Stay at home and social distancing orders have changed how peer recovery support programs are supporting participants during their most vulnerable moments. Some programs have extended and enhanced their existing technology assisted peer support to continue making personal and timely connections.  In this podcast, we profile three peer recovery support services programs in different organizational settings to learn how their programming has changed in response to COVID-19, and the role technology has played in their programs before entering the pandemic. In our first segment, we hear from Wendy Jones, executive director of Minnesota recovery connection

You will hear from Wendy Jones, Minnesota Recovery Connection; Melissa Pierson at Franklin County, Ohio, Office of Justice Policy and Programs; and Tiffany Lombardo at Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Services Board. Overall, the experience with the unexpected shifts to peer support primarily through technology-assisted peer support has been a positive one. Even after this pandemic, many programs anticipate seeing more virtual supports offered alongside in-person support.

Presenters

• Wendy Jones, Executive Director, Minnesota Recovery Connection
• Melissa Pierson, Deputy Director, Franklin County, Ohio, Office of Justice Policy and Programs
• Tiffany Lombardo, MA, LISW-S, LICDC-CS, Associate Director of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Services Board

A transcript of this podcast is available.