Seminar Series
The goal of our online, monthly seminar series is to bring together multiple stakeholder groups to discuss issues pertaining to recovery community centers (RCCs) and the use of medication to treat opioid use disorder. Our goal is to learn from each other, so that together we can create tools, products, and research materials that will support the building of a cumulative RCC science.
Seminars occur online, typically on the first Friday of the month.
Each seminar includes a 4-minute Live Feature of a recovery community center.
Seminars take 1 hour (12:00-1:00 ET), and are video-recorded (see below for past recordings & slides).
Materials mentioned during the seminar are shared below.
A meeting-after-the-meeting takes place for the 30 minutes after the seminar for those interested in discussing more in-depth with the seminar presenters.
All are welcome!
Upcoming Seminars
Seminar 45: Outcome Presentation for Pilot Project #11: Investigating the Impact of Recovery Narratives Among Affiliates of Recovery Community Centers
Presenters: Ben Thompson (Samford University)
Discussant: TBD
RCC Live Feature: TBD
Date: Friday, February 6, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET
As part of our NIDA-funded effort to advance the science on RCCs we fund several pilot studies per year aimed to stimulate and support new research on delivering recovery support to persons seeking or in recovery from a substance use disorder via recovery community centers. For this month’s seminar, pilot study investigator Ben Thompson, he will present on the finding of his pilot project titled, Investigating the Impact of Recovery Narratives Among Affiliates of Recovery Community Centers. The aims of this study were (1) To conduct a comprehensive analysis of recovery narratives among individuals affiliated with RCCs. (2) To examine the association between the content of recovery narratives and recovery outcomes, comparing across different recovery pathways among RCC affiliates. (3) To investigate how RCC affiliation and specific recovery pathways influence the relationship between elements of recovery narratives and recovery outcomes. Following his presentation, TDB will share their thoughts on how these findings extend the current evidence base on recovery outcomes within RCCs. We will then invite you all to join the discussion of these findings: what these findings mean to you, and what research is needed next. To join the discussion, unmute yourself, put a comment in the chat, raise your Zoom hand, whichever is easiest for you. The goal is for us all to explore and discuss together, so that all of us can learn from each other.
Seminar 46: The end of our 6-year R24 journey: Reflections from our team, and plans for the future
Presenters: TBD
Discussant: TBD
RCC Live Feature: TBD
Date: Friday, April 24, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET
TBD
Seminar 47: Results of a state-wide survey of RCCs in Kentucky
Presenters: Martha D. Tillson, Amanda Fallin-Bennett, and Hartley Feld (University of Kentucky)
Discussant: TBD
RCC Live Feature: TBD
Date: Friday, May 8, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET
TBD
Past Seminars
Seminar 44: The role of peer recovery support workers (PRSWs) in addressing suicidality
Presenters: Kristen Abraham (University of Detroit Mercy)
Discussant: Susan Chapman (University of California, San Francisco)
RCC Live Feature: Stacy Charpentier (Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery)
Date: Friday, December 5, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET
In this seminar, which is part of our NIDA-funded effort to advance the science on RCCs, we will focus on how peer recovery support workers (PRSWs) navigate addressing suicidality they encounter in the course of their duties. PRSWs work in a diversity of publicly funded settings, including at RCCs. The available options for addressing suicidality may differ from setting to setting. Dr. Kristen Abraham will share findings from a qualitative study with peers, administrators and clinicians that provides insight into peers’ involvement in addressing suicidality. The study highlights their perspectives on how existing approaches could be improved, and what the role of PRSWs is in preventing suicide. To start us off on the discussion, Dr. Susan Chapman will share her thoughts based on her experience of studying the emerging roles of peer providers in mental health and substance use disorders spaces, and her expertise in health workforce research and health policy analysis.
Seminar 43: Utilizing RCC Peer Navigation to Support OUD Treatment Linkages for Women Transitioning from Incarceration to Communities: Findings from the Kentucky JCOIN Study
Presenters: Martha D. Tillson (University of Kentucky) and Amanda Fallin-Bennett (University of Kentucky and Voices of Hope)
Discussant: Demetri Clanton (Detroit Recovery Project)
RCC Live Feature: Donella Cecrle (The Purpose of Recovery)
Date: October 3, 2025
In this seminar, which is part of our NIDA-funded effort to advance the science on RCCs, we will showcase an academic-RCC partnership study. Members from the University of Kentucky Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) team will present findings from a study they conducted with “Voices of Hope”, an RCC located in Kentucky. The study tested the effectiveness of providing peer navigation linkage to incarcerated women with opioid use disorder. Staff at “Voices of Hope” delivered the intervention sessions. The JCOIN team will present recovery-related participant outcomes for women who transitioned back to their communities after release. They will also discuss how staff at “Voices of Hope” adapted their service approach to deliver the intervention remotely. Closing thoughts will address how this partnership between the JCOIN and “Voices of Hope” teams impacted each group.
Seminar 42: Outcome Presentation for Pilot Project #10: Exploratory Analysis of the Recovery Data Platform to Uncover Group Associations Between Engagement & Outcomes in RCC Participants
Presenters: Jon Picard (Faces & Voices of Recovery) and Joe Riggs (Massachusetts General Hospital)
Discussant: Jemima Frimpong (New York University Abu Dhabi)
RCC Live Feature: Phil Owen (Communities for Recovery)
Date: June 6, 2025
As part of our NIDA-funded effort to advance the science on RCCs we fund several pilot studies per year aimed to stimulate new research on delivering recovery support to persons seeking or in recovery from SUD via RCCs. For this month’s seminar, we will hear from Joe Riggs and Jon Picard on findings from their pilot project titled, Exploratory Analysis of the Recovery Data Platform (RDP) to Uncover Group Associations Between Engagement and Outcomes in RCC Participants. The RDP is a cloud-based platform comprised of data from over 100 RCCs and 100,000 participants containing information on participant engagement (e.g. recovery coaching, social activities) and outcomes through a variety of scale measures. Through a secondary analysis, this study aims to increase our understanding of the relationship between RCC engagement and key measures, including recovery capital. Findings from the study confirm both the emerging story of the breadth of recovery support RCCs provide and the integral importance of capturing data in the real world setting for advancing our practices in recovery supports and positive outcomes. Following their presentation, Jemima Frimpong will share their thoughts on how these findings compare to and extend current practices in data gathering to improve our support of those in or seeking recovery at RCCs. We will then invite you all to join the discussion of these findings: what these findings mean to you, and what research is needed next. The goal is for us all to explore and discuss together, so that all of us can learn from each other.
