Image: Philadelphia Inquirer
In the early years, my education started off a little rough. In first grade, I had a nun for a teacher who was, let’s just say, not so kind. Early in the year she gave us an assignment that we had to copy what was on the bulletin board into our notebooks. This was not super exciting for me and after just a couple of minutes, I closed my notebook and folded my hands. Looking around me, everyone was still writing and then Sister Carmela asked me if I was finished with my assignment. I said “Yes, Sister Carmela I am.” She asked me to see it. I was instantly incapacitated as the fear of God set in. I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest as it instantaneously began beating harder and faster.
She then asked me to come up to her desk and show her once again in slow motion. I stood up and closed my notebook as I walked to the front of the class – my heart was still pounding in my chest as I put the notebook on her desk. Sister Carmela asked me to open my notebook to the page and slowly, I went page by page until it was there. The first sentence and a half followed by an array of tic-tac-toe boards on the page. I was majorly busted and then went on to learn some new vocabulary as she said out loud in front of the class, “Paul, you fibbed!” As if the humiliation wasn’t enough, she continued, “You have to stay after school and call your mother to come and get you.” My mom worked in a factory making coats until 6 PM. This had multiple implications as it affected the sitter who would pick me up from school along with a crew of other kids, my mom at her job, and then my having to face my father when he got home. At that time, the fear of God would have been preferable.
This was one of my first big lessons in ethics as I quickly learned that you must follow through with what you say you’re going to do and especially at that age, do what you’re told.
Fast-forward 45 years and ethics are more important than ever! The Peer Recovery Workforce has been growing since mental health peers were first introduced in the early 1990’s and Recovery Coaches in the later 2000’s.These roles have gone from being volunteers, to being eligible for billing by MassHealth, and being integrated across multiple systems internationally.
In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Recovery Coaching is now becoming an official licensure. At the same time, federal agencies are cutting budgets significantly which include programs that affect people with mental health and substance use challenges.
Now I can’t say for sure what’s about to happen, but I do imagine peer roles are going to continue to grow as they are evidence-based practices that are cost efficient and have great overall efficacy. See for yourself HERE and HERE
In our current reality, funding is being seriously cut at the federal level. This affects state funding and then on down to service agencies, providers, and the millions of people seeking vital services.
Now more than ever, it is crucial to maintain the integrity and fidelity of the important work we do. Helping other professionals understand our roles is critical in the creation of people-centered care.
Working together and building our interpersonal relationships reinforces the foundations of support for individuals and creates community capital for everyone else. These crucial, communal relationships facilitate empowerment of individuals seeking support who then have an easier time with self-efficacy. This leads to a greater intra-personal relationship. An important relationship that fosters meaning and develops individual purpose.
In a time when we’re experiencing great divisiveness in our society, keeping ethics front and center will continue to diminish stigma and combat discrimination regardless of what’s going on globally.
I’ve come a long way from Sister Carmela’s class and still only halfway to everywhere. I do know that the journey forward begins with me as much as it does it does with you! What are we modeling for those we serve, each other, our community, our country, and the world around us?
Much Recovery to All!
Legislative Update
In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, excise taxes on alcoholic beverages and alcohol sales have not been updated in over four decades. This year, a bill was introduced in the 194th session of the Massachusetts General Court to update alcohol taxes with the majority of new revenue aimed at helping the community. This bill significantly adjusts the alcohol excise tax structure, and new revenues generated will go to support a variety of programs in public health, wellness, and community support. Under this plan the new tax revenue generated will be allocated in the following way:
- 10% for alcohol and drug prevention
- 10% for alcohol and drug treatment
- 10% for mental health treatment and prevention
- 10% for domestic violence prevention
- 20% for community schools
- 17% for local public health departments
- The remaining 23% will be credited to the Commonwealth’s General Fund
This bill is important because it updates alcohol takes (which haven’t been updates in Massachusetts since 1980)and directs new tax revenues to support public health programs – including, drug prevention, mental health services and domestic violence prevention. If passed, this bill would strengthen public health infrastructure in Massachusetts and provide sustainable funding for a variety of programs that promote wellness and healthy communities.
Search for your state legislator here and call or email them to support this important bill. Sample text below:
Dear INSERT LEGISLATOR’S NAME, I’m contacting you today from INSERT TOWN/CITY to strongly encourage you to support bill SD.887 An Act Relative to the Fair Taxation of Alcoholic Beverages. This bill would provide a long overdue amendment to the excise tax structure on alcoholic beverages in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In addition, new revenues generated would be used to support key public health programs – including drug prevention, mental health services and domestic violence prevention. Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter. Sincerely, INSERT NAME
Upcoming Trainings
Ethics for the Recovery Workforce: The implementation of the Peer Recovery Workforce is rapidly increasing. It is imperative that ethics and ethical processes are front and center in order to bolster recovery and maximize its outcomes.
CCAR© Recovery Coach Academy The CCAR Recovery Coach Academy is a 5-day intensive training academy designed to provide individuals with an understanding of both the art and science of Recovery Coaching. The CCAR Recovery Coach Academy prepares participants to guide and mentor others in recovery from an addiction to alcohol and or other drugs.
Supervise Peers or Recovery Coaches?
Click below for support every 2nd Monday
Students Receive Opioid Response Training
At the end of last month, Choice Recovery Coaching’s Harm Reduction Coordinator, Sarah Ahern, led an important opioid response training on the life saving use of Naxalone (Narcan) to a group of 75 juniors, seniors, and staff at the Four Rivers Charter School in Greenfield, Massachusetts. A huge thank you to all involved in the preparation, planning, and execution of this event. At the end of this training, participants received two doses of Narcan to carry – a life-saving medicine that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose. Click the picture below to see local press on this event!
Job Postings:
RECOVERY COACH
The City of Worcester seeks qualified applicants for the position of Recovery Coach for the Homeless Services Division within the Office of Health and Human Services (HHS). Under the direction of the Homelessness Project Coordinator, the Recovery Coach will connect with individuals from the community who are currently struggling with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). This is a part-time position, 19 hours per week.
Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
Thank YOU for Championing Recovery!