A
report
Secretary Tennis
Volume 17, No. 1 x 2015
PR
reports from our
State Department of Drug and Alcohol
Like the rest of the nation, Pennsylvania is suffering the worst epidemic of fatal drug overdoses in its history.
In 2012, nearly 2,400 lives were lost due to drug overdose in Pennsylvania. Based on individual county
reports, we believe the death rate is even higher today.
Streamlining. The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs' mission is to find every means possible to
bring more resources to bear to prevent and treat substance use disorders and to reduce the loss of life.
With limited resources during tough fiscal times, Secretary Gary Tennis has worked to streamline archaic
and unwieldy regulations so that treatment programs can use more of their staff time to provide treatment
to those who struggle with substance use disorders.
Medicaid for county jail releases. In the past two years, we have worked with the Department of Human
Services to get Medicaid turned on right away for those coming out of county jails and in need of residential
treatment. This has resulted in millions of dollars for more treatment for those in greatest need.
Continued on page 4
The work before
PRO.A is now on
FACEBOOK –“like” us at
www.facebook.com/
PaRecovery
OrganizationAlliance
working
together
to make
"recovery
voices count"
in pennsylvania
m
Us
A Message from
Michael Botticelli
Director of National Drug Control Policy
Many great movements to change public perception and policy around a public health issue have been fueled
by people with a disease speaking out publicly. What is seen as someone else's problem—someone else’s
disease – takes on a new dimension when people speak up about it.
Such was the case when Betty Ford revealed her breast cancer diagnosis and her substance use disorder.
Such was the case when Magic Johnson's revealed that he was HIV positive, spurring action to stem the
AIDS epidemic.
Continued on page 4
Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations Alliance
Need
Health Insurance?
Check out
Special
Enrollment
Periods
quarterly
report
Volume 17, No. 1 x 2015
900 South Arlington Avenue, Suite 254A
Harrisburg, PA 17109 . 1014
1.800.858.6040 Toll Free • 717.545.8929 • 717.545.9163 Fax
[email protected] • www.pro-a.org
The Pro.A newsletter is a publication of the
Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations Alliance.
The newsletter is published four times a year and
sent to recipients in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania and surrounding states.
Newsletters are mailed in
February, May, August & November.
Features
Secretary Tennis reports
State Department
of Drug and Alcohol 1
The Work Before Us
1
Need Health Insurance?
Check out Special
Enrollment Periods
2
Yoga & Meditation for
Addiction Recovery
3
from our
contents
You may be eligible to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace created by
the Affordable Care Act past the February 15, 2015, Open Enrollment deadline
if you:
l Gave birth to or adopted a child
l Had a change in immigration status
l Were released from incarceration
l Received an exemption from the Marketplace but now have a
DDAP Seeking Applicants
5
News from the Bethlehem
Recovery Center
5
The Work Before Us
6
• Left or lost a job
PRO.A Volunteers at WITF
8
Recovery Corner
9
• Divorce
Supporting Youth Recovery
Enhanced CRS
Certificate Program
10
ADVERTISERS
Gatehouse Intervention Center
4
Treatment Trends Inc.
7
The Rase Project
7
Message Carriers of Pennsylvania
8
Malvern Institute
10
White Deer Run 11
PerformCare
12
2
l Recently married
••
higher income
l Lost health insurance coverage due to:
• Turned 26 and lost coverage on a parent’s plan
• Lost eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP
If any of the above events apply to you, you have 60 days from the time the
event occurs to sign up for health insurance through the Marketplace.
Visit www.healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325)
24 hours a day, 7 days a week to enroll. For help, contact a Marketplace
Navigator in Pennsylvania at 1-855-274-5626, daytime work hours. They are
located around the state and are part of a consortium of Pennsylvania Mental
Health Consumers’ Association, Mental Health Association of Pennsylvania,
Mental Health America in Westmoreland County and The Advocacy Alliance.
