FOR-NY E-Bulletin, 7/25/24

FRIENDS OF RECOVERY New York

ONE COMMUNITY ONE VOICE

WEEKLY

JULY 25, 2024 www.for-ny.org

REGISTER TODAY AT:

https://wp.me/PeJQzl-9hZ

FRIENDS OF RECOVERY New York

ONE COMMUNITY ONE VOICE

FRIENDS OF RECOVERY NEW YORK PRESENTS THE

NEW YORK STATE RECOVERY CONFERENCE

EARLY BIRD UNTIL PRICING AUGUST

$345

15TH

*ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION FEES WILL INCREASE AFTER THIS DATE

REGISTER TODAY AT: HTTPS://WP.ME/PEJQZL-9HZ

FRIENDS OF RECOVERY New York

ONE COMMUNITY ONE VOICE

FRIENDS OF RECOVERY NEW YORK PRESENTS THE

NEW YORK STATE RECOVERY CONFERENCE

OCTOBER 6-8, 2024

We are proud to announce the 9th Annual New York State Recovery Conference; providing innovative educational and networking opportunities for the recovery community.

This year’s workshops will center on how and what sustains recovery. There will be workshops on the multiple pathways of recovery, emerging advocacy efforts and skill building for peer professionals and people in recovery.

Tracks will include youth and family, diversity, equity and inclusion, recovery ready work places, health and wellness, as well education on how to educate decision-makers and the general public about recovery.

REGISTER TODAY AT:

https://wp.me/PeJQzl-9hZ

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

FOOD . FUN . RECOVERY RESOURCES . WELLNESS TIPS SATURDAY

11AM-7PM

Onondaga Community College

4585 W SENECA TURNPIKE, SYRACUSE, NY 13215

Young Adults (ages 16-25), Youth Clubhouse Staff, & Families

This Summit will provide participants with the necessary tools and resources to help them feel confident and informed to forge their own path, however they choose to define it.

Throughout this day of fun participants will connect through different activities and conversations to expand their awareness of recovery and wellness on their chosen path.

To register visit:

https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/jPGqG For More Info: yvm@for-ny.org

We are thrilled to invite you to the "Recovery is REAL" Gala, commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Let's Talk SAFETY Inc. Join us on September 19th at 6 PM at the Hostos Center for Culture & Arts in the Bronx for our birthday celebration.

This gala marks a decade of impactful work, supporting over 30,000 families through workforce development, holistic wellness & recovery services, and substance-use prevention programs for teens and youth.

Your unwavering support has been crucial to our success, and we are excited to share this milestone with you.

The evening will feature memorable entertainment, including: • Alyson Williams, the Emmy-winning songstress, delivered a heartfelt tribute to Phyllis Hyman.

• Peter Collins, a celebrated artist known for his sold-out shows, performs his chart-topping hits.

• Black Women in Comedy Hosts We will also honor two exceptional individuals for their contributions to health equity: • Dr. Maurice Wright, Chief Medical Director at Harlem Hospital, for his profound impact on community healthcare.

• Tracie Gardner, Co-Director of the Black Harm Reduction Network, for her relentless advocacy for health equity.

You can join us by purchasing tickets or becoming a sponsor. The following options are available:

1OT H A N N I V E R SA RY C E L E B R AT I O N

SEPTEMBER 19TH AT 6 PM H OSTOS CE NT E R FO R CULTUR E & ART S BR ON X, N E W YO RK

Ticket and Sponsorship Options: • Recovery Is Real Single Ticket: $200 • Bronze Sponsorship Package: $2,500 includes VIP Reception for (2) two with Artists, 4-floor seat • tickets, and logo on the PILLARS website, ½ page ad in the commemorative brochure • Silver Sponsorship Package: $6,500 includes VIP Reception for (4) four with Artists, 20 floor seats, a small logo printed on step & repeat, and a 1-page ad on the inside back cover of the commemorative brochure • Gold Sponsorship Package: $10,000 [SOLD OUT] • Platinum Sponsorship Package: $15,000 [SOLD OUT] Your participation will significantly impact the lives of those we serve.

Let's celebrate this extraordinary journey together and look forward to an even brighter future.

