Funding

Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH)

On behalf of the State, the BHDDH has been allocated a one-time appropriation to administer grant funds to state agencies to deliver programming through the Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) Initiative. Funding through the BHDDH will support the RFW Program Director. In addition, funds may be available for nonprofit organizations to implement programming that will:

  • Educate employers in evidence-based practices that demonstrably reduce substance misuse in the workplace;
  • Create work environments that are conducive to enabling persons in addiction and mental health recovery to sustain and re-enter the workforce as productive members of society;
  • Train employees, including specialized training for human resources personnel, on these matters;
  • Raise public awareness and provide information that supports health and safety for employees; and
  • Promote active community engagement that will assist in reducing the negative impact of unaddressed substance misuse and untreated mental health.

Department of Labor and Training

On behalf of the State, the DLT has been allocated $3.8 million dollars to implement the National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Demonstration (NHE) grant project, aimed to develop, expand, and upskill the healthcare workforce in the state to improve responsiveness to the opioid crisis and related areas of need. This grant also provides addiction/opioid education and services for workers/workforce in addition to career and training services for residents impacted by the opioid crisis including screening training for Community Based Organizations and public housing agencies. Deliverables of this project outline objectives for 970 participants:

  • 545 participants will be served through Real Jobs RI with targeted healthcare professional training, increasing the number and quality of Community Health Workers and Peer Recovery Specialists.
  • 350 individuals served through employment and training services through the Local Workforce Development Boards.
  • 75 skilled healthcare professionals trained in responding to Opioid Use Disorder through contracts with the RI Department of Health (RIDOH) and the RI Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (RI BHDDH).