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News About Addiction, Recovery and Advocacy

If you want to be in the know about what’s going on at our organization, you’ve come to the right place. Be sure to check back regularly to get our latest news updates.

NRI NEWSLETTER – OCTOBER 2020

October 27, 2020
October 2020
Digital Newsletter

Have you checked out our Online Toolkits?

Free Resources for you!

We have a bunch of toolkits and templates available on our website that can assist you and your team.  We have resources available around community organizing and education, as well as recovery community organizing (RCO) development. Here are a few of the resources:
Check out all toolkits & templates here!
The National Recovery Institute offers competency and strength-based professional development and leadership training specific to our field Our experienced trainers offer training accessible to all learning styles through a combination of information sharing, dialogue and experiential activities. Through a consultative process, we will build a training program specific to your needs.
Click here for more info!

Public Policy newsletter – October 2020

October 19, 2020

October 2020
Policy Update
As we approach the last quarter of the calendar, time is becoming short to pass certain bills into law.
Faces & Voices is doing everything they can
to lay a solid foundation for 2021. 
As always, we encourage you to reach out to your representatives on issues that matter to you.

On the Hill…

Relief Packages

As Congress continues to work towards another COVID stimulus package, the House of Representatives seems to have abandoned the HEROES act, which they passed in May. This bill proposed $4.5 billion for SAMHSA, including $1.5 billion for the SAPT block grant. The House went back to the drawing board in September, in an effort to produce a bill that would garner support in the Senate. In the most recent iteration of the stimulus bill, SAMHSA is slated to receive $8.5 billion, with $3.5 billion going to the SAPT block grant.

What that means…

While Faces & Voices advocated that $50 million be dedicated solely to recovery support services, the legislation did not include this provision. With a potential $3.5 billion being distributed via block grant (if the bill passes and the appropriations committee agrees to the outlay) Faces & Voices is hopeful that the states will allocate some of this funding to recovery support.

In Action…

National Recovery Month Funding

Due to Faces & Voices recent inheritance of National Recovery Month, F&V has turned to Congress for assistance. SAMHSA never had a specific budget for recovery month, and its involvement in the effort was always discretionary. Representative Trone (D-MD) has drafted legislation that will change this. He proposes a $1 million budget for Recovery Month for the next three years. Faces & Voices plans to support this legislation, and will work towards passage, as well as on securing the necessary funds during the appropriations process.

H.R. 5572

During the first week of October, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan bill, H.R. 5572, the Family Support Services for Addiction Act. The legislation would create a $25 million grant program over five years to help national and local nonprofit organizations provide services for families impacted by addiction.

While the future of the legislation in the Senate is unclear, Faces & Voices has advocated for passage of this legislation since its inception and has partnered with the Partnership to End Addiction in this effort. Representative Trone recognized Faces & Voices as an original supporter of the legislation in his press release which announced the passage of the legislation.

View Press Release Here

Call to Action:
Abuse is a four-letter word

Faces & Voices of Recovery and the Recovery Research Institute of Harvard Medical School & Massachusetts General Hospital have joined together in creating a petition to end the use of the term “Abuse” in the names of governmental agencies which use the outdated term.

Words and language matter and stigma has been identified as a barrier to treatment and recovery among individuals with addiction. Terms such as “abuse,” increase stigma and add additional harm to those seeking – as well as those in – recovery.

Now is the time to tell Congress that national government agencies with words like “abuse” must undergo a NAME CHANGE (e.g., National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA], National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [NIAAA]), and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA].

Please take a moment to share and sign the petition, and together we can change the conversation and help the Recovery Community.

Sign here!

RDP Newsletter – October 2020

October 13, 2020

October 2020
Digital Newsletter

RDP’s Login Page Got a Facelift!

We know you’ve seen it!

The new RDP login page looking better already. Coming soon additional ways to get involved with Faces & Voices of Recovery.

Together we can ADVOCATE, ACT & ADVANCE!

Going strong!

The Monthly Training Series is going strong! On a recurring basis the RDP team is providing an onboarding training series for Standard, Manager and Admin users.

Sign-up for this directly from the Homepage of RDP!

Sign up now!

The Words We Use Matter – Part 2

October 2, 2020

Change the Names – Remove “Abuse”

Policymakers in all levels of government have an opportunity and a responsibility to work towards eliminating stigma by using non-stigmatizing terms for addiction. Individuals and institutions must do better to treat addiction as the public health crisis that it is, and treat individuals with compassion and respect. This includes all candidates in the nation who are in a position to influence the public’s views in both positive and negative ways.