PRO.A is now on FACEBOOK –
“like” us at www.facebook.com/
PaRecoveryOrganizationAlliance
Yoga & Meditation for Addiction Recovery
The Bethlehem Recovery Center of
Northampton County
By Rebecca de Jesús
In 2014 the Bethlehem Recovery
Center of Northampton County
started a trial series of weekly Yoga
& Meditation classes for Addiction
Recovery. The classes are free,
beginner-friendly and open to the
public. Yoga and meditation are
known for promoting relaxation,
physical exercise and overall
feelings of well-being. Tim
Munsch, Executive Director of
the BRC, wants to make yoga
and meditation accessible
to folks who might not
otherwise have the resources to participate
elsewhere. The program has been in place for several months and
will continue, ultimately becoming a core component of a wellness
program currently in development at the Center.
Why Using Alcohol and Drugs to Feel Better
Doesn't Work
What does all of this mean? How does it relate to addiction recovery?
"Maria Smith"(not her real name) says that "as an addict and
alcoholic, I've used drugs and alcohol to feel better, get rid of anxiety,
help my depression, and mostly so I can get sleep." But when fullblown addiction takes over a person's life, these "needs" are no
longer met, and the brain's chemistry changes.
More of the drug is required to attain the high that used produce
relief. Furthermore, advanced drug addiction and alcoholism causes
severe physical health problems, legal troubles, psychiatric diagnoses,
and even death.
The Development of a Wellness Program
Rebecca de Jesús, who teaches yoga and meditation at the BRC is
excited for the future of the wellness program. "Yoga and meditation
have become an integral part of my own life. The practices help
me manage stress, anxiety and pain caused by health issues. I love
sharing yoga and meditation with others and seeing the awesome
benefits that the students experience after consistent, weekly
attendance in my classes."
Chris Jacob, Manager of The Bethlehem Recovery Center, plans to
add to the program, including weekly guided walks around town
and workshops on nutrition and self-care. "Alcoholics and addicts
often neglect healthy lifestyle habits. Improving these areas leads to
Rebecca adds that she has had a longtime interest in the science
greater self-confidence and produces an improvement in psychosocial
behind the imprinted neural pathways that guide
factors, often prompting the individual to
our physiological responses to experiences in
work, volunteer or serve as a mentor to
life. I know now that it is absolutely possible
Chris
Jacob
adds,
"The
goal
another person in recovery." Doing service
to change our brains and rewire the ways that
of the yoga and meditation
work is one of the basic tenets of 12-Step
our brains respond to life stressors. In addiction
classes, as a part of the
Recovery Programs. The concept is that for an
recovery terms, this is the equivalent of "learning
individual to maintain his/her own sobriety,
budding Wellness Program
to use new tools in recovery to stay sober."
they must help another addict or alcoholic
at the Bethlehem Recovery
with a mutual sharing of experience, strength
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) causes
Center, roots itself in
and hope.
some of the most decay-resistant strongholds
Harvard's evidence-based
over the brain. PTSD is very prevalent in addicts
Clinical Research
clinical research results.
and alcoholics. de Jesús has plans to attend a
For several decades, clinical researchers
Trauma-Informed Yoga Training, a program
So far we are seeing positive
have been studying the effects of meditation
currently offered through the The Shanthi Project,
changes. It really does
on individuals who report stress, anxiety,
which is based in Easton, PA.
work if you work it."
depression and pain. It is a widely accepted
(http://www.shanthiproject.org) She will
belief that calming the mind through efforts
incorporate what she learns into her teaching style.
such as directed breathing and guided
meditation help these individuals manage their discomfort. However, Yoga and Meditation Work
until recently, there has been no published data to back up these
Together, yoga and meditation teach addicts and alcoholics to sit with
claims. Researchers had made progress in their quest to prove that
discomfort. To learn that they can respond calmly and appropriately
meditation could not just alter one's perceptions of mental and
to life, rather than react hastily out of fear or anger. Yoga and
physical discomfort, but actually change the way that the brain's
meditation help students understand that discomfort does eventually
neural circuitry processes stress, anxiety, depression, fear, etc.
pass. This mimics what addiction clinicians and specialists teach
about handling triggers.
