Nelson Spence

Nelson Spence, BAAS, RSPS, ICPR, a certified Recovery Support Peer Specialist in Texas, is a man who has overcome his personal substance use and mental health challenges. He is the Recovery Resource Manager at Faces & Voices of Recovery, a national non-profit organization that supports the recovery community. In his role, Nelson spearheads projects to bolster the peer workforce nationally and strategically develops programs across the organization. His contributions extend to the Council on Accreditation of Peer Recovery Support Services, the Alliance for Recovery-Centered Organizations, and the Recovery Data Platform. He also represents Faces & Voices of Recovery in various external committees and workgroups.

Passionate about creating and enhancing recovery-oriented systems of care (ROSC), Nelson is committed to ensuring that individuals affected by substance use disorder have access to recovery pathways tailored to their unique needs. His dedication is evident in his home state of Texas, where he is recognized for initiating regional ROSC councils and establishing a state-wide ROSC stakeholder group. As a Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP) board member, Nelson chairs the Peer Recovery Support Services Advisory Committee and the TAAP Conference Committee PRSS Track workgroup. He also serves as a TAAP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee member, guiding the association’s efforts to incorporate the voices and perspectives of the LGBTQAI+ community.

Nelson is a devoted advocate for mental health and recovery outside of his professional life. His journey fuels his commitment to his work, and he is driven by the belief that everyone deserves a chance at recovery. His dedication to his work is matched only by his passion for community service, where he continues to make a difference in the lives of those affected by substance use disorder.