Best regards,

Felecia Pullen Ph.D President & CEO

WI LLOPENLATEJ ULYWI TH THE RE I NTRODUCTI ONOFTHE

“GALLERYSHOWCASEI N THEEMPI REPLAZA”

MOREI NFORMATI ONTO FOLLOW.

PEER . PROFESSIONALISM

JULY 12TH 2024, LOCKPORT, NY

RECAP Friends of Recovery – New York went on a rural road trip this month! Chris Assini – Director of Policy, Jennifer Donadio – Project Director – Rural Recovery, and Wilvena Gordon – Coordinator of the Alumni Association of New York State visited several recovery centers to meet with staff about the state of rural recovery and how best to support recovery efforts.

The road trip concluded with a fantastic Professionalism Workshop in Western NY. Special thanks to Seaway Valley Prevention Council/The Valley Recovery Center, Farnham Inc, Center for Family Life and Recovery, In His Name Outreach, A2A, Hampton Inn Lockport, and Wegmans for graciously hosting us and for your support.

If you are a recovery center in Rural New York and would like to discuss hosting a Professionalism Workshop, please contact jdonadio@for-ny.org!

TONIGHT 6-8PM JULY 25, 2024 MEETING THEME

ZOOM MEETING ID 972 2457 6447 PW 767 785

Alumni Association of New York State

Where we discuss topics important to the Recovery Community.

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 @ 10 AM

ROCovery Fitness’ 10th Annual Run/Walk and X-Challenge LV D FHOHEUDWLRQ RI ƓWQHVV and recovery, and an important fundraiser for this life saving organization. Join us for this very special COMMEMORATIVE 10th ANNUAL EVENT! PRESENTED BY AND

5K ROAD OR TRAIL 5K TRAIL WITH X-CHALLENGE VIRTUAL 5K 10K ROAD AND TRAIL!

Celebrate with us!

Stick around after the run for live music, games and activities!

Whether you enjoy the asphalt pounding tempo of a good road race, the serenity and technical aspects of a trail run OR the novelty and challenge of an obstacle course, this race has a little bit of something for everyone—even if you just want to gather the crew together IRU D QLFH VWUROO WKURXJK WKH SDUN ZLWK KXQGUHGV RI RWKHUV WR FHOHEUDWH WKH KRSH ZH DOO ƓQG in recovery. Your participation and support helps raise awareness and provide hope in recovery to thousands living in our community who are battling addiction and their families.

Go to www.runsignup.com - Search Race: ROCovery Fitness - Or scan the QR code

W W W . R O C O V E R Y F I T N E S S . O R G

STEWART LODGE @ MENDON PONDS PARK

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EDUCATION AND TRAINING

OUR STORIES HAVE POWER About This Training Faces & Voices of Recovery developed the “Our Stories Have Power” training to give people in recovery and their family members messaging, or language, that they can use to talk about their recovery in non-stigmatizing terms. The recovery community is speaking out to educate friends, neighbors, policy makers and the media about the reality of recovery so that others can get the help they need to recover.

COST $30.00

AUGUST 20, 2024 4:00 PM- 7:30 PM

VIRTUAL

ZOOM LINK TO BE SENT

TRAINING FACILITATOR Deb Rhoades, BPT

3 ASAP-NYCB re-certification hours for CARC /CRPA & CARC Elective

3 OASAS re-credential hours for CASAC, CPP, CPS

3 NYS Social Work CE’s

REGISTER AT THE LINK BELOW

HTTPS://APP.DVFORMS.NET/API/DV/8XOKO

HOST NEEDED

Recovery Oriented Peer Professional Supervision About This Training This is a new version of Peer Professional Supervision, combined with Recovery; The Basics It has been updated to meet the standards for the 20 hour Peer Supervision Professional (PSP) certification. This training is for professionals from any practice background who will be supervising peers. NO PEER CREDITS are offered for this straining. PSP certification and OASAS credits only.

