Ramstad/Kennedy Annual Award
Background
The first annual Ramstad/Kennedy Award was presented in 2008 during a National Recovery Month reception at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) State Systems Development Program (SSDP) conference. In subsequent years, the Recovery Month Planning Partners have continued working to focus our national efforts on expanding recovery support for the millions of Americans in early recovery. They work to strengthen recovery support programs through local community efforts honoring recovery; they also continue to help those in their communities who are still suffering from addiction to find recovery and to support the countless hurting family members who are in need of support to address and recover from addictions impact.
The Planning Partners have witnessed with appreciation as Single State Agencies (SSAs) have increased their critical role in supporting and promoting recovery and Recovery Month activities, materials and awareness in their states and within their agencies. The Planning Partners (200+ organizations and agencies), energized by the extraordinary and long-time efforts and passionate leadership of the Honorable Jim Ramstad (R-MN-deceased 2020) and the Honorable Patrick Kennedy (D-RI-ret.) in the development, understanding and promotion of public policies to bring equity to care for people with substance use disorders and their impacted children and other family members.
Nomination Criteria
Single State Agency Director who has:
- Provided outstanding leadership and innovation in promoting the goals of National Recovery Month during 2024, including support of the permanent tagline, "Hope is Real. Recovery is Real."
- Strengthened and expanded Recovery Month activities within their agency and throughout other state agencies.
- Provided support to strengthen and expand Recovery Month activities and programs that support individual and family recovery throughout their state.
- Expanded the number and impact of Recovery Month activities in their local communities.
The nomination process closed on Friday, August 16th.