Seminar 41: Outcome Presentation for Pilot Project #9: An Exploration of the RCC Workforce and the Challenges Faced by Paid and Volunteer Staff
Presenters: Craig Henderson (Sam Houston State University) and Angela Hagaman (East Tennessee State University)
Discussant: Adrienne Lapidos (University of Michigan)
RCC Live Feature: Loretta Leverett, Nathaniel Miksch, and Louray Barton (STEPRox Recovery Support Center)
Date: April 25, 2025
For this month’s seminar, we will hear from Craig Henderson and Angela Hagaman on the preliminary findings from their pilot project titled, Assessing the Recovery Community Center Workforce in Rural and Urban Settings: An Exploration of Service Activities, Self-Efficacy for Service Delivery, and Organizational Impact on Regional Recovery Ecosystems. The aims of the study included 1) Assess RCC staff qualifications (employment status, training, certification), mental health and recovery status, and objective and subjective experiences pertaining to job satisfaction and self-efficacy for service delivery. 2) Identify the most common services provided by the RCC workforce in the context of a regional recovery ecosystem and assess the role RCCs play in facilitating recovery support and linkages to care within the ecosystem. Following the presentation, Adrienne Lapidos will share their thoughts on how these findings compare to and extend current research.
Seminar 40: Outcome Presentation of pilot Project #8: Exploring how Recovery Community Centers can Support Families Impacted by Substance Use Disorder
Presenters: Davida Schiff (Massachusetts General Hospital)
Discussant: Pamela Matson (Johns Hopkins School of Medicine)
RCC Live Feature: Cierra Coon (Never Alone Recovery Support Services)
Date: April 4, 2025
For this month’s seminar, we will hear from Davida Schiff on the findings from her pilot project titled, Exploring how Recovery Community Centers can Support Families Impacted by Substance Use Disorder. The aims of the study were two-fold. 1) Explore family-centered recovery supports being provided at RCCs using semi-structured interviews to understand scope of services provided and facilitators/barriers to providing family-centered services. 2) Engage with clients and key stakeholders at two RCCs to utilize Intervention Mapping to explore feasibility and acceptability of (a) educational efforts focused on administration of naloxone on infants with unintentional ingestions; and (b) training older children in naloxone administration on their parents or caregivers should concern for an overdose arise. Following the presentation, Pamela Matson will share their thoughts on how these findings compare to and extend current research.
Seminar 39: Outcome presentation of pilot project #7: Recovery Community Centers in Rural Areas: Addressing Unique Challenges to Better Serve Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder
Presenters: Robert Bohler and Ryan Lofaro (Georgia Southern University)
Discussant: Delesha Carpenter (University of North Carolina Chapel Hill)
RCC Live Feature: Pastor Dana (New Life II)
Date: February 7, 2025
As part of our NIDA-funded effort to advance the science on RCCs we fund several pilot studies per year aimed to stimulate and support new research on delivering recovery support to persons seeking or in recovery from a substance use disorder via recovery community centers. For this month’s seminar, we will hear from Robert Bohler and Ryan Lofaro about the outcomes of their pilot study titled, Recovery Community Centers in Rural Areas: Addressing Unique Challenges to Better Serve Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (Co-PIs: Robert Bohler and Ryan Lofaro and Co-I William Mase). Their mixed methods study aimed to increase our understanding of rural RCCs, including the barriers that clients face related to their recovery and how RCCs help address them, the services that rural RCCs offer and how these are tailored to address unique rural challenges that participants face, and the inclusion and exclusion of people on MOUDs at rural RCCs. Following their presentation, Dr. Delesha Miller will share their thoughts on how these findings compare to and extend the current evidence base on rural recovery support.
Seminar 38: Challenges and successes experienced by peer recovery support workers (PRSWs) working at recovery community centers (RCCs): Results of focus groups at 26 RCCs in Massachusetts
Presenters: Ijeoma Achara (Achara Consulting) and Danielle O’Brien (Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health)
Discussant: Sharon Reif (Brandeis University)
RCC Live Feature: Lana Mahoney (Recover Wyoming)
Date: December 6, 2024
In this seminar, which is part of our NIDA-funded effort to advance the science on RCCs, we will learn about the findings from a series of focus groups that were conducted with the staff members of several RCCs in Massachusetts. This effort was coordinated by the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and led by Dr. Ijeoma Achara and Danielle O’Brien. Dr. Achara will share with us key findings from these focus groups, spanning 72 focus groups conducted at 26 RCCs in Massachusetts. For context, these focus groups occurred in 2022, during an extensive growth phase, where Massachusetts originally opened 5 RCCs in 2008, had 27 RCCs in operation in 2023, and currently has 39 RCCs in full operation. In her presentation, Dr. Achara will share key challenges identified by RCC staff in conducting their work. She will also highlight key sources of strength and successes that the RCC staff experienced, which provided inspiration and continued investment in their work. Following her presentation, Dr. Sharon Reif will share her thoughts on how these findings compare to and extend the current evidence base on peer recovery support workers working at RCCs.
Seminar 37: Do MOUD-providing clinics know about their local RCC: Results of a survey and interview study
Presenters: Bettina Hoeppner, Susanne Hoeppner, Livv Williamson, Alli Futter, and Cora Nicoll (Massachusetts General Hospital); Angela Burton and Drew Hickman (Detroit Recovery Project); and Anita Bradley (Northern Ohio Recovery Association)
Discussant: Vinod Rao (Massachusetts General Hospital)
RCC Live Feature: Todd Fowler and Darci Pickett (Flint Serenity House)
Date: November 1, 2024
In this seminar, which is part of our NIDA-funded effort to advance the science on RCCs, we will take a closer look at linkage from clinics that provide medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) to RCCs. In our 2021-2022 nationwide survey of RCCs (see Seminar 18, September 2022), we heard that many RCCs would like to improve their linkage with clinical settings, including clinics that provide MOUDs. Earlier this year (Seminar 34, May 2024), we gained insight into barriers that may exist. In this seminar, we present the outcomes of a survey and interview study that asked directors of clinics about their awareness of RCCs and their referral practices. This study is part of a NIDA-funded research project (R34DA057604), which is a member project of the Consortium and Addiction Recovery Science. The study team (Detroit Recovery Project, Northern Ohio Recovery Association, Massachusetts General Hospital) will present the design and findings of the study (25 minutes). Then we will open to discussion, with two discussants (TBD clinic director, TBD RCC director) leading the way, who will provide context and commentary from their perspectives. Our study team is in the process of launching a new study that will provide linkage for people who use MOUDs to RCCs. Any and all feedback on designing this linkage would be wonderful. As always, we invite you all to join the discussion: unmute yourself to weigh in, put a comment in the chat, whichever way you want to partake.