Your voice is needed RIGHT NOW as we urge Congress to change the names of federal institutions that contain the word “abuse” in them. Research shows that changing the term “substance abuse” to “substance use disorder” or “addiction” can reduce negative public perceptions and encourage more people to seek treatment.

Sign the petition today and then forward it on.

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/change-the-name-end-the-stigma

The Words We Use Matter – Part 1

October 2, 2020

Recovery Voices Count

As we enter the final month of the 2020 election cycle, it becomes more vital that we include the faces and voices of recovery at all levels of civic engagement, including analyzing candidates’ comments about individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. Presidential and other debates provide an outstanding opportunity to raise recovery issues and combat stigma.

This past week, Vice President Biden passionately declared his pride in his son for overcoming his challenges with substance use disorders- reflecting first-hand the millions of American families who are navigating their lives through the current addiction epidemic. It is important and necessary to have our leaders at all levels, from town halls to state capitols, use their voice to promote progress and compassion.

Stigma kills. The words we use matter. It is up to us, and those in our community, to help those running for office understand the significance of substance use disorders and ensure their support in the wide range of recovery efforts across America.

Learn more about what you can do to make Recovery Voices Count using our civic engagement toolkit on our website.

https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/rvc/

 

As a non-partisan organization, this post is not intended to support any candidate.  We do, however, support and encourage, person-centered, Recovery-friendly language.

Faces & Voices Update – September 2020

September 29, 2020

September 2020
Third Quarter
Digital Newsletter

National Recovery Month!

As September ends so does National Recovery Month which celebrates the gains made by those in recovery. Beginning this year, the development of all future themes and assets, as well as the management of the events calendar, will belong to Faces & Voices of Recovery and as always, the Recovery Community.

Let’s keep the spirit and energy of Recovery Month going year long. The new Recovery Month website will hold events not just for September, but for the other 11 months as well. Post your events and keep the conversation going, we look forward to hearing all that you accomplish throughout the year.

Visit the new National Recovery Month site here!
The National Recovery Institute offers competency and strength-based professional development and leadership training specific to the recovery field.

We have been busy training peers in Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico , and Texas.  Many states have been requesting our RCO Bootcamp training to help support the development of recovery community organizations across their state.  For a full list of all our trainings, which are all available virtually, please visit
To learn more about our available trainings contact us at NRI@facesandvoicesofrecovery.org

More about NRI Trainings Here!
The Council on Accreditation of Peer Recovery Support Services (CAPRSS) at Faces & Voices of Recovery works to identify and support excellence in the delivery of peer recovery support services and other activities by recovery community organizations (RCOs).

Although the national pandemic has directly effected CAPRSS site visits, our team has put into place plans to move forward and protect the health and safety of the site reviewers and accreditation candidates, and are already working on new accreditations. Will your organization be next??

Any questions on how to get your organization accredited? Please contact info@caprss.org

More about CAPRSS Here!
The Association of Recovery Community Organizations (ARCO) at Faces & Voices of Recovery unites and supports the growing network of local, regional and statewide recovery community organizations (RCOs).

Faces & Voices has recently welcomed 10 new ARCO members, and 5 ARCO members have been renewed.

We began an ARCO programmatic evaluation to assess member benefits, anti-racist practices, and identify barriers in ARCO to support equity and inclusion. Ongoing work will include collecting data from our RCO best practices – consideration survey and the development of workgroups.

The survey is for current ARCO members, organizations who applied for ARCO membership but have never received ARCO membership status,  previous or current provisional ARCO members,  and former ARCO members. Take the survey here.

More about ARCO Here!
The Recovery Data Platform (RDP) is a cloud-based software solution developed and managed by Faces & Voices of Recovery. RDP aids RCOs and Peer Service Providers with the tools and assessments needed to effectively implement, document, and evaluate peer recovery coaching programs.

In Q3, the participant mobile application, MyRecoveryJourney, was launched on both iOS and Android devices! We have also deployed a new ‘Quick Actions’ feature from the Home Page to add new Participants, Interactions, Activity Logs and Material Distributions!

Ready to schedule a demo? Sign up here

More about RDP Here!

Recovery Voices Count

As we enter the final weeks of the 2020 election cycle, it becomes more vital that we include the faces and voices of recovery at all levels of the campaign. It is in our hands, and those of our community, to help those running for office understand the significance of substance use disorders and support the wide range of recovery efforts across America.

