Reliance health recovery support program FY22 - the norwich recovery coach program (nrcp) is a community-based peer recovery support program that provides motivational engagement, inspirational…

Reliance health recovery support program FY22 - the norwich recovery coach program (nrcp) is a community-based peer recovery support program that provides motivational engagement, inspirational support, and connections to resources to individuals struggling with substance use concerns. This initiative allows people who are seeking assistance with their recovery access to a recovery coach (RC) through reliance health. This program strives to plant a seed of hope that recovery is possible for those seeking help, empower the person to engage in the creation of their own recovery plan, shorten time connecting individuals to treatment, increase access to basic needs and lengthen amount of time the person sustains recovery. In addition, this program involves and educates family members and loved ones and connects them with the information and/or support they require. The program is staffed by two RCS and is supervised by the penobscot place (PP) director. All nrcp staff are required to obtain and maintain the peer recovery specialist (cprs) certification through the connecticut certification board (CCB),and/or the recovery support specialist (RSS) certification through advocacy unlimited. The penobscot place (PP) program also includes a component for RC training and professional development for staff and the community and features a certified facilitator for the following ccar recovery coach courses to include the recovery coach academy and ethic courses-both necessary courses for certifications listed above. Utilizing motivational interviewing and emotionally intelligent-based communication skills, nrcp staff build trusting relationships with those served, continuously providing assertive outreach to meet people 'where they are', by working within the community to establish a constant, consistent presence and ensure continuity of care for everyone. Staff build multidisciplinary teams, including primary and behavioral health, case management, and peer support, as well as working collaboratively with existing substance use treatment programs and regional resource providers. All nrcp staff will be uniquely trained in all aspects of this service provision. To date, the overall program has worked with 248 individuals struggling with AOD use and provided over 61% of its participants with treatment options-with nearly 88% accepting the level of care needed. Over 72% of the program participants are still actively engaging with an RC and the program has also helped 76 friends/family members with support, narcan training, and/or locate the level of support needed (nrcp overall statistics, 2021).the nrcp, coupled with the robust norwich task force (NTF), community care team (CCT),and community collaboration has been largely responsible for a significant increase in the overdose survival rate in new london county of 52% for the county-and 63% for norwich-mostly due to regional help, support, training, and distribution of narcan county-wide(UHD, 2021). The rate of overdose survival of course does not include the narcan saves that happen in private residences and are never reported. Funding from this grant initiative will include two RCS and a partial director to ensure coverage of all eastern connecticut. Office locations are already established in norwich and jewett city. Technology such as laptops, hot spots, and cell phones are critical for access to treatment and accessibility. Funding would allow the 2 additional recovery coaches to fill the service gaps in eastern CT and each would be assigned coverage areas based on geographical location and community need (and may shift as the need arises). Using a similar strategy as norwich, each RC will establish community partnerships with local government agencies, treatment providers, community providers, and first responders to structure a local "task force" or "action team"(if not already present), similar to the CCT and NTF currently in place in norwich.