Seminar 36: Exploring the tensions that exist between harm reduction (practices & philosophies) and the recovery space as it pertains to RCCs
Presenters: John Burns (SOS Recovery), Susan E. Collins (University of Washington School of Medicine), Lezlie Fox (We Do Recover Community Center), and Josh Welch (Serenity Recovery Connection)
RCC Live Feature: Lezlie Fox (We Do Recover Community Center)
Date: October 4, 2024
In this seminar, which is part of our NIDA-funded effort to advance the science on RCCs, we will take a closer look at harm reduction and its intersection with the recovery space provided at RCCs. To start us off, Dr. Susan Collins will provide an overview of the many things people may refer to when they talk about harm reduction, with an emphasis on specific services this term includes. She will also share insights gained from her research on harm reduction. Then we will do a moderated discussion with three RCC leaders (i.e., directors and managers): John Burns (SOS Recovery), Lezlie Fox (We Do Recover Community Center), and Josh Welch (Serenity Recovery Connection). They will share what harm reduction looks like at their centers, what challenges they have faced and how they have overcome these barriers to include harm reduction in their programming. As always, we invite you all to join this discussion: unmute yourself to weigh in, put a comment in the chat, whichever way you want to partake. The goal is for us all to explore and discuss together, so that all of us have a more rounded picture of the challenges RCCs encounter in engaging in harm reduction, approaches that may help overcome challenges, and/or a deeper understanding of why some RCCs cannot engage in these services.
Seminar 35: What is it like to be a peer recovery support specialist (PRSS) working at a recovery community center (RCC)?
Presenters: Kevin Monteiro (Rhode Island Communities for Addiction Recovery Efforts) and Matt Spehar (Detroit Recovery Project)
RCC Live Feature: Melanie Cobb (Landmark Recovery Center)
Date: June 7, 2024
As part of our NIDA-funded effort to advance the science on RCCs, we will take a look at what it is like to be a peer recovery support specialist in an RCC. In our recent nationwide survey, we found that there is a much increased investment in RCCs in recent years: many new RCCs are opening. In Massachusetts alone, which is where our team is located, we went from 5 RCCs in 2008 to 39 in 2024. Through discussions in our seminar series, we also learned that many people do not know about RCCs. PRSS are employed in many settings, including RCCs, but not limited to RCCs (e.g., emergency rooms, community health clinics). In our June seminar, we want to highlight what it is like to work as a PRSS in an RCC. Specifically, we will lead a moderated discussion with three PRSSs, Kevin Monteiro and Matt Spehar, where we will discuss topics including, training/certifications, what a typical day / week look like for them, secondary trauma and the support they receive for it, and how much they are involved with building the overall program rather than just providing services.
Seminar 34: What knowledge is needed to support linkage from clinical settings to RCCs?
Presenters: Susan Calcaterra (University of Colorado), and Judith Feinberg (West Virginia University)
RCC Live Feature: Dottie Greene (Johnson City Recovery Center)
Date: May 3, 2024
In this seminar of our NIDA-funded initiative to advance the science of recovery community centers, we will take a closer look at linkage from clinical settings to recovery community centers (RCCs). The data gathered through our network have shown that RCCs are welcoming places for people who use medications to support them in their recovery from substance use disorder. Thus, closer collaboration between the medical community and RCCs could significantly improve the support such clinical sites can offer by connecting them to RCCs. Our data have also shown, however, that there is room for improvement in the collaboration between SUD clinical settings and RCCs. In this seminar, we will very briefly share some data from our ongoing R34-funded project (partnership between Detroit Recovery Project, Northern Ohio Recovery Association, and the Health through Flourishing Team at Massachusetts General Hospital), where we interviewed directors of clinics that provide medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and asked them about barriers to connecting their patients with RCCs. We will then open our moderated discussion with MOUD prescribers, who work in diverse clinical settings. We will ask them about barriers they foresee or have encountered in connecting clinical settings with RCCs, and solutions they found or envision. Because our network seeks to advance the science on RCCs, we will specifically explore what knowledge and data would help support a closer linkage between SUD clinical settings and RCCs.
Seminar 33: How do RCCs do Outreach?
Presenters: Randy Rush (The Courage Center), Jenifer Langston (Reboot Jackson), and Justin Buck (Wolfe Street Foundation)
Discussant: Justin Buck (Wolfe Street Foundation)
RCC Live Feature: Phil Owen (Communities for Recovery)
Date: April 5th, 2024
As part of our NIDA-funded effort to advance the science on RCCs Dr. Hoeppner will lead a moderated discussion, where she will pose questions to three RCC directors, Randy Rush (The Courage Center), Jenifer Langston (Reboot Jackson), and Justin Buck (Wolfe Street Foundation), from different catchment areas (i.e., rural, suburban, urban) about the different considerations, challenges faced, and unique experiences of their RCCs in conducting outreach to their communities. Following the moderated discussion, we then invite all seminar participants to share their reactions, questions, and insights.
Seminar 32: Outcome presentation for pilot project #6: The Impact of Specific RCC Programs and Participation on Recovery Capital
Presenters: Sheila Specker, David Peter, Ese Agente, and Ben Clark (University of Minnesota); LaTricia Tate and Chris Burks, CPRS (Twin Cities Recovery Project)
Discussant: Maryanne Frangules and Julie Bunch (Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery)
RCC Live Feature: Elise Hall (Healing House KC)
Date: March 8th, 2024
Outcome presentation for pilot project #6, During this seminar, investigators LaTricia Tate, Christopher Burks, Dr. Ese Agente, Dr. Ben Clark, Dr. Sheila Specker, and Dr. David Peter will share the outcomes of their pilot study. They modified the “Recovery Capital Assessment Plan and Scale,” and conducted qualitative interviews people attending the Twin Cities Recovery Project, with the goal to develop a survey tool and interview guide to investigate the impact of the services provided by Twin Cities Recovery Project on an individual’s recovery capital. Following the presentation of pilot study results (15min), external commentators, Maryanne Frangules and Julie Bunch, will provide reactions to the presented findings from their perspectives (5min each). We then invite all seminar participants to share their reactions, questions, and insights.
