Recovery-Oriented Systems
As we learn more about social determinants of health and the complex and interconnected
conditions that shape people’s lives, behavioral health leaders are striving to overcome bureaucratic, funding, and policy barriers to providing holistic, flexible, recovery-oriented supports.
C4 works with systems to galvanize and sustain meaningful change. Our recovery-oriented and equity-focused approach brings together experts with varied perspectives—including individuals and families with lived experience—to forge sustainable collaborations and work strategically across organizations, communities, and systems.
We support strategic, systems-focused decision-making that results in progress towards accessible, equitable, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented systems. We have worked with more than 35 state, territory, and tribal agency leaders to break down silos and build cross-system collaboration that facilitates healing, wellness, and stability for individuals and families.
We Can Help You
- Engage stakeholders in developing and implementing action plans by:
- Identifying shared priorities
- Mapping services and gaps within systems
- Committing to braiding funding and sharing data
- Undertaking analyses, action planning, and evaluation activities
- Begin or deepen engagement with other agencies or systems through cross-training, shared planning, facilitation, and collaborative change initiatives
- Provide expert training, technical assistance, coaching, consultation, evaluation, and implementation support
- Conduct a cross-system analysis of legislative and funding changes to identify shared outcome goals at the individual, family, and community level and opportunities to leverage resources across agencies
Learn more about partnering with us.
“The strength...has been the dissemination of innovation across jurisdictions. They brought together a group of thought leaders for strategic planning purposes which had an impact on our work. The facilitators were helpful, well-versed in the topic, and brought an outside perspective to a group that had fallen into a rut.” —C4 Technical Assistance Recipient
“(C4-operated) BRSS TACS changed the landscape of peer services in Rhode Island. Prior to this project, peers and community agencies from the substance use and mental health arena were aware of the parallel development of peer-to-peer support practice, but only beginning to explore the possibility of integrating the two. Our BRSS TACS project was able to identify a community need and, in a relatively short time, engage stakeholders. The stakeholders’ connection to a process and resources allowed for consensual, significant movement forward. We learned the importance of having a strong peer presence on our team. There is nothing that can replace direct input from knowledgeable, dedicated people who understand firsthand what is important and who are passionate about their work. Their contributions are invaluable.” —C4 Technical Assistance Recipient
Our Experts
Example of Our Work
Recovery Rising in Pennsylvania
We are partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs on “Recovery Rising,” an initiative to foster a resilient, diverse, and accessible recovery environment in the state. Our goals are to facilitate dialogue to: deepen understanding of person-centered recovery support services; expand equitable access to multiple pathways to recovery and wellness; further diversity, equity, and inclusion; and culminate with a unified framework for change. To achieve these goals, we are exploring diverse viewpoints, sharing research and data, and convening key stakeholders including people in recovery and families via the “Recovery Rising” Advisory Commission, regional meetings as well as a statewide convening. Read a report about the dialogue process. More about our substance use and mental health recovery support work.
Evaluating Collegiate Recovery Services in Washington
C4 and partners at Washington State University (WSU) conducted an environmental scan to assess availability and quality of collegiate recovery support services in Washington State. We collected data from multiple sources including current literature, surveys, policy reviews, and stakeholder interviews. In the report, we make recommendations for individuals and organizations providing collegiate recovery supports. WSU also examined educational needs and priorities for young people in recovery who are transitioning to collegiate settings. C4’s evaluation team continues to examine collegiate recovery seed grantee outcomes. Read “Reshaping the Conversation: Collegiate Recovery Supports and Services in the State of Washington.” For more information, contact Patricia Maarhuis, PhD at WSU and Jennifer Battis, MRes at C4 and learn more about collegiate recovery from Washington State University. Read more about this initiative:
Learn More
- Harm Reduction: Compassionate Interventions for Recovery: online course starts February 26, 2024
- Transforming Systems to Promote Equitable Access to Recovery (PDF)
- Together in Recovery: Supporting Informed Decisions—an initiative in partnership with RIZE Massachusetts Foundation
- Together in Recovery: Facing the Opioid Overdose Crisis in Massachusetts—A Case Study (PDF)
- Recovery Rising: Supporting Many Pathways Towards a Unified Vision—an initiative in partnership with Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs
- SMART Recovery: Strategic Planning-A Case Study (PDF)
- The BRSS TACS Policy Academy: A Catalyst for Change Lessons Learned from State Teams, 2011–2018—prepared by C4 staff with funding from SAMHSA's Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS) project (PDF)
- Equity and Recovery
- Substance Use & Mental Health Recovery Supports
- Facilitating Change & Transforming Systems
- Organizational Development & Strategic Planning
- Curriculum and Toolkit Development
- Design for Learning
- Integrating and Supervising Peer Workers
- Medication-Assisted Treatment/Medication-Assisted Recovery
- Recovery Housing
- Stigma and Recovery
- Criminal Justice System Reform & Re-Entry Supports
- Opioid Overdose Prevention and Support
- Pregnancy and Recovery
- Substance Use Prevention and Early Intervention
More about our expertise and our training and technical assistance approaches and offerings.