Garden state recovery network - the garden state recovery network (GSRN) is a statewide initiative that will strengthen new jersey's recovery support infrastructure by expanding access to peer…

SAMHSA awarded Prevention Links, Inc. $350,000 on September 30, 2026, under the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.490) to establish and operate the Garden State Recovery Network, a statewide peer recovery support infrastructure serving all 21 New Jersey counties through September 29, 2029.

The Garden State Recovery Network will provide direct peer recovery support services to 525 individuals over the project period (150 in year one, 175 in year two, and 200 in year three) while reaching an additional 1,500 individuals through referrals, outreach, and coordinated recovery support activities for a total of 2,025 unduplicated individuals served. The network will connect individuals with substance use disorders or co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders to community-based recovery resources through a statewide referral platform, direct peer navigation, and a network of recovery organizations. Participants will receive peer mentoring, recovery navigation, housing and employment support, family support, and connections to behavioral health and community resources. The initiative targets adults and transition-age youth (ages 16 and older), with particular focus on justice-involved individuals, veterans, residents of rural and underserved communities, and those experiencing housing instability or unemployment. The project will operate from Trenton, New Jersey, with targeted outreach to the state's six federally designated rural counties and other underserved communities.

Garden state recovery network - the garden state recovery network (GSRN) is a statewide initiative that will strengthen new jersey's recovery support infrastructure by expanding access to peer recovery support services, coordinated referrals, recovery housing, workforce development, and recovery-ready workplace partnerships. Led by NJ-cars under prevention links, GSRN will connect individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) and CO-occurring substance use and mental health disorders (COD) to community-based recovery resources through a statewide referral platform, direct peer navigation, and a network of recovery organizations serving all 21 new jersey counties. The project will improve long-term recovery, increase self-sufficiency, and strengthen collaboration across new jersey's recovery ecosystem. The garden state recovery network will serve all 21 new jersey counties, with targeted outreach to underserved communities, including the state's six federally designated rural counties. The statewide service area includes approximately 9.3 million residents, with an estimated 480,000 individuals experiencing SUD annually. The project will provide direct peer recovery support services to 150 individuals in year 1, 175 in year 2, and 200 in year 3 (525 total), while an additional 1,500 individuals will benefit through referrals, outreach, and coordinated recovery support activities, for a total of 2,025 unduplicated individuals served over the three-year project period. The population of focus includes adults and transition-age youth (ages 16 and older) living with SUD or COD, particularly individuals not connected to recovery supports, those experiencing housing instability or unemployment, justice-involved individuals, veterans, and residents of rural and underserved communities. Participants will receive peer mentoring, recovery navigation, housing and employment support, family support, and connections to behavioral health and community resources. GSRN will implement evidence-informed peer recovery support services delivered by certified peer recovery specialists, a statewide recovery resource and referral platform, recovery housing quality improvement through the garden state alliance of recovery residences, workforce development and recovery-ready workplace initiatives, provider training and technical assistance, tobacco cessation education and referral, and statewide outreach to strengthen recovery partnerships. Project goals are to increase access to coordinated peer recovery support statewide; provide direct peer recovery support services; reduce treatment cycling by improving housing stability, employment, and community connection; strengthen the capacity of recovery organizations; and expand recovery-ready workplace partnerships. Measurable objectives include launching a statewide platform with at least 150 verified providers in year 1; providing direct peer recovery support services to 525 individuals over three years; achieving improved housing, employment, or community connection outcomes for at least 60% of participants at six-month follow-up; providing training and technical assistance to at least 30 recovery organizations annually; engaging at least 15 employers each year; and establishing five formal employer partnerships by year 2. These activities directly advance samhsa's strategic priorities by strengthening community-based recovery, expanding the peer workforce, improving coordination across the recovery continuum, and promoting long-term recovery and self-sufficiency.