Our network’s paper about the reach of recovery community centers: Hoeppner, B. B. PhD, MS; Simpson, H. V. BA; Weerts, C. BA; Riggs, M. J. PhD; Williamson, A. C. BA; Finley-Abboud, D. BS; Hoffman, L. A. PhD; Rutherford, P. X. BS; McCarthy, P. MS; Ojeda, J. MEd; Mericle, A. A. PhD; Rao, V. MD, PhD; Bergman, B. G. PhD; Dankwah, A. B. DrPH, MPH; Kelly, J. F. PhD(2023). A Nationwide Survey Study of Recovery Community Centers Supporting People in Recovery From Substance Use Disorder. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 10-1097.
Seminar 31: New studies on RCCs: Introducing our newly funded pilot study projects
Presenters: Dr. Craig Henderson (Sam Houston State University), Dr. Angela Hagaman (East Tennessee State University), Dr. Robert Bohler (Georgia Southern University), Dr. Marion Riggs (Massachusetts General Hospital), Jon Picard (Faces and Voices of Recovery), and Dr. Benjamin Thompson (Recovery Research Institute)
RCC Live Feature: Michelle Charbonnier (Mo Network)
Date: February 2, 2024
Welcome back from winter break! – As part of our NIDA-funded effort to advance the science on RCCs, our team funds pilot studies to stimulate and support new research on delivering recovery support to persons seeking or in recovery from a substance use disorder via recovery community centers and research that advances the science to that end. During this seminar, the awardees for our final round of funded pilot studies will present on their research topics and design. Our goal is to simulate conversation and collaboration between awardees and the multiple stakeholder groups attending the seminar.
Seminar 30: Science that is Needed to Support Unlocking the Potential of Recovery Community Centers
Presenters: Dr. Kenneth D. Smith (University of Tennessee)
Discussant: Dr. Sarah Duffy (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
RCC Live Feature: Brian J. Robbins (CT Community for Addiction Recovery)
Date: December 1, 2023
This seminar will highlight and discuss a recent report published by “Faces & Voices of Recovery”, authored by Robin Peyson, Kenneth D. Smith, and Sierra Castedo de Martell, entitled “Unlocking the Potential of Recovery Community Organizations and Peer Recovery Support Services”. This report is an excellent resource that pulls together a wealth of information on peer recovery support services in general. More important, it is a call to action for peer-led organizations that have emerged from the New Recovery Advocacy Movement. Our discussion will focus on the elements pertaining to recovery community centers. In his presentation, Dr. Kenneth Smith will briefly review the role of recovery community organizations (RCOs) and recovery community centers (RCCs) in providing peer recovery support services (see pages 20-23 of the paper). He will broadly outline authors’ conclusions about the funding landscape within which RCCs operate, challenges in delivering peer recovery support services in fidelity to recovery principles, (see pages 25-36) and reasons why a systems approach may be warranted at this time. The majority of his presentation and our discussion will then focus on future directions, where he will highlight ways in which there is untapped potential of peer recovery support (see pages 40-42), and what evidence is needed to explore this potential and demonstrate its impact. To kick-off our discussion, 2-3 discussants (Dr. Sarah Duffy; TBD;) will speak about their thoughts and reactions from their perspectives (e.g., prescriber, scientist, RCC director), and then we will open discussion up to all seminar attendees with the goal of identifying actions and research initiatives that are needed.
Seminar 29: Outcome presentation for pilot project #5: Examining Sexual Minority Engagement in Recovery Community Centers
Presenters: Dr. Abigail Batchelder (Massachusetts General Hospital)
Discussant: Dr. Lara Weinstein (Thomas Jefferson University)
RCC Live Feature: Ty Bechel (Amare NFP)
Date: November 3, 2023
During this seminar, Ty Bechel, MNM, CPRS (Executive Director & Business Development of Amare NFP) will talk about his recovery community organization, Amare NFP located in Madison Country, Illinois, and the overall mission of Amare NFP to function as a welcoming and supportive recovery organization. Then, Dr. Abigail Batchelder, a grantee of our study pilot program as part of our NIDA-funded effort to advance the science on recovery community centers (RCCs), will talk about the results from her pilot trial examining differences among sexual minorities engagement in and perception of RCCs. Following this, Ty Bechel will rejoin us with Dr. Lara Weinstein, MD, MPH, DrPH (Associate Professor, Thomas Jefferson University, Program Director, Addiction Medicine Fellowship), a family physician and prescriber of medications for opioid use disorder, to comment on Dr. Weinstein’s presentation and discuss how to increase engagement of sexual minorities and the community in recovery treatment such as RCCs.
Seminar 28: Outcome presentation for pilot project #4: A Socio-Ecological Examination of the Use of Recovery Community Centers by Persons Taking Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
Presenters: Roxanne Newman (Brown University School of Public Health)
Discussant: Cathy Shultz (Rhode Island’s Governor’s Overdose Task Force), Dr. Amanda Von Horn (Tufts Medical Center & Tufts University School of Medicine), Dr. Felecia Pullen (The PILLARS)
RCC Live Feature: Dr. Felecia Pullen (The PILLARS)
Date: October 6, 2023
During this seminar, investigators Roxxane Newman and Alexandra Collins will share the outcomes of their pilot study. They conducted 20 in-depth interviews with people using medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs), with the goal of exploring their perceptions and experiences with RCCs. MOUD use is often stigmatized, including in some recovery communities. Understanding facilitators and barriers to RCC use among people using MOUDs can provide insight into facilitating greater linkage between clinics providing MOUDs and recovery community centers. Following the presentation of pilot study results (15min), external commentators will provide reactions to the presented findings from their perspectives (5min each). Representing policy maker perspectives: Ms. Cathy Schultz, director of state of Rhode Island’s governor’s overdose taskforce; presenting prescriber’s perspectives: Dr. Dustin Patil, addiction psychiatrist at the Julian F. Kieth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center in Asheville, NC.
Seminar 27: Taking a closer look at the Recovery Data Platform (RDP)
Presenters: Phil Rutherford and Jonathan Picard (Faces and Voices of Recovery)
Discussant: Cory O’Brien (Turning Point Recovery Support Center)
RCC Live Feature: Oliver A. T. Birchwood-Glover (Trilogy Recovery Community)
Date: September 22, 2023
Mr. Phil Rutherford of Faces & Voices of Recovery will present on the Recovery Data Platform (RDP). The RDP is a cloud-based software solution developed in part by Faces and Voices of Recovery and Recovery Trek. The purpose of the platform is to aid RCO’s and Peer Service Providers with the tools and assessments needed to effectively implement peer recovery coaching programs. Through the use of robust reporting and scheduling tools, RDP is able to provide your organization better outcomes data and service management.