Peer Professional Supervision

COST

$450.00 WED, THURS, FRI AUGUST 21-23, 2024 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

ZOOM

LINK TO BE SENT

FACILITATORS Theresa Knorr Tim Bax

18 OASAS Recertification Credits

20 CREDITS FOR PSP REGISTER

HTTPS://APP.DONORVIEW.COM/E9X3K

HOSTED BY

Community Health Action of Staten Island

REPORT:

Community-led Safe Spaces Have the Potential to Fill Gaps in Behavioral-Health Crisis Care High utilization of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has highlighted the need to expand the availability of behavioral-health

crisis care in the United States. For 988 callers and others in distress, options to receive support in local communities and on their own terms remain limited, particularly for those living in rural areas.

A recent report explores the potential of a new approach to address this unmet need. Community-led Safe Spaces provide non-clinical, peer-led support to people experiencing mental health or suicidal crisis in a welcoming setting in the local community.

Researchers focused on the needs and preferences of individuals—and particularly people from rural communities when experiencing crisis. They found strong interest in the Community-led Safe Spaces approach and examine why it may have significant value for filling gaps in the current crisis-care system.

“One gap I see is we do not have a place for someone who is feeling suicidal but does not feel that inpatient care is needed,” observed one listening session participant. Another participant with lived experience shared, “Being in a rural area, we have a local mental health authority and then we have our ER. But we don’t have facilities where [a person in distress] can go and continue with treatment.”

SafeSide Prevention partnered with our center to conduct surveys, group listening sessions, individual interviews, and document reviews seeking input from individuals with lived experience, mental health care providers, community members, and legal/policy experts. People from 20 states participated, including many from rural communities.

Participants with lived experience of emotional or suicidal distress expressed the need for services providing nonjudgmental support, active listening, and a sense of community.

“I found just having someone to listen, judgment-free, helped more than anything,” said an individual with lived experience. Another reflected, “The things I had been through had been hard and when someone validated that, it lifted the heav[iness] of it all. ... that was the most helpful.”

Community-led Safe Spaces, inspired by Australia’s Roses in the Ocean, offer a promising option for individuals seeking connection and support in navigating a crisis but not needing clinical/medical intervention. Staffed by trained peers who have lived experience, Safe Spaces do not provide health care interventions or hospital referrals. Peers use their experience to provide emotional and practical support and foster a sense of understanding and empathy for people in distress. Typically located in residential or storefront areas, the spaces are designed to be easily accessible and less stigmatizing for individuals seeking support. Each Safe Space is co-designed by community members and therefore tailored to the community’s needs.

FRIENDS OF RECOVERY New York

ONE COMMUNITY ONE VOICE

FRIENDS OF RECOVERY NEW YORK PRESENTS THE

NEW YORK STATE RECOVERY CONFERENCE

All upcoming CARC and CRPA trainings visit: https://for-ny.org/upcoming-trainings/

OUR STORIES HAVE POWER About This Training

Faces & Voices of Recovery developed the “Our Stories Have Power” training to give people in recovery and their family members messaging, or language, that they can use to talk about their recovery in non-s�gma�zing terms. The recovery community is speaking out to educate friends, neighbors, policy makers and the media about the reality of recovery so that others can get the help they need to recover.

COST $30.00

AUGUST 20, 2024 4:00 PM- 7:30 PM

VIRTUAL

ZOOM LINK TO BE SENT

TRAINING FACILITATOR Deb Rhoades, BPT

3 ASAP-NYCB re-cer�fica�on hours for CARC /CRPA & CARC Elec�ve

3 OASAS re-creden�al hours for CASAC, CPP, CPS

3 NYS Social Work CE’s

REGISTER AT THE LINK BELOW

HTTPS://APP.DVFORMS.NET/API/DV/8XOKO

HOST NEEDED

Recovery Oriented Peer Professional Supervision About This Training This is a new version of Peer Professional Supervision, combined with Recovery; The Basics It has been updated to meet the standards for the 20 hour Peer Supervision Professional (PSP) cer�fica�on. This training is for professionals from any prac�ce background who will be supervising peers. NO PEER CREDITS are offered for this straining. PSP cer�fica�on and OASAS credits only.

Peer Professional Supervision

COST

$450.00 WED, THURS, FRI AUGUST 21-23, 2024 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

ZOOM

LINK TO BE SENT

FACILITATORS Theresa Knorr Tim Bax

18 OASAS Recertification Credits

20 CREDITS FOR PSP REGISTER

HTTPS://APP.DONORVIEW.COM/E9X3K

HOSTED BY

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Community Health Action of Staten Island

NEW TRAINING IN DEVELOPMENT:

Recovery Oriented Supervision (Peer Professionalism Supervision and Recovery; Target date: - August 2024.

