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 di erent 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
The Recovery Arts Festival is open to all New York State artists in recovery.
RECOVERY FINE ARTS festival
Please submit one (1) form of art in one (1) of the following categories via:
Poetry
Drawing
(graphite, pen & ink, colored pencil)
Painting (oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolor)
Photography
Mixed Media Music
(Via Video)
This year’s submissions should depict the theme, “Building a sustainable recovery integrating home, work and wellness.”
A person may submit in more than one category, but only one submission per person, per category will be accepted. Please complete the fillable entry form attached for every category entered.
All artwork will be judged in September. Awards will be presented for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category during our Annual Recovery Conference. The esteemed OASAS Commissioner’s Choice Award will be chosen from one of the categories, as well as an Executive Director and Sta Choice Award.
SUBMISSIONS
MAIL ARTWORK(S): FOR-NY (attn.: Nancy Leon) 1529 Western Avenue Albany, NY 12203
DROP OFF HOURS: THURSDAYS ONLY FROM 10:00AM – 3:00PM
EMAIL: events@for-ny.org
All completed forms, ALONG WITH photos of your ORIGINAL artwork and/or videos MUST BE RECEIVED BY AUGUST 31, 2024
GET ENTRY FORMS HERE!
NEW YORK STATE RECOVERY CONFERENCE
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.
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).
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.
Recovery Oriented
Peer Professional Supervision
About This Training
This is a new version of Peer Professional Supervision, developed by Dona Pagan at Exponents and revised by FOR-NY and Recovery Coach University. combined with Recovery; The Basics developed by FOR-NY and Rhoades to Recovery 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
WED, THURS, FRI AUGUST 21-23, 2024 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM & MON AUGUST 26 9:00 AM—11:00 AM
Certified Recovery Peer
Advocates are individuals who have a High School Diploma/GED or higher that provide coaching, support, guidance and motivation.
Friends of Recovery-
SEPTEMBER 19TH AT 6 PM HOSTOS
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:
Ticket and Sponsorship Options:
• Recovery Is Real Single Ticket: $200
• Bronze Sponsorship Package: $2,500 includes VIP Reception for (2) two with Artists, 4- oor 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
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
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!
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Community-led Safe Spaces Have the Potential to Fill Gaps in Behavioral-Health Crisis Care REPORT:
igh 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.
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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Increase funding by $5 million for more transitional housing programs focused on assisting young adults in recovery.
• 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.
• An additional $2 million in funding for more continuing education and vocational programs for youth and young adults ages 17-21 in recovery.
• $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.
• 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).
• 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.
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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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)
• 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
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:
• 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 l ies 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 reconf irmed 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 va lu e of our poli cy position on racia l justice. As informed by the survey results and the NYS Recovery Community, be low 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 l ifesaving principles of harm reduction and all pathways of recovery. We are dedicated to el i minating rac i al injustice and the stigma associated with addict io n 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 bel ief 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
• Housin g that su pports use of Medicatio n Su pp orted Recover y.
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.
• Co llab oration and connectivity between MH/SUD services & community-based programs
• Access to the NYS Peer certified workfo rc e across the continuum and integration into "unconventiona l settings"- Emergency Departments, Court System, Housing, etc.
• Increased access of Recovery support services for BIPOC, Queer, Rural, & Justice-involved
• 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 Commun ity Outreach Center (RCOC) and Youth Clubhouse in each county and ensure that at least two Certified Recovery Peer Advocates and two Ce rtified Family Support Navigators exist in every county in NY
• RFAs and RFPs prioritizing community-based organizations that have no mechanism for reimbursement, in c ludin g RCOs, RCOCs and Harm Reduction Organizations
• Education and assistance with grant writing for sma l l community-based organizations
• Increase awareness around SUD to reduce sti g ma within local communities.
• Access to safe and supportive environments for those in Recovery
• En sure a livable wage and employment opportunities for the Peer Workforce Increased education, training and professional development for the Peer Workforce
• In c rease education and training fo r Employers to redu ce stigma around SUD in the workp la ce
• 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 affi l iation
• Expand sustainable t ransportation opportunities within Rural Communities.
