Substance Abuse/Drugs

The peers currently operating within the Dept of Health in MS have high caseloads and feel there is a lack of support in the peer community; they are working on trying to identify ways of implementing new ideas and community partnerships but are struggling with making some of the connections and finding resources.

December's Community of Practice Peer Networking Hour provided an opportunity for PRSS to network and receive education around a PRSS related topic. December's COP focused on celebrating accomplishments and achievements among participants. PRSS were guided in discussion on goal setting and the upcoming year.

Met with mentor site the Virginia Department of Corrections and their mentee sites - Colorado Department of Corrections and Gateway Foundation. Debriefed PRSSMI experience and site visits. Discussed next steps and goals moving forward.

Collaborative call with Faces & Voices of Recovery regarding upcoming PA Association of Treatment Court Professionals Conference. Discussed presentations and logistics of the conference.

Abbey Geffken from the PA Association of Treatment Court Professionals asked that Altarum present a session geared toward PRSS that attend their conference and another session geared toward treatment court administration regarding the integration of PRSS in treatment courts. Presented at the conference in response to the TA request.

Met with Pivot Ministries and Altarum's partner agency Faces & Voices of Recovery. Pivot Ministries discussed their needs and Faces & Voices of Recovery and Altarum talked through resources and solutions. Discussed the possibility of Faces & Voices of Recovery providing training to Pivot Ministries' peer providers. Pivot Ministries would like their peers to become certified. Also discussed policies.

Met with COSSUP grantee from Dallas County. Grantee discussed their desire to integrate PRSS into their jail. Asked about similar programs and how they were able to integrate PRSS, especially in gaining buy in from the Sheriff's Department. Also asked about policies for peer integration. During initial meeting discussed high level resources and agreed to meet again with more team members from Altarum to continue providing TA.

Attended the Ohio Pro Peer Recovery Conference. Attended sessions to gain insight on important field related information and networked with attendees and vendors in attendance.

Met with Altarum team to discuss upcoming listening session with Advisory Board members. Discussed questions to be asked and ways in which to ask questions to elicit the most discussion and information gathering. Also discussed the format for the Advisory Board meeting and how to introduce members to the listening session and move through the questions.

Attended a meeting led by Rulo Strategies that was held for new project administrators among their grantees. During the meeting, discussed TA services provided by Altarum's TTAC for Access & Recovery. Answered questions from grantees and left contact information as well as information on how to access TTA services and find resources on the COSSUP website.