Seminar 26: Community engaged research – what is it, why do we need it, and how can we do more of it in the recovery community center (RCC) space?
Presenters: Devin Banks (University of Missouri-St. Louis), Ashli Sheidow (Oregon Social Learning Center), and Chyrell Bellamy and Rev. Robyn Anderson (Yale School of Medicine), Terrence S. McTier Jr. (HEAL Initiative)
RCC Live Feature: Elizabeth Burke Beaty (Sea Change Recovery Community Organization)
Date: June 2, 2023
The goal of our NIDA-funded initiative is to advance the science on recovery community centers. Ideally, science is conducted in partnership between the communities to which the science pertains, and scientific investigators who have the requisite expertise to conduct called-for research projects. In this seminar, we are taking time to pause and reflect on why community engaged research is so important, and to discuss together what else is needed to make it easier to engage in this shared research process. Leading us off, Dr. Devin Banks will provide a short presentation (10 minutes) on what “community engaged research” is, and why it is critically important. She will introduce us to different kinds of ways in which community partners can engage in research with academic teams. Then we will have two teams share their experiences, where each team used a different way of working together: Dr. Ashli Sheidow and Elizabeth Burke Beaty will provide insight into their work together on a community advisory board to inform research with people in recovery who have had criminal legal system involvement. Dr. Chyrell Bellamy, Ms. Graziela Reis, and Reverend Robyn will share how their team came together to create the IMANI Breakthrough project in the state of Connecticut (and soon Rhode Island). We will then ask seminar participants to ask questions and/or share their thoughts. We would be particularly thrilled to hear from seminar participants about suggestions for materials our team might create/make available that would be helpful to further support recovery community centers engaging in partnerships with academic teams.
A paper describing different ways of community engagement in research, and highlighting key issues regarding equity (e.g., ownership, decision-making, resource-sharing) and contextual factors (e.g., trust, transparency, relationship building):
Concrete examples of the work of community advisory boards (as implemented by the JEAP Initiative):
Concrete example of a community-academia partnership, the Imani Breakthrough Project:
Description of the project in an academic, peer-reviewed paper:
Description of the project as featured online by the Policy Research Associates (unavailable as of 11/21/2025)
Seminar 25: Outcome presentation for pilot project #3: Understanding how recovery community centers impact members’ wellbeing: A pilot study using daily diary assessments
Presenters: H. Harrington “Bo” Cleveland (The Pennsylvania State University)
Discussant: Stephanie Wemm (Yale Stress Center) and Jon Soske (Rhode Island Communities for Addiction Recovery Efforts)
RCC Live Feature: Javier H Alegre (Latino Behavioral Health Services)
Date: May 5, 2023
As part of our NIDA-funded initiative to advance the science on recovery community centers, we have been able to provide funding for pilot studies. During this seminar, investigator Dr. Bo Cleveland will share his experiences collecting data in multiple recovery community centers across Pennsylvania, provide information on participant compliance and data quality, and present results of initial analyses from his pilot project. We then invite comments and discussion from all seminar participants to provide the research team with feedback to consider in their next steps. To initiate the discussion, we have invited Drs. Stephanie Wemm (expert in use of EMA/daily diaries among folks in early recovery) and Jon Soske (RCO provider experience, person with lived experience, RICARES) to provide feedback from their perspectives.
Seminar 24: Outcome presentation for pilot project #2: Feedback on a mobile application intervention to support pregnant and postpartum women and people (PPWP) in recovery
Presenters: Hannah S. Szlyk and Patricia Cavazos-Rehg (Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis)
Discussant: Davida Schiff (Massachusetts General Hospital), Roger Vilardaga (Duke University), Pastor Marsha Hourd (CAFE & LIFE Recovery Center) and Ty Bechel (Amare Recovery)
RCC Live Feature: Chris Rosewarne-Sudduth (Washtenaw Recovery Advocacy Project)
Date: April 7, 2023
As part of our NIDA-funded initiative to advance the science on recovery community centers, we have been able to provide funding for pilot studies. During this seminar, investigators Drs. Hannah S. Szlyk and Patricia Cavazos-Rehg will present on the process and outcome of their pilot project. We then invite comments and discussion from all seminar participants to provide the research team with feedback to consider in their next steps. To initiate the discussion, we have invited Drs. Davida Schiff (addiction medicine physician focusing on PPWP) and Roger Vilardaga (clinical psychologist and researcher with expertise in mHealth, including OUD smartphone apps) to provide feedback from their perspectives. Drs. Hannah S. Szlyk and Patricia Cavazos-Rehg presentation will cover the following: Missouri has had a recent exponential increase of newborns exposed to opioids. Thus, our team developed a mobile application to support individuals with a substance use disorder including a special focus on pregnant and postpartum women and people (PPWP). In the present study, we examined perspectives of this mobile app intervention among providers that work at recovery community centers and their clients. Several providers serve PPWP, and a subsample of our participants are PPWP. We conducted a comparative thematic analysis of both provider and participants’ interview responses. We then translated the feedback into mobile app content and intervention implementation-specific changes. These changes are now being piloted with a new sample of PPWP, with the intent to link them from treatment clinics to RCCs. This presentation will cover the research process of engaging providers and participants located in greater St. Louis, the overarching themes from these key informants, and the insight gained to inform changes in the mobile app and future linkages to RCCs with this client population. RCC directors Pastor Marsha Hourd and Ty Bechel will join the conversation to further comment on the potential and challenges of using mobile interventions to link underserved client populations to RCCs, particularly in areas of the U.S. that are severely under-resourced.
