National Peer-Run Center for Addiction Recovery Support
One World Recovery Network Awarded $1.9 Million Annually to lead National Peer-Run Center for Addiction Recovery Support
[Hurst, TX] – In celebration of Recovery Month, One World Recovery Network (OWRN) is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a $1.9 million annual grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In collaboration with SAMHSA’s Office of Recovery, OWRN and its partners will use these funds to establish the National Peer-Run Training and Technical Assistance Center for Addiction Recovery Support (CARS), significantly expanding access to peer-led training and technical assistance (TTA) for recovery support services nationwide. CARS aims to support all communities by providing essential peer and recovery support TTA. CARS will also work closely with the Office of Recovery’s equity-focused TTA center — SAMHSA Programs to Advance Recovery Knowledge (SPARK) — to meet the TTA needs of underrepresented and underserved communities while advancing recovery nationwide.
Annie Powell, Principal Investigator and founder of OWRN, emphasized the importance of lived experience in recovery: “We are incredibly humbled and grateful for the opportunity to lead this national effort. This grant empowers us to continue amplifying the voices of people with lived and living experience and supporting the growth of recovery communities across a diverse range of settings.”
Dr. Onawa LaBelle, Co-Project Director and professor at the University of Windsor, echoed the excitement: “This project will build capacity, strengthen the peer recovery workforce, and foster sustainable recovery solutions across all communities—including those that are underserved. We’re eager to collaborate with local, state, and national partners and territories to make a meaningful impact.”
Johanna Dolan and Haner Hernandez will serve as co-chairs of the National Steering Committee. Dolan added, “This is an opportunity for the recovery community to collaborate and develop critical resources for peer recovery support workers and the services they provide. It’s an exciting time for the field of recovery!” Hernandez shared, “With this funding, we will bring together a diverse team to engage with historically marginalized populations, using these resources to advance equity through cultural humility and innovative recovery approaches.”
CARS will engage with Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs), peer-run organizations, state agencies, and other partners to provide culturally responsive, evidence-based training to strengthen the recovery support workforce. Through partnerships with regional hubs and esteemed partner organizations, such as the University of Missouri Kansas City, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the University of Texas at Austin, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the Association of Recovery Schools, and the Association of Recovery in Higher Education, CARS will focus on creating recovery-ready environments in workplaces, schools, housing, corrections, and re-entry settings, among others.
Click here to learn more about the core topic areas and objectives that will guide CARS.
About One World Recovery Network (OWRN): OWRN is a peer-led, Black-led, and woman-led Recovery Community Organization committed to fostering health equity and recovery for individuals affected by substance use. With a focus on inclusion, diversity, and community leadership, OWRN provides recovery support services, technical assistance, and leadership development to underserved populations. With this new initiative, OWRN continues to build on its commitment to health equity, advancing the recovery movement for years to come.
For media inquiries or more information about CARS, please contact:
Kasi Royal
Public Relations, One World Recovery Network
kroyal@oneworldrecovery.org