Harvard Publishes Evidence-Based Results
In 2014, Harvard researchers published the results of the first clinical
studies that provides evidence-based data that serves as proof that
meditation does, in fact, change the brain's structure - showing that
the brains of individuals who meditate become structurally different
than the brains of individuals who don't meditate.
For more information, please contact Chris Jacob, Manager of The Bethlehem Recovery
Center of Northampton County, at [email protected], or Carlos Molina at
[email protected]
••
3
Secretary Tennis
reports from our
State Department of Drug and Alcohol
continued from page 1
Prescribing Guidelines. Tennis also focused on assembling a wide
gathering of stakeholders to promulgate three sets of Pennsylvania
Prescribing Guidelines, aimed at helping doctors and dentists reduce
prescription drug abuse and overdoses, with safer and more effective
pain management.
Overdose Rapid Response Task Force. This was created with key
players from federal, state, and local law enforcement, health care officials
and providers. This task force communicates regularly and focuses on
rapid response of overdose and drug trends between law enforcement
and emergency medical services. This is a critical unified step to ensure
real-time information is being relayed to officials to prepare and deal
with overdose or preventing drug overdose from occurring in their areas.
Biography
Secretary Gary Tennis
Gary Tennis of Philadelphia was appointed to serve
as the first secretary of the Department of Drug
and Alcohol Programs in January 2012.
Tennis served from 1986 to 2006 as Chief of the
Philadelphia District Attorney’s Legislation Unit,
where he represented the Pennsylvania District
Attorneys Association working with the General
Assembly. In addition to more than 20 years of
legislative experience, Tennis served as Executive Director of the
President’s Commission on Model State Drug Laws in 1993. He
received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tulsa in 1975,
where he was a Rhodes Scholarship nominee. After teaching junior
high school for two years, he attended and graduated from University
of Pennsylvania Law School in 1980. His life mission is to ensure
treatment with clinically integrity for Pennsylvanian struggling with
addiction, and to implement the most effective prevention programs
throughout the state.
Naloxone. On Nov. 29, 2014 a critical life-saving law was enacted.
With the steadily increasing opioid overdose deaths in Pennsylvania, it
was important to get a life-saving antidote, Naloxone, into the hands
of first responders and loved ones. In Delaware County alone, 20 lives
have been saved due to this law being enacted. Tennis and key staffers have worked feverishly to engage both police departments and
naloxone funders (health insurers) to get the hands in first responders across the state, as well as into the hands of family members and
friends of those at risk of fatal overdose.
This is just a few of the many strides that Secretary Tennis has been leading at the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs in its first
two years. He is deeply committed to making available drug and alcohol prevention and treatment resources for our communities to reduce
the terrible suffering and death in Pennsylvania communities caused by substance use disorder. Secretary Tennis was re-appointed to the
department by the Wolf administration to continue the department’s mission.
Paving the road to recovery
INTERVENTION SERVICES
717-626-9524
Paving the road to recovery
The Gate House now offers intervention
services. Our interventionist, Fern Wilcox, is a
licensed counselor and certified interventionist.
Interventions through The Gate House are
non-confrontational, treat the whole family,
and include:
• Long-term, Individualized, family-based support.
• Help to navigate the treatment/funding process.
• Local transportation to treatment and the ability
to meet at a convenient location.
For a list of services provided by
The Gate House, visit our website at:
www.gatehouse.org
4
••
We have a variety of intervention plans and
can travel throughout the US, by arrangement.
Please contact us to discuss how we can help
you or your loved one.
DDAP Seeking Applicants
The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is committed
to recruiting qualified job applicants who are deeply passionate
about the mission of the agency and who are knowledgeable about
the disease of addiction and its devastating impact on Pennsylvania
families. We know that this passion and knowledge can be found in our
recovering community. Most positions in DDAP are covered by PA Civil
Service and require passing a civil service exam to be considered for
employment. DDAP is currently recruiting for the following positions:
Drug and Alcohol Program Analyst with the following
requirements: Two years of professional experience in social service
or human development programs including one year of program
planning, developing, and monitoring experience of the same; and
a bachelor's degree; OR any equivalent combination of experience
and training.