If your organization is able to supervise an intern who completed the CRPA training scholarship program, please contact tknorr@for-ny.org ($1200 stipend for supervision).

CRPA training scholarship application: http://app.donorview.com/r3n0M Coming soon: 500 hour paid CRPA internship stipend!

Do you have lived experience with addiction and want to help others?

Certified Recovery Peer Advocates are individuals who have a High School Diploma/GED or higher that provide coaching, support, guidance and motivation.

THE CRPA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

This project is in partnership with OASAS and funded by opioid settlement funds.

Want to find out more?

Contact: Sarah Ahmed

Phone: 518-816-3816 Email: sahmed@for-ny.org

ABOUT FOR-NY Friends of Recovery - New York (FOR-NY) is a non-profit organization with a mission to demonstrate the power and promise of recovery from addictions and its vaue throughout New York State and the nation.

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https://for-ny.org/crpa-training-scholarship-program 1529 Western Avenue, Albany, New York 12203

JOIN US

Preparedness for Recovery

Special Populations

https://buff.ly/3RpBYiB

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For more information, visit https://buff.ly/3RpBYiB, or email cdunn-herrera@healthycapitaldistrict.org

2024 YOUTH POLICY STATEMENT Based on data gathered from our statewide Youth Recovery Needs Survey, developed and administered by Youth Voices Matter - NY center survey, in collaboration with OASAS Youth Clubhouse members and leadership, along with youth and young adult recovery community partners, we have identified THREE priorities for our 2024 Youth Policy Statement. We call on the Governor and the NYS Legislature to take the following actions immediately to address the needs of young people in the Recovery Community across NYS.

Provide equitable accessibility to support services for all communities, specifically for youth and young adults, across the state of New York to support the growth of their recovery capital.

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Investing $5 million in the development of more integrated services that would provide treatment and recovery services around primary care, mental health and substance use for young people with dual diagnoses.

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An additional $5 million in funding for mental health recovery support services for youth ages 12-20 and young adults ages 21-30 in a non-clinical setting.

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The development and expansion of Care Coordinated Services for young adults ages 18-30 with health insurance so that they are accessing the appropriate managed care associated with their insurance.

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The inclusion of $5 million in funding for the expansion of wrap around services within the shelter system for homeless youth and young adults in recovery.

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Increase funding by $5 million for more transitional housing programs focused on assisting young adults in recovery.

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Inclusion of additional $5 million in funding for the development of more age-specific job-readiness training and certifications for youth ages 14-17 and young adults ages 18-30 in recovery.

Accessible recovery friendly educational opportunities provide youth and young adults with support needed to feel successful and supported in their recovery.

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An additional $2 million in funding for more continuing education and vocational programs for youth and young adults ages 17-21 in recovery.

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$1 million in funding for the development of new recovery programs within high schools and collegiate campuses and additional support for existing recovery programs within these systems.

Youth and Young adults who are in recovery, need recovery spaces that are led by youth, for youth. This supports our youth and young adults to feel more understood and better supported by peers of their same age groups from their communities, who are also in recovery.

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Investing in recovery specific scholarship programs that provide recovery certifications and initiatives to create more employment opportunities for young adults in recovery (ages 17-30) to become Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPA).

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Increase in funding for the establishment and continued services of Youth Recovery Community Organizations (YRCOs) and youth clubhouses within all 62 counties of New York State.

POLICY CORNER

Dear Recovery Warriors, As we approach this upcoming election season we want to remind you of the IMMENSE POWER and IMPACT your vote holds, especially for our substance use community!

Voting is our most fundamental right and essential part of being an engaged citizen. It allows us to have a say in shaping policies, the future of our communities and country.

