Positive Energy Affecting Recovering Lives Inc

PEARL'S PEER IMPACT PROJECT WILL PROVIDE RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES DELIVERED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE IN SUD AND RECOVERY TO IMPROVE LONG-TERM RECOVERY OUTCOMES FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. - PEARL'S PEER IMPACT PROJECT WILL TARGET THOSE THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST NEED AND LOWEST COMMUNITY SUPPORT; OUR POPULATION OF FOCUS WILL BE INDIVIDUALS WITH SUD FROM UNDERSERVED RURAL AREAS THAT HAVE HISTORIES OF TRAUMA AND ARE JUSTICE INVOLVED. THE COMBINATION OF ILLICIT DRUG USE AND POOR SOCIAL SUPPORT AND ENGAGEMENT ILLUSTRATES THE NEED TO SUSTAIN AND IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES. THERE IS GROWING EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN FIND SUCCESS IN TREATMENT PROGRAMS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO TARGET THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS. ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO DO THIS IS THROUGH PEER RECOVERY PROGRAMS. PEER SUPPORT SERVICES EXTEND BEYOND THE TRADITIONAL REACH OF A CLINICAL SETTING INTO THE EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES OF THOSE WORKING TOWARD A SUSTAINED AND SUCCESSFUL RECOVERY. PEER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS (PSS) USE THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCES IN SUBSTANCE USE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND RECOVERY TO HELP OTHERS BEGIN TO MAKE THE NECESSARY LIFE CHANGES FOR HEALING. PEARL'S PEER IMPACT PROJECT WILL SUSTAIN AND IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PEER RECOVERY SERVICES. P.E.A.R.L. WILL BE TARGETING THOSE WITH THE HIGHEST NEED AND LOWEST COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND AIMS TO SERVE 300 UNDUPLICATED INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE LIFETIME OF THE GRANT. AT MINIMUM, 70% OF PARTICIPANTS WILL COME FROM RURAL UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. PROJECT GOALS ARE 1) INCREASING THE CAPACITY FOR PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES (PRSS) DESIGNED AND DELIVERED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (SUD) AND RECOVERY TO IMPROVE LONG TERM RECOVERY OUTCOMES FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, 2) INCREASE COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE AND DECREASE COMMUNITY STIGMA OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS BY DEVELOPING TRAININGS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE AND EDUCATE ABOUT RECOVERY AND HARM REDUCTION, 3) INCREASE PEER-TO-PEER SERVICE DELIVERY THROUGH IMPLEMENTING THE PEER RECOVERY MODEL AND HIRING CERTIFIED PEER RECOVERY SPECIALISTS, 4) DECREASE RELAPSE DUE TO UNMET SOCIAL NEEDS BY DIRECTLY ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH SOCIAL SERVICES (HOUSING, CHILDCARE, VOCATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, LEGAL, TRANSPORTATION) AND PRIMARY CARE LINKAGES, 5) PROMOTE A SUPPORTIVE RECOVERY COMMUNITY THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH REGIONAL AND LOCAL HARM REDUCTION COMMUNITY PARTNER EFFORTS, 6) IMPROVE RECOVERY OUTCOMES BY INCREASING TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROGRAM STAFF.