As part of the Public Science Collaborative’s substance use recovery work, PSC spoke with directors of recovery community centers (RCCs) from around the country to learn best practices in establishing an RCC, then analyzed interview transcripts and reviewed scientific literature around recovery to identify themes and concepts that facilitate development of recovery community organizations (RCOs). PSC outlined a recommended plan for the development of Iowa’s Recovery Community that pin-points Iowa’s specific recovery needs. PSC also created a toolkit that includes information related to funding, governance, standards, tools and resources, outreach, and additional toolkits from other organizations.
PSC collected clear and actionable advice about how to establish RCCs in Iowa from national leaders. RCCs come in many varieties, and Iowa can support a range of organizational types.
Key findings include: Use recovery specific language when talking with people in recovery, market recovery to your local community, pay your RCC staff, move at the speed of trust, and curb certifications. See the report for more advice from national leaders.