THE VALUE OF INTEGRATING PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES NAMI Conference: October 17, 2015

HOW WE STARTED…

ROSC COMES TO MARYLAND Wide spectrum of services Supports all stages and pathways of recovery Addresses access to services Includes treatment, alternatives to treatment, and recovery support services Coordinates multiple services

Early ROSC adapter Sought RCC opportunities Contacted by (then) ADAA re: RCC Start-up DORCHESTER RECOVERY INITIATIVE

 We invited CVI to come join our party!  Chesapeake Voyagers, Inc. is a non-profit Peer Run organization serving the residents of the 5 mid- shore counties.  Chesapeake Voyagers Wellness & Recovery Center opened in July 2009.

 Primary focus is on Mental Health Recovery  Main funding source is through contract with our local CSA  Soon recognized that most of those who came to the center had both mental health and substance related conditions  First Peer Run group started was a “Dual Diagnosis” Support Group CVI, Inc.

 DRI-Dock (Dorchester Recovery Initiative) was started in March, 2011 in response to the Maryland Alcohol & Drug Abuse Administration’s (ADAA) introduction of the Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) state-wide initiative.  Developed a tri-fold Social Media Initiative  Facebook  YouTube  Website

 Providing a wide spectrum of Behavioral Health services & activities  Open 5 days a week: Mon-Fri 8 am – 7:00 pm  Diane facilitated a peer-to-peer “Language” in-service  BHA has been interested in expanding the “Language” workshop Statewide! DRI-Dock reached out to CVI to join efforts in bringing mental health recovery supports to the Recovery and Wellness Center

THE NAY-SAYERS… This is never going to work!

CHALLENGES: Mistrust Turf issues Ego issues $$ issues Loosing both MH & Addiction staff to relapse Stigma associated with each group – “crazy”/”junkie” Lack of understanding between the two disciplines

Mental Health  Language… We realized quickly that language can be a barrier when working together. Both “worlds” have different phrases, meanings, views  Recovery…?????  Stigma… ?????  Location… ?????  Culture…????? Addiction

AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM MAY NOT BE THE IDEAL IN ALL SITUATIONS! News Flash…

Successes (at Dri-Dock) :  Peer Support available across the entire Behavioral Health Spectrum!  Employment  Housing  Transportation  Survival kits  Prisoner re-entry  Client engagement (transport to/from rehab)  DCAP client engagement  Family involvement  HEZ participation

ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATION: Administrative buy-in Supervisory support (Peer vs Clinical) Open-minded peer staff Cross-Training needs Exposure to (and experience in) working with peers from “the other side” Exposure to (and experience in) working with participants from “the other side” Opportunities to network and train with “the other side”

Lessons Learned:  Flexibility is ESSENTIAL!  Value of learning from one-another  Unanticipated need for:  Homeless  Safe-haven (not all interested in engaging in recovery)

Mental Health The Dri-Dock Recovery & Wellness Center offers help for the whole person. No matter what folks are in recovery from… we do what we do because we care and we know what it’s like! We offer a beacon of hope to all that step through our doorway! Addiction