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.
Rights and Protections
Help uphold individuals civil rights and protect them from corrupt business practices and exploitation
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.
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
By Christine Zimmerly Peer-to-Career Director We have never had more knowledge, technology, or specialized care in our healthcare system. And yet, many people still leave appointments feeling unheard, disconnected, and…
Our series of short documentaries, Humanly Possible, spotlights people and organizations whose leadership, example, and personal service have shaped the recovery movement in Texas. We celebrate recovery and inspire hope…
Laura Crawford’s recovery journey began in Carthage, Texas, a small rural East Texas community where support for substance use recovery was limited. After facing significant hardship, including temporarily losing custody…
By Lori Mellinger Learning Management Specialist, RecoveryPeople When I first began learning and training in peer support, I thought I understood recovery well. After all, I had my own experiences…
Mark Rodriguez, MHPS, is part of the CorazonSA team in San Antonio, Texas. After beginning his recovery journey in 2023, Mark felt called to deepen his spiritual connection and began…
AdvocacyResources
Our list of Advocacy resources is currently under development; please check back soon!