Voting Ensures: 1. Our Voice in Decision-Making: Voting provides us with the opportunity to express our opinions and choose representatives who will make decisions on our behalf. When you cast a vote, you have a chance to select a leader who aligns with your values and address issues most important to you. It is also imperative we all take the time to do our research and identify candidates best suited to support the needs of our community 2. Influencing Policies and Change YOU have the power to shape the policies and laws that govern your communities. Elected officials rely on the voices of their constituents to help shape their policy decisions. It is incumbent on all of us to be active participants to help shape legislation that have impacts on our everyday lives.

3. Accountability Voting is an essential tool for holding our elected officials accountable. Don’t like what your Governor said about the Recovery Community at a press conference? Casting your vote allows you to let that be known! Elected representatives our supposed to represent our values and if your representative doesn’t, work to vote them out!

Your vote can help ensure that our community receives the essential support, programs and resources it deserves. Your Vote Matters and together we can make a difference.

We are a Constituency of Consequence!

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Friends of Recovery- New York Statement on Legislative Session January- June 2024

The New York State legislative session ended officially on Saturday Morning. Unfortunately, for the recovery community and for the tens of thousands of New York families who mourn a loved one taken by overdose, the Legislative session ended very much as it began, with barely an acknowledgement from many of the state’s top health and political leaders that a public health catastrophe continues to ravage our communities statewide.

However, there were some small victories to be celebrated, we have built a strong foundation moving forward and tangible progress is being made.

Legislation that passed Senate but failed in the Assembly: S8412A (Fernandez) /A9981(Gonzalez-Rojas)- This bill would have made the Opioid Stewardship Fund permanent, ensured a 10 percent set aside for recovery support services and would have increased transparency with regard to the Fund. Passed Senate 59-2 S8624A (Fernandez) /A9961A (Jackson)- Prohibits correctional facilities from denying entry to certain peer support advocates based on such advocates' prior history of incarceration. Passed Senate 59-2 S5163 (Harckham)/ A6226 (Kelles)- Designates services to be provided by a jail-based substance use disorder treatment, peer led recovery support services, and transition services program as essential medical care services. Passed Senate 57-0 S8717 (Fernandez)/ A9688 (Reyes)- Relates to the certification of innovative statewide substance use disorder treatment services. Passed Senate 61-0 Legislation that passed the Assembly but failed in the Senate: A8075D (Steck)/ S8991 (Harckham)- Relates to the availability of FDA approved opioid reversal agents.

Passed Assembly 143-1 PASSED BOTH HOUSES S7177B (Fernandez)/ A5984B (McDonald)- Allowing EMS workers to give 3-day supply of Buprenorphine.

We are enormously grateful to the Senate under the leadership of Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and to the entire Senate membership for unanimously passing the bill as session concluded, and we are especially grateful to Senator Nathalia Fernandez, Assemblymember Phil Steck, Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas for their courage and leadership in sponsoring Recovery legislation.

We are disappointed by New York State’s inaction, but we will not be defeated. We will ensure our efforts will persuade our political leaders to urgently work towards a solution beneficial to all New Yorkers while overcoming the misconceptions that hampered our progress in this session. We are a constituency of consequence and will be back in force next year!

Friends of Recovery New York 2024 Legislative Asks The Recovery Community asks Governor Hochul to declare a Public Health Emergency to combat the addiction crisis by making significant investments to rapidly expand access to overdose prevention, addiction treatment and recovery services as a priority for all New Yorkers. As the nation’s overdose death rates has plateaued: NYS overdose deaths have continued unabated, data showed more than 6, 393 overdose deaths in New York State in 2022 – a 73% increase in overdose deaths that occurred during the last three years.

Declaring a Public Health Emergency would save Countless Lives by: 1) Waiving insurance co-pays and deductibles for New Yorkers attempting to access treatment and recovery services.

2) Creating a procurement process that speeds up distribution of opioid settlement funds.

3) Waiving fees for counselors and peers who want to work in the addiction service system.

4) Expanding community-based programs with the social network and expertise to engage with those most vulnerable to overdose.

5) Increase Medicaid rates for front-end substance use treatment instead of the current back-end recoupment process.

6) Ensuring equitable services for all marginalized communities.

Support A.8075 all formulations of safe and effective FDA approved Naloxone available.

Despite the FDA’s approval of new opioid antagonist products to address the challenge of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids; In the state of New York, approximately 1,000 registered Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs (OOPPs) that distribute free overdose reversal medications are currently restricted to ordering only two naloxone products. It's imperative that we are making all tools in the toolbox available to combat this unprecedented Overdose Public Health Crisis.

