Supporting Connected Ecosystems: How Collegiate Recovery and Faith-Based Initiatives Utilize Recovery Capital

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

8:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Location: A313-314 GWCC

Presenter(s)

James Harper, MS, NCC, CPRS

Assistant Director of Faith-Based Initiatives
Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Lipscomb University
Mount Juliet, TN
Nathan Payne, MA, CPRS

Director of Collegiate Recovery
Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Services
Tennessee Tech University
SPARTA, Tennessee
Heidi Christensen, MTS

Public Affairs Specialist
Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Washington, DC
Greg K. Delaney

Senior Community Engagement Specialist/Faith-Based Recovery SME
WOODHAVEN OHIO/RecoveryOHIO
Xenia, Ohio

Moderator(s)

Monty Burks, MCJ, PhD, CPRS

Deputy Director
Tennessee Governor's Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives
Nashville, Tennessee

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines the four major components of recovery as, “health, home, purpose, and community.” Amidst the surge of overdose deaths, mental health crises, and individuals struggling with substance use disorder, two very distinct community sectors continue to influence the behavioral health narrative utilizing similar methodology and resources provided by voices consistent with the individual sector.

This session will provide an understanding of the methodology and resources that faith communities and collegiate partnerships are employing to help those struggling within their community and establish an environment that is conducive with long-term recovery. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and RecoveryOhio will highlight their faith-based toolkits and successful partnerships which have occurred throughout their work. Attendees will also hear from Tennessee Collegiate Recovery Initiative, a project of The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Services, and how it emerged from Tennessee’s Office of Faith-Based Initiatives and is now gaining acceptance within higher education institutions. Participants will then learn of how each sector can tap into the wellspring of recovery capital available within their community, which ultimately opens the door for partnerships that can effectively support the recovery ecosystem.

Learning Objectives:

Identify the intersections between collegiate recovery communities and faith-based recovery communities
List evidence-based and evidence-informed practices and protocols that work to build recovery capitol and reduce stigma in both communities
Identify data collection methods and outcomes used to develop and sustain both types of initiatives
Plan to strategically engage communities of faith as a part of community response to addiction and mental health crisis
Identify evidence-based tools and education to better equip your faith-based recovery community for action
Identify a national network of expertise, best practices, and collaborators dedicated to assisting in the development of faith-based recovery programs and solutions for community impact