Formalizing Recovery to Work Pathways

“Recovery from a substance use disorder requires support, guidance, and assistance addressing an individual’s physical, emotional, and financial needs. First and foremost, people need quality health care, including access to medication-assisted treatments and counseling to support both physical and mental well-being, comprising the foundation for SUD treatment. […] Living in a community with a high quality of life (including quality employment) improves overall well-being and life satisfaction and in turn reduces the likelihood of substance use disorder.” — Addressing Appalachia’s Substance Use Disorder Crisis Through Recovery-to-Work  

 

Now that your region has a better understanding of employers’ recovery-to-work opportunities and needs, it’s time to consider where there are gaps in wraparound services, such as training, housing, and transportation. training and employment opportunities. 

 

Step One: Identify organizations that deliver wraparound services in your region, and have not yet partnered on recovery to work efforts, such as: 
  • Transportation 
  • Treatment/Healthcare 
  • Food pantry 
  • Workforce services 
  • Legal services 
  • Local Government 

Resources: 

  • Includes 8 dimensions of wellness 
Step Two: Identify top opportunities to improve connections to wraparound services and expand existing pathways 
  • Referencing the previously completed stakeholder pathways tool, discuss as a group 2-4 immediate opportunities for expansion with new partnerships and/or resources identified in the first three phases.  
  • Group Exercise– What stakeholder pathways can be connected today at no additional cost? 
  • Case Study – learning academy member 
  • Degree of services – Identifying resources and pathways based on the intensity of the intervention.  

Examples of improving connections include: 

  • Identifying an initial point of contact (for workers and jobseekers) to intake individuals and connect them to treatment and recovery resources/wraparound services 
  • Collectively developing procedures or resources for when a worker relapses or is close to it.  

Resources: 

 

Step Three: Develop a plan to take action on top expansion opportunities to expand or better connect wraparound services 
  • SWOT Analysis: List all strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for proposed expansion proposals. 
  • What are TWO goals of the group to connect individuals in recovery to wraparound services and employment? What does it take to get there? 
  • How will employers be supported at every stage of these efforts? How will ongoing feedback be collected? 
  • Use documentation tool (finance sheet? Example grant application?) to determine what current services may qualify for grants or outside funding 

Resources: 

  • Medicaid HCBS waiver has been expanded to support/ reimburse work or vocational rehabilitation expenses