Seminar 23: The role a state’s department of public health can play in the creation and thriving of RCCs
Presenters: Danielle O’Brien (Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health)
Discussant: Jesse Crum (Missouri Department of Public Health)
RCC Live Feature: Angela Burton (Detroit Recovery Project)
Date: March 3rd, 2023
In this seminar, we will focus on the role a state’s department of public health can play in the creation and thriving of RCCs. We recently highlighted in our nationwide survey of RCCs (see here for slides and video of the presentation of initial findings) that some states have invested heavily in RCCs, while others have not. Among the states with the strongest investment in RCCs is the Commonwealth of MA. Ms. Danielle O’Brien will provide insight into how the Commonwealth of Massachusetts came to fund its initial round of 5 RCCs in 2008, with 5 more added over the next few years, bringing the total to 10 centers funded by 2013, and what experiences, feedback and data supported further investments (currently 27 RCCs funded in MA, with 10 further RCCs to be opened). Ms. Danielle O’Brien will provide insight into the role the Department of Health plays beyond funding, including, for example, DPH’s role in ensuring peer voice through advocacy, supporting RCCs in center development and preparation for CAPRSS review, supporting networking between RCCs, creating shared data collection tools and reporting structures, providing pointed learning opportunities and requiring standardized training of RCC staff, and providing consultation and support in situations of specific needs. Ms. O’Brien will close with noting some challenges that the MA RCCs and the MA Department of Public Health have encountered. We then invite all seminar participants to share insight and reactions from different perspectives, so that the group can learn from each other
Seminar 22: Outcome presentation for pilot project #1: Cost-effectiveness calculators for RCCs: A pilot of peer recovery support services and bystander Naloxone distribution
Presenters: Sierra Castedo de Martell, Margaret B. Moore, and H. Shelton Brown (University of Texas School of Public Health)
Discussants: Patty McCarthy and Phil Rutherford (Faces & Voices of Recovery)
RCC Live Feature: Anita Bradley (Northern Ohio Recovery Association)
Date: February 3, 2023
With funding from the NIDA-funded Recovery Research Institute’s pilot study program, we (the study team consisting of Ms. Sierra Castedo de Martell, Ms. Margaret B. Moore, and Dr. H. Shelton Brown) conducted a preliminary cost-effectiveness analysis of long-term, post-treatment peer recovery support services for substance use disorder. They converted that analysis and an existing analysis of bystander naloxone distribution cost-effectiveness into components of a free, web-based calculator for cost-effectiveness. This presentation will cover the research process that informed the creation of this calculator, present the concept of cost-effectiveness and the interpretation of cost-effectiveness outcomes, and will introduce participants to using the calculator and interpreting the results. Discussants Ms. Patty McCarthy and Mr. Phil Rutherford will comment on the quality and impact of this calculator based on their perspectives as recovery advocates and leaders.
Seminar 21: Delving deeper into nationwide findings on Recovery Community Centers (RCCs): Medications, connections with services, and agents of social change
Presenters: Bettina B. Hoeppner and John F. Kelly (Massachusetts General Hospital)
RCC Live Feature: Alex Elswick (Voices of Hope – Lexington)
Date: December 2nd, 2022
Due to excellent discussion, thoughts and ideas during our September presentation, we ran out of time. Thus, we are picking up this conversation during this seminar. We will start by discussing the findings together on the RCC eco-system, including ideas for how existing linkages to other SUD-relevant settings could be strengthened, and will continue on to attitudes towards medications and the role RCCs play in promoting anti-racism.
Seminar 20: The promise of RCCs to support Latino and Hispanic communities in recovery: The importance of cultural elements in RCCs
Presenters: Yamila Rollan Escalona (Yaya Por Vida), Angelo Lagares (Latino Recovery Advocacy), Thomas Guerra (Miami Recovery Project), and Dr. Miguel Pinedo (University of Texas at Austin)
RCC Live Feature: Latino Recovery Advocacy, Miami Recovery Project, Ya Ya Por Vida
Date: November 4th, 2022
Mounting evidence has shown that current formal treatment settings inadequately address the recovery needs of Latino and Hispanic communities. Recovery community centers (RCCs) may offer a unique opportunity to address these needs and overcome barriers encountered in formal treatment settings to support Latino and Hispanic people in recovery. Critically important to this goal, however, is cultural and language competence. In this seminar, Dr. Miguel Pinedo will sum up current evidence of barriers encountered in formal treatment settings. Then, Yamila Rollan Escalona, Angelo Lagares, Thomas Guerra will provide an overview of key elements to consider when providing recovery care via RCCs for Latino and Hispanic populations.
Word Cloud Generated During Seminar (click here for larger graphic file)
Seminar 19: Results of our nationwide survey of RCCs (Part 2): Feedback from RCC leadership about potential outcome measures that could be used to capture the positive impact of RCCs
Presenters: Bettina B. Hoeppner and John F. Kelly (Massachusetts General Hospital)
RCC Live Feature: Cory O’Brien (Turning Point Recovery Support Center)
Date: October 7th, 2022
Conducting studies to examine the effectiveness of RCCs is an important public health research goal. Recovery, however, is a multi-faceted outcome, and RCCs are complex entities operating in unique settings. Thus, it is challenging to specify what outcome measure should be used when describing the effectiveness of RCCs. Is it the percentage of RCC members who remain substance free? Is it the number of RCC members who achieve chosen life goals? Is it improvement in overall quality of life? In the second part of our nationwide survey of RCCs, we asked RCC leaders to give us their thoughts. We presented seven potentially useful outcome measures, and asked them to comment on them. We will present their feedback (in an anonymous, aggregate way), and will then open the floor for discussion. We will use the feedback from this seminar and these data to edit and adapt our Repository of Scales.
Seminar 18: Results of our nationwide survey of RCCs (Part 1): Description of currently operating RCCs, their services, and the communities they serve
Presenters: Bettina B. Hoeppner and John F. Kelly (Massachusetts General Hospital)
RCC Live Feature: Samantha Brawley and Mark Palinski (Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness)
Date: September 9th, 2022
As part of our NIDA-funded effort to advance the science on RCCs, and sparked by conversations with you all, we have conducted a nationwide survey of RCCs to capture how many RCCs currently exist, in which communities they operate, what services they provide, and how they interface with related systems of care (e.g., healthcare, faith-based organizations, community services). During this seminar, we will present the findings of this survey. Our goal is to reflect together with seminar participants on these results, and discuss their implications for future research and current practices.
Seminar 17: Recovery processes and milestones: An updated conceptual model and fit with the mission of RCCs
Presenters: John F. Kelly (Massachusetts General Hospital)
RCC Live Feature: Leslie Clark (Portland Recovery Community Center)
Date: June 17th, 2022
This seminar marks the end of Year 2 of our seminar series. In this seminar. Dr. John Kelly, M-PI of this NIDA-funded initiative to advance the science on recovery community centers, will provide an updated conceptual model of recovery process and milestones. He will introduce novel concepts such as “the industrial resolution”, “psycho-synthesis”, and the “SANER” approach to addiction recovery. He will also illustrate how such concepts map dynamically on to specific recovery milestones and fit within the mission of RCCs.