ACCESS TO SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Complete the 860 Housing Regulations. Ensure housing is funded across the continuum and separate from Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board funds.

• Housing regulations should be based on the National Alliance of Recovery Residences (NARR) social model. It is imperative that recovery housing be inclusive and embraces individuals receiving Medication to support their recovery (MAT/MSR) RECOVERY ORIENTED SYSTEMS OF CARE: Supporting a pathway to Certification of Recovery Community Centers.

• License recovery community centers to create a permanent and sustainable revenue to support their essential work.

• Licensure would allow those centers to bill public and private insurance for the work of certified peer recovery advocates.

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New York should encourage and support research on the efficacy of these licensed recovery community centers that could be used as a model to expand the infrastructure of recovery while supporting the long-term recovery of the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who need it.

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Support S2398 /A2210 “Daniel’s Law” to establish a statewide emergency and crisis response council to encourage local governments to develop preventive, rehabilitative, crisis response and treatment services for those experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.

Budgetary Asks FY 2024-25

RECOVERY READY WORKPLACES: Funding for the S. 8381 “NYS Recovery Ready Workplace Act” to establish workplace programs to prevent addiction and support recovery in employment. The goal of RRW programs is to: • Provide healthy, gainful employment for people in recovery; • Prevent initiation of new cases of misuse and addiction related to workplace injury and stress through primary prevention of exposure to job hazards and stressors • Support employees who are struggling and retain employees by providing access to treatment and recovery support services with a pathway to return to work • Reduce absenteeism, presenteeism, and lost productivity among employees with substance use disorders.

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Support S.8412 To make the Opioid Stewardship Fund permanent, increase transparency related to the Fund, and require a portion of the Fund to go towards 10 percent towards recovery-oriented systems of care services (Recovery Centers and peer to peer services)

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Support A.2972/S.6499 to establish an intensive addiction recovery and mental health integrated services pilot program to support two three-year demonstration programs.

Provide intensive addiction and mental health integrated services to individuals with significant addiction and mental health issues who have had multiple and frequent treatment episodes Support A.3378/ S.4530 to establish an intensive addiction and medical services integrated services pilot program to support two three-year demonstration programs.

Provide intensive addiction and medical services integrated services to individuals who have significant addiction and medical issues.

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Friends of Recovery-New York (FOR-NY) represents the voice of individuals and families living in recovery from addiction, families who have lost a family member or people who have been otherwise impacted by addiction. The negative public perception and shame that surrounds addiction has prevented millions of individuals and family members from seeking help. FOR-NY is dedicated to breaking down the barriers created by negative public perception that result in discrimination and policies that block or interfere with accessing recovery support services: access to addiction treatment, healthcare, housing, education and employment.

FOR-NY is working to build infrastructure around the state through local Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) and Recovery Community Outreach Centers (RCOCs) that build support for people living in recovery and others in need.

Hive of Hope is an exemplary recovery community outreach center. Only open a year, and without permanent and sustainable funding- they have built a state-of-the-art community center serving over 400 individuals, with an additional 3500 visits. It is a safe haven for those in recovery to meet like-minded individuals- building connections, providing employment and volunteer opportunities. Last year members at the center did 1000 hours of community service preparing holiday meals for the Capital City Rescue Mission alone.

Nathan Writer, the founder of the Hive of Hope is a leader in his community and a role model for the individuals he serves. Nate has consistently shown himself to be a dependable ally for not just FOR-NY, but for the Recovery Community. He exudes professionalism, and personally Nate has partnered with FOR-NY to: • • • •

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Lead a spring clean-up at the Boys and Girls Club of Albany Facilitate our Reimagining Recovery Series engaging the community about substance use and recovery.

Organizing and volunteering for all FOR-NY events- the Recovery Conference and Stand Up For Recovery Day, our annual day of advocacy.

Despite only being open a year, planned and partnered with ROCovery Fitness and other Recovery organizations to organize Sober Fest 2023, a three-day event bringing recovery advocates from throughout the state, a major undertaking for any organization.

