PROSPER

Through the Peer and Recovery Organization Sustainability, Planning, Equity and Research (PROSPER) project, RecoveryPeople will strengthen the capacity of peer and recovery organizations to:

1. Drive policies; 
2. Access diverse streams of revenue; and
3. Advance the integration and provision of recovery support services across coordinated state and local recovery-oriented systems of care

This will be accomplished by:

1. Expanding RecoveryPeople's social impact network across Peer and recovery organizations (PROs), Payers, and Stakeholders;
2. Developing PROSPER sustainability models and a statewide strategic plan;
3. Multilaterally identifying policy, knowledge, and capacity strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT); and
4. Multidirectionally developing and implementing solutions (e.g., advocacy, awareness, training and technical assistance).

1. Weave a cross-sector, social impact network of PROs, payers and stakeholders committed to peer and recovery organization sustainability, planning, equity and research (PROSPER);
2. Develop a coordinated, data-informed, statewide strategic plan to expand access to PRSS delivered by PROs;
3. Address knowledge gap and infrastructure barriers across and between PROs, payers and stakeholders;
4. Address policy gaps and barriers by empowering the voice of PROs and lived experience; and
5. Affirmatively further health equity for marginalized communities.

PROSPER is supported by a SAMHSA CSAT RCSP SN grant.

Peer and recovery organizations (PROs) are non-clinical, community-based organizations that are peer-run, meaning they are led/staffed by individuals and/or family members in recovery from substance use and/or mental health challenges who reflect the communities that they serve. This makes them uniquely qualified to develop and deliver non-clinical support services to others affected by substance use or mental health challenges. 

Some PROs describe themselves as recovery community organizations (RCOs), highlighting that they are community-based and -driven. Some describe themselves as consumer operated service providers (COSPs), highlighting that they are led by persons in recovery. Others describe themselves in terms of their recovery supportive milieu or environment, for example: recovery community centers, recovery drop-in center, recovery cafe, recovery housing, recovery respite or recovery high schools. 

Peer and recovery support services (PRSS) are a proven and cost effective means of addressing substance use and mental health challenges. PRSS were originally developed and are best provided by PROs because they are community-based and -driven, inherently reflecting the populations they serve. Due to a shortage of sustainable peer and recovery organizations (PROs), most individuals and affected family members who could benefit from PRSS lack access. Although peer specialists have been increasingly integrated into many acute care and clinical settings, recovery is supported through nonmedical determinants of health in the community where PROs are located.

To solve complex issues, we need all perspectives engaged:

• PROs - Individuals who operate, govern, or who want to start peer and recovery organizations (e.g., recovery community center, recovery housing…)  
• Payers - Representatives of organizations and agencies that pay for peer recovery support services (e.g., peer specialist services, recovery support, recovery housing…)
• Stakeholders - Representatives of organizations and agencies that focus on substance use and/or mental health solutions.

• Register and attend virtual training sessions themed around sustainability, equity and research.
• Sign up for the PROSPER network and newsletters.
• Participate in PRO, Payer and Stakeholder research (e.g., surveys, interviews, focus groups) that will inform the statewide PRO strategic plan and resource development.