Healthy Acadia Launches Pilot Youth Recovery Coaching Program to Support Youth Impacted by Substance Use Disorder
For Immediate Release Please
October 9, 2024
Program Contacts: Denise Black, denise@healthyacadia.org, (207) 667-7171; Terri Woodruff, terri@healthyacadia.org, (207) 255-3741
Media Contact: Tracey Carlson, tracey@healthyacadia.org or (207) 667-7171 Ext. 112
Healthy Acadia Launches Pilot Youth Recovery Coaching Program to Support Youth Impacted by Substance Use Disorder
Maine - Healthy Acadia, in collaboration with the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), has launched a one-year pilot program aimed at providing recovery coaching for Maine youth affected by substance use disorder (SUD). The pilot has strong support from the Office of Maine Governor Janet Mills, who announced the initiative at the 6th Annual Maine Opioid Response Summit in July. The Youth Recovery Coaching Program (YRCP) will operate within Healthy Acadia’s Maine Alliance for Recovery Coaching (Maine ARC), offering vital support to individuals aged 14-21 in Washington and Hancock Counties.
The YRCP aims to connect young people in recovery and those impacted by the substance use struggles of loved ones with trained recovery coaches. Healthy Acadia will hire a full-time Youth Recovery Coach Coordinator (YRCC) and two full-time Youth Recovery Coaches (YRCs) to lead community outreach and offer one-on-one coaching to youth participants. The program will also incorporate volunteer and paid interns through Healthy Acadia’s Maine Recovery Core Program, creating opportunities for those interested in entering the behavioral health field. Learn more at https://healthyacadia.org/spr-marc.
“This pilot represents a critical step in expanding Maine’s efforts to support youth and families affected by a substance use disorder,” said Denise Black, Co-Director, Maine Alliance for Recovery Coaching. “By offering recovery coaching specifically for young people, we are building capacity to address the impact of substance use, reduce stigma, and provide life-saving support to those in need.”
Healthy Acadia anticipates training 20-30 individuals through the CCAR Recovery Coach Academy for Young People in Washington and Hancock counties. These newly trained individuals may go on to serve as youth recovery coaches or support partner organizations, such as schools, that are eager to integrate recovery services into their communities.
“We are thrilled to launch this pilot program, which will fill a significant gap in support services for Maine’s youth,” said Penny Guisinger, Recovery Programs Director. “By engaging young people directly and connecting them with recovery coaches who understand their challenges, we are creating a system that will help them thrive and rebuild their lives.”
Healthy Acadia is a 501(c)(3) community health organization dedicated to building vibrant communities and making it easier for everyone to lead healthy lives. Serving Washington and Hancock counties, the organization provides community health support and leadership across Maine. For more information, visit healthyacadia.org.
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