In an effort to bridge this gap in NJ’s statewide overdose prevention and recovery initiatives, Prevention Links has been awarded a grant from the NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, for Recovery Management Check-Up (RMC) services. The grant award totals $1 million and will help the organization enhance their existing addiction recovery services to better meet the needs of those struggling with substance use disorders in the Central and Southern regions of the state.
“When people get out of treatment, resources that help make long-term recovery possible are just out of reach…” said Cindymarie Dix, Prevention Links’ Director of Recovery Support. “…RMC creates a seamless and coordinated point of transition from addiction treatment to local recovery support services. We’re supporting independent living and success in recovery.” Participants will receive recovery check-ups as frequently as needed based on their own preference – virtually, by phone, or in-person for nine months or more.
The RMC program is being implemented under the New Jersey Coalition for Addiction Recovery Support (NJ-CARS), a coalition of Prevention Links. Founded in 2017, the NJ-CARS mission is to provide an inclusive platform to celebrate the hope of recovery, promote the value of individuals with lived experience, and to incorporate and strengthen recovery support services across the continuum of care for substance use disorders throughout NJ.
As the only statewide Recovery Community Organization (RCO), NJ-CARS has become a go-to resource for peer recovery specialists, recovery community organizations, treatment providers, and recovery advocates with a membership of 791 individuals and 97 organizations from every county in the state. This wide pool of members puts NJ-CARS in a uniquely qualified position to act as a bridge between people leaving addiction treatment programs and linking them to the vital array of wellness services at their fingertips.
Peer recovery specialists will take the lead in evaluating and responding to participant needs, including but not limited to:
- Building trust and rapport in the early moments of the relationship, using a strengths-based approach to meet the individual where they are in their recovery process.
- Empowering participants to develop an individual recovery plan that is rooted in the recovery capital framework, identifying areas of strength and need, goals, and resources.
- Providing education around health and safety considerations, including but not limited to overdose prevention, medication assisted recovery, smoking cessation, and sexual health.
- Assessing signs of recurrence of use and whether re-engagement in treatment is needed. With the assistance of clinical support, PRSs will facilitate rapid treatment reengagement.
As a leading provider of addiction recovery support services in the NJ Metro area, Prevention Links is committed to empowering individuals, families and communities to overcome adversity through resilience and recovery. The RMC program will provide Prevention Links with additional tools and resources to help NJ residents fulfill their unique individual and family needs to make recovery possible.
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About New Jersey Coalition for Addiction Recovery Support
Founded in 2017, the NJ-CARS mission is to provide an inclusive platform to celebrate the hope of recovery, promote the value of individuals with lived experience, and to incorporate and strengthen recovery support services across the continuum of care for substance use disorders throughout NJ. Learn more at https://nj-cars.org
About Prevention Links
Prevention Links is a private, nonprofit organization committed to fostering healthy, sustainable communities. By empowering people through education, collaboration, and linkages to resources, the organization takes a leadership role in the prevention of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and related issues. Prevention Links focuses on identifying and enhancing existing strengths within individuals, families, schools, and workplaces, implementing training programs and evidence-based strategies for community revitalization.
To learn more about Prevention Links please explore our website https://preventionlinks.org
Contact Information:
Prevention Links
Madeline Desrosiers
862-250-7919
mdesrosiers@preventionlinks.org