Building Recoveryfriendly Communities Pat Taylor, Faces & Voices of Recovery MARRCH 2009 Annual conference October 21, 2009 Vision Communities of will continue to spring up all over our country helping people find and sustain their from addiction to alcohol and other drugs for the long-term. People in, families, friends and allies will organize and mobilize as a constituency of consequence in thriving community organizations. Discrimination against people in or seeking will be eliminated and the same rights and opportunities will be afforded to all Americans. 2 Faces & Voices of Recovery A Call to Action In 2001, advocates came together with national allies in St. Paul, Minnesota to establish Faces & Voices of Recovery, a nationwide advocacy campaign. Today, tens of thousands of Americans belong to local, state and national community organizations. More than 20,000 people and organizations are part of the national Faces & Voices of Recovery. Paths to Recovery There are many paths to : Mutual support groups Professional treatment Nontraditional methods Medication-assisted Faith on your own and more 3 4 Governance Structure A Grassroots Campaign We are organized regionally and governed by advocates from around the country. Recovery Community Many Voices, A Common Message By speaking, writing or supporting advocacy efforts, members of the community can make a profound difference in public understanding of addiction and and change discriminatory policies that put up barriers to. 5 6 1
The Recovery Community Rally for Recovery! 2009 People in from addiction to alcohol and other drugs, families, friends and allies 7 8 Rally for Recovery! 2009 Rally for Recovery! 2009 70,000 people all across the country! 9 10 Faces & Voices of Recovery Changing public perceptions of Promoting effective public policy Demonstrating that is working for millions of Americans Recovery-oriented care Ensuring that people get the care and support that they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Embracing all pathways to Networks of formal and informal services and support Policies that support the ability of people to get into and to sustain their 11 12 2
By Our Silence, We Let Others Define Us Coming together, using our personal stories and voices, as organized constituencies to advocate and have a say in decisions that affect us. Message of Hope Many of us have carried a message of hope on a one-to-one basis; this new movement calls upon us to carry that message of hope to whole communities and the whole culture. It is time we stepped forward to shape this history with our stories, our time and our talents. -William White Author & Recovery Advocate 13 14 Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) "We join Faces & Voices of Recovery in calling for policies that will make it possible for every American to recover from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. We will improve the lives of millions of Americans, their families and communities if we treat addiction to alcohol and other drugs as a public health crisis. To overcome this crisis, we must accord dignity to people with addiction and recognize that there is no one path to. The Recovery Bill of Rights is a call to action for our elected officials and community leaders to break the cycle of addiction by empowering people who still need treatment and ending discriminatory policies that keep people in from securing jobs and housing in order to create a healthy and just society.break the silence and share the promise of." Congressman Jim Ramstad, retired 15 16 Mainstreaming Recovery The Problem Need more opportunities for people to achieve long-term ; discriminatory policies The public and policymakers underestimate the effectiveness and reality of and the need for more treatment and support services Public attitudes and perception of that leads to misunderstanding and additional stigma for those in long-term 17 18 3
The Solution National movement Putting a face and a voice on to break down misperceptions that will change attitudes (stigma) and policies (discrimination) Strong local, state and national advocacy Growing, organized constituency of people in, family members, friends and allies Recovery and wellness focus Shifting from a crisis-oriented, professionally directed, acute-care approach with its emphasis on isolated treatment episodes, to a management approach that provides long-term supports and recognizes the many pathways to health and wellness. 19 20 Recovery and wellness focus The model wraps traditional interventions in a continuum of support services Particularly distinctive is the model s emphasis on post-treatment monitoring and support; long-term, stageappropriate education; peerbased coaching; assertive linkage to communities of ; and, when needed, early re-intervention. William White, M.A. Recovery-friendly Communities Our goal is to develop policies, communities, and a society that are -friendly. One part of making this happen is to create what some are calling: 21 22 Recovery-oriented systems of care Treatment is part of. Recovery is the larger construct. End point of treatment = absence of symptoms of clinical disorder. End point of = holistic health Recovery Recovery from alcohol and drug problems is a process of change through which an individual achieves abstinence and improved health, wellness, and quality of life. Source: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment National Summit on Recovery, 2005 23 24 4
Recovery-oriented systems of care Mobilizing all of the resources in our communities to: Change discriminatory public policies in the areas of health care, jobs and housing to eliminate barriers Develop networks and systems that work together to treat addiction as a public health crisis and accord dignity to people with addiction Help more people find and sustain their for the long-term Build on the strengths and resilience of individuals, families and communities as individuals take responsibility for their long-term, health and wellness. Make services and resources available that people can use to meet their needs. 25 26 What s in the Equation? Recovery Community Organizations The community is organized in local, state & regional organizations Individuals seeking help and their loved ones Effective, quality addiction prevention, treatment and support services Recovery community 27 28 Recovery Community Organizations Independent, non-profit organizations that are led and run by representatives of local communities of on behalf of the community: Public education putting a face and a voice on Advocacy Peer-based and other support services. Recovery Community Organizations Recovery Community Centers A physical location where community organizations organize their ability to care and to advocate Community resource with workshops, trainings, meetings, and sober social events A place where the community volunteers and gives back 29 30 5
Peer Recovery Support Services One-on-One Support Recovery Coaching/Mentoring Group Support Emotional, Educational, and Spiritual Support, Life Skills Resource Connection Housing/Food/Clothing/Transportation, Assistance with Navigating Systems General Skill Development Education, Vocational, Employment Peer Recovery Support Services Recovery Skills Development Stress Reduction, Spirituality/Meditation, Expressive Arts, Wellness, Relationship and Family Building Sober Social Activities Alcohol and drug-free Social/Recreational Activities Leadership Volunteering/Service Opportunities/New Skills 31 32 What else is in the Equation? Housing Legal Assistance Primary Health care; dental care Employment Banking Driver s license Education And more.. Communities of Recovery Community Organizations Mutual support groups Recovery homes Recovery schools Recovery media and entertainment Organizations of recovering professionals Treatment professionals and many others 33 34 Building Our Future Ensuring that people get the care and support that they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Embracing all pathways to Networks of formal and informal services and support Policies that support the ability of people to get into and to sustain their Supporting Local Recovery Advocacy Increasing access to research, policy, organizing and technical support Improving access to policymakers and the media 35 36 6
Organizing and Technical Assistance Teleconferences (online at www.facesandvoicesof.org) Restoration of Voting Rights Peer Recovery Support Services What s the difference between a sponsor, a coach and a counselor? Our Stories Have Power A Message and Media Training Science of Addiction and Recovery Training Organizing and Technical Assistance Nonpartisan Civic Engagement Campaign -- Recovery Voices Count! Voter Registration/Education Voter Participation Restoration of Rights Candidate Questions and More! 37 38 Campaigns & Issues National Health Reform Addiction Recovery Equity Campaign Second Chance Act Peer Recovery Support Services Financial Aid for Students with Drug Convictions Strengthening Recovery Community Organizations Campaigns & Issues Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Discrimination Registry Messaging about Insurance Discrimination Rallies on Capitol Hill National Call-in Days 39 40 Public Education Campaign If a tree falls in the forest Informing people with private health insurance about their new rights and benefits Providing assistance to people who aren t able to access their new benefits Linking Advocates Building relationships among local, state and regional organizations sharing information, experiences and resources. Bi-monthly enewsletter Regional listservs 41 42 7
Building Our Future It is our collective strength that will ensure our success, and it is our mission to bring the power and proof of to everyone in America. Join Us! Raise our unified voices! Be living proof that is a reality 43 www.facesandvoicesof.org 44 8