Learn AboutAdvocacy
RecoveryPeople’s policy advocacy programming educates and promotes interests and causes at a systems or policy level. Our advocacy campaigns aim to:
- Empower the voice of individuals and family members in recovery to use their experiences to shape and inform policy.
- Lower policy barriers to recovery.
- Inform and educate the recovery community and policymakers on issues areas that impact persons with SUD/MH and their families.
AdvocacyKey Concepts
RecoveryPeople has currently identified five, core areas of concern. We provide information and education about these issues and in some cases, may take positions and work actively towards their resolution.
Recovery Ecosystem
A recovery ecosystem is a holistic, community-based approach to helping people recover from substance use disorders. It connects people with the services, support, and training they need to maintain recovery.
Recovery Organizations
Recovery organizations are nonprofit entities, often created by people in recovery or their families, which provide nonclinical supports for people in recovery from addiction.
Recovery Workforce
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Rights and Protections
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Justice Reform
Justice reform is the process of changing the legal system to ensure equal justice, accountability, and protection of civil rights with respect to substance use disorder.
There are opportunities to advocate for policy improvements at local, state and federal levels.
AdvocacyProjects
ABCs of Advocacy
ABCs of Advocacy is a bi-annual training event, co-hosted with TAAP and ASAP, to strengthen the advocacy skills of the recovery community.
Brown Bag Advocacy
Brown Bag Advocacy is an educational series that focuses on policies affecting substance use, mental health prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Peer Policy Fellowship
The Peer Policy Fellowship empowers the voice of lived experience in policy and program development, by hiring and/or mentoring Fellows in recovery from substance use and related mental health challenges.
Recovery Day at the Capitol
Recovery Day at the Capitol is an inspiring and impactful event held during the Texas Legislative Session, in which advocates from across the state unite to champion substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Texas Rally for Recovery
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AdvocacyEvents
RecoveryPeople hosts numerous events throughout the year, both in-person and virtual. A selection of upcoming Advocacy events are listed below; you can also take a look at the full calendar for a list of all available opportunities!

AdvocacyNews
January 2025- Substance Use Priorities in the 89th Legislative Session Date: January 15, 2025 Time: 12pm – 1pm CT Location: Virtual (zoom, registration required) Are you passionate about substance use…
Anna Unnerstall is a person in long-term recovery from mental health and substance use disorders. Compassionate and driven to help others, Anna spent over a decade working at the micro…
PRESS RELEASE Mike Ferrer receives RecoveryPeople’s 2024 Media Award of the Year Austin, TX – RecoveryPeople is delighted to announce that Mike Ferrer has been awarded the RecoveryPeople Media Award…
Press Release Regina Ybarra receives RecoveryPeople’s 2024 Peer of the Year Award RecoveryPeople is proud to announce that Regina Ybarra, the Project Coordinator at Punto de Partida Opioid Crisis Center…
PRESS RELEASE Joe Powell receives RecoveryPeople’s 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award In recognition of his life’s work promoting recovery, RecoveryPeople is excited to announce Joe Powell as our 2024 Lifetime Achievement…
AdvocacyResources
Our list of Advocacy resources is currently under development; please check back soon!