Washington County needs a Recovery Friendly Workplace Network
In Washington County, recovery-friendly workplaces present a unique win-win for community members impacted by problematic substance and/or alcohol use and for employers faced with unprecedented recruitment and retention challenges. The intersection of “Can’t find help” and “Can’t find work” is reflected in the data, where civilian labor participation rates are low and substance and/or alcohol use disorders are related to numerous barriers to employment.
A county-wide Recovery Friendly Workplace Network will help people in recovery find essential employment opportunities that support their economic well-being and recovery journeys. At the same time, such a network will help employers hire and maintain workers, reduce costs, and continue to build thriving businesses and organizations. Altogether, we believe a Recovery Friendly Workplace Network will also reduce stigma related to substance and alcohol use disorders and address larger challenges of workforce participation and persistent poverty in Washington County. Working together with commitment from businesses, both large and small, this Network will also save lives.
We recognize that employers are not new to navigating these challenges. In fact, many Washington County employers have found unique relational approaches to supporting employees and job seekers that are impacted by personal or familiar substance use. The Recovery Friendly Workplace Network will ensure employers are not isolated in this work. The Network will provide employers support through a variety of responsive, stakeholder driven strategies to create a workplace atmosphere that supports wellness, including substance use recovery.
What does it mean to be a Recovery Friendly Workplace, and how does it make a difference?
Recovery Friendly Workplaces promote wellness across work environments, with a focus on supporting needs associated with problematic alcohol and substance use, and recovery. Problematic alcohol and substance use do not only impact the individual. Employers, family members, and the community also experience the effects. Our Recovery Friendly Workplace Network supports employers, employees and job seekers, who have felt the impacts of alcohol and substance use, through…
- Creating connections to resources and services.
- Supporting workplace culture that encourages wellness and recovery.
- Encouraging communication that supports mutual success.
Keep scrolling to read more about the facts, our collaborative network design, what we heard from our Washington County neighbors, and available resources!
the facts
building the network design
The Community Caring Collaborative and Sunrise County Economic Council, with the assistance of a dedicated design team and community input, created a Recovery Friendly Workplace Network to assist Washington County employers in supporting existing employees and new hires who may be impacted by alcohol/substance use or are in recovery.
The Recovery Friendly Workplace Network concept and design was led by a diverse design team of business professionals, managers, human resource directors, recovery program managers, peer recovery coaches, and employment and training professionals. This design team gathered stakeholder input through a variety of means including interviews, face-to-face engagement through conversation and focus groups, their own personal experience, and surveys. The framework was developed with input from a variety of perspectives to ensure the team built a responsive, Washington County-based program that will support Washington County employers and job seekers. Led by Denise Cilley, Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC) and Abby Frutchey, Substance Use Response Coordinator for Community Caring Collaborative (CCC), this design is a reflection of what we heard from our community. Alongside the SCEC and CCC, the Washington County Recovery Friendly Workplace Network was collectively designed by…
what we heard from Washington County employers, small business owners, and the recovery community…
this Recovery Friendly Workplace network was built with you, our Washington County Community
Employers in the RFW Network will receive/have access to…
- Staff training on fundamental values of a Recovery Friendly Workplace including Understanding Substance Use & Recovery and Understanding Criminal Records
- Access to the dedicated staff to assist with resource connections and technical assistance
- Mentorship & networking with other Washington County-based Recovery Friendly Workplaces
- Listing on state-wide job boards
- Access to The Connection Initiative, a Washington County based resource locator and connector
- Monthly Recovery Friendly Workplace newsletter with information on program impact, employer & employee highlights, training opportunities, and more
get connected!
Staying connected is an important part of this work! Let us know if you would like to receive updates or get involved as we move into implementing the Washington County Recovery Friendly Workplace Network. You can also reach out to Abby or Denise anytime with questions.
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Phone: 207.263.8040
E-mail: afrutchey@cccmaine.org
Phone: 207.259.5103
E-mail: dcilley@sunrisecounty.org
We want to share with you that support is available NOW in Washington County for individuals who are…
- directly impacted by substance use
- in recovery
- affected by a loved one’s substance use and/or involved in their recovery
- seeking to support their existing and future workforce
- interested in supporting individuals directly impacted or affected by substance use and aid in recovery
We offer a sincere thank-you to the Maine Community Foundation and the Governer’s Office of Policy Innovation and Future for the invitation to build a Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative with Washington County change-makers!