Seminar 16: Self-care, wellness, and recovery in the RCC setting: Approaches taken and complexities faced
Presenters: Dr. Mary-Ellen Brown (Arizona State University), Catherine Lovvorn (Living Proof Recovery), and Dorothy West (Center of Recovery Resources and Wellness Resources)
RCC Live Feature: Catherine Lovvorn (Living Proof Recovery)
Date: May 6th, 2022
As part of our NIDA-funded initiative to advance the science on recovery community centers, this seminar will be discussing how RCCs approach self-care, wellness, and recovery. Opening the seminar Catherine Lovvorn (director of Living Proof Recovery) and Dorothy West (director of Center of Recovery Resources and Wellness Resources) will discuss how their RCCs approach wellness. Then, Dr. Mary-Ellen Brown (Arizona State University) will present on the science and best-practices for supporting the peer-recovery workforce.
Seminar 15: Let’s talk about faith – How does it intersect with RCCs?
Presenters: Ms. Akosua Dankwah (Massachusetts General Hospital), Lynn Ferro (Northampton Recovery Center), Michael Earielo (Everyday Miracles Recovery Center), and Tarusa Stewart (iHOPE Inc.)
RCC Live Feature: Devin Lyall (Wilkes Recovery Revolution)
Date: April 1st, 2022
As part of our NIDA-funded initiative to advance the science on recovery community centers, this seminar will be discussing the intersection of faith and RCCs. Ms. Akosua Dankwah (R24 Pre-doctoral Fellow) will open the seminar discussing the findings from her doctoral project about the intersection of church clergy and recovery community centers in tackling the OUD crisis. Following Akosua’s presentation we will hear from Lynn Ferro (director of Northampton Recovery Center), discussing how her RCC addresses spiritual health. We will then move into a Q & A format with, Michael Earielo (director of Everyday Miracles Recovery Center) and Tarusa Stewart (director of iHOPE Inc.) who will share their experiences connecting and working with faith-based communities in their areas.
Seminar 14: Unique challenges encountered by rural RCCs
Presenters: Carrie Oser (University of Kentucky), Joey Supina (Sandusky Artisans Recovery Community Center), and Jennifer Langston (REBOOT Jackson)
RCC Live Feature: Brandon George and Heather Rodriguez (Indiana Addictions Issue Coalition)
Date: March 4th, 2022
In this seminar, we are using a panel format to present findings and experiences regarding recovery from problematic substance use in rural areas and the challenges rural recovery community centers (RCCs) face. Dr. Carrie Oser (University of Kentucky) will provide state-of-the-science facts on why it is important to provide recovery support in rural areas, and what the unique barriers are in this setting. Then, two directors of RCCs (TBD) will share insights about how their rural RCCs handle these challenges, the services they offer, and how their rural setting has shaped their RCC. They will close with “asks” they have of recovery scientists, clinicians, and healthcare decision makers regarding rural RCCs.
Seminar 13: Digital recovery support services, telerecovery, and RCCs: Colliding worlds or augmenting each other?
Presenters: Dr. Robert Ashford (Unity Recovery), Brenda Maks (Live Rite Structured Recovery Corp), and Marcie Gray (Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness)
RCC Live Feature: Dr. Mark Lassiter (Will’s Place)
Date: February 4th, 2022
In this seminar, we are using a panel format to present findings and experiences regarding digital recovery support services (RSS), tele-recovery, and RCCs. Dr. Robert Ashford (Unity Recovery) will provide background, current research, and its implications on digital RSS and tele-recovery. Closing out the presentation, Brenda Maks (Live Rite Structured Recovery Corp) and Marcie Gray (Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness) will discuss their RCCs’ approaches and experiences with digital RSS and tele-recovery.
Seminar 12: New studies on RCCs: An overview of the new studies funded by our network
Presenters: Abigail Batchelder (Boston University Medical Center); Bo Cleveland and Kyler Knapp (The Pennsylvania State University); Marc Johnigan and Mark McGuire (Twin Cities Recovery Project); Mark Thomas and Sheila Speckter (University of Minnesota); Roxxanne Newman and Alexandra Collins (Brown University); H. Shelton Brown and Sierra Castedo de Martell (University of Texas)
Date: December 3rd, 2021
As part of our NIDA-funded effort to advance the science on RCCs, our team funds pilot studies to stimulate and support new research on delivering recovery support to persons seeking or in recovery from a substance use disorder via recovery community centers and research that advances the science to that end. During this seminar, the awardees will present on their research topics and design. Our goal is to simulate conversation and collaboration between awardees and the multiple stakeholder groups attending the seminar.
Seminar 11: How do medications for opioid use disorder ‘fit’ into the mission of RCCs?
Presenters: Roger Weiss (Harvard Medical School), Lauren Hoffman (Massachusetts General Hospital), Jan Brown (director of Spiritworks Foundation) and Wendy Jones (director of Minnesota Recovery Connection)
RCC Live Feature: Louray Barton and Katlin Johnson (STEPRox)
Date: November 5th, 2021
As part of our NIDA-funded effort to advance the science on recovery community centers (RCCs), our four presenters will discuss medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) and how they “fit” into the mission of RCCs. Starting off the seminar will be Dr. Roger Weiss giving an overview of what MOUDs are, their efficacy, how they compare to each other, and how long a person should stay on MOUDs. Next, Dr. Lauren Hoffman will discuss medication attitudes among recovering individuals and RCCs. Closing out the presentation Wendy Jones, the director of Minnesota Recovery Connection, and Jan Brown, the director of Spiritworks Foundation, will discuss how their RCCs approach MOUDs and support persons choosing to take MOUDs.
Seminar 10: Addressing racism and harm reduction through RCCs: Findings and experiences
Presenters: Dr. Monica Skewes (Montana State University), Laurie Johnson-Wade (Lost Dreams Awakening) and David Whiters (African American Federation of Recovery Organizations)
RCC Live Feature: Michelle Harter (Anchor Recovery Community Center)
Date: October 1st, 2021
In this seminar, we are using a panel format to present findings and experiences regarding racism and harm reduction within the context of RCCs. Monica Skewes, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Montana State University, will present an overview of how racial and ethnic minority populations have suffered disproportionately from many problems associated with addiction, including a discussion of drug laws and racism, and how harm reduction approaches can be used. Then, Laurie Johnson-Wade and David Whiters, who are RCO leaders, and founding members of The African American Federation of Recovery Organizations (AAFRO: https://aafro.org/), will share insights from their RCCs about how racism has impacted their work, how they incorporate harm reduction approaches, and how they engage in anti-racism activities. They will close with “asks” they have of recovery scientists, clinicians, and healthcare decision makers to improve health equity.