Check out the Advocacy Toolkit; a series of very practical initiatives, tactics, and messages that you can act on right away. They are a mix of activities that will help you build a constant presence, and help you expand your network of recovery advocates.

Get involved here!

NRI newsletter – September 2020

September 22, 2020

September 2020
Digital Newsletter

Tired of virtual presentations?

Our virtual trainings are just as interactive as our in-person events!

– Breakout room discussions
– Interactive polls
– Built-in breaks
– Live chat
– Pre and Post training evaluations
– Continuing Education opportunities

Virtual training not only cuts the cost of travel, but allows for more of your staff to be trained.

“Leadership development has never been made so easy!”

We will work with your organization to meet your training and technical assistance needs.  From training registration to evaluation – we are here to help!

Check it out here!

Faces & Voices of Recovery is a NAADAC Approved
Education Provider

We have been busy getting our training material submitted for Continuing Education credits through NAADAC.

You can earn Continuing Education credit with many of our face-to-face trainings as well as online.

Contact us to learn more!

Together We Are Stronger

September 17, 2020

September is designated as Recovery Month. Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery for mental and substance use disorders.  It celebrates the millions of people as they live in the joy and reality of recovery. I have participated in rallies and events primarily in Denver, Colorado since 2002.  In 2018, Advocates for Recovery-Colorado, was the host to the national hub event. Country-wide, these events provide the opportunity to announce the birth and carry the message of Faces & Voices of Recovery. Making history year by year, recovery from addiction is now a growing national and international recovery advocacy movement.

 

I now live in Orange County, California, I recently participated in an event named Recovery Happens originating in California’s capitol. Three well-known names were among sponsors. Faces & Voices of Recovery, Young People in Recovery, and The Phoenix. It is usually held on the Capitol steps, but as is today’s normal, it was virtual instead. I’m a fan of the virtual technology. Unfortunately, it does not have the value of human togetherness and fellowship. We are involved in a Zoom Room Boom. It does allow an important factor. To achieve and maintain connections. I am currently participating in a Peer Coach Training with Peer Coach Academy in Colorado. SAMSHA’s theme banner says: Join the Voices of Recovery: Celebrate Connections. We are virtually connected in so many ways—apart but together. We are getting good at it. The definition of virtuosity is to have a skill and expertise as we see in virtual activities. I think it leads one to a new word —virtualocity.

 

I find worthy of repeating what I wrote in a recent blog.  In the real and virtual world, I make my bed, shower, and dress presentably for viewing and being viewed. No travel involved. Bed and board are at hand.  Check the “set”, settle in my comfortable chair, and put my best face forward. The virtual world has merit through selective learning and social sensibility. If you are not earning, you can be learning. It will be of benefit to the establishment of health and well-being and even might allow being better than well.

 

Recovery Community Organizations are being formed at a growing rate with knowledge that the pandemic will put new burdens on the community from increased mental health and substance use disorders. Communities need resources, information, and leadership. I recently read this, “By repairing past and current harms in our communities, we bring new possibility to the future.” We have a role to play.

 

In a recent Bill White and Bill Stauffer paper, Nothing About Us Without Us, I noted the following: People with personal knowledge of the recovery process and the historical challenges faced by people seeking and in recovery free of conflicted interests are the best suited for recovery advocacy leadership. Guidelines: 1) Members of recovery communities are provided a voice in the selection of persons who represent their experience and needs. 2) Those representing the recovery experience at public and policy levels possess rich experiential knowledge of personal and/or family recovery from addiction. 3) Persons representing the experiences and needs of people seeking and/in recovery are free from ideology, political, or financial conflicts of interest that could unduly influence their advocacy efforts. This paper is an important.  Read this and another, Recovery Advocacy For a Country is Crisis.

 

We recently formed the first RCO in Orange County, The Purpose of Recovery. Our primary purpose is to promote and perpetuate connections, resources, and a collective purpose for providers of recovery support services in Orange County. It was established with support and guidance with connection to other RCOs in northern California, Texas, Georgia, and Colorado. All members of Faces & Voices of Recovery’s ARCO, the Association of Recovery Community Organizations.  ARCO links RCOs and their leaders with local and national allies and provides training and technical assistance to groups. ARCO helps build the unified voice of the organized recovery community and fulfill support the development of new groups and strengthening existing ones. The 2020 National Recovery Month theme is Celebrating Connections. A great purpose to be served during Recovery Month. Together We Are Stronger.

