With support from the Appalachia Regional Commission ARISE Initiative, Connect Appalachia is building recovery-to-work ecosystems and activating recovery friendly workplaces in Appalachia.
CREC and First Tennessee Development District (FTDD) Caring Workplaces will host a one-day peer meeting for organizations that build recovery-to-work ecosystems in Appalachia. Participants will share strategies, discuss challenges, and make connections with peers from across the region.
The meeting is for ARC INSPIRE and POWER grantees, Connect Appalachia state anchors and their local partners, recovery community organizations, treatment and peer support providers, workforce boards, economic development organizations, and employers that hire people in recovery.
Agenda
- Welcome and introductions: Participants will introduce their organizations, describe their recovery-to-work work, and share their goals for the day.
- Session 1, Recovery-to-Work Ecosystems: Julian de la Maza of CREC will give a short presentation on the Recovery-to-Work Ecosystem Builder’s Guide. Participants will then discuss how different types of organizations coordinate, how to build long-term ecosystems, and how wraparound services fit into this work.
- Session 2, Employer Stigma: In small groups, participants will discuss typical employer concerns about workers in recovery and the strategies they use to address stigma. Each group will report its findings to the full room.
- Session 3, Employer Engagement: Participants will discuss strategies to build trust with employers, create lasting relationships, and develop hiring pathways.
- Session 4, Employer Training: Presenters from East Tennessee State University (ETSU) will explain the training and policy reviews they provide to employers and supervisors, how they engage employer leadership, and the results of their work. The session includes time for questions.
- Closing and next steps: Participants will identify what their ecosystems need and the next steps each organization can take. Bob Isaacson will give a summary of the day and share upcoming Connect Appalachia events.
Lunch is provided.
This meeting is part of an ARC ARISE Initiative project.