CRCC-bcor-26 project - the chicago recovering communities coalition (CRCC), the first illinois RCO to achieve arco certification, proposes a three-year project to expand peer recovery support services…

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded the Chicago Recovering Communities Coalition (CRCC) $350,000 on September 30, 2026, under the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.490).

CRCC will expand peer recovery support services (PRSS), professionalize the peer workforce, and implement recovery-ready workplace infrastructure across five high-burden West Side Chicago community areas over three years, with engagement extending to Central Illinois through the Sangamon County Recovery Oriented Systems of Care. The project targets adults in recovery from substance use and co-occurring disorders navigating trauma, justice involvement, and housing instability in a catchment area accounting for 34 percent of citywide opioid-related emergency medical services responses.

The project team includes a project director (50 percent FTE), a project coordinator (100 percent FTE), project office support staff, and two peer specialists delivering direct recovery coaching and workforce transition support. Helios Recovery Services LLC provides contracted training and technical assistance. Marie Di Bianco, MSW, of White Oak Innovators serves as the independent program evaluator. CRCC's referral network—including Thresholds, Gateway Foundation, Healthcare Alternative Systems, and Garfield Counseling Center—ensures transitions to medication for opioid use disorder-affirming clinical care.

The project applies four evidence-based practices: motivational interviewing, the stages of change model, the CCAR curriculum, and SAMHSA's peer competencies paired with trauma-informed care. Work is performed in Chicago, Illinois, with a period of performance from September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2029.

CRCC-bcor-26 project - the chicago recovering communities coalition (CRCC), the first illinois RCO to achieve arco certification, proposes a three-year project to expand peer recovery support services (PRSS), professionalize the peer workforce, and implement recovery-ready workplace (RRW) infrastructure. This initiative operates in five high-burden west side chicago community areas and extends engagement into central illinois through the sangamon county rosc. The project targets adults in recovery from SUD/COD navigating trauma, justice involvement, and housing instability. Addressing a critical GAP in a catchment area accounting for 34% of citywide opioid-related EMS responses, the project focuses on breaking the cycle of poverty and SUD through sustained, peer-led support. CRCC's goals include increasing PRSS access, strengthening the peer workforce, establishing RRW programs, and reducing stigma. This strategy relies on four evidence-based practices: motivational interviewing, the stages of change model, the ccar curriculum, and samhsa's peer competencies paired with trauma-informed care. CRCC's project team includes a project director (50% FTE), a project coordinator (100% FTE), project office support staff, and two peer specialists delivering direct recovery coaching and workforce transition support. Helios recovery services LLC delivers contracted training and technical assistance, and marie DI bianco, MSW, of white OAK innovators serves as an independent program evaluator. An established referral network, including thresholds, gateway foundation, healthcare alternative systems, and garfield counseling center, ensures seamless transitions to moud-affirming clinical care. The project advances the make america healthy again framework, treating recovery as a lever to reduce chronic disease and strengthen community stability. Adhering to samhsa's april 2026 overdose prevention guidance, CRCC utilizes a three-tier quality improvement process, including rmis/spars reporting and independent evaluation. CRCC will serve 50 unduplicated individuals annually (150 total). Led by executive director dora wright (38 years lived recovery, 28 years professional service), the project requests $350,000 annually, supported by a 15% non-federal cost share, to build long-term, recovery-supportive infrastructure.