Everyone one deserves access to recovery, and RecoveryPeople is committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion through our programs. To that effect, we set health equity targets across demographic categories and compare those goals with the actual percentage of persons served. Targets are based on census data that is adjusted for disparity, such as a population that is disproportionately impacted. This data informs our rapid cycle quality improvement strategic plan, allowing us the ability to identify what is working and where there are opportunities for improvement.
Based on 2020 performance data, RecoveryPeople exceeded expectations across numerous categories:
- Gender identity: female and transgender or non-binary
- Sexual orientation: homosexual and bisexual
- Race:Black a Native American
We attributed this success to the relationships we have cultivated within these communities and our strategic approach.
Gender Identity
RecoveryPeople evaluates equity through a gender identity lens, because the prevalence of substance use and co-occurring issues as well as access to appropriate services greatly differs across individuals who identify as male, female and transgender or non-binary. The chart below compares our 2020 goals with actual data collected across a target programs as well as our performance evaluation. Key data sources included: 2019 Texas Census , TX Demographic Center, and TX Prevention Resource Centers.
| Domains | Social Model | Medical Model |
|---|---|---|
| Physical environment -nTo what degree does it feel like a home? | Feels home-like. Architecturally promotes recovery supportive interactions among staff, participants, and each other in community spaces like the kitchen, porch, or family room. | Feels institutional. Significant square footage is allocated towards offices and group rooms, rather than community spaces. Entrances and exits are more likely to be gated and guarded. |
| Staff role -nTo what degree are staff respected as peers vs. distant superiors? | Staff mingle with residents in community spaces, and activities, e.g., over a meal. As recovery progresses,residents are rewarded with leadership roles and increasing community responsibilities. | Power differentials are enforced among staff and between staff and residents. Minimal opportunities are available for resident leadership development. |
| Authority base -nTo what degree is authority based on lived experience? | Many/most employees self-identify as in recovery or alumni. Experiential credentials are valued equally with clinical knowledge | Professional /clinical credentials are required. |
| Recovery orientation - To what degree is substance abuse problems viewed as the problem? | u201cResidentu201d or u201cParticipantu201d and u201cRecovery Planu201d: Recovery is expected as a person-driven, lifelong and holistic process. Promote life skills development. | u201cClientu201d and u201cTreatment Planu201d: Relapse is expected. Provide clinical treatment that focuses on disease and associated problem amelioration. |
| Governance -nTo what degree does accountability involve peers? | Meaningful peer governance promotes resident accountability to one another. | Staff hold clients accountable to policies set by administrative/clinical leadership. |
| Community orientation - nTo what degree is the community viewed as a resource? | Link with personal and social recovery capital e.g., employment and other, culturally-congruent recovery resources, or family services. Residents connect and maintain relationships with mentors/sponsors, host recovery meetings, and attend recovery supportive social events and contribute to the community in meaningful ways. | Focus on connecting with community treatment resources and u201caftercareu201d activities. |
Sexual Orientation
RecoveryPeople evaluates equity through a orientation lens, because the prevalence of substance use and co-occurring issues as well as access to appropriate services greatly differs across individuals who identify as bisexual, homosexual or heterosexual. The chart below compares our 2020 goals with actual data collected across a target programs as well as our performance evaluation. Key data sources included: LGBT Health Equity (SAMHSA) and Williams Institute (2011).
| Year | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | The Importance of Housing Choice for People with Substance Use Disorders | A national stakeholder meeting and report hosted by the National Council for Behavioral Health and Corporation for Supportive Housing, which included recovery housing as a key resource. |
| 2015 | HUD Policy Brief on Recovery Housing | HUD Policy Brief on Recovery Housing |
| 2018 | Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon Generalu2019s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health | Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon Generalu2019s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health |
Race
RecoveryPeople evaluates equity through a racial lens, because the prevalence of substance use and co-occurring issues as well as access to appropriate services greatly differs across individuals who identify as Asian, Black/African America, Native American and White. The chart below compares our 2020 goals with actual data collected across a target programs as well as our performance evaluation. Key data sources included: 2019 Texas Census , TX Demographic Center, TX Prevention Resource Centers, and Health Equity (SAMHSA)
| Domain | Physical environment |
| Assessment | To what degree does it feel like a home? |
| Social Model | Feels home-like. Architecturally promotes recovery supportive interactions among staff, participants, and each other in community spaces like the kitchen, porch, or family room. |
| Medical Model | Feels institutional. Significant square footage is allocated towards offices and group rooms, rather than community spaces. Entrances and exits are more likely to be gated and guarded. |
Ethnicity
RecoveryPeople evaluates equity through a ethnicity lens, because the prevalence of substance use and co-occurring issues as well as access to appropriate services greatly differs across individuals who identify as Hispanic and Non-hispanic. The chart below compares our 2020 goals with actual data collected across a target programs as well as our performance evaluation. Key data sources included: 2019 Texas Census , TX Demographic Center, TX Prevention Resource Centers and Health Equity (SAMHSA)
| Domain | Staff Role |
| Assessment | To what degree are staff respected as peers vs. distant superiors? |
| Social Model | Staff mingle with residents in community spaces, and activities, e.g., over a meal. As recovery progresses,residents are rewarded with leadership roles and increasing community responsibilities. |
| Medical Model | Power differentials are enforced among staff and between staff and residents. Minimal opportunities are available for resident leadership development. |