Seminar 9: RCCs in context: The importance of engaging the recovery community
Presenters: Joseph Hogan Sanchez and Phillip Rutherford (Faces & Voices of Recovery)
RCC Live Feature: RCC leader Nick Demott of Lifeboat Recovery
Date: July 16th, 2021
In this seminar, the presenters will highlight national standards for community engagement including: using a participatory process to assess community strengths and needs; offering an opportunity-rich environment that builds individual and community strengths (recovery capital), and offers programs that have a measurable impact. These standards fall within the performance-related domain of the Council on Accreditation of Peer Recovery Support services. Examples of engagement strategies used by accredited recovery community organizations will be provided.
Seminar 8: RCCs in context: The importance and challenges of RCC community engagement
Presenters: Dr. Amy A. Mericle, Chad Sabora (MoNetwork), and Marc Johnigan (Twin Cities Recovery Project)
RCC Live Feature: RCC executive director Tony Venzina of 4D Recovery
Date: June 11th, 2021
In this seminar, the first in a two-part series on the topic of community engagement, Dr. Mericle will highlight the critical role that RCCs play in the communities in which they are located as well as on common challenges faced by providers of community-based recovery support services. Additionally, directors of two RCCs will discuss their role in their community, how the community has responded, and what has been most helpful in forging strong alliances in the community.
Seminar 7: One stop shopping for recovery: Preliminary results from the first systematic study of New England recovery community centers
Presenter: Dr. John F. Kelly (Massachusetts General Hospital and the Recovery Research Institute)
RCC Live Feature: Donna Woods, Timothie Smith, and Brandi Vore of Oklahoma Citizen Advocates for Recovery and Transformation Association (OCARTA)
Date: May 14th, 2021
As part of our NIDA-funded effort to advance the science on recovery community centers (RCCs), Dr. John Kelly will discuss the preliminary results from the first systematic study of New England Recovery Community Centers (10.1111/acer.14281). Recovery community centers are most often located in the heart of their communities and function as a “one stop shop” for all things recovery. Despite their fast-growing nature RCCs remain under studied, little is known about those who use RCCs, what services they use, and how RCCs support their recovery. This presentation will discuss what exactly is an RCC, why did they emerge and grow, how they work, and what their impact is.
Seminar 6: Measuring recovery in RCCs: Can the SURE tool help?
Presenters: Dr. Joanne Neale (King’s College London) and Ms. Hannah Carlon (University of New Mexico)
RCC Live Feature: RCC manager Aaron Comeaux of Foundation for Recovery
Date: April 16th, 2021
Professor Jo Neale from King’s College, London will introduce the SURE tool and begin a discussion on whether SURE might be useful for measuring recovery in RCCs. This interactive session will explain how SURE was co-developed with people in recovery, describe how its use has spread globally, introduce a range of SURE resources (including the free SURE Recovery App), and provide everyone with an opportunity to complete SURE and offer comments and feedback. Ms. Hannah Carlon, doctoral candidate at the University of New Mexico, will then briefly present on a measure of flourishing, which is an additional component to consider. We hope that participants in this session are ready to jump in with questions, ideas, and comments, as we hope to have an active discussion.
Seminar 5: Bridging the divide between healthcare systems and RCCs: A moderated panel discussion
Presenters: Dr. Sarah Wakeman, Dr. Gene Lambert, Christopher Shaw, Dr. Davida Schiff, Dr. Marti Kane, and Windia Rodriguez (Massachusetts General Hospital)
Date: March 19th, 2021
Dr. Sarah Wakeman and a panel of experts - Bridging the Divide Between Healthcare Systems and RCCs: A Moderated Panel Discussion.
Seminar 4: The Active Ingredients of Recovery Community Centers
Presenters: Mr. Phil Valentine, Rebecca Allen, Brian Robbins (Connecticut Community of Addiction Recovery)
Date: February 19th, 2021
In this 4th seminar of the NIDA-funded seminar series on recovery community centers, Mr. Phil Valentine and his team (Rebecca Allen, Brian Robbins) – who created one of the first ever RCCs - will present on the active ingredients that constitute the pathway by which RCCs seek to support people in recovery. This seminar is designed to share best practice guidelines with RCC staff and members, and to provide functional insight to scientists and clinicians seeking to design studies on the effectiveness of RCCs or providing referrals to RCCs. Using specific examples, the CCAR team will showcase foundational principles, specific activities (e.g., telephone recovery support, recovery coaching), and the spirit of and reliance on volunteerism. Issues relevant to persons treated with medications for opioid use disorder will be highlighted.
Seminar 3: RCCs and Accreditation: A National Perspective
Presenter: Ms. Patty McCarthy (Faces & Voices of Recovery)
Date: January 15th, 2021
In this 3rd seminar of the NIDA-funded seminar series on recovery community centers (RCCs), and how these RCCs can support persons treated with medications for opioid use disorder, Ms. Patty McCarthy, Chief Executive Officer of Faces & Voices of Recovery, will explain how the terms recovery community organization (RCOs) and recovery community centers (RCCs) are used, what the Association of Recovery Community Organizations (ARCO) is, how organizations providing peer recovery support services are accredited, what happens after accreditation, and what RCO leadership perceives as goals for advancing peer recovery support provider organizations to the next level.
SAMHSA Behavioral Health Workforce Report (unavailable as of 11/21/2025)
Seminar 2: The Origins of Recovery Community Centers: Context and History
Presenter: Tom Hill (National Council for Behavioral Health)
Date: December 18th, 2020
Recovery Community Centers (RCCs) are embedded in a rich tradition of community spaces, both inside and outside the recovery community, that has informed and inspired their success. This discussion seminar will include a presentation and discussion that sets a larger context from which to view RCCs, highlights pioneering efforts in establishing them, and celebrates the evolution and explosion of RCCs across the country.
Seminar 1: Rationale and Role of Recovery Community Centers: A Bio-Psycho-Social Perspective
Presenter: Dr. John F. Kelly (Massachusetts General Hospital)
Date: November 20th, 2020
In this 1st seminar of our NIDA-funded seminar series on recovery community centers (RCCs), and how these RCCs can support persons treated with medications for opioid use disorder, Dr. John Kelly is providing an overview of what recovery community centers are. Dr. Kelly will describe a theoretical framework that spells out how RCCs may be able to support recovery using a bio-psycho-social perspective. The goal of laying out this framework is to help stimulate discussion on how RCCs can fill a vital gap to support people in recovery.