We are hopeful that in the very near future we will also be recruiting
for two other job classifications in the agency as follows:
Drug and Alcohol Licensing Specialist with the following
requirements: Two years of professional experience in a social
services agency providing direct social services, case management
services, program planning, program monitoring, program evaluation,
nursing services, allied health services, dietary services, or quality
assurance services; and a bachelor's degree in the behavioral sciences,
education, public health, nursing or allied health sciences. Graduate
course work in the behavioral sciences, education, public health,
nursing or allied health sciences may be substituted for up to one
(1) year of the required experience OR any equivalent combination
of experience and training which includes two years of professional
experience in a social services agency providing direct social services,
case management services, program planning, program monitoring,
program evaluation,nursing services, allied health services, dietary
services, or quality assurance services; and 24 college-level credits in
the behavioral sciences, education, public health, nursing or allied
health sciences.
Drug and Alcohol Program Representative with the following
requirements: Two years of professional experience in a social services
agency providing direct social services, case management services,
program planning, program monitoring, program evaluation, allied
health services, or quality assurance services; and a bachelor's
degree in the behavioral sciences, public health or human services
administration, or a closely related field. Graduate course work in the
behavioral sciences, public health or human services administration
may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience OR
any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes
two (2) years of professional experience in a social services agency
providing direct social services, case management services, program
planning, program monitoring, program evaluation, allied health
services, or quality assurance services and 24 college level credits in the
behavioral sciences, public health or human services administration.
If you would like to discuss your interest and qualifications in
applying for civil service positions in DDAP, please send your detailed
resume to Cheryl Dondero, Deputy Secretary, DDAP, 02 Kline
Village, Harrisburg, PA, 17104-1503 or via email to [email protected].
Whether sending your resume by mail or email, please reference
“DDAP/PRO.A Recruitment” in the subject line. The Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania is proud to be an equal opportunity employer
supporting workplace diversity. If you have questions or would like
more information, you can reach Cheryl at (717) 736-7446. EOE
News from the Bethlehem Recovery Center
October through December 2014
October saw the start of the relocation of the BRC from the
second floor to the ground floor of 548 north New Street
here in downtown Bethlehem. The move was accomplished
entirely by our volunteers and is a testament to the
commitment of our volunteers and friends of the BRC.
Thank you!! October ended on a “sour note” as the BRC
hosted a karaoke/Halloween costume party.
November also saw the addition of Yoga and Meditation
for Recovery. This is a new meeting at the BRC and we are
seeing it expand as interest grows. November ended with
the AA District 37 Thanksgiving day Alcathon and Five
12-step meetings were held at the center with a Thanksgiving
day meal provided with donations from the BRC and
participating 12-step groups.
The BRC continued to expand its outreach to varying sections
of the community in October by providing a presentation
from Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living. Volunteers
and staff of the BRC and Lehigh Valley Drug and Alcohol
took part in an interview by the Easton Express in November
on a story focusing on opiate use in the Lehigh Valley for
publication in early 2015. Participation in this story gets the
word out to those who struggle with addiction that the BRC
is a resource in the community to assist them while also
protecting the anonymity of the participants.
December began with meetings to discuss interest in new
services and how to provide them in the coming year with a
consensus to provide a duel diagnosis group as well as other
mental health orientated workshops. We also held a meeting
with Sister Virginia of Stephen’s House and a plan to host an
Ugly Sweater Christmas party to benefit PENNSCYPAA, The
Pennsylvania Conference of Young People in AA which is working
towards hosting the state conference in Bethlehem in 2016.
In summation, the BRC continues to expand its outreach!
While we are currently open seven days a week from 9 to 5.
We are looking to expand our hours. We continue to look for
ways to be of maximum service to the recovering community
of the Lehigh Valley.
••
5
The work before
Us
A Message from
Michael Botticelli
continued from page 1
Director of National Drug Control Policy
Yet, despite the fact that nearly every family and community in America is affected by a substance use disorder, those fighting to overcome
this disease are too often hidden in the shadows of shame and denial. It is whispered about. It is met with derision and scorn.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, only 1 in 9 people with a diagnosable substance use disorder gets treatment.
