Recovery Friendly Workplaces - New Hampshire Model

In 2018, Governor Chris Sununu launched the New Hampshire Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) initiative to help address the statewide impacts associated with substance use disorder (SUD). Administered by Granite United Way in partnership with the State of NH, this initiative empowers businesses to create work environments that are supportive to those in or seeking recovery, in addition to those who may have a loved one with SUD. Everything offered through the initiative is done so at no cost and is tailored to meet the unique needs of each workplace.

Through this initiative, workplaces…

• Receive support and guidance from Recovery Friendly Advisors, regional Public Health Networks, Recovery Community Organizations, and RFW Peer Champions.
• Get connected to SUD-related information, trainings, and resources to better support employees and create a culture where conversations about issues related to mental health and SUD are encouraged.
• Complete an RFW checklist process that results in an official RFW designation, the development of an RFW culture, and visibility that helps challenge the stigma around SUD.

Over 300 New Hampshire workplaces are participating in this initiative, representing over 83,000 employees. The success of the RFW initiative has spread across the country, and over 25 entities from other states have reached out to learn how to best replicate the initiative to meet the needs of their communities. To increase the support they can lend to other states, NH’s RFW has launched an RFW Multi-State Community of Practice, which you can learn more about here (including how to join). The addiction crisis is bigger than New Hampshire, but together, we are forging a path that brings increased access to recovery, strengthening our workforce and communities in the process, and we hope others continue to join us.

Some RFW resources include:

• Recovery Friendly Workplace One-Pager
• Organizational Chart
• Recovery Friendly Workplace Checklist
• Related Efforts by State
• Trainings
• Testimonials

If you have questions or would like more information about materials, training, processes, and/or the national RFW Multi-State Community of Practice, please visit recoveryfriendlyworkplace.com or contact: 

Samantha Lewandowski, MS

Assistant Program Director                         

Sam@recoveryfriendlyworkplace.com

• Last Updated:
• Created:
• Resource Publication Date: 2022
• Posted by: Ashley Moore
• Posted in: National Dislocated Worker Grants