Public Policy newsletter – September 2020

September 17, 2020

September 2020
Policy Update
It was a fairly quiet August due to the political conventions and Congressional Recess.

As always, we encourage you to reach out to your representatives on issues that matter to you.

On the Hill…

Relief Packages

Faces & Voices continues to put effort into the next COVID relief packages in hopes that there will be a significant amount of funding for substance use disorder services and recovery. As the legislation currently stands, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) stands to gain $4.5 billion, with $1.5 billion going to the SAPT block grant. Faces & Voices continues to be hopeful that there will be a provision dedicated solely to recovery funding. However, the Senate has been unable to advance the legislation, and there is little hope currently that there will be a new COVID relief package before the election in November.

In need of allies

Unfortunately, allies of substance use disorder treatment and recovery will no longer have a reliable voice in Congress. In Massachusetts, Representative Joe Kennedy sought to unseat Senator Ed Markey in the Democratic primary but was unsuccessful. As a result, he will not be able to run for his Congressional seat. Both men are true champions of our cause, but now we are left with one instead of two, which is not ideal for advocates who struggle to find strong voices on Capitol Hill.

In Action…

National Recovery Month

Faces & Voices has made progress on one piece of legislation, with Representative Trone of Maryland, we are working to establish dedicated funding for National Recovery Month. Now that Faces & Voices is presiding over National Recovery Month, we are seeking to establish authorization for funds for the express purpose of organizing and executing events around the country. We also received help promoting this year’s Recovery Month from Senator Portman of Ohio, who has always been one of our most vocal supporters.

NASADAD

Recently, Faces & Voices of Recovery’s CEO, Patty McCarthy, was invited to speak at the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) Board of Directors meeting, in order to present to them on the priorities of Faces & Voices and the Association of Recovery Community Organizations (ARCO) and how to best collaborate on policy. Also on the call was Danielle Tarino, CEO of Young People in Recovery. Both Patty and Danielle were well received, with many Single State Agency directors citing that they were aware of, and appreciated, our respective chapters in their states. The goal was to lay the groundwork for future policy initiatives that will highlight the role of recovery, and to utilize NASADAD and their network as a partner in these efforts moving forward.

Recovery at Work Roundtable

On September 3, 2020, Patty McCarthy and Keegan Wicks were invited to the White House in honor of Recovery Month, where they attended a roundtable with the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director, Jim Carroll; U.S. Surgeon General, Jerome Adams; Economic Council chair, Larry Kudlow; and First Lady, Melania Trump. Director Carroll singled out Patty and Faces & Voices as a leading voice in the community, and Patty gave comments about all F&V is accomplishing, especially in regard to our efforts to sustain Recovery Month.

View the Full Stream Here

Call to Action:
Abuse is a four-letter word

Faces & Voices of Recovery and the Recovery Research Institute of Harvard Medical School & Massachusetts General Hospital have joined together in creating a petition to end the use of the term “Abuse” in the names of governmental agencies which use the outdated term.

Words and language matter and stigma has been identified as a barrier to treatment and recovery among individuals with addiction. Terms such as “abuse,” increase stigma and add additional harm to those seeking – as well as those in – recovery.

Now is the time to tell Congress that national government agencies with words like “abuse” must undergo a NAME CHANGE (e.g., National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA], National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [NIAAA]), and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA].

Please take a moment to share and sign the petition, and together we can change the conversation and help the Recovery Community.

Sign here!

RDP newsletter – September 2020

September 8, 2020

September 2020
Digital Newsletter

Submit a Ticket!

Forgot your password?
Submit a ticket!

New User Activation?
Submit a ticket!

Lost your dog?

Okay we can’t help with that but remember that our ticket system routes your request to available staff to ensure the quickest reply possible! Also, this is a great way to ask us questions or to simply provide your feedback! Thank you for continuing supporting us by using this effective communication tool!
Bookmark this!

New App, Who Dis?

Our participant mobile application, MyRecoveryJourney, has launched on both iOS and Android devices!

Please complete the form below and we’ll reach out!

MyRecoveryJourney Signup

RDP Enhanced Layout is here!

To enable this feature for your staff by Program simply edit your program layout to Enhanced RDP from Original RDP! This lets you take control of the new view and when you implement it!

Have questions please submit a ticket from the RDP Homepage.