Compare this to the treatment rate for diabetes, for which 72% of people with the disease receive care.
When treatment is provided for substance use disorders, it too often comes at the most acute stages of the disease when effective treatment is
far more challenging and costly than in the early stages. Because substance use disorders have historically gone unidentified for far too long,
and timely access to treatment has been far too difficult to come by, a person is expected to hit “rock bottom” before seeking help for a
substance use disorder.
Standard medical care does not allow a diabetic to enter kidney failure before offering insulin. Yet untreated substance use disorders routinely
proceed unchecked until they have reached such levels of emergency. In addition to the unnecessary suffering for patients and their families,
our current approach costs the United States hundreds of billions a year in increased health care costs, crime and lost productivity-- over $223
billion related to alcohol and $193 billion related to illicit drugs.
Decades of scientific research have proven that substance use disorders are a health issue: chronic medical conditions with genetic, biological
and environmental risk factors. Effective substance use disorders requires a comprehensive, public health approach involving evidence-based
prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery support services. The National Drug Control Strategy, the Obama Administration’s
template for drug policy, outlines more than 100 action items across federal government to prevent drug use and its consequences.
Earlier this month, President Obama in his 2016 Budget requested historic levels of funding-- including $133 million in new funds-- to
address the opioid misuse epidemic in the U.S. Using a public health framework as its foundation, our strategy also acknowledges the vital
role that federal state and local law enforcement play in reducing the availability of drugs—another risk factor for drug use. It underscores the
vital importance of primary prevention in stopping drug use before it ever begins by funding prevention efforts across the country. It sets forth
an agenda aimed at stripping away the systemic challenges that have accumulated like plaque over the decades: over-criminalization, lack of
integration with mainstream medical care, insurance coverage and the legal barriers that make it difficult for people once involved with the
criminal justice system to rebuild their lives.
The implementation of the Affordable Care Act will dramatically increase coverage for treatment and ensures that services are comparable to
other chronic conditions for more than 60 million Americans. This is the biggest expansion of substance use disorder treatment in a generation,
and it will transform millions of lives.
All of these advancements, however, are not enough unless we fundamentally change the way we think about people with addiction.
There are millions of people in recovery in the United States leading meaningful, productive lives full of joy and love and laughter –
and I am one of them.
Tonight, the United States Senate voted to confirm my nomination as Director of National Drug Control Policy. This is an honor I never
dreamed of 26 years ago, when my substance use disorder had become so acute that I was handcuffed to a hospital bed. I accept this challenge
with the humility and tenacity of someone in long term recovery.
I am open about my recovery not to be self-congratulatory, I am open about my recovery to change public policy. I have dedicated my life to
treating drug use as a public health issue, and that’s how I approach this new role, as well. I hope that many more of the millions of Americans
in recovery like me will also choose to “come out” and to fight to be treated like anyone else with a chronic disease. By putting faces and voices
to the disease of addiction and the promise of recovery, we can lift the curtain of conventional wisdom that continues to keep too many of us
hidden and without access to lifesaving treatment.
It is time to make a simple, yet courageous decision to be counted, to be seen and to be heard. Share your story with us today.
6
••
Michael Botticelli serves as Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy. On 2/12/15, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm him as
Director of National Drug Control Policy.
Begin Your Recovery Now.
At Treatment Trends we work with you to get you on the road to recovery.
We provide caring services that extend beyond just traditional models
of recovery. We provide rehabilitation and a continuum of care
for people struggling with the disease of addiction. For men
and women in the criminal justice system, veterans,
victim survivors, and those who have suffered because
of sexual abuse or domestic violence,
we are able to help.
Treatment Trends
, Inc.
Residential and Outpatient Services Based
on the Therapeutic Community Model
CALL TODAY! 610.432.7690
www.treatmenttrends.org
24 SOUTH FIFTH STREET PO BOX 685 ALLENTOWN, PA 18105
Treatment Continuum Alternative Program (TCAP) l Halfway Home of the Lehigh Valley
Confront l Keenan House l Richard S. Csandl Recovery House
BECAUSE YOU MATTER.
