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Date: 10/4/2022
HOLYOKE – The city of Holyoke and the Hampden County Sherriff’s Department have taken the pledge to become a recovery ready workplace.
In observance of National Recovery Month in September, the two parties took the pledge with MassHire Holyoke. MassHire Holyoke’s goal is to roll out the initiative across the state so that businesses in the state begin to shape a cultural norm that eliminates stigma associated with addiction and substance use disorders and promotes a healthy and thriving workforce.
According to a statement released by MassHire, addiction and substance use disorders (SUD’s) cost the U.S. billions of dollars per year in healthcare costs, criminal justice involvement, lost work and productivity. MassHire Holyoke has been committed to tackling this challenge head-on through the Recovery Ready Workplace initiative.
“We work closely with the Hampden County Sherriff’s Department and other agencies in the community around people that are getting out of jail,” said Executive Director for Re-entry and Recovery Programs Ramona Rivera-Reno.
On Sept. 27 Mayor Joshua Garcia signed the pledge along with Rivera-Reno at City Hall. Rivera-Reno said breaking down the stigma surrounding people trying to overcome their SUD is important in order to meet people where they are.
“Rather than firing somebody, maybe say, ‘you know what you need to get some help and if you show us you’re getting help we’ll work with you,’” Rivera-Reno said.
The initiative has employers acknowledge and openly address employee experiences with drug and alcohol misuse and the process of recovery. It then educates employees about the disease of addiction, treatment options and recovery support.
The final step of the process has employers offering support to employees impacted by substance use in the form of policies, practices and benefits.
“It’s just really breaking down the barriers and having an open-door communication policy so you can help people move past these things,” Rivera-Reno said. “Holyoke sees this as a benefit.”
The agency will assist businesses with educational tools, resources and ongoing support, and establish an environment where people in recovery feel valued and people with addiction have the support needed to get better.
MassHire Holyoke will continue this work to expand effort across the state and New England. Its pledge involved a long-term commitment, supportive policies, the elimination of discrimination and stigma, adopting workplace interventions and proactive prevention.
“We have to build in catch basins where if someone trips, we pick them up, dust them off and get them back into employment,” said Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi.
Rivera-Reno said work has already started within the city with getting out employer guides for the recovery ready workplace. The project is not being funded by any grants at the moment but they are continuing this work and accepting donations.
“This is something that MassHire believes in. I hope that it trickles down in our community. If we educate a parent, it might help them recognize any problem with their kids,” Rivera-Reno said. “The whole thing is about community education, and I think the city’s commitment to educate through staff, there are a lot more people that can benefit from this education.”