith
is a CRSW and Certified Peer Specialist in the State of New Hampshire and is a Nationally Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist. He is the Senior Peer Specialist with the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, working in Acute Care Services, Supervising CRSW’s, facilitating co-reflection for CPS’s and facilitating training for CRSW’s and CPS’s. Bret is a member of the NH Behavioral Health Disaster Team. Additionally, Bret is an Information Expert for the ICRC Peer Division. Bret is a published author on topics related to the Peer profession. He is an advocate for all Peers, educating individuals at the State level on the roles, responsibilities, and values of Peer Support Work.
Bret is a trainer of all of Choices curricula. Most recently he and Ginger Ross have partnered to create a Supervising Recovery Coaches training. Bret is also a trainer for NAMI Connect Suicide Prevention, BRSS TACS Peer Specialist Training, and a State Trainer for Intentional Peer Support.
Alexander Fidalgo
Alexander Fidalgo was born in NY, and later raised in Puerto Rico and Tampa, Florida. He is a person in long term recovery. Alex works under Health Resources in Acton as a Trainer Associated in the Opioids Prevention Grant, as well as a Mentor for Hampden County.
Committed to his church, Alex graduated from the Latino Behavioral Health Workforce Program and was trained as a Recovery Coach in 2014. He has been a Recovery Coach Trainer for five years with the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services.
Mr. Fidalgo is CARC and MAPGS Certified. Alex has been in the Massachusetts area for about seven years and is invested in providing mentorship and support to this great state.
For bilingual trainings offered in Spanish, Choices Peer Coach Recovery Trainings relies on Alexander’s expertise and enthusiasm.
Ron Bodendorf
Ron Bodendorf joined the Choices Peer Recovery Coach Training team in Feb., 2019. After 25 years of destructive alcohol and drug abuse, Ron got clean in 1998. God was the last thing he tried and the first thing that worked. Since 2000, Ron has worked with the homeless and SUD population in and out of the Church. He easily relates to the homeless person and the corporate executive and is comfortable on the streets or in the classroom.
Ron has been Pastoring since 2002 and currently Pastors 2nd Chance Ministries in Derry and facilitates the “Free Indeed” Faith-Based Recovery Group. He is a licensed CRSW in NH, an active Recovery Coach, and the 93 South Recovery Coordinator for the NH Good Samaritan Network. He is close to finishing his 2nd Bachelor's Degree and is passionate about the Faith-Based Community partnering with Community Resources and Providers. Ron’s Faith and Love for people make it impossible to sit on the sidelines.
Rod Rushing
Rod Rushing is a Certified Addictions Specialist, a Certified CCAR Core Recovery Coach Trainer, a CHOICES Core Trainer, a Colorado Credentialed Peer & Family Support Specialist, and a community organizer with over 16 years of experience mentoring and supporting people as well as discovering new applications of peer to peer support. Rod works to strengthen access and remove barriers to recovery support systems and facilitate people’s reintegration into wellness/recovery. Rod is the founder and Executive Director of Embark, PCA.
James Leingang, BA CDP WSCGCII, (retired)
Founder of Harmony Recovery Support Services
Jim identifies as a person in long-term recovery, established in 2006. He is a passionate advocate for the development of a stronger continuum of care throughout the behavioral health field, from prevention to recovery maintenance services.
While active as a counselor, he served people with SUD and Gambling issues, and the need for ongoing recovery support after treatment became embarrassing evident. Jim truly believes that Recovery Coaches and Peer Support Specialists can be instrumental in strengthening the continuum of care.
Currently, Jim offers CHOICES training programs throughout Washington State, The Pacific Northwest region, and nationally. He also provides trainings specific to Gambling Disorders and peer support.
Mark Riley
Mark is a person in long-term recovery since 2/12/1986, a father of three, and was born in New Jersey but has been living in New Hampshire for a good chunk of his life. Mark has worked in the human services field for over 24 years and also volunteers for the Medical Reserve Core, FEMA, and is a CERT team member. Mark has been a trainer for over 14 years and training is one of his passions.
Mark is currently working at Granite Recovery Centers as the Training / Safety Officer. Mark attended CCAR Recovery Coach Academy Trainer of Trainers in April 2017 and has been teaching RCA since. In 2019 Mark started taking and teaching classes from NH. Recovery Coach Academy. Mark is a certified instructor in Basic Life Support (CPR/First Aid), Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI), Recovery Coach Academy (CCAR), Narcan, Suicide Prevention, HIV/AIDS, and Ethics. In Mark’s off time he enjoys the outdoors, photography, concerts, ETC.
Deb Rhoades, LCSW, Master CASAC, CARC
Deb has worked in the Addiction and Recovery field for over 35 years. She is a NYS Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Master CASAC and most recently obtained her NYS Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC) certification.
She has worked as a clinician, manager, administrator, and trainer. She is a family member in recovery and served on the Friends of Recovery -New York Board of Directors from 2014-2020. She stepped down from the Board, where she was Vice President, to grow her consulting and training business.
After a long career in county government, and work in the public sector, Deb became self-employed in 2019 to pursue her passion for training, supervision, and consulting. Her priority is to train and provide guidance and support to those in the workforce who provide direct clinical and non-clinical services to individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.
She dreamed of having a business using her married name since wedding her husband Donald Rhoades in 1986. She and Don live in New York’s Capital District. The have one son, Daniel, who is the light of their life. She is now the proud founder and owner of Rhoades To Recovery and provides consulting and training services across New York State.
Ben Riker Youth Recovery Program Coordinator
Ben is a father of two, a person in long-term sustained recovery and a passionate advocate for intelligent evidence-based policy surrounding education, treatment and recovery from substance use disorders. His professional background includes all aspects of organizational peer-professional integration and program development, including training, coaching, and supervision as well as community and professional education and outreach.
Ben is a New York State Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA), a Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS) and a Friends of Recovery – NY Best Practice Trainer.
“For me, sustained recovery came as I began to make honest human connections with others whom I shared similar lived experiences. Through those connections I found my voice and my purpose. As the Youth Recovery Program Coordinator, my goal is to empower my team to facilitate dynamic and engaging opportunities for youth and young adults from all over New York State to create meaningful and supportive peer-to-peer connections.”
Ronny Brown
Ronny Brown is a person in long-term recovery. Ronnny resides in the Tacoma, WA area and was influential in opening Recovery Cafés in and around the Tacoma/Seattle area. Ronny has been a trainer of another Peer Coach training for over six years. Ronny has a strong presence in the Christian community in his area. He's a fierce advocate for the Tiny Village project. He currently works for Boulder Care as a virtual Peer Recovery coach. Ronny joined the Choices team in February of 2021. Ronny will be instrumental in bringing Choices to the wonderful state of Washington.