MOAR is thrilled to welcome two new members to our team! Scott Francis will be serving as our regional coordinator for the Metrowest Region. Trevi Hall will be spreading
MOAR's mission as Regional Coordinator in Western MA. You can get to know Trevi below, and we will hear from Scott next month. Recovery is Real!
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Trevi's Story of Recovery
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Hello, my name is Trevi C. Hall and I am a person in Recovery. My Recovery journey started in 1991. I was able to cease the use of substances and get my life semi-back together (8 years). Little did I know or, better yet, refused to accept, that substances were not my only problem. Therefore, my road to recovery has had many curves, bumps, detours and stops. After struggling for many years with accepting that I have a disease which is progressive, incurable and can be fatal, I embraced the idea and was finally able to totally surrender. In surrender, I found the root of my inability to cope with life on life’s terms without the use of substances:
Untreated childhood/adolescent trauma which resulted in poor mental health. So, having finally gotten to the root of my issues, my recovery pathway involves peer to peer support, abstinence, mental health services and an overwhelming desire to remain in recovery. That simple formula has brought me to where I am today.
Being the new Western MA Regional Coordinator for
MOAR is a dream come true for me. As such, I strive to continue the wonderful work and cultivate the professional and community connections that
MOAR has in Western MA and broaden
MOAR’s reach into our underserved communities, while steadfastly maintaining
MOAR’s Mission and Vision. I look forward to working with and learning from the many experienced employees of the
MOAR organization. I hope to offer
MOAR my knowledge, experience and pure excitement to be able to actively encourage those persons who are affected by SUD to come together in a collective voice and advocate for services not only at the local level but statewide as well.
If anyone would have suggested to me 5 years ago that I would one day be able to contribute to this phenomenon called Recovery in such an instrumental and valuable way, I might have laughed. Today I believe in myself and in Recovery and all that it can offer if we just give ourselves a chance.
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Voices for Recovery call for better insurance coverage for addiction treatment
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MOAR
hears you! According to our recent public policy surveys and discussions with our members, expanding insurance coverage for addiction treatment is a high priority issue. Currently, health care insurance is required to cover up to only 14 days of inpatient addiction treatment based on medical necessity determined by the treatment provider. This is not a mandate. See list of organizations who would like to see this expanded to 30 days. Others are invited. Longer length-of-stays are proven to help people sustain recovery. Coverage for longer lengths-of-stay from all health insurance policies will create an incentive for treatment providers to expand capacity with needed treatment beds and the services to match!
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SOAR recently convened two regional groups of peer recovery support centers (PRSCs) and recovery community organizations (RCOs) in Central Mass and the Southeast/Cape region. It’s part of SOAR’s effort to organize program development, policy work and trainings around the needs of each region. SOAR (Speaking Out for Addiction Recovery), a project of
MOAR
, connects and convenes recovery support centers and other organizations/groups across the state that provide peer to peer supports.
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The inaugural regional meetings were hosted at Restoration Recovery in Fitchburg and A New Way PRSC in Quincy. Kirsten Doherty, SOAR’s Project Director, explains the regional direction, “Although each entity differs culturally and otherwise, they often have much in common. For example, they may be advocating for additional public transportation in their area, share political representation at the State and Federal level, or are working on a regional initiative to encourage CORI-friendly hiring practices. Also, there may be centers/organizations recently opened that can support each other’s development. Those that recently opened also have a chance to learn about best practices that more “veteran” centers/organizations have used in their region.”
In Central Mass, we found that organizational development and sustainability was a key focus. The region includes newly state-funded PRSCs just opening, existing centers that are receiving state funding for the first time, and other-funded organizations that may not have access to the same resources. Centers and organizations in Southeast Mass and the Cape discussed CORI discrimination, transportation ideas and barriers, and strategies for outreach to diverse cultures, providing safe spaces, and practicing inclusion.
Quote from regional participant about meeting…
"
MOAR
’s experience, capacity, network of recovery allies, and trainings provide a basis from which to support the SOAR Network of PRSCs and RCOs. We are looking at programs, policies and trainings that respond to the identified needs, as well as help the growth of these centers/organizations in each region. We also will be developing strategies for collaboration and mobilization around regional advocacy that speaks to their priorities."
We are excited about working with the centers/organizations in their regions to advance their work and serve their populations. Stay tuned for updates!
Please know that SOAR is project of
MOAR
Inc, which is an independent 501c3. It is federally funded under SAMHSA, as a CSAT RCSP-SN grant.
MOAR
is a project under TSNE Mission Works, and is funded by BSAS/DPH,
BCBSMA Foundation, other sources, membership, and contributions
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MOAR
Boston Members planning
MOAR
Boston Policy Forum -
scheduled for March 23rd, 5 PM to 8 PM, Huvos Auditorium, Faulkner Hospital, Jamaica Plain.
Some "Sober Shuttle" members are helping, too!
Learn
MOAR
about Sober Shuttle!
The Sober Shuttle Mission is to provide "cost free transportation" to all individuals who wish to recover from the infliction of substance abuse and mental illness, and to support them, their family, business and our communities in sustained positive productivity. Go to
https://sobershuttle535.com/
for
MOAR
info!
What
MOAR?
The Senate's Mental Health ABC Act: Addressing Barriers to Care
just passed the full Senate unanimously.
Stay posted for next steps! Thank you to the Senate!
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"From My Heart to Yours", a City of Somerville' Prevention Services and Somerville Media Production
documentary addressing the opioid and other drug addiction crisis, was featured at our January 16th
MOAR
Middlesex East Action for Recovery Meeting. There was stimulating discussion about what is happening from walk in - integrated services, recovery coaching, Narcan, police, fire, and recovery community support!
Then discussion centered in on what
MOAR
is needed from safe injection site, improved health insurance coverage, seamless continuum of care, and more than that. All are up to the task to move from death to supporting prevention, harm reduction, and
recovery support services!
What
MOAR?
Want
information on steps to license Recovery Coaches?
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Save the Date!
March 23rd is MOAR's Annual Boston Public Policy Forum
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Get MOAR involved by coming to an Action Recovery Meeting in your region.
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