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Proposed legislation in the Pennsylvania Senate would provide additional funding to help those in recovery from substance abuse integrate into the workforce.
The Recovery to Work Pilot Program, proposed under Senate Bill 69, would provide funding for regional workforce development boards in the state to launch pilot programs aimed at increasing the success of those in recovery in finding long-term employment.
"An important, yet often overlooked, side effect of this epidemic is the vicious cycle that many individuals fall into when trying to find, secure, and maintain steady employment with a history of a substance use disorder," state Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr., R-35, the bill's primary sponsor, said in a co-sponsorship memorandum. "Meaningful employment is essential to an individual's long-term recovery as it provides a renewed sense of purpose and will help make for a healthier and more prosperous community."
Locally, Family Services of Warren County Director of Substance Abuse Services Andrew Cauley noted the challenges faced by those attempting to find work while in recovery.
"Despite our attempts to integrate job finding and work related soft skills in treatment, social perception of substance use continues to create marginalization and barriers that make it difficult for people who are actively seeking to improve their lives find access the opportunities to do so," he said. "Professionals in the substance use disorder treatment field have long acknowledged the positive impact of employment on recovery outcomes for the people we treat. One of the most influential psychologists in our field, William R. Miller, shares that 'employment is a strong predictor of sobriety. Despite seemingly positive response during a treatment episode, clients who are unemployed are much less likely to refrain from substance use.' People returning to active use is not only unhealthy for those individuals, but also impacts their families and our community."
It's an issue the organization has already been actively looking into ways to address.
"Family Services has been discussing ways to integrate a job readiness program with employers who are willing to participate over the past several months, and we are extremely excited to hear that our state legislators are working to provide an opportunity for employers in the area to receive financial incentives for employing people struggling with substance use," Cauley said.
The program would be handled by the state Department of Labor & Industry in partnership with the state departments of Community and Economic Development, Drug & Alcohol Programs and Health and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The group would be responsible for developing a plan to work in conjunction with local workforce development boards to create plans for pilot programs.
"Since the local workforce development boards will be leading the implementation of the pilot program, the strategies will be locally focused to meet the needs of local employers and the local treatment and recovery community," Langerholc said. "Additionally, the legislation will provide incentives for businesses and training providers to participate in the program."
The NWPA Job Connect Board is the locally designated workforce development board for Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Venango and Warren counties.
While the legislation is currently before the state Senate Labor and Industry Committee, he said Family Services "is open to participating in piloting this program with employers in the area to build a healthier and more supportive community for those attempting to recover."