Organized monthly hikes throughout the state with other recovery advocates.

Located in Arbor Hill, this center offers a critical refuge in an area of Albany that is currently underserved. The inventory of abandoned buildings, and issues with the community feeling unsafe continue to receive regular media coverage. Hive of Hope counters that narrative and offers prosocial activities to keep our community’s youth engaged, and working toward a positive future.

With additional funding Hive of Hope will be able to continue as a constitutive resource of the Recovery Community. FOR-NY would be grateful for any assistance you could offer them.

2024 POLICY STATEMENT Friends of Recovery - New York (FOR-NY) is a statewide Recove7 Community Organization (RCO) dedicated to advocating with and on behalf of millions o individuals and fami lies impacted by addiction and recovery across New York State. Together, we work to educate decision makers and the general public on the power and promise of recovery.

The FOR-NY October 2023 Survey was distributed to the NYS Recovery Community and results have reconfirmed three identified priorities from our 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Policy Statements: Housing, Recovery Oriented Systems of Care, and Transportation. The survey results have also reaffirmed the value of our policy position on racia l justice. As informed by the survey results and the NYS Recovery Community, below is our 2024 Policy Statement. As a community, we call on the Governor and the NYS Legislature to take immediate action to address these priorities and the addiction crisis in NYS:

RACIAL JUSTICE, HARM REDUCTION & ALL PATHWAYS OF RECOVERY FOR-NY is an anti-racist organization that embraces the lifesaving principles of harm reduction and all pathways of recovery. We are dedicated to eliminating racial injustice and the stigma associated with addiction and active use. We are committed to promoting an ongoing process of healing and reconciliation in order to dismantle racism and inequity. Our organization's values are rooted in the belief that all members of our community are valued at all levels.

PRIORITY #1: HOUSING • Housing funded across the continuum • Promotes person- centered and evidence-based practices Promotes multiple pathways to recovery • Ensures qua lity, integrity and non-exploitable • Housing that supports use of Medication Supported Recovery.

PRIORITY #2: ACCESS TO EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT & WRAP-AROUND SERVICES • Treatment and Recovery support services on demand and connection to local recovery communities after overdose • Anyone in need must have 24/7 access to detox, treatment and recovery support services.

• Collaboration and connectivity between MH/SUD services & community-based programs • Access to the NYS Peer certified workforce across the continuum and integration into "unconventional settings"- Emergency Departments, Court System, Housing, etc.

• Increased access of Recovery support services for BIPOC, Queer, Rural, & Justice-involved • Trauma informed recovery services & evidence-based treatment.

PRIORITY #3: RECOVERY ORIENTED SYSTEMS OF CARE • Creating permanent and sustainable funding for ALL community-based programs regardless of size, location, or affiliations • Create a permanent funding model to ensure at least one Recovery Community Organization (RCO), Recovery Community Outreach Center (RCOC) and Youth Clubhouse in each county and ensure that at least two Certified Recovery Peer Advocates and two Certified Family Support Navigators exist in every county in NY • RFAs and RFPs prioritizing community-based organizations that have no mechanism for reimbursement, inc luding RCOs, RCOCs and Harm Reduction Organizations • Education and assistance with grant writing for small community-based organizations • Increase awareness around SUD to reduce stig ma within local communities.

PRIORITY #4: EMPLOYMENT & RECOVERY READY WORKPLACES • Access to safe and supportive environments for those in Recovery • Ensure a livable wage and employment opportunities for the Peer Workforce Increased education, training and professional development for the Peer Workforce • Inc rease education and training for Employers to reduce stigma around SUD in the workplace • Adoption of Department of Labor best practices ensuring Recovery Friendly Workplaces with NYS Governor support.

PRIORITY #5: TRANSPORTATION • Development of statewide non-clinical, recovery supportive transportation services program • Reimbursement for peer-led transportation services regardless of treatment affiliation • Expand sustainable t ransportation opportunities within Rural Communities.

ASSINI - DIRECTOR OF POLICY .CHRISTOPHER FRIENDS OF RECOVERY - NEW YORK

CASSINl@FOR-NY.ORG FOR-NY.ORG

2024

T N A W Friends of W Recovery New York E R A E H TO Policy Survey FROM YOU!

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