Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative

Promoting individual wellness by creating work environments that further the mental and physical well-being of employees; proactively preventing substance misuse and supporting recovery from addiction in the workplace and the community.

The Initiative

The Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) Initiative empowers employers to implement recovery friendly practices within the workplace and provide support for employees in recovery or those impacted by substance use disorder (SUD).

The purpose of the RFW Initiative is to promote individual wellness by creating work environments that further the mental and physical well-being of employees; proactively preventing substance misuse and supporting recovery from addiction in the workplace and the community.

Endorsed by former Governor Brian Sandoval and championed by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, the RFW Initiative encourages healthy and safe working environments where employers, employees, and communities collaborate to create positive change, eliminate stigma, and support recovery.

of individuals who use illicit drugs and alcohol are employed. Is your business talking to the one in three American households affected by substance use disorders?

$ 0

is the annual cost to Nevada for substance misuse, most of which are incurred by businesses. These costs include reduction in labor force, decreased productivity, turnover, absenteeism, health care, and criminal justice.

Americans are in recovery from substance use disorder. People in recovery are our employees, customers, friends, and family members.

Firsthand Stories

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Carly's Story

This is Carly’s story. The editor and chief at Google’s Daily Insider. After using drugs and alcohol to cope with major depression, she went to rehab and reclaimed her life. Now in recovery, she leads a key part of her employer’s internal communications.

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Sharon's Story

This is Sharon’s story. CEO of a healthcare-related company, her son got addicted to painkillers. He’s now in recovery and she is using her firsthand experiences to help build a recovery friendly workplace.

Nevada Recovery Friendly Workplace Shawna's Testimonial
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Shawna's Story

This is Shawna’s story. She used employee assistance counseling sessions to identify and address problems with alcohol misuse. Now she leads workplace efforts to support people in recovery.

Benefits of Participation

Get Guidance and Support

Receive guidance and support from your Recovery Friendly Ambassador (RFA) as you take steps towards implementing recovery friendly practices within your workplace, including free customized staff training and other resources to better support your employees.

Get Connected

Get connected to wellness resources and services.

Retain

Retain a healther, more motivated, and more productive workforce through the delivery of evidence-based health and safety practices.

Receive Designation

Receive designation as a Recovery Friendly Workplace. By joining this initiative, you will send a strong message to your employees and customers about the positive culture of your workplace.

Steps towards becoming a Recovery Friendly Workplace

The number 1
Orientation

Work one-on-one with a Recovery Friendly Ambassador to assess business needs and receive a RFW orientation.

The number 2
Letter of Intent

Submit a Letter of Intent to make a commitment to become a recovery friendly workplace.

The number 3
Implementation

Complete initial required components of the Checklist.

The number 4
Designation

Receive designation as a Recovery Friendly Workplace.

No commitment is needed. Take the first step towards saving lives and lifting the stigma by completing the Recovery Friendly Workplace Letter of Intent.

Contact our Recovery Friendly Workplace Ambassador to learn more about what it means to become a Recovery Friendly Workplace in Nevada.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) is a business that chooses to go above and beyond for its employees by creating a workplace culture that supports people in recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD), as well as all those impacted.

You will have the opportunity to engage in ongoing recovery friendly culture practices and activities, and receive ongoing support from your RFA and Foundation for Recovery.

The checklist was created to provide a simple, straightforward process for businesses and organizations of all sizes to become designated as a Recovery Friendly Workplace.

A Recovery Friendly Ambassador (RFA) is a full-time employee at Foundation for Recovery to support this Initiative. The RFA is a resource to businesses and organizations that wish to become recovery friendly.

Workplaces of all sizes and readiness levels will benefit from participation in this initiative. Resources will include customized training, toolkit, materials, and support. In addition, the Foundation for Recovery staff will ensure workplaces are well connected to community prevention and recovery support services to best support their employees.

There is no cost for a business or organization to become a designated RFW. Services will include support and guidance throughout the entire process.

What is a Recovery Friendly Workplace?

A Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) is a business that chooses to go above and beyond for its employees by creating a workplace culture that supports people in recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD), as well as all those impacted.

How much does it cost to become a Recovery Friendly Workplace?

There is no cost for a business or organization to become a designated RFW. Services will include support and guidance throughout the entire process.

What is the Checklist?

The Checklist was created to provide a simple, straightforward process for businesses and organizations of all sizes to become designated as a Recovery Friendly Workplace.

What is a Recovery Friendly Ambassador?

A Recovery Friendly Ambassador (RFA) is a full-time employee at Foundation for Recovery to support this Initiative. The RFA is a resource to businesses and organizations that wish to become recovery friendly.

What resources are available?

Workplaces of all sizes and readiness levels will benefit from participation in this initiative. Resources will include customized training, toolkit, materials, and support. In addition, the Foundation for Recovery staff will ensure workplaces are well connected to community prevention and recovery support services to best support their employees.

What happens after designation?

You will have the opportunity to engage in ongoing recovery friendly culture practices and activities, and receive ongoing support from your RFA and Foundation for Recovery.

Contact Us.

Recovery Friendly Workplace Ambassador

Southern Nevada Recovery Community Center

Our Activities Calendar

  • One-on-one Peer Recovery Support
  • Mutual Aid Meetings & Support Groups
  • Women’s Empowerment Workshops
  • GED or High school Equivalent Preparation
  • Overdose Prevention Training and naloxone (Narcan) Access Point
  • Computers
  • Library
  • Bus Passes
  • Recycled Clothing (Caring Closet)
  • Peer Recovery Support Specialist Training
  • Lounge Area
  • Classrooms & meeting spaces

The Southern Nevada Recovery Community Center offers several spaces open to the groups and organizations to rent for meetings, support groups, trainings, and events. Learn more or contact therooms@forrecovery.org for more information.

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Person-Directed Recovery

Person-centered recovery is directed, as much as possible by the person – including decisions about who should be included in the process.  The planning identifies just a few small, but meaningful, short-term changes that the individual can focus on helping to reduce some of the barriers or challenges moving forward.  Person centered care should be central to all recovery frameworks.

*Adapted from Person-Centered Care and Planning by Neal Adams, MD, MPH, and Diane Grieder, M.Ed.