Providing innovative Recovery Support Services to individuals and families
in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Lancaster,
THE
Lebanon, Perry and York Counties since 2001.
For more information please call 717-232-8535
or visit our website at www.raseproject.org
®
••
7
11TH ANNUAL TREE OF LIFE CELEBRATION
Prevention
Recovery
Dreams
Unity
ADVERTISE
in the
Treatment
Love
Respect
Hope
Family
Intervention
Advocacy
Community
WHEN:
TIME:
WHERE:
RECIPIENT:
Thursday December 18, 2014
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Mt Ararat Baptist Church
271 Paulson Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
State Representative Ed Gainey
24th Legislative District
Allegheny County
CELEBRATING EVERYONE!
Please place an ad in our Memorabilia Booklet by Monday December 8, 2014
Booklet size 5½ x 8
Celebrating the Gift of Recovery
Full page $100.00
$10.00 (name & clean date)
Half page $50.00
In Loving Memory
Quarter page/Business cards
$10.00 (name)
$25.00
Ad details may be emailed to:[email protected] or given to a Message
Carriers Volunteers
Please send your payments to Message Carriers of Pennsylvania
MESSAGE CARRIERS OF PENNSYLVANIA | 5907 PENN AVE, SUITE 235 | PITTSBURGH, PA 15206
check out our new website
www.pro-a.org
report
The Quarterly Report is a
targeted publication, informing and
supporting recovering persons in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Questions concerning ad placement
may be directed to our ad agency
Exceptional Concepts, Inc.
717.599.0690
e-mail [email protected]
PRO A
Volunteers at
Our Program Coordinator, Marianna Horowitz, assembled a small
group of volunteers to participate in a pledge drive to benefit WITF’s
radio broadcasts. Through Smart Talk, their daily, live interactive
program featuring conversations with newsmakers and experts,
WITF has been running a series of shows to raise awareness about
addiction and recovery efforts. This initiative is helping to educate
the public on Pennsylvania’s escalating drug epidemic. This initiative
involves individuals of various professions. The topics range from
heroin and prescription drug use, to underage drinking and synthetic
drugs. Visit www.witf.org/smart-talk to find articles and previously
aired broadcasts. Look for the kick-off talk which features Secretary
Gary Tennis from the PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs!
As an agency, we were excited to support such efforts and for PRO.A
to be recognized on the radio and have a picture of our volunteers
posted on the WITF Facebook page.
8
••
Two of PRO.A's board
members, Mike Harle, left, and
Deborah Beck, right, shown
with Marianna Horowitz.
They recently participated on
a WITF community.
The volunteers pictured above, clockwise from left: Stefanie Ross,
Brendan Rackley, Ben Kroll, Kathy Wyatt and Marianna Horowitz.
Recovery Corner
February 24, 2015
By Nathan Lee Gadsden
Recovery Service Community Coordinator
Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers Association (PMHCA)
Working with other organizations is important to the mission of PRO.A. That’s why we are excited about the relationship we have built with
PMHCA, our counterpart in the mental health field. This relationship is especially important because so many people who are dealing with
drug and alcohol addictions also have mental health disorders. We are pleased that we were able to support PHMCA’s efforts by participating
in their town hall meetings where they provided valuable information about enrolling in health care under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
In turn, PMHCA gave us opportunities to talk about PRO.A’s mission and our activities, provide information about drug and alcohol services
and how to access them, and hear about issues that persons seeking help face when trying to get help.
Recovery Community Service Program – Statewide Network
The staff at PRO.A has spent the last several months planning and engaging in activities to expand the capacity of addiction recovery
community organizations through the development of an organized statewide network. This work is being made possible by a three-year
grant we received from the federal government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Under the
grant, we are looking to expanding services to the recovery community, including our CRS training series, a new leadership training course,
and technical assistance to recovery community organizations, providers and other organizations. In an effort to determine what technical
assistance organizations need, we sent out survey to assess the level of Drug and Alcohol (Peer-Based) Recovery Support Services available
throughout Pennsylvania. If your organization or one you know of did not receive a survey form, please contact us.
