RECOVERY FRIENDY WOrKPLACE INITIATIVE

Led by Governor Chris Sununu, New Hampshire’s “Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative”

empowering workplaces to provide support for people recovering from substance use disorder.

The Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative gives business owners the resources and support they need to foster a supportive environment that encourages the success of their employees in recovery.

What is A Recovery friendly workplace?

Recovery Friendly Workplaces (RFW’s) support their communities by recognizing recovery from substance use disorder as a strength and by being willing to work intentionally with people in recovery. RFW’s encourage a healthy and safe environment where employers, employees, and communities can collaborate to create positive change and eliminate barriers for those impacted by addiction.

Why RFW's?

Untreated addiction costs New Hampshire’s economy $2.36 Billion. 66% of that cost ($1.5 Billion) is incurred by businesses in the form of impaired productivity and absenteeism – PolEcon Research

FOSTER a safe and recovery friendly environment

In order to strengthen workplace culture, Recovery Friendly Advisors (RFA’s) will support interested companies in finding evidence-based practices to meet their individualized needs. RFA’s will help you develop and sustain the RFW Initiative in your workplace. They are your Recovery Friendly Workplace partners; there are no charges for their services.

RETAIN healthy and productive employees

Workplaces that implement evidence-based health and safety programming retain a healthier, more productive, and more motivated workforce.

ENGAGE their employees in addiction & behavioral health education and prevention

RFA’s will provide workplaces with information and resources to promote health, well-being, and recovery for themselves and their family members.
RFW’s will provide their employees with education and review of the company’s alcohol, tobacco, and other drug policies upon hire and on an annual basis thereafter.
RFA’s will consult with employers to plan trainings related to substance misuse, behavioral health, and addiction that are tailored to the company’s specific needs.
To receive a designation from a RFA please contact them through by clicking here for the Recovery Friendly Workplace website

PROMOTE prevention and recovery in their local communities

By creating a recovery friendly environment, employers send a strong message to their communities that they understand the importance of a solution-focused approach by addressing addiction and behavioral health “head-on.”
RFA’s will assist businesses with participating in public awareness and education events in their communities. These events build loyalty between the recovery community, their allies and the designated RFW.

Funding

Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA)

On behalf of the State, the CDFA has been allocated a one-time, $1M appropriation to administer grant funds to nonprofit organizations to deliver programming through the Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) Initiative. Funding through the CDFA will support the RFW Program Director. SOS Recovery Community Organization has been chosen as one of several non-profit organizations to implement programming that will:

Educate employers in evidence-based practices that demonstrably reduce substance misuse in the workplace;
Create work environments that are conducive to enabling persons in addiction and mental health recovery to sustain and re-enter the workforce as productive members of society;
Train employees, including specialized training for human resources personnel, on these matters;
Raise public awareness and provide information that supports health and safety for employees, including implementing the right safety signage (find out more here); and
Promote active community engagement that will assist in reducing the negative impact of unaddressed substance misuse and untreated mental health.

Supporting our participant's recovery

SOS will work with individuals and family members in recovery to identify opportunities for careers. We aren’t interested in simply connecting our participants to a job, but a career path that will create more purpose in their recovery and their life.

The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded New Hampshire $5M to assist individuals with substance use disorder to re-enter the workforce. SOS will work with the agencies connected to that grant to identify life skills training, as well as various opportunities. SOS will also be developing some customized programs to identify potential on-the-job trainings, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities with recovery friendly workplaces. SOS can also provide the business entrepreneurs, who are already in the Executive Rehab Program (or similar), a recovery-friendly work environment. The patients can conduct business, work meetings, and other affairs while getting support for the rehabilitation.

SOS understands that their is a tremendous workforce shortage in NH and that many people leave the state for employment elsewhere. We hope to create a comprehensive program to assist recovery friendly workplaces with the magic of the work-ethic and loyalty that employees who are in recovery offer. We also hope to provide individuals in recovery with the magic of a career path and a more meaningful recovery. SOS understands that we are one community and we must stand together to support all segments of the community as we develop and implement this recovery friendly workplace initiative. We hope you’ll join us.