Advocacy, Research & Innovation
Our Advocacy, Research & Innovation work helped bring much needed increases to two critical programs housed under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). One of these is the Building Communities of Recovery (BCOR) Program, which received an increase of $3 million.
Despite this victory and progress made, there is still work to be done. Our efforts to add over $1 billion to the SAMHSA SAPT Block Grant and establish a set aside within the program mandating 10% of funds be dedicated to recovery, fell short. These provisions were passed by the House of Representatives and appeared in a Senate funding bill but were not included in the final spending omnibus bill for Fiscal Year 2022. Rather than feeling discouraged, Faces & Voices of Recovery instead celebrates the historical milestone of recovery language appearing for the first time in legislation in any form. This progress creates a solid foundation for the future in which we will continue to advocate in 2022 and beyond.
Faces & Voices of Recovery advocates daily for the millions of people in and seeking recovery. With the COVID-19 pandemic dominating the policy landscape, 2021 proved to be a challenging year for advocacy work. Still, we continued to have important conversations; we worked with constituents to create equitable services and brave spaces for people impacted by addiction, their friends, family members and the organizations that work to support them. On screen and in-person, we advanced evidence-informed practices.
- Expand community-based recovery support services through recovery community organizations, recovery housing, recovery high schools and collegiate recovery programs, and alternative peer groups.
- Support and protect individuals’ right to treatment and recovery support services, from self-determined selection of care to nondiscriminatory practices, to promote access to evidence-informed services across the first five-years of recovery.
- Elevate the role of harm reduction and low-threshold barriers for recovery through safe consumption sites, fentanyl test strips, and evidence-informed, low-threshold treatment options.
- Reject harmful practices for justice involved individuals, especially those disproportionally impacting Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
Our Movements
Act & Advocate
Recovery is everywhere. Whether you're a person in recovery or a family member, you can help demonstrate that recovery works and you can contribute to making our vision a reality.
You have the opportunity to share your story or read others' stories as a source of inspiration and motivation, and you can support our advocacy & federal policy initiatives. Act now!
Getting Active
Whether you are in or seeking recovery, an ally, or a family member, you can join the recovery movement. Your support in changing the way addiction and recovery are understood is needed to ensure a world where the diverse voices of individuals and families affected by addiction are embraced and connected in communities, free from discrimination and injustice.
Advocacy Efforts
Be an advocate for the millions of Americans in and seeking recovery. Help us raise the profile of the organized recovery community by demonstrating that over 23 million Americans from all walks of life have found recovery. We need your voice to promote widespread understanding that long-term recovery is an achievable reality and a process that requires time and support.
DEI
We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and we are asking for your participation and encourage your input. We’re here to listen and use your feedback to advance the recovery movement for all.
Recovery Voices Count
With the conclusion of the previous election cycle, it became more clear that we need to include the Faces & Voices of Recovery at all levels of campaigning. 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.
Share Your Story
Recovery is everywhere, and it is imperative that we speak out about the power of recovery. Whether you're a person in recovery or the family member of someone in recovery, share your story here to demonstrate that recovery works for over 23 million Americans and offer hope to those who are still struggling, as well as their families and communities. Then ask your friends to do the same.
Advocacy Now
Endorse the Recovery Set-Aside, Sign-On Your Organization Today. A total of 318 organizations, including 24 national and 294 state-level organizations, have endorsed the Recovery Set-Aside.
Be part of the Movement!
Our Initiatives
Faces & Voices of Recovery is proud to collaborate with various individuals, agencies and organizations to support advocacy, development and recovery resources for individuals, communities and organizations.