PRO.A Membership Drive
If you are not a member of PRO.A, now is a great time to join. We are reaching out to recovery community organizations, local agencies,
statewide organizations and agencies, and individuals in the recovery community, including family members of persons in recovery or those
seeking recovery. Our members will receive PRO.A’s Quarterly Report, in which we provide updated information about the status of advocacy
issues, training opportunities, and events planned by other organizations in the recovery community. Also, as important legislative and policy
issues arise, we will reach out to you to join us in advocating for the recovering community. You can join us by contacting us via email or
telephone, or through our website at www.pro-a.org.
PRO.A Website
The PRO.A website is undergoing an exciting transformation to better serve the recovery community in Pennsylvania. The new design will
allow us to provide a multitude of services, including a platform for an interactive virtual recovery community, a clearing house for trauma
informed substance abuse peer support services, webinars to provide important information to our partners and other members of the
recovery community, recovery news and events from around the state, and much more. New areas of the website which are currently
under construction include easily accessible resources for persons with addictions who are seeking treatment; and information on rights to
treatment under the Affordable Care Act, Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, and Medicare. Check out the PRO.A website today.
WARM LINE
Need help accessing services or have a concern
about difficulties you have experienced?
Call our warm line at
800-858-6040
••
9
Supporting
Youth Recovery
Enhanced CRS Certificate Program
By Brooke M. Feldman, Project Coordinator,
The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. / PRO-ACT
The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc./PRO-ACT is excited to announce the
award of a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Behavioral Health
Workforce Training and Education (BHWET) grant to kick off its new Supporting Youth
Recovery Enhanced CRS Certificate Program this month! This innovative program
expands The Council’s existing Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) training to consist
of an unprecedented 90 hours of classroom training and 100 hours of supervised field
placement experience. The field placement component will give students an opportunity
to practice applying the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom while enveloped
in a supported learning environment. This entire program is designed to enhance the
peer workforce’s ability to meet the unique behavioral health needs of at-risk children,
adolescents, young adults and their families. To be considered for the certificate program,
individuals must meet the minimum CRS requirements, complete an application and
interview process, demonstrate the capacity to commit to the entire program and exhibit
an ability to use their lived experience to support other young people and their families.
The Council will be forming cohorts for this program in three Southeast PA locations:
Philadelphia, Doylestown and Rosemont. If accepted through the competitive application
process, students will be awarded a full scholarship into the program. Applications and
more information are available on The Council’s website at www.councilsepa.org.
10
••
Drug &
Alcohol
Problem?
Detoxiﬁcation
Adult & Adolescent Rehab
Dual Diagnosis
Relapse Prevention
Women’s Programs
Transportation Provided
24-hour Admissions
Contact our 24-Hour Call Center
1-866-769-6822
www.whitedeerrun.com | www.bowlinggreenbrandywine.com | coveforge.crchealth.com
together.
Would you please
consider making
a donation
to PRO.A?
We are working tirelessly to reduce discrimination, improve
access to services and assist recovery efforts in communities
across Pennsylvania.
Please help us make recovery a reality to a person, family
or community near you. PRO.A is a 501(C) (3) not profit
organization with the Mission: To mobilize, educate and
advocate to eliminate the stigma and discrimination toward
those affected by alcoholism and other drug addiction to
ensure hope, health and justice for individuals, families and
those in recovery.
THANK YOU!
Please send a tax deductible donation to:
PRO.A
900 South Arlington Ave. Suite 254A
Harrisburg, PA 17109
• • 11
Thank You
for Supporting
PRO. A
We are here to help with alcohol
and drug problems. Recovery
begins when you ask for help.
Call today!
Capital area
Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster,
Lebanon and Perry ................................................................ 1-888-722-4686
NorthCentral region
Bedford and Somerset ..................................................... 1-866-773-7891
Franklin and Fulton ............................................................ 1-866-773-7917
Deaf or hard of hearing 1-800-654-5984 TTY or 711 PA relay
Providing drug and alcohol services for adults, adolescents and children
enrolled in the HealthChoices Program.
pa.performcare.org